20 July 2013 - 0 Comments

Rotorua based Swamp Thing are embarking on their first Southern Tour August 2013. This two headed musical monster heads Southward from August 7^th until August 18^th for a full on twelve date tour in under a fortnight, including an outdoor performance in Queenstown to open the New Zealand Winter Games on Thursday 15^th August and with first ever shows in Wellington, Palmerston North and most of the South Island centres.

They're the two left in the juke joint when the hurricane's about to make landfall, when the revellers have gone home, sweat-soaked and exhausted. The bulbs are blown out, the floor's full of glass, but two men are honour bound to keep playing, pouring their sweat into the parched earth like libation. In the best traditions of two man blues and roots, Swamp Thing is a duo that you know are playing to stay alive.

A former member of The John Butler Trio and touring drummer for Tim Finn and Split Enz, Michael Barker (drums/percussion/key bass/vocals) formed the power blues/roots duo Swamp Thing with Grant Haua (vocals/guitar) in 2010. These two unique musicians share a wealth of experience to craft blues flavoured music with a deep groove and soulful spook.

Swamp Thing will be featuring and promoting their recently released second album Primordium on this trip in recognition that they are themselves growing and spreading their sound and selves right across the country building to bigger and better things. Over the Summer months  the duo have played a number of Australian festivals and shows including WOMADelaide, Woodford Folk Festival, Blues at Bridgetown and Nannup… Now’s the chance for the South of New Zealand, they come highly recommended don’t miss it.

Tour Dates

Wed 7^th August @ Bent Horseshoe Café - Tokomaru - 8pm show

Thr 8^th August @ Meow Café - 9 Edward St Wellington - 8pm show

Fri 9^th August @ Deville Café - 22 New St Nelson - 8.30pm show

Sat 10^th August @ Dharma Bums Club - Wairau Valley Blenheim - 8pm show

Sun 11^th August @ Strawberry Tree Café - 21 W End Kaikoura - 4 pm arvo / early evening show

Mon 12 August @ Blue Pub - 1 Barkers Rd Methven - 8pm show

Tues 13 August @ Travel Day

Wed 14^th August @ Cadillac Club - 12 Church Lane Queenstown - 7 pm show

Thr 15^th August @ Pog Mahones - 14 Rees St Queenstown - 9pm show

Fri 16^th August @ Bullock Bar - 71 Ardmore St Wanaka - 8pm show

Sat 17^th August @ Mannys Bar - 91 St Andrew St Dunedin - 8pm show

Sun 18^th August @ Churchills Tavern - 441 Colombo St Christchurch - 4pm arvo / early evening

The lads will also perform sets on the Interislander Ferry Wellington to Picton Fri Aug 9^th 2.30pm sailing and Picton to Wellington Mon Aug 19^th 6.30pm sailing.

For tickets and show details contact the venues and  eventfinda , check all web based gig guides .

https://www.facebook.com/swampthingnz

http://www.youtube.com/user/swampthingmusic

Recent live reviews and quotes

TWO PIECE?....HMMMMM....FULL SOUND?....HARD TO PULL OFF EVEN WITH A (GOOD) THREE PIECE. IN MY OPINION THEY STILL DIDN'T DELIVER A FULL SOUND....OH NO, THEY DELIVERED SOMETHING FAR GREATER, SOMETHING REFRESHING, SOMETHING HONEST.....A COMPLETE SOUND......MIND BLOWING.YOU GUYS SHOULD BE HEADLINING CLUBS IN CHICAGO, NEW ORLEANS, PARIS....ETC. THANK YOU BOTH!

Right from the start you knew it was going to be a little different when the celestial purple kit was brought to the front of the stage, its kick drum receiving a 'special', lit from behind...Ooooh, spooky even! As the swamp mists appeared, out came a thumping Demon drummer with his (left) hand commanding the bassline and 'gulp' making magic all in sync with himself. This was gooonna be a ride!! His partner stood to my right steathily whipping the crowd to its feet, in layered song and fire-crumbling guitar. Somewhere after this my eyes closed, the music took over and the night blurred but the memory lingers... Swamp Thing is an eight limbed, two voiced creature possessed of a stonking musical versatility, honouring an age-old tradition of musos as entertainers. 

With a voice and guitar skills that is truly a GIFT, Grant Haua delivers each song with such energy and emotion. Michael Barker is THE MASTER of the drums and percussion and they complement each other perfectly. It is like they have re-invented a style of blues that is unique and commands an audience.

At each gig, from the time of their first song, to the last note, they have their Swamp Mosher's engaged mentally and physically, yelling for more.

High energy, passion driven, yet honest. Two most talented individuals colouring in our live music nights. Musical genius delivered in each song. The rhythms, complex and multi layered by Michael, the rich vocal delivery by both and Grant's mastery of the guitar drives the listeners and dancers to ultimate music frenzy. With every performance I have been lucky to witness, each and everyone went home with an ecstatically happy memory. Swamp Thing has what is the miracle of live music - the ability to be just who they are with what they’ve got, and its great!

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