Let there be drums!
Six diverse percussion compositions performed by virtuosic musician Justin DeHart challenge common notions about the most primal of instruments.
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
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To celebrate her Lifetime Achievement honour at the forthcoming Pacific Music Awards here’s GARY STEEL’s previously unpublished 1997 interview with Teremoana Rapley.
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
Perfect Pitch
Twenty-five years ago GARY STEEL met up with wayward Kiwi electronic duo Pitch Black for a nice chat. A NZ Music Month special.
Jayrem – The ‘not Flying Nun’ 1980s Kiwi record label
To celebrate NZ Music Month GARY STEEL digs up a rare 1986 interview with Wellington record label owner Jim Moss.
Long lost stories: The Mockers 41 years ago
HELEN COLLETT interviewed The Mockers’ main man Andrew Fagan as the band perched on the edge of chart success. A NZ Music Month special.
Aldous Harding: The lost interview
Especially for New Zealand Music Month GARY STEEL disinters a 10-year-old interview with Aldous Harding conducted at the time of her debut album.
40 Years Ago: Hammond Gamble
GARY STEEL chats with Hammond Gamble about his Allstars Sing The Blues with Beaver.
Live Shows From Way Back – The Chills
GARY STEEL revisits his short review of a Chills gig in a pub one dark night in Wellington back in 1984.
Live Shows From Long Ago – Radioactive Band Of The Year contest 1984
GARY STEEL listened to the good, the bad and the ugly in an ‘alternative’ battle of the bands, 1984-style.
40 Years Ago: Working With Walt
GARY STEEL digs up a story about a Dunedin band from way back in 1984 in which he interviews Jan Hellriegel’s bro, Rob.
NZ music’s battle to be heard – 40 years ago, that is
NZ music acts whining about how hard it is to make a mark in 2024 might find this piece about the struggle to make
1001 Albums You Must Die Before You Hear: Wing
MATT KELLY's tribute to one of the best/worst singers ever to grace NZ stages and Southpark, a true classic of awful. RIP Wing.
There’s a riot goin’ on: Riot III
Riot III's explosive and controversial music gets a respectful reissue 43 years later. GARY STEEL, who was there at the time, digs in.
Riot 111: Wellington’s “terrorist” punk band
To celebrate the imminent release of a lovely vinyl platter capturing the key moments of Wellington's “terrorist” punk band Riot 111, here’s a story
Beat Rhythm Fashion – two ancient interviews
To honour recent interest in Wellington’s post-punk era GARY STEEL digs up two interview transcripts with Beat Rhythm Fashion.
The Great Witchdoctor Q&A – Phil Bowering
Low Profile’s Elephunkin’ is one of the most fondly remembered Kiwi songs of the 1980s, but what has Phil Bowering been up to since
Horny hip-hop
GARY STEEL asks big band maestro Rodger Fox some questions about his album/tour collaboration with conscious hip-hopper King Kapisi.
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