Genie And
The Wild Children - Approximate time period 1986 - 1987.
With their New Age hippy name this
band were a lot more
than
met the eye or ear as time
would tell. The band consisted of 2 musically prolific
writers in Guitarist / Vocalists David Hunt and Brett
Lupton. [more]
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Greens - Approximate time period 1986 - 1987.
The Greens were a Christchurch 4 piece band and huge
fans of the Clean.
The bands line-up was:
Andre van der Wenden - Bass
Tane Tokana - Drums (David Kilgour, Strangeloves)
James Moore - Vox / Guitar
Bruce Intemann - Vox / Guitar (Stark Raving Sane)
Tane went on to play with David Kilgour on his first
album.
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Hiding From Stan - Approximate time period 1985 - 1987.
Christchurch dark and weird pop.
John Chrisstoffels - Guitar, noises and effects(Terminals)
Pete Mitchell - Drums (Flat City label, Renderers, Squirm)
Jonathan Hall- Bass
Micheal Bell - Vocals (Hoover)
Steve Howison - Guitar
Hiding From Stan did one batch of eight songs with Rob
Mayes on 4 track at Chrisstoffels' central city flat.
Those songs appear on the Failsafe Records "Escape
My Room" album, and one appears on the South compilation.
The Escape My Room album was initially released via the
Grant McDonagh label, but initial dubs were of such poor
quality that Mayes asked to release the album on his
label to maintain more of the audio quality of the recordings.
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Leadleg - Approximate time period 1986 - 1994.
Initially a solo project for Johnathon Ogilvie (YFC) the material that appears
on the South Compilation was recorded by Ogilvie on 4 Track at Mayes Gilby
Street house. [more]
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My Wild Violet - Approximate time period 1987.
After the disbanding of Heartland Birss and Stokes went
on to continue songwriting and recording and completed
4 songs at Audio Access Studios. "The
Truth Won't Change" is one of these songs.
Rob Mayes later rejoined the band and after a few name
changes they became Dolphin.
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Nigel Mitchell - Approximate time period 1987 - .
Solo project for Christchurch musician
Mitchell, who was previously a member of the group the
Rue.. [more]
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Pihed - Approximate time period 1985 - 1986.
The starting point for two key members of the Christchurch
Music Community, Pihed featured Andrew
Penman on Bass / Vocals (Rhubarb Collective, Golf Course
Alligators, Salmonella Dub - Curious George Records),
Tom Mahon - Guitar / Lead Vocal (Rhubarb Collective,
Strange
Loves, Holy Toledos, Del Burgers),
Caroline O'Neil - Vocals (Blue Marbles),
Bede Pascoe - Electric Piano,
Andrew Cavanagh - Drums (Rhubarb Collective)
[more]
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Skin Darlings - Approximate time period 1985 - 1987.
Lars Cawley - Vocals
Peter Rees - Guitar
Rob Mayes - Bass/Programming
Initially a duo based around Lars' distinctive vocal
style and Peter's guitar, the band recorded sessions with
Mayes at his Gilby Street house, Mayes joining the band after
adding bass to these sessions. The band performed live
a couple of times including one Zanzibar gig where the
band performed their rendition of the Postman Pat song.
The band's best effort "Bells Of Hope" remains unreleased.
Lars has gone on to be involved in dance and techno music,
and now does computer animation and also is a published comic
artist.
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Smacc Riflemen - Approximate time period 1986 - 1988.
Pete Sweeney's band after Spatback, Smacc Riflemen were
a much more rock oriented outfit featuring Sweeney
on Vocals and guitar and Grant on drums, and bass
player Glenn.
The band recorded at Rob Mayes Gilby Street home and
"Violent
Lance" is from those sessions.
The band eventually split with Grant and the bass player
working together on further projects and Sweeney
reportedly moving to Auckland for a while before returnign to Christchurch. He's not presently involved in music.
Pete Sweeney - Guitar, Vocals.
