Knightshade
Popular 1980’s hard rock group formed in Te Puke. Guitarist Paul Martin would later become a popular radio host on The Rock radio station before joining popular metal group Devilskin.
Snapper
The key group of New Zealand underground legend Peter Gutteridge (despite being a founding member of BOTH the Clean and the Chills). Snapper made driving, droning guitars-infused with synths post-punk throughout the 1980s and 1990s before Gutteridge disappeared from the public eye.
Live: Peter Gutteridge
Live review of the late-great Peter Gutteridge at Dark Room on March 29th, 2012 and published by the Christchurch Press on April 5th.
The photos I took of Peter were picked up by International Press when he sadly passed away 2 years later.
The Digits
The Digits were a Wellington proggy post-punk outfit that evolved out of the earlier group Smashed Executive.
Featured on the ‘Wellingtonzone’ compilation – a not quite as successful follow-up to the acclaimed ‘****’ release from the previous year.
Dark Tower
Popular Hip-hop duo coming out of Opawa, Christchurch.
Jody ‘The Earl’ Lloyd and Eli ‘The Eel’ Foley started performing together while still in high school, and with the help of brilliant debut video, the duo became something of a cult of personality with the ethos of the single ‘Zeal Man’.
Future Stupid
Formed in Christchurch, but soon moved to Auckland hard-rock outfit from the mid-late 90s. Led by guitarist / vocalist Tony Hallum and a procession of supporting players including drums Jason Young (Loves Ugly Children) and Dave Toland (They Were Expendable).
Released a self-titled EP and an album on Felix Records – a sub-label of well-known Auckland-based hard-rock indie Wildside Records. The single and music video ‘Big Dumb Future’ featured a guest rap by MC Rhythm Slave.
Cartel
Cartel was a tiny, hidden away cocktail bay crammed into His Lordship’s Lane, what was (along with the adjacent SOL Square) a very hip art of Christchurch prior to the Canterbury Earthquakes. Run by Johnny Moore there were regular performers just about every night it was open, despite there not being enough room for a stage.
Jamboree
Auckland-based rock group from the mid 1980’s with an atmospheric sound. Put out an EP on Jayrem and a 2nd on Hip Singles. The members would later resurface in Hoi Polloi
Miltown Stowaways
Miltown Stowards were a short-lived Auckland pop group with ska, jazz and funk overtones that featured Fiona Anderson (who later became the head of Vodafone NZ), Brent ‘Sid’ Pasley, Kelly Rogers, Grant Hewson, Mark Dansey and Benny Staples. Known for fantastic live energy.
Dawn of Azazel
Auckland black metal group lead by bassist/vocalist Rigel Walshe. From 1997 till 2017 the group went through several line-ups and produced a number of well-received, polish albums; touring across the world.
Datura
Totally under-the-radar stoner rock band that formed in 1992 in Hamilton.
They were a trio comprised of Craig Williamson (bass and vocals – now performing in a solo capacity as Lamp of the Universe), Brent Middlemiss (guitar) and Jon Burnside (drums), and that they released 2 albums of drawn-out stoner-psych jams on the unknown Cranium label, and actually reissued on U.S. label Brainticket.
Roy Montgomery
Roy Montgomery is an exceedingly prolific artist with a deep catalogue of music; solo, in collaboration or as part of several groups. His music has varied from deep-throated post punk to glacial guitar drones and seen release by over 15 labels around the world.
Bored Games
Before Dimmer, before Straitjacket Fits, before even the Doublehappys, Shayne Carter was in a Flying Nun Records-type punk band called Bored Games, who opened for the likes of the Clean and Toy Love before the lads had even left high school.
P-Bass Expressway
Studio-based five piece funk outfit formed in Christchurch by Nava Thomas (aka Confucius / Soul Providah) and Ariel White, and featuring contributions from erstwhile members in Melbourne and all over the globe, the band did play locally in the late 90s, reforming with the release of their debut album in early 2004.
Desperate Measures
Desperate Measures were Christchurch’s answer to pop punk, a couple of years after the whole Sex Pistol thing, but they were fun and had a few good songs for all the punk posturing. They had a reasonably heavy following, or it seemed so at the time.
– Rob Mayes