NZ rock still… rocks! We Search For Yeti!
They probably won’t be performing at Spark Arena anytime soon, but GARY STEEL reckons Wellington-based independent rockers Search For Yeti are well worth a
OMD, The Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey, etc: LIVE REVIEW
Despite a strong aversion to such things GARY STEEL attends an ‘80s nostalgia music festival and survives to tell the tale.
Matthew Bannister’s The Dark Backward reviewed
Matthew Bannister’s latest album is packed with 15 charming songs of sneaky feelings and revealing couplets, writes GARY STEEL.
Unwind’s Embers album a healing balm
The world's in a state of chaos, right? Here's an album that will give you gentle solace, writes GARY STEEL, who reckons taking a
Becoming Led Zeppelin – Cock around the clock
GARY STEEL discusses the still-contentious “classic rock” group Led Zeppelin and their first ever so-called “documentary”.
Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins – Witchdoctor Q&A
For a while in the mid-1980s, the Thompson Twins were the biggest thing in pop, but when Tom Bailey retired the project in the
World’s Worst Records – David Hasselhoff’s Looking For Freedom
In Part 3 of a survey of the complete musical works of Sir David Michael Hasselhoff, MATT KELLY dissects the risible Euro-'80s muck that
From The Archives: Sly Dunbar talks
That time GARY STEEL chatted with drummer Sly Dunbar of the famed Jamaican rhythm section, Sly & Robbie. First, the story. After, the unexpurgated
World’s Worst Records: Cattle Decapitation’s To Serve Man
MATT KELLY actually likes Cattle Decapitation but this early blunder is especially bad in a multitude of ways and is endlessly deserving of derision.
Let there be drums!
Six diverse percussion compositions performed by virtuosic musician Justin DeHart challenge common notions about the most primal of instruments.
World’s Worst Records: Alison Gold’s Shush Up
Gold's follow-up to 'Chinese Food' was so regrettable and tasteless that she had to change her name, writes our dean of tack, MATT KELLY.
Heilung – A cyberpunk reimagining of ancient culture
Hardened atheist GARY STEEL attends bizarre show by German/Nordic group Heilung and has “spiritual” experience.
World’s Worst Records: David Hasselhoff’s Lovin’ Feelings
In part 2 of a survey of the complete musical works of Sir David Michael Hasselhoff, MATT KELLY describes a truly horrible record.
Wellington in the ’80s through the lens of an outsider music group
GARY STEEL reviews a new book that’s not only the story of an extraordinary band, label and scene, but an alternative history of Wellington
Dance around the world with Corben Simpson
He won a Silver Scroll award in 1971. He sang for Blerta. He recorded an album in bed. After more than 50 years Corben
The format wars suck
GARY STEEL has been thinking about vinyl vs. streaming vs. compact discs (etc) and just wants it all to stop.
Who you jiving with that cosmic debris? Zappa’s Apostrophe (’) at 50
Frank Zappa’s most popular album gets a chunky six-disc elaboration. GARY STEEL wonders whether it warrants the attention.
World’s Worst Records – Alison Gold’s Chinese Food
Our expert on the worst of the worst, the honourable MATT KELLY, gets stuck into a very dubious release that verges on culturally insensitive.
Moon Unit Zappa’s memoir: a ripping rock and roll read
The original valley girl’s memoir is an acutely observed and at times shocking tell-all about growing up in the dysfunctional family of a 1970s
World’s Worst Records – Dizzee Rascal’s The Fifth
Dizzee Rascal has made some acclaimed albums but The Fifth isn't one of them, writes MATT KELLY, who rues just how low the rapper
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