Grant Provost - Drums
Glenn Delderfield - Bass
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Tall Dwarfs - Approximate time period 1982 - Now
The well-known vehicle for Chris Knox and Alex Bathgate.
"Song
Of The Silence" was taken from a live concert
by the Tall Dwarfs at Christchurch's Zanzibar / Old
Star venue. This version is of particular interest
because
it features back-up from The Bats on Bass, 3rd guitar
and drums.
The track was mixed live by Rob Mayes and recorded directly
to cassette.
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Tinnitus - Approximate time period 1985 - 1992.
Early work from two influential New Zealand artists Mike
Hodgson and Angus McNaughton, who pioneered work in
New Zealand's electronic music scene.
This
track, "Function 2.3.2", was recorded on 4 track
using Failsafe's mobile studio and mixed at Mayes Gilby
Street
home
during the
South Sessions.
Tinnitus released a number of self recorded and distributed
cassettes before both McNaughton and Hodgson moved to
Auckland to live and work. Tinnitus eventually released
an album of work on the Flying Nun label before the
pair went their separate ways, Hodgson to follow up his
interest
in visuals, working as Projector Mix, an audio and visual
experience.
McNaughton continues his work as owner / operator of
Incubator Studios, producing many of New Zealand's finer
recordings
including the highly successful Headless Chickens second
album. He joined the Chickens for a stint on keyboards
but left the group soon afterwards.
He has worked in a number of DJ / Electronic outfits
including in Sound Force.
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Little Dead Things - Approximate time period 1988 - 1989
Christchurch five piece the Little
Dead Things formed out of the ashes of All Fall Down
and Genie
And
The Wild
Children. [more]
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1988 - 1991
Dolphin - Approximate time period 1987 - 1997, present.
Christchurch based three piece featuring Failsafe's
Rob Mayes - Bass / Guitar, Kevin Stokes - Guitar
/ vocals, and Stephen Birss - Drums. [more]
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Loves Ugly Children - Approximate time period 1989 - 1997.
This Christchurch band formed in 1989 with Vocalist Simon
MacLaren coming from shoe gazer Cure style 'Blue Flesh
Syndrome' who also contained half of another dark pop
outfit Lurch in Drummer Stuart Britten [more]
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J.M Kelcher - Approximate time period 1990 - 1995
After the split of Sneaky Feeling bassist
John Kelcher worked on solo material on his four track,
basing
himself
in Christchurch. The resulting eight songs were released
on 1991's Personal Disorganiser album. All bass, drums,
guitars, vocals and various noises were played by Kelcher.
[more]
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Killcaliban - Approximate time period 1989 - 1991
Dunedin-based outfit who recorded 2 tracks with Mayes
on a Dunedin trip. [more]
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Holy Toledos - Approximate time period 1990 - 1995,
Formed in 1989, the Holy Toledos attracted a lot of
attention. The release of the Forget And Forgive LP showcased
them nationwide, not least to major record label Sony
Music, who on the strength of this LP approached the
band for a major deal. [more]
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Lils - Approximate time period 1988 - 1995
Formed in August 1989 The Lils were an Auckland-based
group originating from Christchurch. Two New Zealand tours,
one cassette EP and an album (available on CD
and cassette through Failsafe Records)
later their sound is undeniably true to their roots.
[more]
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1992 - 1998
147Swordfish - Approximate time period 1992 - 1996
One of the crop of great bands to surface
for 1992's Operation Music Storm Competition 147Swordfish
made
the finals coming second and impressing judges and audience
with their well-crafted sound and strongly melodic undercurrent.
[more]
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Atomic Blossom - Approximate time period 1993 - 19971
The brain child of Christchurch musician Dean Karena.
Karena first came to local prominence with his previous band Naked Lunch in 1990.
