Gestalt Switch
(At the time) young and upcoming Dunedin rock act, forming in December 2001. Haven’t heard their 4 song debut ep, but they seem to be pushing a diverse sound – with loudness appearing to be key.
Maryrose and Brian Crook (April 2004)
The Renderers played Christchurch on Friday April 23rd, 2004 at Creation along with the Terminals and an acoustic performance from Hamish Kilgour (The Clean / Magick Heads etc). I conducted this interview with Brian and Maryrose Crook in the lead-up to the show.
Skeptics
Hugely popular and influential New Zealand industrial rock act who emerged out of Palmerston North in 1979. Known for their grinding sound (a mix of noisy, scattered and angular guitar and eclectic electronic sounds) and one particularly visual music video – the incredible and universally banned ‘Affco’.
Slim
4-piece Christchurch hard-rock outfit who originally formed as Gluefist. Made a bit of an impact in the late 90s through to 2002 with a few singles (particularly ‘Bullet In My Hand’, which received significant radio play) and a few high-profile support slots.
French for Rabbits
Lovely, dreamy, folky indie-pop from (former Ragamuffin Children and The O’Lovelys) keyboardist Brook Singer and Jazz guitarist John Fitzgerald (guitar). Taking a DIY approach the group have toured Europe and the US, garnished exposure on television series soundtracks and grown a fairly sizeable following around the globe.
Swampy
Nick Bollinger (The NZ Listener): “Dunedin based troubadour with a four track writes witty commentaries on society, love, and discount shopping. His guitar, casio and drum machine provide more colour than one might expect.”
The Riptoids
Christchurch lo-fi rock group from the mid 1980’s with an ever-changing line-up and several releases on group member Campbell McLay’s ‘Onset/Offset’ label.
Plains
Auckland-based group comprised of experimental underground regulars – Tim Coster (field recordings), Richard Francis (computer), Rosy Parlane (guitar, computer), Mark Sadgrove (feedback, linuxcsound), Clinton Watkins (guitar) and Paul Winstanley (electric bass, digital feedback).
Silent Decree
Really dark and ominous Auckland Goth/Post-Punk 4-piece formed in Howick in 1981. Released an EP on Paul Lurkers Industrial Tapes label before splitting up in 1983. Vocalist Patrick Waller would go on to form The Kiwi Animal, while Andrew Moon was in Goblin Mix.
The Penthouse
The Penthouse (sometimes just referred to as ‘Level 5’) was a venue name given to the 5th floor of Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti School in Central Christchurch, above the old Hallensteins building in Cashel Plaza.
Creation
Excellent multi-use space established by the Therapeutic Arts Trust in 2000 – Ciaran Fox was originally involved before Adam Hayward joined the board in 2001 and took over directorship in 2002.
Die! Die! Die!
Since forming their first band in High School back in Dunedin, the duo of Michael Prain and Andrew Wilson have been consistently at the forefront of New Zealand independent music. Die! Die! Die! formed in 2003 as an Auckland-based post-punk group with an explosive, propulsive sound and excellent songs.
Casagrante Apparatus
Dunedin mid-90s experimental trio with a handful of impossible to find releases, including a lathe on Crawlspace, and 2 releases on drummer Stefan Neville’s own ‘A Stabbies and the Rocket Recording’ label.
Hiatus
Experimental music from Nick Hodgson (later known as Nick Harte), High Tension House’s Hamish Noonan and Tim McDonald. Scattered drums and treated guitars form a free-noise vibe that’s not entirely unpleasant
Monkey Records
Monkey records is an independent record label, founded mid-2000, dedicated to releasing and promoting New Zealand based artists of an innovative or experimental nature.