Drowning Is Easy
Short-lived Christchurch punky group from 1981/2, made up of a bunch of English Immigrants still not quite old enough to drink in pubs. The would form a vital cog in the story of Scorched Earth Policy and te Terminals.
The Shallows
The Shallows were a short-lived Christchurch trio fronted by Roy Montgomery in 1985. Backed by Mick Elborado (bass) and Mary Heney (guitar / vocals) the trio recorded and self-released a sole 7″ single over a couple weeks in May, 1985.
The single was the result of a $750 government arts grant – the group laid out their exact expenses on the inside sleeve of the single.
25 Cents
25 Cents were known as being an impressive, ass-kicking party band in Christchurch in the early 1980’s, flush with a range of 1960’s garage numbers, Velvet Underground and Pere Ubu covers.
Sisters Mary and Susan Heney would go on to influential groups like Victor Dimisich Band, Scorched Earth Policy and The Terminals.
Victor Dimisich Band
Victor Dimisich Band was formed in 1980 by the song-writing duo of Peter Stapleton and Stephen Cogle while both were members of Vacuum Blue Ladder.
Though only around for 18 months and with scant recorded output – they got the ball rolling for successive bands such as Scorched Earth Policy and the Terminals.
Scorched Earth Policy
Excellent early Flying Nun band from Christchurch featuring 3 future Terminals (Stapleton, Elborado and Crook).
Some terrific songs that build suspense and tension with galloping drums, rumbling bass and a cacophony of guitar, organ and violin.
Live: Carb on Carb w/ Males and Coate
Flashback to September 2012 – one of the first Christchurch performances from productive indie-pop-emo duo Carb on Carb.
Joined by Dunedin’s Males and local group Coate.
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.