God Bows to Math
Auckland noise-rock trio God Bows to Math formed in 2008 and quickly became one of the most active bands on the Auckland underground circuit, releasing two albums and multiple EPs on Muzai Records.
Artists
The Eric Glandy Memorial Big Band
Auckland satirical country and western outfit whose one album, Adrenal Glandy (Flying Nun, FN048), was recorded live in 1986 with a baked-beans-recruited audience. Featuring the young Don McGlashan performing under a pseudonym, it sold approximately 40 copies.
Eyeliner
Vaporwave solo project of Luke Rowell (Disasteradio) from Lower Hutt, Wellington. The 2015 album Buy Now is regarded as a classic of the global vaporwave movement, and became the subject of a 33⅓ Oceania book in 2025.
Evil
Biography England-based trio of well-known ex-pats Dave Mitchell, Liz Matthews and Rod McLellan (aka Roddy Pain). Members Discography
Dough Boys
Solo project of Tony Doe, former vocalist and drummer of Auckland new wave band The Wait. After releasing a solo LP on Ode Records, Doe travelled to Japan and the UK before returning to New Zealand and forming The Reactions.
The Hasselhoff Experiment
Wellington garage punk duo Andrew Tolley and Brendan Moran, active 1997–2002 on Flying Nun Records.
Thought Creature
Wellington psychedelic rock trio formed in 2005 by Will Rattray (guitar, vocals) and Danny Brady (bass, synth), with drummer Peter Copeland. Released four records across 2005–2018 including debut LP Teleport Palace (2008) and Ocean Dream (2018, Fantasy Fiction Records), recorded in the hull of Wellington’s iconic Tug Boat.
Coolade
Biography Coolade (not to be confused with later group Kool-Aid) were a young trio from Christchurch who performed in and around the local All-Ages scene in 2005. Formed by former Hype! members Joe Sampson and Neil Robinson, adding Adam Gosney… Read More »Coolade
Carb on Carb
Auckland emo/pop-punk duo Nicole Gaffney and James Stuteley toured seventeen times around New Zealand and fifteen times through Australia over twelve years, releasing three LPs of mathy, heartfelt punk before calling it a day in 2024.
The Wait
New Zealand band active in the mid-1980s, releasing two EPs on Ode Records including the radio-played ‘The Burma Road’. Members went on to form the Dough Boys and The Reactions.
The Same
Dunedin school punk group formed over Labour Weekend 1978 by Martin Phillips (The Chills), Jeff Batts, Craig Easton (The Verlaines) and Alistair Dunn. Three songs written by Phillips for The Same became The Chills’s contribution to the famed Dunedin Double compilation.
The Spirals
Wellington pop group active 1989–1992, fronted by vocalist Belinda Bradley. Known for lush, melodic rock with saxophone and keyboard textures, they released two 1989 singles and the 1992 BMG single Normal before going on hiatus. Reunited in 2025 for their first show together in 30 years.
DOG Power
Christchurch duo formed in 2017 by vocalist Sam Perry and Henry Nicol, blending experimental textures, 1980s pop aesthetics, and cinematic electronics. Released a self-titled debut on Flying Nun Records in 2018 before relocating to Serbia.
Surf Friends
Auckland psych-surf duo formed in 2009 by Brad Coley and Pete Westmoreland. Drawing on the jangle-pop heritage of Flying Nun bands, they blend driving guitars, drum machines and synth loops into a sun-baked wash of post-punk and surf psychedelia. Released on Powertool Records and Flying Nun Records.
Kane Strang
Dunedin indie-rock and lo-fi pop musician who rose to international attention with his debut album Blue Cheese (2016) on Ba Da Bing Records and Flying Nun. His 2017 follow-up Two Hearts and No Brain on Dead Oceans drew widespread critical praise. He also performs as part of the trio Office Dog.