Victor Dimisich Band was formed in 1980 by the song-writing duo of Peter Stapleton and Stephen Cogle while both were members of Vacuum Blue Ladder.
Though only around for 18 months and with scant recorded output – they got the ball rolling for successive bands such as Scorched Earth Policy and the Terminals.
Roy Montgomery is an exceedingly prolific artist with a deep catalogue of music; solo, in collaboration or as part of several groups. His music has varied from deep-throated post punk to glacial guitar drones and seen release by over 15 labels around the world.
The Clean have left a giant stamp on New Zealand Independent Music. The group that came to define ‘The Dunedin Sound’ had a terrific topsy-turvy career that spanned 5 albums and a number of EPs, singles, compilations and live releases over a 31 year time-span.
Christchurch-based art-rock group from the mid 1980’s who put out one EP on Bill Direen’s South Indies label. Several members came from low-key Flying Nun acts Mainly Spaniards and Ballon D’Essai.
A formative group for 2 significant groups in New Zealand music – The Terminals song-writing duo of Peter Stapleton and Stephen Cogle, and Bilders duo Bill Direen and Allan Meek. Though a fairly significant group at the time, their recordings were sparse.
One of the longest running mythic underground figures of New Zealand rock who has worked (and commanded) such significant figures in the New Zealand music scene as Chris Knox, Peter Stapleton, Maryrose Crook, Dave Mitchell, Malcolm Grant – the list goes on.
The Christchurch scene of 1980-82 is pretty legendary, and rightly so. This was most fertile period of rock’n’roll in the city since the beat-boom days of Chants R’n’B circa 1966. There were some very good Christchurch punk bands (notably the… Read More »Christchurch in the 80’s [By David Swift]
Biography One of Bill Direen‘s many groups from the early 1980’s, with a young Maryrose Crook (of the Renderers) on Bass, Stu Page (The Axemen) on Drums and Bill’s partner Carol on Keyboards. Members Bill Direen (Vocals/Guitar, 1983) Stu Page… Read More »Above Ground
One of obscure folk-legend Bill Direen‘s very first recorded projects. Discography Six Impossible Things Ep [1981 Sausage] Links BandCamp Page LastFM Photo’s on Flickr
In September 2012 I conducted an interview with The Pin Group’s Roy Montgomery for an article published by the Christchurch Press. This is the complete interview transcribe.
Biography Written as ‘-2‘, as the name implies, the Terminals Stephen Cogle (Vocals / Acoustic Guitar), Mick Elborado (Organ) and John Christoffels (Bass) formed Minus Two as a side-project excluding Peter Stapleton and Brian Crook. Apparently most of the songs… Read More »Minus Two
Biography The most recognized of Bill Direen’s many underground projects, The Builders recordings are as varied as they are numerous, and litter his discography (often with infuriating spelling variations – The Bilders, Bildirene, Die Bilder etc). Check Direen’s Main Entry for… Read More »The Builders
One of Bill Direen‘s more productive early 1980s outfits. Discography High Thirties Piano EP [1982 Self-Released] Dance Of Death EP [1982 Self-Released] Sound Cues [1987 South Indies] Links BandCamp Page LastFM Photo’s on Flickr
Biography Melodic pop four-piece Chameleon was formed by Jazz School students Leigh Franklin and Julian Marchant late in 1993. Drummer Bevan Davison and keyboardist turned bassist Mike completed the lineup. This was soon to change with Greig Bainbridge coming on… Read More »Chameleon
Over the last 20 years The Bats have garnished a label of dependability – and with good reason. Though now taking a little bit of time between releases (one might jump to the conclusion that ‘At The National Grid’ is… Read More »The Bats [February 2006]