[more]
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Chameleon - Approximate time period 1993 - 1997
Melodic pop four-piece Chameleon was formed by Jazz School students Leigh Franklin and Julian Marchant late in 1993. [more]
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Creeley - Approximate time period 1990 - 1997
Vehicle for the song writing talents of John Kelcher and Blair Parkes. [more]
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Feast of Stevens - Approximate time period 1989 - 1993
Feast of Stevens were:
Andrew Coy guitar / vocals
Hamish Anderson guitar / vocals
Glenn Fletcher drums
with our first bassist
Andrew Leslie bass / guitar / vocals
then
Jon Trimble bass [more]
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Hoover - Approximate time period 1993 - 1995
Christchurch group mining the darker textural landscapes.
The band featured:
Micheal Bell - Vocals
Tony Hallum - Bass
Ian Salek - Drums
Mark Tyler - Guitar
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Keith - Approximate time period 1993 - 1995
Keith
were an Auckland band who came to the attention
of Failsafe through mutual friends in the Lils who noticed
their Pixies-style pop. [more]
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Lurch - Approximate time period 1993 - 1995
Arising from the distant ashes of Blue Flesh Syndrome and Cell, Lurch were a
combination of British shoe gazing and semi industrial riffing, with a touch
of early Goth.
[more]
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Malchicks - Approximate time period 1989 - 1995
The Malchicks formed in the late Eighties in the Auckland
guitar scene, and rose to prominence with substantial
radio play for an early recording of the song "Vanilla",
which was eventually released on one of the BFM Freak
The Sheep Compilations. [more]
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Pumpkinhead - Approximate time period 1993 - 1996
Christchurch's premier grunge outfit Pumpkinhead came
on the scene in the early 90's as a Red Hot Chilli Peppers
covers band, building up a large following for their
energetic performances. [more]
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Semi Lemon Kola - Approximate time period 1993 - 1995
Auckland based outfit started their time at the end of
the eighties with a post shoe gazey British sound.
The band featured
Tosh Graham - Vocals
Rob Young - Bass
Deryck Hunt - Drums
Gareth Price - Guitar [more]
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Springloader - Approximate time period 1993 - 1995, 2019 -
Formed in late 1993 by Rob Mayes, Springloader was principally
a vehicle for Mayes' own compositions, predominantly
melodic based indie rock, combining the pop of Mayes
previous outing in throw, coupled with the heavy leanings
of Dolphin, and a new darker extended edge, Mayes
shifting to guitar. [more]
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Squirm - Approximate time period 1993 - 1997
Hello -
Meet Squirm - a band living in Christchurch New Zealand.
Squirm was born in 1992 when two friends Virgil Reality
and Mike Hex joined forces with a rather anarchic drum-thrashing
accountant named Hat to form a 'Progressive Art Punk
Glam Rock Band'. [more]
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Sun Sonic Thing - Approximate time period 1994
Formed out of the ashes of the highly regarded Immaculate
Sun, Sun Sonic Thing feature both Tony Hallum - Guitar
/ Vocals, and Ian (Isaac) Salek - Drums from that band,
plus
Wayne Leary - Bass (post-Blue Flesh Syndrome, pre-Lurch).
Sun Sonic Thing didn't achieve many live performances
but built a strong following from a session of recordings
they did on 4 track cassette, from which "Daylight" is
taken. These tracks were played on heavy rotate on local
student
radio and are quite startling for their power and quality.
Only "Daylight" has seen official release, included on
the Good
Things Compilation.
The band later split, with Salek and Hallum going on
to form Hoover, and Leary to form Lurch.
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Supertanker - Approximate time period 1991 - 1996
Originally formed in 1991 with:
David Hunt - Guitar / Vocals
Kelvin Hastie - Bass
Dean Chiplin - Guitar / Vocals
Jeff Cochrane - Drums [more]
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This Will Kill That - Approximate time period 1992 - 1995
Wellington band This Will Kill That emerged under a wall
of guitar noise to create a driving and engaging sound,
hooks buried deep. [more]
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Throw - Approximate time period 1991 - 1992, 1992 - 1996
The career of Throw has spawned
some of the more successful and impressive releases
for the Failsafe Label.
