Bohemian Cafe that was one of the very few late night spots in Christchurch during the late 1970’s through to early 1980s. The Clean filmed the music video for notable early single ‘Beatnik’ here in 1982. The Volkswagens played here regularly, along with the likes of The Topp Twins (as 17 year olds!), and various other folk performers.
#nzmusic #nzvenues #theclean #beatnik #thevolkswagons #topptwins
Dribbling Darts was Matthew Bainnsters post-Sneaky Feelings song-writing vehicle from 1989-1993. Known for their catchy singlecand silly video ‘Hey Judith’.
#nzmusic #dribblingdarts #sneakyfeelings #flyingn
Flashback to May 9th, 2008!
I attended an afterwork album release gig in a basement next to NG Gallery (on Madras Street – now part of the Te Kaha Stadium site) with Pinacolada Records presenting the Tiger Tones self-titled album.
#nzmusic #tigertones #pinacoladarecords #nggallery
Excellent instrumentalist trio from the garden city formed by Matt Craw (guitar), James Musgrave (bass), and Jared Kelly (drums) in early 2005. Taking cues from a variety of informed directions, the group were prolific features of the local live scene, and attached themselves to both R18 and all-age crowds with varying success. Playing an involved instrumental sound heavy on dynamics.
Legendary New Zealand underground musician Alastair Galbraith’s first band. Flanked by Robbie Muir and Jeff Harford they put out 2 extremely hard to find EP’s in the mid 80s that show-case Galbraith’s brilliant talent for song-writing at an early age, particularly on their second EP – ‘Stormed Port’.
#nzmusic #undergroundmusic #therip #alastairgalbraith #flyingnun
Loose Palmerston North noise punk outfit. Very few details exist online other than their link to Palmerston North labels Yellow Bike Records and Spotty Dog.
#nzmusic #rake #spottydog #yellowbikerecords
English-born composer who on settling in New Zealand in the early 1980’s started working with many of New Zealand’s best and most creative contemporary independent musicians and groups – Tall Dwarfs, Blam Blam Blam, Big Sideways, Avant Garage etc.
#nzmusic #ivanzagni
3-piece guitar-less surf trio out of Wellington with members using the aliases Capt Hammondhead (Nigel Patterson – screaming vintage organ), Segue Lugosi (Dylan Herkes – over-driven bass guitar), and Trevlac (rock-steady surf drums).
#nzmusic #surfmusic #thechandeliers #stinkmagnetic
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
The Gordons appeared out of (almost) nowhere in March 1980 to take the mantel of Christchurch’s (and soon New Zealand’s) loudest band; however they were more than just loud. It’s the songs they created during their initial year and a half run that have fuelled the legend of the Gordons. Through blistering feedback and propulsive bass come visions of a dystopian future, and anti-regime anthems.
#nzmusic #thegordons #bailterspace
Auckland punk group from 1979-1980 who were part of the AK79 scene. Their recordings (which were later compiled into a retrospective release) show some reggae and new wave influence.
#nzmusic #nzpunk #primmers #zwines #ak79
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
Flashback to Opossom playing the Darkroom Bar on June 30th, 2012 with support from local legends T54.
#nzmusic #opossom #t54 $mintchicks #bicrunga
Vaguely hippy Cafe on Lichfield street that hosted a number of diverse small-capacity shows in the late 1990s. The Cafe was upstairs from the ‘Lick Er Lounge’ bar and next to ‘Danz Nightclub’.
#nzmusic #christchurchvenues #venuscafe #lickerlounge #danznightclub
Little Stevie McCabe has been an underground force in New Zealand music since the early 80s, playing n anarchic form of Rock’N’Roll through a variety of bands – most notably as a key member of The Axemen.
However as a solo musician McCabe was hyper-productive, and when he passed away recently (September 2023) he left behind some 300 unreleased cassette recordings.
#nzmusic #littlesteviemccabe #theaxemen