The Witchdoctor Q&A – Paul McLaney
Witchdoctor spoke to Paul McLaney about his new Gramsci album and what inspired it. Oh, and other important stuff.
There’s no bloom without rain and DIRT
It’s seen a long gestation – what with Malcolm Black’s death and then Covid getting in the way. But this week sees the release
The Faded Glories – when the carnival is over
In March 1994 GARY STEEL wrote an epic feature in which he tracked down Kiwi notables whose celebrity star had faded or been truncated.
The Witchdoctor Q&A: Grant Gillanders, expert in NZ pop music history
Grant Gillanders deserves a medal for his services to New Zealand music. The archivist/label owner submits to the great Witchdoctor Q&A.
The Witchdoctor Q&A: Andrew Beer
He's our best classical artist and concertmaster of the Auckland Philharmonia. RICHARD BETTS has a wide-ranging conversation with Andrew Beer.
Meemees hit the top
Forty years ago the Screaming Meemees were a genuine pop sensation in NZ. GARY STEEL marks the occasion with two stories from 1981.
A Wellington band not like the others – The Digits
GARY STEEL pulls yet another mouldy 40-year-old story out of his considerable behind. This one’s about an obscure Wellington group called The Digits.
Before Flying Nun there was… Bunk?
New Zealand was a different planet back in 1981. GARY STEEL dips into his bulging archive with this piece on Wellington record label Bunk.
Snakefinger’s 1981 NZ tour that wasn’t
GARY STEEL excavates a thing about Snakefinger for a tour that never happened from his mouldering vaults. Originally published 12 May 1981 Sometime
Penknife Glides – Sharpies Stab At Success
GARY STEEL pulls another piece from his oozing back catalogue - 1981 story about Auckland band Penknife Glides.
La De Da man – Kevin Borich
Freshly disinterred from the festering annals of Gary Steel’s back pages, yet another obscure interview that time forgot. Today, it’s a 1981 story about
The man who fired the Sex Pistols
Bob Mercer signed Kate Bush and The Sex Pistols and then fired the band. GARY STEEL spoke to the industry legend.
Dianne Swann – The Witchdoctor Q&A
Dianne Swann is an under-sung legend of Kiwi pop with the finest album of her career online and in the shops.
Smith Dreams – The Fall in New Zealand 1982
Crazed fan HELEN COLLETT meets up with The Fall's Mark Smith for a long grilling in a Wellington pub. Photos: Charles Jameson.
Let there be light – Luminata Voices
RICHARD BETTS chats with the music director of new women's choir Luminata Voices ahead of its first performance.
Simple Minds – New (Zealand) Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)
HELEN COLLETT almost succumbs to the elements hitching a ride to the Simple Minds 1982 gig in Auckland and Jim Kerr writes in her
New Order – First NZ Tour
HELEN COLLETT stalks the members of New Order and their greater entourage during their first New Zealand tour in 1982.
Robert Wyatt – interview with a reclusive legend
Fresh from soaking up Robert Wyatt’s newish book of lyrics and illustrations, GARY STEEL thought the time was right to disinter and publish –
Witchdoctor Q&A: Guitar master Nigel Gavin
Nigel Gavin is one of our best-kept secrets: a guitar wizard with gregarious performative impulses and an astonishing discography. GARY STEEL subjects him to
Julee Cruise on her David Lynch experience
Thirty years ago GARY STEEL met David Lynch’s Twin Peaks musical muse, Julee Cruise. For the first time, here’s the encounter in full.
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