Straitjacket Fits were a corner stone in New Zealand independent rock from their formation in 1986 till their inevitable break-up in February 1994. Though predominantly a kiwi indie-rock group, they were at times dissonant (and incredibly loud), hiding their delicate… Read More »Straitjacket Fits
Dunedin based avant-indie trio featuring Mike Dooley (Toy Love and Snapper – Drums) his step-daughter Maxine Funke (Guitar) and Brett Moodie (Guitar), that formed out of the Dooley / Funke duo The Beaters.
Their debut EP was a meditative production guided by Arc Life engineer (and member of David Kilgour’s Heavy Eights) Tom Bell, whilst their follow-up Dance The Dervish is closer to a live recording, though still capturing their eclectic strengths – both released on the bands own Horrible Records (the name, not the quality) label.
#nzmusic #thesnares
Hugely popular Christchurch hard-rock all-girl group with a very 90’s riotgrrrl sound and a line-up that changed quite a bit over time. Members have included: Reta Le Quesne, twins Joanne and Sharon Billesdon, Lisa Preston, Fleur Walden Ninakaye Taane-Tinorau and Carla Rotta .
They recorded 2 singles, then had an album and a music video held back by Festival Records in nefarious circumstances.
#nzmusic #snort
Excellent quirky Christchurch rock group who formed in the late 1990’s, had an incredibly prolific few years with 4 albums, an album and a single released in quick succession. The group then transitioned into an occasional reunion outfit, with several of the key members now living out of town or overseas. Led by their namesake (and only consistent member) the band have had many offshoot groups.
#nzmusic #steffanvansoesthitmachine
An experimental lo-fi/noise release from Lynton Denovan, recorded on a simple 4-track setup (with ‘Thanx tay Don Kebab fer ze teknickel assistance’ – presumably Donald Campbell of Thee Strapons) and released in a Peter King lathe cut 7″ format through Denovan’s one-off THE HITLIST label.
#nzmusic #experimentalmusic #satanspitbull #lyntondenovan
Anastasia Strapon was the vocalist and guitarist for Thee Strapons, alongside her partner (and keyboardist) Don Gone. In 1998 she released her own solo recording ‘For what it’s worth’ as a lathe-cut 7″ single on the groups own Solarphonic imprint.
#nzmusic #rocknroll #theestrapons #anastasiastrapon
Long-running stylistically variant group based around the duo of Don Campbell (aka Don Gone) and Bev Greene (aka Anastasia Strapon / Nova Technova). Prolific during 2 distinct phases – based in Dunedin in the late 1980’s – early 1990s then in the mid 1990s to early 2000’s in Christchurch.
#nzmusic #undergroundmusic #theestrapons
Biography Started life as Christchurch-based teen instrumental duo The Shocking and Stunning Statement, eventually relocated to Wellington and dropped the ‘Statement‘. The majority of their activity came during the early 2010’s – 6 EPs and a couple singles, before the… Read More »The Shocking and Stunning
New-wave pop / post-punk group from early 1980’s Christchurch, featuring future Wastrels front-man Anton Jenner. Recently got their sole 7″ single reissued on Leather Jacket Records.
#nzmusic #solatudes #thewastrels
Fantastic folky lo-fi group from Dunedin from the super-prolific Clayton Noone and ex-Ho’ Dogs guitarist Kaaterama Morehu – who sadly passed away in 2020.
“At their best, The Strange Girls made ruminative, repetitive and atmospheric bummer folk”
#nzmusic #thestrangegirls #undergorundmusic
Adam McGrath’s early 2000’s attempt at a vocally-driven song-writing group after years of playing in punk and hard core groups – featured a teenage William Daymond; essentially a pre-cursor to the Eastern. Put out an album that went unnoticed.
#nzmusic #thesweethearts #adammcgrath #theeastern
Mysterious surf-guitar out of the Whanganui-Manawatu region on the famed Stink Magnetic label and featuring label regulars Dylan Herkes and Boss Christ.
#nzmusic #surfmusic #thesideeffects #thechandeliers
Blissful psychedelic pop from Simon McLaren, known for his high-energy, explosive songs in Loves Ugly Children and The Subliminals, partnered with The Onedin Line’s Mark Anderson. The group have released 2 albums 13 years apart, with a live band consisting of well-known Auckland-based musicians.
#nzmusic #sleepersunion #psychpop
Auckland punk group that marked the arrival of Jed Town. When The Superettes broke up Town formed famed post-punk group The Features; who would eventually morph into Fetus Productions.
#nzmusic #nzpunk #thesuperettes #ak79 #thefeatures #fetusproductions
Pop-funky 3/4-piece Christchurch act from the mid 80s. Made an appearance on Radio with Pictures article on the current state of Christchurch live music (in 1984), released a cassette single recorded at Nighshift Studios and at one point had The Chills keyboardist Andrew Todd as a member.