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u artists
Christchurch-based indie-rock group that formed the Beat Atlas Records label, then relocated to London. 20 years later they resurfaced, contributing a couple of faithful covers to 2 distinct Galaxie 500 tribute albums. #nzmusic #upperiscope #beatatlasrecords
s artists
Hugely popular Christchurch hard-rock all-girl group with a very 90's riotgrrrl sound and a line-up that changed quite a bit over time. Members have included: Reta Le Quesne, twins Joanne and Sharon Billesdon, Lisa Preston, Fleur Walden Ninakaye Taane-Tinorau and Carla Rotta . They recorded 2 singles, then had an album and a music video held back by Festival Records in nefarious circumstances. #nzmusic #snort
Record Labels
Tiny late Christchurch-based label formed by Mike Richardson and headline act Barnard's Star, who released 2 lathe cut 7" singles and a CD EP of terrific electronic-infused shoegaze on the label. The other notable act is Hawaii Five-0, an excellent organ-driven indie-pop group that served as the debut of Annabel Alpers, who later found fame as Bachelorette. #nzmusic #barnardsstar #hawaiifive0
c artists
Melodic Christchurch indie-pop trio who released a catchy and incredibly brief 5 song EP, along with a handful of tunes straight to student radio that subsequently turned up on the 'Indie Hit Disc' radio promotion CDs. Holloway and Bycroft would later form The Undercurrents. #nzmusic #thecentrewillhold #theundercurrents
b artists
Excellent Christchurch shoegaze / electronic group with a unique, spacey sound. Released an EP and 2 7" lathe cut singles on the Beat Atlas imprint in the late 1990's before going their seperate ways. #nzmusic #barnardsstar
s artists
Excellent quirky Christchurch rock group who formed in the late 1990's, had an incredibly prolific few years with 4 albums, an album and a single released in quick succession. The group then transitioned into an occasional reunion outfit, with several of the key members now living out of town or overseas. Led by their namesake (and only consistent member) the band have had many offshoot groups. #nzmusic #steffanvansoesthitmachine
d artists
Long-running country-folk flavoured rock band from Christchurch featuring singer-songwriter Fleur Walden (aka Fleur de Lis). After forming in 1997 it took until 2004 for their debut album was released - a strong selection of songs that date right back to the bands formation. #nzmusic #thedialtones #fleurdelis
f artists
Wellington-based electronic / art-music group from the mid 1980's who recorded and released their debut 12" 'Polarities' with the assistance of a QEII Arts Council grant under the Demonstration Recording Subsidy Scheme. Formed by New York-born classical composer Jonathan Besser and former Victoria University lecturer and composer Ross Harris. #nzmusic #freeradicals
m artists
Molly Says Go were a young, frenetic and super-productive Christchurch-based Ska-Punk who formed in 1996, and played all around Canterbury and some shows in the North Island. Split an album with Wellington's Channel Thirteen in 2001 or Palmerston North punk-focused label Stakeout Records, and the group split up in 2002. Guitarist Toby Retallick went on to Ill Received. #nzmusic #nzpunk #mollysaysgo
w artists
Christchurch 5-piece rock group who put out a self-titled debut in 1995 after featuring on Failsafe Records Good Things compilation. Disbanded in 1996. Keyboardist Andrew 'The Hammer' Hamtpon would later become the head of New Zealand's Secret Service, i.e. the GCSB. #nzmusic #wadd #failsaferecords #gcsb
t artists
80's synth-pop from Ian Morris (Th' Dudes, DD Smash), and sometimes his brother Rikki. Tex Pistol had 2 huge hit singles in 1987/1988 then promptly disappeared, with Morris concentrating on production until his death in 2010. #nzmusic #texpistol #rikkimorris
j artists
Biography A Nelson punk (or rather, super upbeat rock’n’roll) 3-piece, with Johnny Trousers formerly of Killtrain. The 2 DIY releases contain a handful of…
h artists
Terrific organ-driven indie pop group from mid to late 1990's Christchurch. Put out 2 7" lathe singles then promptly disappeared, but singer / keyboardist / guitarist Annabel Alpers went on to find fame with her solo project Bachelorette. #nzmusic #hawaiifive0
w artists
Jangly Christchurch pop from the early 1980's. The group recorded a 6 song mini-album with the intent of it being released on Flying Nun Records, however the recordings went unreleased until 2013 when it was picked up and released as a retrospective LP by German label Unwucht. The song 'Mystery' shows the group had bags of potential. #nzmusic #theworld
t artists
Trillionaires were a Christchurch institution through the late 1990s and 2000s. A covers band formed as a super-group of local musicians with the twin vocals of Ross Humphries and Nicole Moffat. The group were known for their eclectic covers, with each song reinterpreted in their own unique style, usually as a rollicking garage rock'n'roll number, driven by the killer guitar of Mick Elborado and the rhythm section of John Christoffels (bass) and Malcolm Grant (drums). #nzmusic #trillionaires
