Skip to content

Biography

The first lineup of Drone was formed in Auckland in early 1986 – members : Darryl Hocking , Dan Newnham, Gareth Farr and Rose Whitehead. Did a few gigs in Akld , Hamilton and New Plymouth – and released a 7″ ‘Land of the Free / The Farmers Song’ – own label. Gareth left at the end of 1986 and the other 3 continued. More gigs / tours all over NZ – released debut album on own label DDR, recorded The Fat Controller and left for gigs in the USA and Europe 1991. Settled in London – more gigs – got The Fat Controller released on QDK / Normal ( Germany ) – another 7″ on DDR ‘ Stravinsky / Cavern’ and an album on Freek Records. Final gig in London as DRONEnsemble, Jan 2000.

Darryl and Dan had played together before in Rome ( Tauranga 1982 – released one 7″ on their own label – ‘ A Collision / Authoritarian Mother / Jasna Gora ‘ – and supported Beat Rhythm Fashion over one weekend at the Taita Hotel , Lower Hutt, May 1982). Dan played in Chch. bands A Fragile Line and Crane 1983 – 84. Darryl’s project Snake Salvador and Drone stuff can be downloaded at – punchywah.com – Dan has a new project – Transcendental Learning Collective – demo at bandcamp – album finished and awaiting release. Art stuff can be seen at – djn.co.nz – also includes Drone details on the CV page.
– Dan Newnham

Members

  • Darryl Hocking (1986 – 2000)
  • Dan Newnham (1986 – 2000)
  • Gareth Farr (1986)
  • Rose Whitehead (1986 – 2000)

Discography

  • Land Of The Free 7″ Single (1986, DDR)
  • Drone LP (1989, DDR, DDR1)
  • Cavern 7″ Single (1993, DDR, DDR2)
  • The Fat Controller EP (1993, Q.D.K. Media, CD007)
  • Drone CD (1996, Freek Records, FRR024)
  • Blow X Blow 7″ Single (1996, i, IRE1057)

Links

 

2 thoughts on “Drone”

  1. The first album was released in 1989 by us on DDR. The Fat Controller was recorded in 1990 and released on QDK Media in 1993. Free downloads of music available at punchywah.com – Video can be seen on youtube/ dronensemble – thanks for your interest – more music to come…

  2. Kia ora! This site is a great resource for the NZ music lover and collector…I’m wondering if Dan Newnham can clear something up for me regarding his ex band Rome. Myself and two other NZ music collectors have made entries for this release on Discogs. My entry is https://www.discogs.com/Rome-A-Collision/release/10108738 and there are two others here https://www.discogs.com/Authoritarian-Mother-Jasna-Gora-Rome/master/1245632
    I think these are incorrect as your band name was Rome right? And the band members (Robert Rakete etc) are wrong too right? So, it would be much appreciated if you could clarify this for me and also if you can share info on why there seem to be a couple of different pressings of this single that seems to be limited to 100 copies. Looks like some have the track listing on different sides? Also info on band members names and who played what etc would be helpful. Thanks Dan!

Leave a Reply