Biography
Auckland-based rock group from the mid 1980’s with an atmospheric sound. Put out an EP on Jayrem and a 2nd on Hit Singles. The members would later resurface in Hoi Polloi.
Sort of heroic-sounding music, maybe because Jamboree are Christians, which they state without fuss in the lyrics. The title track is bustlingly Simple Minds-ish, but the good track is the poem-instrumental ‘A Familiar Quietness’, which walks neatly between atmosphere and melodrama and ends up quite richly effective. The other three tracks don’t work as well and sound a bit strained, particularly in the vocal department.
Russell Brown – from Rip it Up
This four piece hardly meshed with the Kiwi pop aesthetic at all, and even more frustrating Melt Down’s first selection (title track) found this foursome absorbed in rote “modern rock” mode, definitely sounding like a glossy product of their era. Next up, the hushed and insular “A Familiar Quietness” makes a break for the very polar extreme, but unconvincingly I have to say. Nonetheless, Jamboree manages to salvage the remainder of Melt Down in robust fashion, delivering three slices of pensive, forward thinking guitar pop that would do everyone from Lloyd Cole to Steve Kilbey proud. A happy ending after all.
Dunedin Sound Tapes
Members
- Brent Tasker (Certain Sounds, vocals)
- Andrew Horst (Hoi Polloi, Tess Wiley And Her Orchestra, All Star United, bass)
- David Ball (Hoi Polloi, guitar / keyboards)
- Dave Steunebrink (guitar)
- Jozsef Fityus (Hoi Polloi, drums)
Discography
- Melt Down EP (1985, Jayrem, JAY131)
- Independency EP (1987, Hit Singles, HIT026)