Skip to content

Thee Strapons

Thee Strapons were formed in Dunedin in 1988 – initially a trio comprised of brothers Malcolm and Donald Campbell, along with Donald’s partner Beverley Greene. While in Dunedin the group were associated with the Nerve Centre – a venue on Bond Street that served as the gathering-point for local punks. The group recorded a handful of cassette-only releases there – showing elements of an industrial, experimental edge.

In 1993 Don and Bev relocated to Christchurch and the group went on hiatus for a period. While in Christchurch they formed the alternative fashion and music shop Generation X (on Manchester Street); which brought them to the attention of local musicians. Finally after a few years in limbo, friends in King Loser encouraged further excursions into music.

Matt Johnstone joined this new Christchurch-based lineup primarily as their drummer, contributing vocals, guitar and song-writing. This lead to the group taking a more direct rock’n’roll style – particularly when performing live.

Campbell and Greene formed the Solarphonic label to release their recordings, including the Anastasia Strapon solo 7″ from 1998 and also a release from one of Matt Johnstone’s other bands – The Hi-Tone Destroyers. The bulk of their output was on Peter King lathe cuts or DIY cassettes, adorned with brilliant artwork taking elements of cult b-movies and film noir. Their recordings were captured by Don Campbell and kRkRkRk‘s David Khan, with the industrial co-releasing their various releases.

Eventually Johnstone moved North to Auckland, and from late 1999 The Strapons were augmented by kRkRkRk industrial musicians J-Mz Robinson and then Mikel Goodwin, inspiring an exploration of the groups more experimental side. This continued on several more releases and performances until the birth of Greene and Campbell first child, which prompted the duo to relocate to Wellington.

A wonderful collection of lounge-rock numbers and synth-pieces recorded 1996-99. Longer, more keyboard-driven compositions. Lots of local musos are on this recording inc. Joanne and Sharon Billesdon, George Churton (Gene-Pool Belmondo of Gas etc), Chris Rigby and even moi. Bits from Come Back To My Place And Lost Found Sound were originally released on kRkRkRk in early 1997 on the tapes Beyond The Valley Of The Strap Ons and Fingerless Love.

David Khan on The Lost Found Sound

After a lengthy absence, Thee Strapons finally resurfaced in Wellington in 2004, appearing on the rather mixed Stop The Bypass compilation, but subsequently disappeared again.

Members

Discography

Links

Leave a Reply