The Kinks in The Press (Christchurch, NZ), 1965


"Dickensian in Dress"
The Press (Christchurch, NZ) 27 Jan. 1965

The Kinks, one of three British Pop bands which will be appearing in Christchurch on February 4, dress like characters from Dickens in outfits they designed themselves and have hair-styles that almost outstone the rolling stones, a group appearing earlier in the same week in a rival show. There are four Kinks and they started performing to help pay for their studies at the Croydon School of Art. They next appeared under contract to two businessmen at "deb" parties on London's "champagne circuit" and their popularity led to a recording contract.

One of their first releases, "Long Tall Sally," is described as "a dynamic disc, moving at a great pace, complete with wailing harmonics, plenty of way-out vocalising...and a few screams added for effect."

Ray Davies, the 18-year-old leader of the group is the eldest of a family of five. He took up the guitar at 11 and began studying painting and theatrical design. He does some arranging of music.

Dave Davies, aged 16, is the youngest of the group. He and Ray alternate as lead and rhythm guitarist. He worked for a musical firm and played with a trad band until he joined his brothers group.

Pete Quaif, 21, is the bass guitarist and vocalist. After attending art school he took up music as therapy for a hand injury.

Mike Avery (Also spelt Avory), 20, is the drummer. Since he left school at 15 he has played with skiffle groups, dance bands and beat groups. Kerridges say: "the Kink's enormous vitality is explosively infectious".


The ad:

Box Plans open Wednesday 10am at Majestic

Be sure and book! Prices 30/6, 20/6

Not one...
Not two...
But three!

Three of the world's top groups currently heading charts everywhere! Manfred Mann, The Kinks, The Honeycombs soon in Person.

Kerridge Oden Presents THE BIG SHOW *Swingin' 65* Only Four Nights in New Zealand

Manfred Man
"Do Wah Diddy" swept this group to fame - No 1 on American and New Zealand charts followed by "Sha La La" now way up there!

The Honeycombs
The group with a brand new sound - a girl drummer - and a sensational hit "Have I the Right" - packed with talent and a stage presentation that's way out!

The Kinks
"You Really Got Me," "All Day and Night" and "You Still Want Me" - 3 hits in a row from this terrific group - on disc tremendous - on stage sensational!

This could only happen once. 3 Tremendous groups at the peak of their popularity! With Tony Sheveton, Tommy Adderley, The Merseymen.

One Night Only! MAJESTIC Thursday, Feb 4th 6 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.


"Show Stopped With Sound System"
The Press, 5 Feb. 1965

Hundreds of disappointed teen-agers left the first performance of the "Swingin' 65" show in the Majestic Theatre last evening without so much as hearing the "beat."

Soon after the show began the sound system failed. Artists were upset and so were sound engineers who tried everything possible to rectify the fault. While work was going on to get the system back in operation, the audience sat whistling and stamping, but otherwise quite orderly. An hour later, after one or two abortive attempts to present the entertainment, the manager (Mr D.S. Hughes) announced the early show was cancelled.

Given Choice He gave patrons the option of having their money refunded or of transferring the seats they had to the 6.30 p.m. Cilla Black show, which will play at the same theatre next month. "We did everything we could," said Mr. Hughes. "The sound equipment was throughly tested before the first show began and it was all O.K. We have never had a problem at any show before in this theatre. What happened with the equipment remain something of a mystery." he said. For the second show of the evening a new set of amplifying equipment was used.


"More Polish, Less Volume in Show"
The Press, 5 Feb. 1965

On Tuesday evening young Christchurch people heard the Rolling Stones and their particular brand of Noise. In the Majestic Theatre last evening they heard more of the same, but with a subtle difference - there was a bit more polish in the presentation.

Compared with some of the insensitive-to-noise performers of the former show, last evening's artists showed a little more concern. They only blasted out with the beat now and then.

In the "Swingin' 65" show was to be heard the Merseymen, Tommy Adderley, the Kinks, Tony Sheveton, the Honeycombs, and Manfred Mann.

The mainstay for each of the acts, as always in beat shows, was the pieces of electronic equipment strategically placed in the centre of the stage. Now and again one of the artists - sometimes two - would move over to this sensitive equipment and with what appeared to be considerable stagecraft, fiddle with the control nob until the appropriate volume of sound was attained - for the benefit of the passer-by in the street outside. A common failure by many of those who attempted vocals was that they held the microphone so close to their mouths that at times some came perilously close to winding up chewing it.

The Manfred Mann group is good. The style it offered was pleasing - not only the music but the hair styles of the five young men are more becoming than some other recent groups.

Rivaling Manfred Mann for the affections of the rather orderly audience last evening were the Honeycombs.

After hearing two such "big beat" shows in the city in three days it can only be hoped that before very long someone may see fit to form a society for the protection of the eardrums.