In the early 80s, Dave McArtney & the Pink Flamingos dominated New Zealand airwaves with songs like “Virginia”, “Hungry Night”, “Pink Flamingo” and “Infatuation”. Founded by McArtney along with Dragon’s Paul Hewson after Hello Sailor and Dragon folded in 1980, they were one of NZ’s hardest gigging bands. Now McArtney, still a current member of Hello Sailor, has decided it’s time to get that feather away from his nose once more. So to kick things off, The Pink Flamingos are playing Toto’s Bacco Room this Friday…

“In the 80s we started in the clubs whilst I was recording a solo album for PolyGram,” says McArtney. “The hits started immediately and we went straight onto the pub touring circuit, eventually taking DD Smash as a support, which established them as well.”

Tours were “constant and big” and in 1981 the band was rewarded when they won all the major awards at the RIANZ music awards off the back of their first, self-titled album. After two more albums, an EP and a switch from PolyGram to CBS with The Catch solo album in 1984, he disappeared from view. “The band broke up in Australia in 1982,” says McArtney, “completely exhausted and in debt. Typical.”

The last official Pink Flamingos show was in the 80s, although this lineup, including original Flamingo Paul Woolright on bass, with Steve Clarkson (drums), Johnny Fleury (guitar), Dianne Swann (BVs/guitar) and Stuart Pearce (keyboards) played at a couple of events last year and three of the lineup also played with McArtney in London clubs and pubs in 1991. “I’m keen to do this now because I feel the time is right and I want to re-establish something outside Hello Sailor,” he says.

Paul Hewson’s distinctive keyboard playing was a Flamingos hallmark. “His solid piano-playing was a salient feature of the band,” says McArtney, “and every keyboard player since has tried to emulate his style. Our brief was a simple band featuring two songwriters on guitar and piano. Paul and I actually ever only wrote one song together — “Just Like in the Movies”. He had serious medical issues, which he carried with great dignity, eventually dying in 1985.”

“The singles all got airplay,” says McArtney, “but I think “Flamingo” got more in the early days. “Is That The Way” was a hit here while we were still living in Australia.” He recalls how frantic those days were: “We were busy. I lived out of a suitcase for two years. Motels from Auckland to Invercargill to Bondi.”

So even though it’s not a Hello Sailor gig, will he still bust out “Gutter Black”? Yep. “I still do “Gutter Black”, readily. I find “Flamingo” hard, partly because of the key, and the inane tempo/feel. But you are obliged to play what people come to hear, I believe. Otherwise, I enjoy the songs better and better.”