John Hanlon – Naked Truths (Ode) – Simple songs for complex times
'Damn The Dam' man John Hanlon has a new album and as the title suggests it's full of naked truths. GARY STEEL takes a
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 – Bruce Aitken
Veteran Kiwi drummer Bruce Aitken has a storied career and an avalanche of incredible new music released this month. We subject him to the
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.
Thrilling The Arabs – The Cure in NZ 1981
Still a cult act when they toured NZ in 1981, The Cure were down-to-earth enough to “hang” with their Wellington fans and even jam
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
Real good, for free
Auckland Chamber Orchestra presents its usual array of interesting music. And it’ll cost you nothing to attend, writes RICHARD BETTS.
Mind the gaps – Dimmer classic toured 20 years later!
Prompted by its 20th anniversary and an upcoming tour to mark the occasion, GARY STEEL reassesses Shayne Carter’s greatest album. IMPORTANT NOTE: This
Dimmer reforms for 20th anniversary tour
A reconstituted version of Shayne Carter's band Dimmer will perform the entire I Believe You Are A Star album for its 20th anniversary in
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.
Slikback – Quoios/Klout (Byrd Out)
GARY STEEL stumbles across a tantalising snippet of greatness in a new EP by Kenyan electronic artist Slikback.
Frank Zappa – Zappa ’88: The Last US Show REVIEW
GARY STEEL reviews the latest release from the Zappa vaults and reveals both its strengths and weaknesses.
NZSO springs into winter
RICHARD BETTS previews a clutch of performances by the NZSO this month.
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.
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