RDU 98.5FM is Christchurch's independent alternative radio station, founded on 23 February 1976 as Radio U under the University of Canterbury Students' Association. It became the first FM station in Christchurch in 1986 as UFM, and rebranded as RDU 98.5FM in 2002. Controversially privatised in 2006 when sold to James Meharry and Karyn South for $2, the station survived the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes by broadcasting from a converted horse truck, and moved to its permanent home in the Boxed Quarter in 2015. In 2026 RDU marks its 50th anniversary as a cornerstone of Christchurch's independent music culture.
Black Albino was the name of a trio Hodgson fronted as guitarist for a single show in 2004.
The show reunited last-generation Incisions members Tim McDonald (Drums) and Karl Jensen (Bass) for a balls-to-the-wall explosion of noise - excellent stuff and an indication of what Hodgson can do given the context.
#nzmusic #blackalbino
Tiny bar upstairs from the well-known Honeypot Cafe that functioned as a low-key performance space under the venue names Metropolis (1990s) and the Green Room (2000's), before falling victim to the Christchurch Earthquakes of 2010/2011.
Nick 'Harte' Hodgson's loud rock'n'roll outfit.
Started life as Tony Valens and the Incisions in the mid 90's and were mostly concentrated on primal rhythms and harsh, noisy guitar flourishes - creating some absolutely brilliant sounds far outside the commercial scope of rock'n'roll.
The Penthouse (sometimes just referred to as 'Level 5') was a venue name given to the 5th floor of Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti School in Central Christchurch, above the old Hallensteins building in Cashel Plaza.
Biography Christchurch 4-piece with a heavy Birthday Party flavor comprised of Mark E Smith-channeling vocalist Janus Currie, Nick Cave look-a-like guitarist Herbert Palmer, drummer…
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.
Biography Coal are energy in another form. Long-lasting groovy Christchurch noise-rock cum post-rock band based around the core guitar duo of Andrew Hensley and…
Biography 3-piece Christchurch rock outfit in a fairly Unwound-style vein with dramatic guitar tension and vocals that veer between hushed and dramatic. Lome is…
