Blam Blam Blam

by Jason Ankeny The origins of the influential New Zealand post-punk outfit Blam Blam Blam dated back to an Auckland-based theatrical group dubbed the Plague. Originally named the Madda Ferrets, the band underwent a series of name and lineup changes before the permanent trio of guitarist Mark Bell, bassist Tim Mahon and drummer Don McGlashan adopted the Blam Blam Blam moniker in the summer of 1980; their first release, the Maids to Order EP, appeared in the spring of the following year. With the Top Ten hit There Is No Depression in New Zealand, the group shot to success, mounting a concurrent national tour with the Screaming Meemees and the Newmatics titled The Screaming Blam-matic Roadshow. Former Pop Mechanix drummer Dick Driver briefly signed on as lead vocalist when Blam Blam Blam entered the studio to begin work on their full-length debut, exiting well before the records completion; issued in 1982 under the title Luxury Liner, it spawned another Top Ten classic with the single Dont Fight It Marsha, Its Bigger Than Both of Us. While touring in support of the album, however, disaster struck when an accident forced the amputation of Mahons index finger, effectively ending Blam Blam Blams career; McGlashan soon joined From Scratch, later fronting the well-received Mutton Birds, while Bell formed Coconut Rough. In 1984 the trio briefly reunited for a series of benefit performances for their old label, Propeller, resulting in the live LP The Blam Blam Blam Story; in addition, a new version of Dont Fight It Marsha accompanied the release of the 1992 compilation The Blam Blam Blam Story.