Biography
Christchurch eletro-pop troop that burst onto the All-Ages scene with the super-fun home-recorded MySpace single (‘Nikee’) and then a flurry of live shows, including achieving success as a wildcard entry in the Smoke-Free Rock-Quest regional finals. An exciting mix of electronics, guitar and pulsating rhythm, Bang! Bang! Eche! are Charlie Ryder (guitar), James Sullivan (Drums), T’Nealle Worsley (Bass) and Zach Doney (Vocals / Effects).
The configuration of the group has changed a little over time, specifically shuffling through vocalists – with Emma and Ross (who himself succeeded original vocalist Gino) making way for the absolutely manic Zach in late 2007.
During a chaotic, problematic turn at Southern Amp 2007, James usually Synth-Drum setup failed to function so he quickly moved to the staged (but unamplified!) drum-kit – which went off a treat and since the synth drums have been completely phased out.
In 2008 the group had been building up steam and working on developing their songs with an eye on releasing a debut EP mid-year, though it didn’t actually arrive until September 2009 and was eventually followed by a 2nd in October 2010. By the release of their 2nd EP the group had developed quite a strong on-line presence, but were playing less and less (particularly in their home town).
James Dann wrote a lengthy two-part piece on Christchurch underground indie music during the particularly furtive period (around 2004 till the earthquakes) for younger, more electronic groups that Bang! Bang! Eche! were a big part of:
The Christchurch of this period doesn’t exist anymore. Though we didn’t think the city was anything special, it had a number of unique things going for it, things that we didn’t realize until the quakes took them away. It was a sound that came from the city, especially the grittier, more run-down parts of the south-east of the CBD, where rent was cheap, where artists and musicians and bartenders and baristas all bumped into each other on the street.
James Dann – Christchurch Indie: Us against the City (AudioCulture article)
In late 2011 Worsley created ‘The Archive’ (which is the building that houses Darkroom) with her partner at the time Jasper Bryant-Greene. It was the first post-Earthquake music venue in Christchurch and the group played the opening party to a packed crowd.
The group headed their separate ways in 2013. Ryder now plays with one-time tour member Josh Burgess in the popular Yumi Zouma, Sullivan has moved to Auckland and performs solo as Jim Nothing, whilst both Doney and Worsley have spent time living in Melbourne.
Members
- Charlie Ryder (Sleepy Age, Yumi Zouma, guitar / keyboards, 2007 – 2013)
- James Sullivan (God Destroyer, Jim Nothing, Salad Boys, X-Ray Charles, drums, 2007 – 2013)
- T’Nealle Worsley (bass, 2007 – 2013)
- Gino Spiteri (vocals, 2007)
- Emma Kim (vocals, 2007)
- Ross Heath (vocals, 2007)
- Perry Mahoney (Civil Union, Crash Material, No Aloha, O’Lovely, keyboards / guitar / bass, 2007 – 2008)
- Josh Burgess (Sleepy Age, Yumi Zouma, guitar, 2007)
- Zach Doney (vocals / effects / keyboards, 2007 – 2013)
Discography
- Bang! Bang! Eche! EP (2008, Self-Released)
- Sonic Death Cunttt EP (2009, Self-Released)
- EP I (2009, Self-Released)
- EP II (2010, Self-Released)
- UR THE BEST EP (2013, Self-Released)
Links
- BandCamp Page
- AudioCulture History Article by James Manning
- Discogs Entry
- Christchurch Indie: Us against the city part two by James Dann (AudioCulture article)