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Fang

Bio

During more than six-year history Fang have released two albums and an EP, two videos and played numerous shows around New Zealand. Over the years Fang been more interested in working hard at producing consistent, quality, left-of-mainstream indie sounds – rather than in the hype associated with a short-lived, high-charting, music career.

Fang were conceived back in 1998 during one of those drunken APRA awards ceremonies. Ben Howe met Andrea Holmes and suggested they get together with his flatmate Sonya Waters. All three already had plenty of musical experience… Sonya in The Insigators and other bands overseas, Ben in Superette and Andrea in Alfalfameo. Andrea used some lipstick to write her name on a paper napkin and soon the new band was in action.

The first EP 'Employee of the Month' in 1999 and the first album 'The Origin of Species' in 2000 contained the tracks 'Employee of the Month' (bFM Top Ten #1), 'Disphoria' and a number of other b-net favourites. It was a lo-fi, hi–energy blast of quick fire songs, described by one reviewer as about "technology, cool people and getting back to nature…tougues firmly planted in cheek".

Other reviews were positive echoing the sentiment that Fang were a "promising outfit".

During 2001-2002 Fang set to work on their second album called 'Somewhere Out There'. They also recruited guitarist Francis Hunt (The Stereo Bus, Sleepers Union and other bands), who was eventually replaced by Steve Reay (The Subliminals), who played the guitar on 'Somewhere Out There'.

The album was released at the end of 2002 to excellent reviews. It was described variously as a "departure" and "a daring imaginative and accomplished trip into other musical atmospheres" or "shiny" and "impressive". In the year following the release of the album Fang played numerous gigs around New Zealand with Bob Mould, The Chills, The Phoenix Foundation, Pine, SJD, the World Series and numerous other shows.

Fang also contributed a number of tracks to the Arch Hill compilation CD 'The Hill is Alive'.

During mid 2003 Fang recruited three new members to the band; Brignal Woods (replacing Andrea Holmes), Tom Clark (also of The Fanatics) and Bronwen Robertson.

Album number three 'Swim Up Stream' was completed at Arch Hill studios with Ben Howe of the band at the controls. Fourteen new songs were recorded and the first single and video called 'Can't Help It' enjoyed play on b-net radio and C4. The video was directed by Richard Bell (who has also made videos for U2, Beck and others), and features a secret celebrity disguised as a pink Yeti. The new album has a more propelled live band feel than 'Somewhere Out There', however, despite this, many of the dark, sparse and atmospheric elements have been retained.

****Somewhere out there is a deep and mysterious sounding album that utilises a lo-fi approach to achieve heavily layered yet delicate songs...delightfully brooding. Rip It Up.

Bronwen Robertson left Fang in early 2005 and Ben Howe also performs as Ben & Greta.

Band Members:
Sonya Waters (vocals, guitar)
Brignal Woods (drums)
Ben Howe (bass, backing vocals)
Tom Clark (guitar)

Releases

Genres

Location

  • Auckland


Reviews / Interviews

Comments (Newest First)

Shade
muzic.net.nz Admin

Joined: 17/07/02
Posts: 5069
Location: Manawatu
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New Fang Vid. and Gig
Posted: Wed Oct 6, 2004 7:50 pm
Fang have just finished a sleep walking doughnut eating video for the track Something Good, directed by Richard Bell. They are also playing a ChannelZ show with SJD next Thursday 14th October at Galatos. If you are quick you can register to get tickets at http://www.channelZ.co.nz/
 

Shade
muzic.net.nz Admin

Joined: 17/07/02
Posts: 5069
Location: Manawatu
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Fang - 'Swim Up Stream' out 2 August
Posted: Mon Aug 2, 2004 10:12 am
Fang have a brand new album and also a brand new website at http://www.fang.co.nz where you can watch a few videos and also listen to the album on low-fi streamed audio.... the website was also made by the talented Mr Hayden Sinclair.

'Swim Up Stream' is getting very good reviews, Rip It Up gave it four stars and saying "Fang are still musically adventurous...Their ear for a good tune obviously hasn't been lost". The Sunday Star Times also gave it four stars stating "Overall it packs a pop rock punch that'll take listeners by surprise. It's loaded with tracks that demand to be on high rotate". Also look out for a Hugh Sundae interview with two of the band (and the new video for Yellow) on TV1's late news Tonight...which is on, er, tonight (Monday)

The next gig Fang will be playing is in support of the underground dark alt-country legends The Renderers, at the Kings Arms in Auckland on Friday August the 6th.

The Renderers are perhaps better known by those in the know in indie circles from North America, having had releases on US label Siltbreeze as well as touring over there. Some will remember the time they supported and provided the backing band for Will Oldham last time he came to NZ (Bonnie Prince Billy, Palace Brothers, Palace Music, Palace... he also happens to be playing again in Auckland and Wellington on 10th and 12th of September)

Thanks to http://www.archhill.co.nz/ for the above news.

 

Shade
muzic.net.nz Admin

Joined: 17/07/02
Posts: 5069
Location: Manawatu
View Profile
New Fang Video
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2003 11:42 am
Thanks to Arch Hill for this news:

Fang have recently completed their first Video for the track 'Man From The South' and you can get a sneak preview of it at bands.co.nz at:

http://www.bands.co.nz/script/features/article.asp?body=101

The video was made by One Collective and directed by Richard Bell, who has worked with Beck, U2, Johnny Cash, Joy Division and stacks of others.

The video involves complex 'floating' scenes in a certain famous South Island traffic tunnel. When the tunnel authority got wind of these illegal activities it was quick to react by activating the bright flashing lights and broadcasting a disembodied voice repeating "you are now being filmed doing an illegal activity". Needless to say Richard and Fang high-tailed it and hid out in the nearest shipping yard. Luckily, there has been no further word from the Tunnel Authority

Shade
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Shade
muzic.net.nz Admin

Joined: 17/07/02
Posts: 5069
Location: Manawatu
View Profile
Fang Getting It Out There
Posted: Wed Dec 4, 2002 6:27 pm
Thanks to Arch Hill for this news:

The new Fang album has been picking up some excellent reviews, including George Kay's Real Groove review, stating that..."Somewhere Out There is just that - a daring, imaginative and accomplished trip into other musicial atmospheres".

The Package calls it "a heady crossbreed of pure pop and experiemental alt rock with a wee bit of folk thrown in. Delicious." There are plenty of others, but we don't want to get carried away with ourselves (and I can't remember where I put them). We have it on good authority there are more good reviews to come. Fang just completed a successful mini tour of Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

Shade
muzic.net.nz
 

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