Skip to content
The DB Gladstone Christchurch

Gladstone Hotel

The Gladstone has the doubtful distinction of being the last hotel in Christchurch to host a post mortem. The examination was carried out in July of 1901 by a Dr. William Diamond, who told the coroner that there was extreme difficulty working in such cramped and unsuitable quarters as those provided by a hotel and he sincerely hoped that something would be done about it soon. His wish was granted, for on that very day the eminent architect Mr. S Hurst-Seager, designer of the new morgue, had handed the keys to the completed building to the City Council.

The Log Cabin

Old and dilapidated wooden villa on Madras Street that functioned as a rather excellent venue for house parties and all-age events for a few years prior to the Canterbury Earthquakes in 2010 / 2011.

Occupied by a variety of individuals connected to Christchurch live music, student radio (RDU) and all-ages (Red Panda) scenes, the house was opened up for day time shows on the front-lawn or in the living room.

The Stereo Bus

The pop outgrowth of Ex-Christchurch song-writer Dave Yetton (Ex Jean-Paul Sartre Experience), who’s backing band has included a couple generations of well-known kiwi performers, including Pluto’s rhythm section at one point.

Sonya Waters

Sonya Waters first appeared as the vocalist for ska group The Instigators, putting out a couple 7″ singles on Ripper Records in the early 1980’s before releasing an EP under her own name in 1983. This release got her a lot of attention – eventually leading to an RIANZ award for most promising female vocalist.

This Night Creeps

Auckland-based punk-emo-type outfit featuring Luke Mcpake (Guitar/Vocals), Mark Brenorffer (Guitar/Vocals), Jeffrey Burch (Bass), Mark Seeney (Drums). After forming in 2002 the group found immediate exposure, thanks to the quickly rising profile of Auckland hardcore and their label ElevenFiftySeven.

Unspecified

An off-shoot of Sandoz Lab Technicians members Tim Cornelius and Nathan Thompson:

“Unspecified was recorded 94/95 by Sandoz Lab Technicians Nathan Thompson and Tim Cornelius. This prehistoric piece of grind and scrape shows the pair tip-toeing through a trough of strawberry shortcake on their way to a screaming mass extinction. edition of 50 lathe cut 7″ vinyl”

Nathan Thompson

Fauxhound

Downbeat chiptune’s from ex-Christchurch resident Jos van Beek, currently residing in Auckland. Jos has been pretty heavily involved in making Chiptune music more visible in New Zealand (particularly Christchurch), playing a renegade slot at Camp A Low Hum, supporting touring Chiptune artists like cTrix and collaborating with Bang! Bang! Eche! vocalist Zach Donney.

Space Academy

Multi-use space on St Asaph Street, opposite the established Darkroom bar. With Doki Hair Saloon at the front, and running during the day as Kadett Cafe, Space Academy is a lively, spacious live music venue and bar from 4pm – 11pm every Tuesday till Saturday.

Louie and the Hotsticks

Christchurch stalwart Al Parks’ 1980s outfit – a slick professional band who played regular residencies with long sets featuring both covers and originals. A mix of Jazz-Rock and more bluesy numbers with multiple vocalists and a brass section.

My Deviant Daughter

Early to mid 90’s Dunedin dark-pop trio with an album, and 7″ single on the ‘Delerious’ label, plus a Yellow Eye music Dunedin-music compilation appearance.

Avant Garage

Ira Robbins (Trouser Press): “A jazzy-cum-classical nine-person ensemble with clarinets, cello, tuba and bassoon (in addition to guitar, bass and drums), New Zealand’s determinedly oddball Avant Garage sounds like something Zappa might have done in his Dada orchestral phase.”

Lip Service

Auckland pop-rock 4-piece with a couple of D.D. Smash’s members, who put out a major label debut on CBD before morphing into similar outfit Neons.

Hallelujah Picassos

Long-running Auckland group with reggae overtones who have performed an eclectic array of music styles. Probably best known for their 1994 single Rewind, which was a big hit nationally.

Alchemy

Biography Christchurch hard-rock-with-female-vocals type group from the mid 00’s. Members Discography Links  

Barzell

Biography Lower Hutt rock via punk quartet who formed in 1997, but split in 2001 after releasing a split album with Discenter. The members (and Discenter’s) reunited in band successor the Valley Five.. Members Jonny Davis (Bass, 1997) Paul Herschell… Read More »Barzell