at the forefront of new zealand independent pop in the 00s is lil chief records, a small, but firmly established label maintained by [the tokey tones] scott mannion and [the brunettes] jonathan bree. lil chief estasblished their name and chirpy… Read More »Lil Chief
specialist independent label that dates back to 1977, distributing a wide assortment of moari, reggae, roots, alternative and womans music – particularly noteable are the excellent early 1980s post-punk releases of the freudian slips, the bizarre avant garage and charlotte… Read More »Jayrem
Biography Small Auckland-based independent label that sprung up out of Flying Nun Records Record’s corporate changes in the late 90’s and run by (former Superette bassist) Ben Howe to release material for his own band Fang, along with associated other… Read More »Arch Hill Recordings
Xpressway was formed by Bruce Russell in 1985 to release his then-fledgling Christchurch band the Dead C, live archival recordings from This Kind Of Punishment and the debut solo material from Alastair Galbraith. Over the course of the next 23… Read More »Xpressway
A former plastic manufacturing business located in industrial Philipstown, All Plastics was originally leased by Nick O’Keefe of The Undercurrents some time in the 2000’s. O’Keefe, along with his band members (which included local sound-men Marcus Winstanley and Mikey Summerfield, plus Phantom Billstickers’ Jamey Holloway) began using the site as a recording studio and practice space.
Several house-party type shows were put on both inside and outside the studio space, before the last occupant (Rhett Copland of Doctors etc) left around 2013.
small auckland-based home-taping label from the early / mid 80s that formed an important part of the underground development of new zealand – particularly industrial and punk-edged bands (marie and the atom, skeptics, flak etc).started by paul lurker of phantom… Read More »Industrial Tapes
Biography Christchurch based Out of Kilter records was formed in 2005 by young local scene stalwart Will Edmonds, with additional input and assistance from Josh Black. Out of Kilter as an entity encompassed hosting and promoting many live music events… Read More »Out of Kilter
Mid-sized live performance and comedy venue located within The Archive a building which has also housed a Gallery / 2nd venue space and front record store.
NOTE: This post probably contains quite a few errors and an inaccurate timeline – there is very little info online about old Christchurch venues, so I welcome all corrections and additions! Biography Mollett Street was an informal performance space above… Read More »Mollett Street
hawkes bay based independent label: “founded in 1996 as the release machine for lousy rock group big blue blanket, hit your head music now hosts a wide range of musical talents”. check out their website for info on bands like… Read More »Hit Your Head Music
initially started as a method for releasing the recordings of joed out and feyodor (joed out’s ben barritt), and run by band-memberandrew maitai, the label took a step towards becoming a fully fledged independent in mid 2003 with the bands… Read More »Powertool Records
Short-lived Wellington lathe-cut label associated with Campbell Kneale’s Airport, the members of Fever Hospital and Paul Solly.
Also known as: Zetland Hotel, Zetland Arms, New Zetland Hotel Location: 88 Cashel Street, Central Christchurch Current Status: Demolished Post-Earthquake, site is currently part of the Container Mall Active as a live music venue: 1970’s – 2000’s Bar Manager: – Bookings: –… Read More »Café Bleu
Also known as: Mainstreet Location: 840 Colombo Street, Central Christchurch Current Status: Demolished Active as a live music venue: 1990’s – 2006? Bar Manager: – Bookings: – Website: – Capacity: 50? All-Ages: Yes Two-room Vegetarian Cafe at the Northern end… Read More »Mainstreet Cafe and Bar