Politics. It's a funny old game, innit?

We're counting down to another local election. Time for everyone to try and remember who to punish for messing up Tauranga's roads, public spaces, CBD, parking, historic buildings, regular buildings, building consents, tracks, walkways, sewage, sporting facilities, drainage, public buses, school buses and of course, democracy in general.

And let's not even mention the museum.

Of course there are newcomers entering the political arena too. Is it Better The Devil You Know or A New Broom Sweeps Clean?

Here at the Watusi Country Club we remain dedicated to keeping you fully informed in these deceptive times of gaslighting and Russian election interference. Therefore we have diligently sought out the Tauranga Mayoral candidates' deepest secrets on one subject clearly at the forefront of voters' minds: music.

A survey went out. This week we examine answers from the first four candidates to respond. In the interests of fairness, their responses are printed without comment (which was a pretty impressive bit of self-discipline!). More next week...

1) If you had a campaign song, what would it be?

Kelvin Clout: Nobody Does It Better by Carly Simon
John Robson: It's a pity that Trump's stolen and poisoned You Can't Always Get What You Want by The Rolling Stones, but I'm happy with Revolution by The Beatles.
Tenby Powell: Fleetwood Mac's 1977 hit Don't Stop. 'Don't stop thinking about tomorrow / Don't stop, it'll soon be here / It'll be better than before / Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone”.
Andrew Hollis: It started with Highway To Hell AC/DC but I think Changes, David Bowie,
is probably the winner now.

2) What is your favourite song or piece of music?

KC: Gloria played live by U2 at Red Rocks
JR: It depends on my mood… but right now, as I type, I'm thinking Not Ready To Make Nice, by The Dixie Chicks.
TP: I grew up with an opera signing/piano teaching mother so I have broad musical tastes from classical music to rock. Can't go past a bit of jazz either. However, my all-time favourite song remains One Of These Nights by the Eagles.

3) What is the greatest musical performance you have personally witnessed?

KC: Foo Fighters - Auckland, February 3, 2018 - Dave Grohl was insane! Weezer were the best ever support act.
JR: Unplanned, unexpected (I'm not a fan of nationalism), and it still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up when I think about it - it was in the Astrodome at the Houston Rodeo where I stood, surrounded by cowboys and cowgirls, covered in leather and rhinestones, and watched and listened to Leanne Rimes, under a single spotlight, singing, solo, a capella, The Star Spangled Banner.
TP: Elton John and Billy Joel's 'Face-to-Face” concert in 1998 at Mt Smart. Two grand pianos, two iconic singer songwriters, and three hours of incredible music. Unrepeatable.
AH: I was part of a saxophone quintet called Sax Appeal and we won the BOP talent Show 1989 with our own version of the Pink Panther. Five young men from very diverse backgrounds showing music is a great team sport and social leveller.

4) If you could have any artist/ensemble/etc perform for your birthday, who would it be?

KC: U2
JR: Queen (Freddie, Brian, Roger and John).
TP: My son is the drummer for New Zealand band, Openside, so I'm biased! Failing booking Openside, I'd like to have The Doobie Brothers; we all know, and can sing along
to, the songs!
AH: Ghandi on Drums / Einstein on Keyboard / Mark Knopfler and Santana on guitar / Feynman, Darwin and Maxwell are the horn section / Richard Branson on Bass / Liam Neeson on backup vocals / Aunt Mae from Spiderman - home coming lead vocals / Steven Spielberg or Michael Mann conducting - can't decide whether I want epic explosions or not.