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Glory Hole / Hex Central

Biography

The Glory Hole was the latest incantation of a popular low-rent Barbados Street space, occupied by musicians until it was condemned due to damaged received during the 2010 – 2011 Canterbury Earthquakes.

One of it’s earlier lives was as the headquarters of excellent local group Squirm. Dubbing the space Hex Central, it was a central communal point for band practices and house party shows and features in Bellbird Productions documentary on Squirm ‘Gone with the Weird’:

Anna Bouwmeester performing as Kiki Terrorizer for Wellington group TVX
Anna Bouwmeester performing as Kiki Terrorizer for Wellington group TVX

With the closure of the nearby Otautahi Social Centre as venue for Punk bands in 2009, the redubbed Glory Hole sprung up as a makeshift house-party venue, presumably thanks to the late Anna Bouwmeester, who is mentioned on PunkAs as a contact for the venue.

Local punk or hardcore bands such as Hatewanx, Yeti Smasher, Vorpal Blade, Abortion Bucket, and Black Forrest were regulars, but they also hosted quite a few touring punk outfits – any early show hosted Auckland groups God Bows to Math and BMX Rapists:

Sadly the Glory Hole didn’t survive of the Canterbury Earthquakes of 2010 and 2011; we’re immediately condemned and eventually knocked down and replaced.

Anna Bouwmeester eventually moved to Wellington; forming local group TVX. Sadly however, in 2018 Bouwmeester passed away at the age of 29. Tribute shows were held in her honor.

Details

Known as: Hex Central (1990’s), Glory Hole (2009 – 2011)

Location: 176 Barbados Street, Central Christchurch

Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand

Current Status: Demolished post-earthquake, replaced by commercial buildings

Active as a live music venue: 1990’s, 2009 – 2011

History

2009: Space is redubbed The Glory Hole and starts hosting punk house-party shows

2010-2011: Damaged in the Christchurch Earthquake, condemned and torn down

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