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Superette

Quadrophenia

Central city bar that had live shows from local bands such as Future Stupid, Loves Ugly Children, Range, Hawaii Five-O, Creeley, Ape Management, Brother Love, Space Dust, Snort, Squirm, Pumpkinhead and early Salmonella Dub, plus touring groups such as Superette, Nothing At All, and Wendy House.

Located upstairs on the corner of Lichfield and Colombo Streets (though the address is Colombo Street, the entrance was actually on Lichfield) and ran by the Yee family for a few years in the mid 90’s.

#livemusic #christchurch

Superette

Dave Mulcahy‘s first post-Jean Paul Sartre Experience band was the unfortunately short-lived Superette, who sprung up in Auckland in 1993. With Mulcahy taking guitar and vocal duties, he pulled together former Blue Marbles duo Ben Howe (Bass) and Greta Anderson (Drums/Backing Vox) to record the rough, thematically scary, but thoroughly charming Rosepig EP. From here the band became known as one of the better live pop-rock acts around New Zealand, and where one of the defining bands (along with the 3Ds) that turned me on to New Zealand bands.

David Mulcahy

Moody but sadly inconsistent solo material from JPSE / Superette front-man released on bandmate’s nascent Arch Hill label in 1999.

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.

Michael J. Brassell: A Memorial [Mar 2004]

A memorial I wrote for Michael J. Brassell after he sadly passed away from pneumonia in 2004. I helped organize a music tribute wake here in Christchurch to celebrate his life, whilst a similar event was also help in his then-current home of Dunedin.

Kimo

Also known as Eskimo Biography Formed in 2004, Eskimo marked Dave Mulcahy‘s return to the Christchurch music scene, after playing in Superette and solo up north. Playing guitar and singing, Mulcahy was flanked by Rob Mayes (Dolphin, the Failsafe label… Read More »Kimo

Arch Hill Recordings

Biography Small Auckland-based independent label that sprung up out of Flying Nun Records Record’s corporate changes in the late 90’s and run by (former Superette bassist) Ben Howe to release material for his own band Fang, along with associated other… Read More »Arch Hill Recordings

Fang

Biography Ben Howe formed Fang after Superette broke up while simultaneously recording material with fellow Superette chum Greta Anderson (as Ben and Greta). An eclectic 3-piece with songs from all three members; Howe, kiwi music veteran Sonya Waters and Andrea Holmes.… Read More »Fang

Ben and Greta

Biography Essentially the rhythm section of a post-breakup Superette. They released charming single ‘Creep Around The House’ on ‘Introducing…’ – a compilation compiled of artists associated with Howe’s then-fledgling Arch Hill label (which he’d set up with sound engineer Ed… Read More »Ben and Greta

Flying Nun Records

The independent label that put New Zealand Music on the map. From Roger Shephard’s formation of the label in 1980 through to now, Flying Nun has been a mark of creative, quirky, inventive music with a distinct kiwi flavor.