Biography
During the mid 90’s, no man represented the Christchurch underground rock movement more than Matt Alien (aka Matt Johnstone).
As the leader of blue-revivalists The Black Panthers and his long-surviving scuzz-rockers The Hi-Tone Destroyers Matt was the equivalent of Iggy Pop to Detroit, Jim Morrison to California or (perhaps) Chris Knox to Auckland.
He managed to combine a little bit of each into his stage-performer, a drug-fueled, leather-pant wearing masochist who would bait his audience, sing lewd lyrics and absolutely roar on the guitar – totally encapsulating rock’n’roll at its dirtiest.
The Hi-Tone Destroyers were a little less raunchy than their Black Panther brothers – despite sharing half the same members, but had the swagger of the MC5 at full-force and could deliver the goods at any moment – usually at a punishing volume.
They spent a good decade playing parties and self-releasing scuzzy, amateur recordings, until the rock’n’roll revival hit full swing in 2002, resulting in Matt’s abandonment for Auckland (and warmer shores) to chase success., forming the group Slavetrader.
Members
- Matt Johnstone (Matt Alien and the Slaves of Elvis, Alien, Human, Levitating Churches, Slavetrader, Thee Strap Ons, The Hitone Destroyers, The Black Panthers, The Lost/Found Sound, The Palace Of Wisdom, Space Dust, Guitar/Vocals/Drums, 1995 – 2002)
- Ben Johnstone (Bass/Vocals, 1995 – 2002)
- Pat Faigan (Drums, 1995 – 1996?)
- Don Campbell (Keyboards, 1995 – 1998?)
- Simon Nunn (Drums, 1996? – 2001?)
- Alan Cameron (Keyboards/Guitar, 1996? – 2001?)
- Nick Hodgson (Drums, 1998?)
Discography
- ‘Icepick’/’Motorcity Rumble’ 7″ Lathe-Cut Single [Solarphonic]
- Play The Music Of The MC5 7″ Lathe-Cut Single [Solarphonic]
- ‘I’ll Put A Spell On You’/’Sonic Reducer’/’Now I Wanna Be Your Dog’ 7″ Lathe-Cut Single [Solarphonic]
- ‘Headache Head Headache’/’No Way Son’ 7″ Single [1996, Kato Kato2]
- Born WithoutAn Off Switch [1996]
- Enter The Lair Of The Black Flame Cassette [High Tension House HTH016]
- Light Up Your Life [2001]
- Modern Rock Can Kiss Our Ass Cassette [2001 Stink Magnetic]
- Calling All Destroyers [2005 Archival Compilation, Kato]
- Burn In The Fire Of… [2011 Archival Live Release from 2008 show at Venus Cafe]
- Stay High! [2011 Archival Compilation]