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A Handful Of Dust

One of Bruce Russell’s (Dead C) and Alastair Galbraith’s darkest outfits, often dealing with distinct imagery and motif’s in their music and especially pronounced in their liner notes (most of which are distributed through Russell’s Corpus Hermeticum label).

Formed by the duo in Dunedin in 1984, and primarily a free noise group. Though primarily a duo, Peter Stapleton had been a regular contributor from 1993 until his passing in March 2020.

Avant Garage

Ira Robbins (Trouser Press): “A jazzy-cum-classical nine-person ensemble with clarinets, cello, tuba and bassoon (in addition to guitar, bass and drums), New Zealand’s determinedly oddball Avant Garage sounds like something Zappa might have done in his Dada orchestral phase.”

Angelhead

Biography Dark Xpressway post-punk outfit featuring Rachel Shearer (Lovely Midget), Michael Morley (The Dead C, Wreck Small Speakers on Expensive Stereos), Stella Corkery and Deborah Hinden. Pretty much in the same vein (and influenced by) other port-chalmers based bands of… Read More »Angelhead

Angel Hammer

Biography Mysterious pseudo-metal outfit on Hawkes Bay based Hit Your Head Music. Their details and album names all seem to be written / described in rune-style letters – not exactly documentation friendly. The Hammer has crafted a live set which… Read More »Angel Hammer

The Accelerants

Biography Wellington based rock’n’roll 4-piece who evolved out of the Shining Path, originally with the line-up of Marty Squire (Guitar/Vocals – Formerly Of D-Super), John Douglas (Bass – Ex-Marineville), Kirsty (Organ) and and the show-stealing Ricky Boyd (Drums – Ex-Canvas).… Read More »The Accelerants

Above Ground

Biography One of Bill Direen‘s many groups from the early 1980’s, with a young Maryrose Crook (of the Renderers) on Bass, Stu Page (The Axemen) on Drums and Bill’s partner Carol on Keyboards. Members Bill Direen (Vocals/Guitar, Above Ground, Feast… Read More »Above Ground

Actors

Biography Graham Carman (Bass, Vocals), Russ Mattar (Drums), Lance Wiltshire (keyboards, Vocals) and Greg White (Vocals, Guitar). Released a single and an EP on Jayrem in 1984. Members Graham Carman (bass / vocals, Actors) Russ Mattar (drums, Actors) Lance Wiltshire… Read More »Actors

Audible 3

Biography Improvised electronic music from Aucklanders Paul Winstanley, John Kennedy, Marc Chesterman, with Clinton Williams of Omit adding contributions to their self-titled CD release. Members Paul Winstanley (Effects/Bass/Turntables, Audible 3) John Kennedy (Drum Machine/Percussion, Audible 3, Don’t Make Noise, One Leg Too… Read More »Audible 3

Aviatour

Biography Christchurch all-girl pop-rock outfit from the mid 2000’s. Very chirpy and upbeat, they’re a welcome change to the male-dominated bravado of Christchurch live acts, and seem to have a good grasp of melody and dynamics. Members Discography Links  

All Red Cables

Biography Prolific underground muso Andrew Spittle’s (Dating Godot) latest project, incorporating guitar and Spittle’s lyrical touch. Members Andrew Spittle (All Red Cables) Discography Under Volcano Fields: All the Hits 2004 – 2010 (2012, Epic Sweep, ES019) Links Discogs Entry  

Armpit

Biography Hugely prolific duo CJA (aka Clayton Noone) and Sugar Jon, who have released a never-ending stack of albums for the likes of Root Don Lonie For Cash, PseduoArcana, Own Recordings, Freedom From… Members Clayton Noone (Guitar/Keyboard/Vocals/Drums/Tapes, Armpit, CJA And The Silver… Read More »Armpit

Alpha Cast

Biography 3-piece Dunedin indie-pop outfit who formed in 2003 and quickly put out an EP on Failsafe Records. Comprised of Mike McLeod, Ed Lonsdale and Chris Butchard – the band has been described as relating strongly to the Dunedin sound of… Read More »Alpha Cast

Auckland Walk

Biography 80’s synth-pop group with an album and a single on major-label WEA in 1983. Bassist Warwick Keay also appeared on recordings by Flight X-7, The Knobz, whilst drummer Edie Olsen has been on recordings by The Instigators, Dance Exponents,… Read More »Auckland Walk

Aphelon

Biography Christchurch black metal outfit started in 2000 by Okoi Jones and Cam Sinclair, with Brad Kneale and Nik Coulter  joining later to cement the current line-up, who recorded the debut release The Ethos Elite EP in 2003 (after an earlier… Read More »Aphelon

The Axemen

A well-known, yet thoroughly underground troop that often swelled in numbers (sometimes up to as many as 10 members in the mid 1980’s). The group have been known for their artistic endeavours as well as their music.

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