Police turn in superior date at the Palladium...

It would be easy to say, 'The Police were arresting.' It would be easy, but it would be true. In its continuing role as Dallas' major New Wave showcase, the Palladium/Eaton-Page team have scored another coup.

Following in the footsteps of Talking Heads, The Ramones, and other New Wave attractions, The Police thoroughly entertained the capacity Palladium crowd. Riding the wave of success from their first hit single, 'Roxanne' from their first A&M LP, this fascinating power trio ran the gamut of musical and lyrical styles from imitation reggae to the sociological rock anthem, 'Born In The Fifties'. One of the high points of the evening had to be 'Sally', a song about the erotic joys of a rubber doll.

The band includes Stewart Copeland (drums), Sting (bass and vocals), and Andy Summers (guitar).

Copeland, the only American in the group between two limeys, began the group in January, 1977. Their individual credits include Copeland's work with Curved Air, Summers' stint with Kevin Coyne and Kevin Ayers, and Sting's acting career which includes roles in The Sex Pistols film and The Who's 'Quadrophenia'.

During an interview following their performance, guitarist Andy Summers shed some light on the modus operandi of The Police. Since the New Wave phenomenon is largely responsible for the success of The Police, Summers commented, ''There's a difference between the American public and the British public in that Americans love the star syndrome; Britons don't. Also, in Britain the economy's shot, there's unemployment... there's a whole generation of kids who don't know about Janis Joplin... The Beatles... the whole Woodstock thing, so they have made heroes of bands their own ages. All this accounts for the success of 'New Wave' in Britain.''

In what direction is the New Wave phenomenon headed? Summers replied, ''A lot of punk bands are becoming more musical, more polished. It's fantastic how in London one can be surrounded by New Wave when here in the States there is so little New Wave consciousness in many areas. There are pockets of acceptance and these are growing.''

Is Summers reticent regarding the association between the Police and New Wave? ''Not all all,'' he replied confidently, ''I think it's great.''

That's a cocksure vote of confidence for a controversial musical style which has seen more than it's share of defeats in this country. However, judging from the superior date The Police turned in at the Palladium, the tide might just be turning for New Wave in the USA.

(c) Unidentified newspaper by Ben Ferguson