1 Nov 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Hangar 18 - Hangar 18 @ Kings Arms, Auckland - 11/08/2017

14 Aug 2017 // A review by butch181
With a list of 5+ bands playing on the bill, it was going to be a marathon session for a Kings Arms Tavern Friday night.

First band up was Auckland Rock Funk band, Mudshark. These boys are young and full of energy, and straight off the bat, you can feel the funk through the bass line. With a musical style that is gaining in popularity again due to the likes of the Skinny Hobos, Mudshark’s bluesy funk rock style is pushed to the next level by the Rory Howard’s vocals. Alternating between clean and screaming, Howard’s melodies remind me of Stone Temple Pilot’s Scott Weiland, while the heavy is both meaty and crisp at the same time. The band themselves weren’t very energetic to begin with, leaving most of the “performance” side to Howard, though the guitarists did warm up and join in when the songs were “hip-swinging good”. Overall, a very solid sound from Mudshark, reminiscent of one of my top up-and-coming New Zealand bands, Setting Fire to Stacey. Their originals had great rhythm and variety, and their covers of Linkin Park and Deftones were superb. A great start to the night.

Up next was Garden Party Riot, whom I have seen perform before at the Dogs Bollix. Despite having seen them before it still surprises me when only three people hit the stage. Guitarist Brent Wallwork takes full responsibility for that, taking on the combined bass and guitar roles, providing a grungy and gritty punk rock vibe. Vocalist Paul Goddard has clearly spent a lot of time fine-tuning his performance, from movements on stage, to costume changes, and movements into the crowd; he pushes the limits to keep the attention of the crowd firmly on him as he belts out track after track. With only one guitar on stage, a stale sound is always a threat, but Brett Allison does a magnificent job on the drums, with a wide variety of fills, and working his way through equipment malfunctions without drawing attention to himself, and keeping the tracks going. Goddard has a surprisingly youthful voice, which combines with the instruments to create an original Kiwi version of Jane’s Addiction. A good mix of rock sounds so far.

Third band for the night was Mystery Liquid, a band that boasts 15 years of achievements, achieving high rotation on the US airwaves, winning awards for top bassist and drummers in Battle of the Bands, and even gaining endorsement and sponsorship deals. And hearing them play, it’s clear that their bassist Raschella “Krispy” Murillo is a league of her own. Rocking the stage barefoot, the bass lines cut through the guitar, and adds layers of melody. Vocalist Andre Kerrison likes to mix the clean and heavy vocals as well, with a Drowning Pool/Limp Bizkit style, that matches the 90's/2000's style of Mystery Liquid’s music. I was going to mention that their tracks would easily fit in the same funk rock categories as early Incubus albums Fungus Amongus and S.C.I.E.N.C.E., but they rendered that comment rather obsolete by performing an on-the-nose cover of Incubus’ A Certain Shade of Green. Mystery Liquid are a hit of nostalgia.

Next up is the headliner, Hangar 18. The vocalist, Ian Black, I’ve heard before, performing with Fuser who headlined Garden Party Riot’s gig at the Dog’s Bollix back in April. Wearing his signature baseball cap, he takes front and centre, and starts the crescendo of a set list. Originally starting off very soothing and relaxing, the tracks are simple, lacking any real hooks. But as the set progresses, the funk of Brendon Thomas of Brendon Thomas and the Vibes fame, starts to increase in complexity, and playfulness. With one long jazzy solo, suddenly the crowd starts to react stronger towards the music. As the pace of the songs increase, the energy does too, and the drummer gets an opportunity to really show off his skills and fills. The most reserved of all the bands up until this point, Hangar 18 have some good tracks, but could really do with a little more emphasis on the performance aspect of their show.

After Hangar 18 left the stage, Brendon Thomas stuck around for his part in the next group that was performing on stage, The Rubics. Within minutes, the crowd had doubled in size, halved in average age, and quadrupled in energy. Having won Battle of the Bands last year at this very venue, the six-piece band is the epitome of youth and passion. Every member on stage is loving being there, and it’s really infectious to watch. Smile at the world and the world smiles back. Their vocalist, Rob Lardizabal Jatulan Jr, who could best be described as a young rock ‘n’ roll Bruno Mars, could not stand still; he danced on stage, he crooned to the crowd, and looked to be having the time of his life. Bassist Nic Montgomery was also stand out with the talent that he was showing off. Spending more time singing along, while his fingers ran up and down the neck of his bass with ease. An incredibly confident band, with some dazzling original music with some abundantly funky riffs.

