Biography
DOG Power was formed in 2017 in Christchurch (Ōtautahi) by vocalist Sam Perry — who had previously performed as Zen Mantra — and multi-instrumentalist Henry Nicol, who had cut his teeth in Christchurch punk and noise outfits Log Horn Breed and Pavement Saw. The two met through the city’s underground scene and began developing a sound that blends experimental textures with pop hooks, drawing heavily on 1980s aesthetics while maintaining an unsettling, cinematic quality.
Their debut self-titled LP was recorded at multiple South Island locations — including the LOG Recording studio in Christchurch’s Sydenham district, an old Masonic lodge in Dunedin, and a Catholic trampers lodge in Arthur’s Pass — before the pair relocated to Idvor, Serbia. The album was released in 2018 on Flying Nun Records (FN584LP), the legendary Auckland-based independent label. Sam Perry has described their approach as “pop hooks weaseling their way out of experimental music.”
After a first European tour from their Serbian base, DOG Power continued recording material heavily influenced by the dance and club music of Belgrade. A second album, Black Mamba, was released in 2022 via Krava 22 — described as a “lovingly produced capstone of the pair’s collaborative work together from 2017 to 2020.” The record ranges across Factory-influenced club grooves, blues rock, synth balladry, and cinematic trip-hop.
Pop hooks weaseling their way out of experimental music.
Sam Perry, RNZ (2018)
Crackling with sunglasses-at-night sonic energy and bad to the bone attitude.
Under the Radar on Black Mamba
Members
- Sam Perry (vocals, Psych Tigers, Beach Arab, Zen Mantra, Yumi Zouma, Klotljudi)
- Henry Nicol (multi-instrumentalist, Log Horn Breed, Pavement Saw, Shacklock Meth Party, Cut 989)
- Jackson Harry (guitar — on debut album, Beach Arab, The Aesthetics, Civic)
Discography
- DOG Power [LP] (2018, Flying Nun Records, FN584LP)
- Black Mamba [Digital Album] (2022, Krava 22)