The band sprung from Failsafe boss Rob Mayes' desire
to create a studio-based songwriting ensemble which
would
have a transitional line-up as the song required. [more]
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Wadd - Approximate time period 1993 - 1996
Five piece outfit formed in early 1993. The band were
inspired by the Avalanche pack and quickly honed their
sound toward the dark and heavy side typified by their
Good
Things inclusion track "Whore". The band self-released
a CD of their post-Good Things work.
The band comprised:
Hayden Sharp - Guitar / Vocals
Stephen Nicholls - Guitar
Hamish McCaul - Drums
Andrew Hampton - Keyboards
Walter Friedel - Bass
The band continued to perform and refine their sound
until they finally disbanded in 1996.
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1994 - 1995
Chicane - Approximate time period 1993 - 1995
Formed in 1994 the four piece Chicane rapidly gained
a strong following in their home town of Christchurch.
The band features the vocal and guitar talents of Dean
Chiplin who was last seen on the Failsafe Label on
the Avalanche Compilation playing guitar for Supertanker.
[more]
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Cicada - Approximate time period 1993 - 1997
Cicada
are an Auckland Based guitar-oriented band.
Since forming in 1992, CICADA have recorded and successfully
aired many demos on student radio throughout the country
and have amassed considerable live experience, including
support slots for touring international acts such as
Fugazi and Yage. [more]
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1997
Delphy - Approximate time period 1996 - 1998
Delphy sprung into existence after members Kevin
Stokes - Guitar / Vocals, Rob Mayes - Bass / Guitar,
and Tracy Thompkins -
Drums decided to change their name from Dolphin due
to the number of London-based bands with that word
in their
name.
|
1999 - 2005
Alpha Cast - Approximate time period 2003- 2005
Alpha Cast are a three piece Dunedin based band who formed in late January 2003. In the short time they have been together, Alpha Cast have already achieved considerable success. Alpha Cast play an original brand of melodic indie rock and take pride in that they have been compared to at least a dozen different bands with no common denominators arising. [more]
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Degrees K - Approximate time period 2000- 2005
degrees.K is music, it is energy, it is rolling rock. It is 4 persons creating something musical and sharing it with other persons. It is jolly good fun.
"
This particular example is a huge sounding, almost symphonic conglomeration of sonic youth guitar vandalism and heavy rock dynamics...this is too interesting to ignore. Truly alternative rock".- Revolver Magazine, AUS. April 2003 [more]
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Hooster - Approximate time period 1999 - 2005
Since their inception in 1999 three-piece Christchurch rock band Hooster have had more than their share of entertaining and double-edged moments.
The band consistently garner support and accolades for their brand of approachable melodic power rock, while encountering a bewildering array of comic and confusing side trackings. [more]
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(Es)Kimo - Approximate time period 200 2-
Eskimo are the rock triumvirate of David Mulcahy (ex JPSE, Superette, and currently Spider), Rob Mayes (Throw, Springloader, Dolphin & Failsafe head honcho), & drumming wonder Michael Daly (YFC, Leadleg, Splinter). [more]
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Substandard - Approximate time period 2001- 2004
Formed as an instrumental guitar and drums duo for a one-off performance to help out some friends who needed a support band Substandard's chemistry was ripe for more musical adventures and gained momentum with the addition of a bassist.
Style wise the band mines similar musical territory to bands like Mogwai, Bailterspace, HDU, the Subliminals and Sonic Youth, with just a whiff of darker Cure and Joy Division in the rhythm section. [more]
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Astro64 - Approximate time period 2002
It's a music project rather than a band, founded on songwriter, bassist, Guitarist, Sound Engineer and Producer Rob Mayes, and various guest vocalists and musicians. [more]
Click here for our attempt at the wider CHCH Alternative Music Band List in Full 1976 - 1990
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