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
Shriekback: Making the brain dance
Way back in 1986 GARY STEEL chatted with Shriekback main man Barry Andrews prior to the group’s NZ tour. Here's that interview.
Stuck between rock and a hi-fi space
GARY STEEL loves the world of music he’s discovered in hi-fi appreciation but hates what its sonic refinement does to many of his favourite
World’s Worst Records: Liverpool FC’s Anfield Rap
MATT KELLY could write a book about the thoroughly awful phenomenon of English football club singles, but wisely chooses to stick to an especially
Teremoana Rapley: Back in time to ‘97 for the Lifetime Achievement award-winner
To celebrate her Lifetime Achievement honour at the forthcoming Pacific Music Awards here’s GARY STEEL’s previously unpublished 1997 interview with Teremoana Rapley.
Guilty Pleasures: Electric Light Orchestra’s Eldorado
ELO’s grandiose 1974 monstrosity is an over-the-top masterpiece, according to long-time appreciator GARY STEEL.
Tubular Bells – Played just like the record, but different
Mike Oldfield’s former keyboardist/orchestrator makes a work of genius come alive one more time. Reviewed by GARY STEEL.
Live Shows From Way Back – Wellington 1983
Gary Steel sniffs out another mouldering review from another not-so-present era. Wellington Performers Collective Fundraiser, Rock Theatre, Friday/Saturday 27/28 May 1983
World’s worst records: Ladbaby
MATT KELLY was going to review Journey until he heard Ladbaby's appropriation of a really shit song. We feel really sorry for him.
Steve Vai talks Zappa, guitar wizardry and life on the road
GARY STEEL enters the mouldering vault of past interviews and digs out his never-before-published 1997 chat with guitarist extraordinaire, Steve Vai.
World’s Worst Records – Fallout Boy
MATT KELLY is so fed up with Fallout Boy that he writes his own review of this utter dreck in verse.
Authors
