Now defunct label run by Richard Francis – aka Eso Steel. 20City released a total of 4 albums and a handful of single-length releases before Francis re-established the sub-label CMR, distributing both through the Auckland-based Acroma mail-order website.
An experimental / noise label with releases from New Zealand, Japanese and American artists with Richard Francis central to most of the releases.
With the Mint Chicks breaking up in 2010 and Ruban Nielson going on to find success with Unknown Mortal Orchestra, former Mint Chicks vocalist Kody Nielson started recording new material as Opossom. The material seems to follow a fairly tight neo-psych-pop template popularized by the likes of Tame Impala and UMD, bouncy and catchy without setting the world on fire.
One off x-mas theme side-project (joke release?) from Toy Love’s Chris Knox and his soundman cohort Doug Hood (who both lived in Jessel Street in Grey Lynn, Auckland) featuring their partners Barbara Ward and Carol Hood. Sometimes credited to David Kilgour and Martin Phillips too.
Though lasting just 18 months, Toy Love were one of New Zealand’s most influential groups. Chris Knox, Alec Bathgate and Mike Dooley had come from The Enemy were joined by the Christchurch duo of Paul Kean and Kate Walker to form the most brilliantly dynamic new wave group.
Wonderful home-brewed recordings from Annabelle Alpers. Guitarist, keyboardist and singer-songwriter formerly of the supremely under-recognized Christchurch troop Hawaii Five-0. Her solo recordings are infused with electronic flourishes and wispy, emotive lyrics – but with a distinct and almost robotic approach to harmonic vocals.
Shaft is the long-standing vehicle of prominent song-writer Bob Cardy (aka Bob Brannigan), guitarist for the Axemen and a stalwart of the New Zealand underground scene. With a rotating cast of musicians backing him, Shaft always sounds like Shaft; a terrific band brimming with brilliant, dynamic and catchy songs.
Raucous Wellington rock’n’roll in the retro-revival vein formed by Matt Harrop, Phil Smiley, Pip Brown (aka Ladyhawke), and Ben Fraser in 2001.
The group had a few self-released EPs and a 7″ single which saw some radio play in the UK, but the group broke up on the eve of what would have been their first US tour.
An offshoot of Mobile Stud Unit, but with more serious intentions, The Nerve released a CD ‘Gobby’ in October 1995. The Nerve were Jamie Stone (guitar, vocals, synth, bass, slide guitar), Jocko Ellis (guitar, vocals), Jude Richards (bass, vocals) and Jamie Low (drums). They also have one song, Fat little fucker, on the Green Eggs and Hamilton compilation. The Nerve won the Contact 89FM Battle of the Bands in 1997. Jamie Stone went on to form Trucker.
Short-lived Industrial Punk from notable Palmerston North musician, venue owner / manager / promoter Dave White, with Zane Hookham and Rob Groats.
White was the manager of The Stomach, which served as the focal-point of Palmerston North’s underground music scene in the 1990’s and he self-produced and released their extremely rare 7″ single and 10″ EP lathe’s individually (with handmade covers) on old EMI blank acetates.
Mid-sized venue on the South side of Central Christchurch operated by long-time fixture of the Christchurch music scene – Al Park. Al had been a notable figure in the pub rock and (eventually) punk music that sprung up around the Mollett Street performance space in the late 1970’s, but it took until 2004 before Al had a venue of his own.
Wellington 1980’s Hair Metal group, played alongside the likes of Strikemaster and Knightshade (on the 3 band metal compilation ‘3 points of Metal’. Formed after the dissolution of popular group Rose Bayonet.
The scummiest, most rundown, but welcoming and communal venue in Christchurch. Had 2 lives – first as Hex Central (under Squirm’s stewardship) in the mid 1990’s, then as the punk head quarters dubbed The Glory Hole, from 2009 till it’s demise in 2011.
Auckland-based independent label formed by Martin Phillips and Benjii Jackson in 2009, with Michael McClelland (previously a writer for The Corner, but that site appears to be AI generated spam now) and Maeve Munro, completing the team.
The old Canterbury University Students Association building (back when it was based at the Christchurch Arts Centre) which became a wonderful multi-use venue in 1978. Housing a terrific vegetarian restaurant that opens out to the Arts Center courtyard, a lively public bar that always bristled with live music, enjoyed by locals and travels alike, plus an additional private venue and offices up stairs. The Dux was an institution in Christchurch until the Earthquakes struck in 2010/2011.
Large old school hotel with upstairs lodging, a pokie room, kitchen and a large live music bar that’s went through quite a few changes between the early 1980’s and when it was closed, just prior to the Christchurch Earthquakes.