
Sandoz Lab Technicians
Dunedin-based free improvisation ensemble formed in August 1993, occupying a singular position in New Zealand underground music history across three decades of releases.

Dunedin-based free improvisation ensemble formed in August 1993, occupying a singular position in New Zealand underground music history across three decades of releases.

The very first group to record on Flying Nun Records, fronted by legendary experimental guitarist Roy Montgomery. Dark and Gloomy, evocative recordings – suitably earning the nickname ‘Roy Division’.
#nzmusic #pingroup #flyingnunrecords #roymontgomery

Gas were a 3 piece garage-rock 3 piece from Christchurch, featuring ex-members of The McGoohans, Drowning is Easy and Scorched Earth Policy. Formed in 1995 and ended in 2002.

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.

Excellent early Flying Nun band from Christchurch featuring 3 future Terminals (Stapleton, Elborado and Crook).
Some terrific songs that build suspense and tension with galloping drums, rumbling bass and a cacophony of guitar, organ and violin.

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 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.
Biography The man behind Xpressway, corpus hermeticum, and a significant part of the Dead C, Russell finally (after years of eclectic collaborations with a broad selection of New Zealand and international artists) released his solo album on his own Corpus Hermeticum… Read More »Bruce Russell

Queen Meanie Puss were an experimental and occasionally punky 4-piece outfit from the early 90’s who evolved out of the similar Angelhead, and put out a couple of quirky EP’s before fragmenting.
Their songs have turned up on a number of compilations over the years – including the intriguing ‘Contracts’ which has appeared on a couple of Flying Nun retrospectives.
#nzmusic #queenmeaniepuss

Biography Dissonant, purposely Lo-Fi and exceedingly experimental Christchurch 3 piece built on Michael Morley and Bruce Russell’s guitar work and Robbie Yeats (The Renderers, Verlaines) pounding drumming. Their initial recordings were exercises in tonal freak-outs – pushing the limits of… Read More »Dead C

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 The Renderers are New Zealand’s prime example of southern-fried country, and are indeed one of our finest ever bands. Brian Crook formed the Renderers with his partner Maryrose in early 90’s Christchurch when The Max Block failed to go… Read More »The Renderers
Xpressway was formed by Bruce Russell in 1985 to release his then-fledgling Christchurch band the Dead C, live archival recordings from This Kind Of Punishment and the debut solo material from Alastair Galbraith. Over the course of the next 23… Read More »Xpressway

2002, Arclife Records, ARCLIFE019 As half of the writing force behind seminal Christchurch/Dunedin fuzz-country rockers The Renderers (with his wife Mary-Rose), Brian Crook [aka Bible Black] has been making dirty, downtrodden stories since the late 80’s. In 1997 The Renderers… Read More »Brian Crook – Bible Black