 

About Hangar 18

Auckland based Alt/Pop/Rock band Hangar 18 are hungry and talented with a passion for performing live. They thrive best when on stage, their energy and excitement coupled with their enthusiasm is infectious. From pop orientated tracks such as Say It To Me, that will get you grooving along, to Never Gonna be the Same, which will have you bouncing on your feet all night long.

With a truly unique line up and one of a kind personalities this band includes members from London (UK) and Manila (Philippines) now based in Auckland (New Zealand), Hangar 18 are the nicest bunch of chaps to hang out with and work with, they are dedicated to their craft but also know how to have fun and enjoy themselves, being good humoured and lively, there is never a dull moment when your around them.

Their songs are eclectic in theme, ranging from love songs, break ups to gun control, from murder to mental health issues, songs about traveling, about people, and about pretty much every subject in between.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Hangar 18

Releases

There are no releases to display for Hangar 18.

Other Reviews By butch181

Lola Sola - Single Review: Tripping
04 Dec 2019 // by butch181
This latest single from Lola Sola, Tripping, is pure simplicity; simple enough to allow nothing to draw your attention away from the vocals. With very little instrumentation beyond a guitar (which doubles as the tracks percussive element), there is nothing complicated about it, and it creates a slow and weary ambience.
Read More...
Rubine - Album Review: Secret Danger
04 Nov 2019 // by butch181
Rubine hail from North Island’s Hamilton and Tauranga, which is ideal placement, as some New Zealand’s best classic rock sounds tend to originate from the Waikato/Bay of Plenty regions. The five-piece consist of Tana Tapri on lead vocals, Afzer Zameer on the drums, Dennis Ben on guitar, and Keith McGlade and Stefan Doll on the bass and guitar respectively, as well backing vocals.
Read More...
Gig Review: Sevendust w/ City of Souls @ Powerstation, Auckland - 23/04/2019
24 Apr 2019 // by butch181
A decidedly reserved Tuesday night in Auckland and people were quietly piling into the Powerstation and grabbing some drinks at the bar. The upper balcony area was closed, so the fans were amassing downstairs around the inner perimeter of the venue.
Read More...
Sonic Altar - Album Review: Under A Dying Sun
27 Mar 2019 // by butch181
In this digital age, it’s not often that you get a full length record anymore. Everything is short and sweet just to get content out there before fans forget your band even exists.
Read More...
Levi Lights On Project - Single Review: Mirror Man
17 Mar 2019 // by butch181
Levi is a musical amalgamation that would in most cases be categorised as folk, thanks to the groups' uncommon mix of instruments consisting of a saxophone, cello, and cajón, and a lack of a drum kit or electric instruments. That being said, Mirror Man has something unique.
Read More...
The Gemini Effect - Single Review: Little Mouse
17 Mar 2019 // by butch181
Little Mouse is the first single from Bad Alien, the upcoming sophomore album of three-piece alt-rock act The Gemini Effect. With some nice consistent snare work, the track jumps right off the bat with a great organic sense of rhythm that has you bobbing your head and tapping your foot along with the beat, accentuated by some gritty power chords.
Read More...
Mermaidens - Single Review: You Maintain The Stain
17 Mar 2019 // by butch181
The latest release from Wellington trio Mermaidens is a straight up middle finger to the powers that control the world and throws away the mainstream formula of verse/chorus patterns, instead, forming a self-righteous maelstrom of sonic environments.  With no warning given, You Maintain The Stain gets straight into cold, apathetic vocals alongside a pluggy bassline, until the guitar jumps in with an uncomfortable level of discord that sows the seeds of uneasiness in the pit of your stomach as if every instrument is performing a different song.
Read More...
Paper Cranes - Album Review: Voices
19 Dec 2018 // by butch181
Due for release January 18, 2019, Voices is the second full-length album from Indie Folk duo Paper Cranes. While comprised of ten tracks, the album has a short overall runtime of just over 35 minutes.
Read More...
View All Articles By butch181

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • APT.
    ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
    Gracie Abrams
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • SAILOR SONG
    Gigi Perez
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem