Sydney Sun-Herald, May 23, 1982

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Elvis Costello picks Pel Mel


Stuart Coupe

Elvis Costello may refuse to do interviews with journalists, but he still reads his mall and listens to tapes submitted to him by young bands.

The letter and tape strategy certainly worked for talented young Sydney band Pel Mel who've been announced as the national support band for the tour by Costello and The Attractions which starts next week.

When Pel Mel heard Costello was touring they decided they'd like to play at the concerts. Saxophonist, keyboards player and vocalist with the band Judy McGee told me last week that she and the rest of Pet Mel thought a direct approach was best.

"We sent a tape and a letter to him in England and a reply from his management said the tape sounded OK and we could go on the tour," Judy said.

Costello, whose short concerts prompted a riot at the Regent Theatre when he last toured, performs at The Capitol Theatre on June 1 and 2.

Whether Costello concentrates on the brilliant country and western he's been recording recently, plays his older material or mixes both remains to be seen.

And as he still refuses virtually all interview requests I'll tell you about Pel Mel.

Pel Mel formed a few years ago in Newcastle but quickly moved to Sydney where they are based.

The band's first independent single, "No Word From China," was an excellent song, sold well, and the film clip was shown on Countdown.

"I think we sold about 1,300 copies when we were distributing it ourselves, and at least a similar amount when it was re-released by GAP records," Judy said.

Pel Mel have just completed the recording of a second single at the M2'd studios. "It's called 'Head Above Water,'" Judy said. "Originally the title was 'Drowning' but we changed it because we think the new name is more commercial.

"The B side is 'Heartbeat.' Both are songs we play live and were written by the band."

The film clip for the new single will be done by John Hughes, the person responsible for the excellent clip for Mental As Anything's "Let's Cook" single.

"Most of It will be filmed around Ultimo," Judy said. "John is a bit of a wizard as far as I'm concerned and he's got some great ideas."

Following the Costello tour Pel Mel will record an album which probably will be produced by Tony Cohen who's worked on records by The Birthday Party, Laughing Clowns, Go-Betweens, Hunters and Collectors and many other Australian bands.

Recently Pel Mel musically have changed direction, incorporating a funk element. "I'd describe us as a pop funk band," Judy said. "We're very accessible and still fundamentally a dance band.

"We became influenced by funk because we'd been listening to a lot of bands like Parliament and Funkadelic along with some of the new English funk bands ABC and Haircut One Hundred. Funk's more fun to play."


Tags: Capitol TheatreSydneyThe AttractionsPel MelMental As Anything

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The Sun-Herald, May 23, 1982


Stuart Coupe profiles Pel Mel ahead of their support gigs for Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Tuesday-Wednesday, June 1-2, 1982, Capitol Theatre, Sydney, Australia.

Images

1982-05-23 Sydney Sun-Herald page 84 clipping.jpg
Clipping.

Page scan.
1982-05-23 Sydney Sun-Herald page 84.jpg

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