Biography
Psych Tigers began as the bedroom recording project of Christchurch teenager Sam Perry, who was 16 when the first tracks appeared online in 2011. Perry was simultaneously playing in surf punk outfit Beach Arab with his friend Harry, and it was during a Beach Arab recording session that the seeds of Psych Tigers took root — extended psychedelic delay-heavy jams that eventually resolved into something more structured and distinctly personal.
The debut track ‘Glitter’ attracted attention on indie radio stations, and Perry followed it with a seven-track EP recorded entirely in his bedroom using Logic Express, an Audio Technica microphone and a USB MIDI keyboard. Early influences ranged widely — Dom, Girls, Wavves, Animal Collective and Unknown Mortal Orchestra — before shifting toward a darker palette drawing on The Smiths, Joy Division and Crystal Castles. A track, ‘L’esprit D’escalier’, appeared on the Love CHCH: A Seismic Selection of Music from Christchurch compilation in 2011.
What had been a solo project expanded into a full live band, with Matt Gunn and Steven Marr — both members of Christchurch post-punk group Ipswich — joining on bass and guitar respectively, alongside drummer Todd Williamson. Perry later fronted Zen Mantra, then joined Yumi Zouma between 2014 and 2017. He subsequently formed DOG Power with Henry Nicol, relocating to Belgrade to continue making music. The group released a self-titled LP on Flying Nun Records.
Members
- Sam Perry (vocals / guitar, Beach Arab, Zen Mantra, Yumi Zouma, DOG Power)
- Matt Gunn (bass, Ipswich)
- Steven Marr (guitar, Ipswich, Miniatures)
- Todd Williamson (drums)
Discography
- ‘Glitter’ (single, May 2011, self-released)
- ‘Crystal Methods’ (single, June 2011, self-released)
- ‘Baptism’ — Crystal Castles remix (July 2011, self-released)
- Psych Tigers EP (November 2011, self-released)
- ‘Wake-Up’ (single, December 2011, self-released)