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Celia Mancini

King Loser

Led by the dynamic duo of Celia Mancini and Chris Heazlewood, New Zealand’s surf and noise guitar gods King Loser were one of the best local groups for much of the 1990’s with 3 terrific albums and a handful of singles and bootleg releases before their split in 1997.

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The After Dinner Mints

Celia Mancini’s ‘lounge band in the ’80s.’ A Christchurch-based group that played a variety of upmarket events with Mancini fronting a killer backing band. Unknown for many years, a recording of Bobby Hebb’s ‘Sonny’ on the excellent ‘The Celia Mancini Tapes’ posthumous release in 2018.

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Cease to Exist

Presumably named after a song by notorious cult leading serial killer (and Beach Boys collaborator) Charles Manson. One of Duane Zarakov, Celia Mancini and Brother Love’s many psychedelic rock acts – this time a Christchurch-based group who were around during 1991 (after the demise of The Axel Grinders, but before Space Dust and King Loser) and recorded a single cassette EP.

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The Axel Grinders

The Axel Grinders were a hard-edged rock’n’roll group with touch of humour, formed by future King Loser members Celia Patel (aka Celia Mancini), Pat Faigan (Duane Zarakov) and Martin Henderson (Brother Love), with John Markie (John Segovia) and Phil Ascott. Their recordings were finally made freely available in 2014.

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The Stepford 5

Biography One of the earlier Christchurch acid-rock groups of Celia Patel (aka Celia Pavlova / Mancini) along with twins Sharon and Joanne Billesdon and Reta La Quesne. Forming after Celia and Rita’s former group   The Axel Grinders, the Stepford 5… Read More »The Stepford 5

Mothertrucker

Biography Celia Mancini‘s post King Loser band, consisting of herself on vocals and guitar and various other contributors such as Clayton Noone, Cameron Bain (formerly of Constant Pain) and many others, as the band had trouble keeping line-ups. More heavy metal… Read More »Mothertrucker

Celia Mancini

Biography Born Celia Patel (and at one stage known as Celia Pavlova), Celia Mancini was a smart, creative, talented and volatile musician. A born front-woman and general icon within the music community, who was never afraid to speak her mind,… Read More »Celia Mancini

Revenger

Biography The Coolies‘ Sjionel Timu, plus Jewl of Bessamoocho / Goldifox duo (and Pink Air / Girl Alliance mainstays) Liz Matthews and Penny Collins going hardcore. Released a lathe-cut 7″ ode to King Loser vocalist Celia Mancini, with the B-side… Read More »Revenger

Chris Heazlewood

Biography Fuzz-guitar god Chris Heazlewood had been a visible part of the New Zealand underground for at least a couple years prior to meeting Celia Mancini in Dunedin back in 1991 (and thereby forming the legendary King Loser). In Sferic… Read More »Chris Heazlewood

Flying Nun Records

The independent label that put New Zealand Music on the map. From Roger Shephard’s formation of the label in 1980 through to now, Flying Nun has been a mark of creative, quirky, inventive music with a distinct kiwi flavor.