Gramsci - Gig Review: Gramsci @ ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland - 16/10/2020
18 Oct 2020 // review by kongfooey
The anticipation was high for this show for two reasons. One, it was the first gig out for us since Auckland was locked down for the second time this year.
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The Vibes - Single Review: Funk Blaster
20 Aug 2020 // review by kongfooey
Hot of the press this latest offering from The Vibes. Funk Blaster is a tribute to James Brown and the Red Hot Chili Peppers and it's a great big slice of funky fun.
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Summer Thieves - EP Review: Bandaids and Lipstick
30 Jul 2020 // review by kongfooey
Much like their contemporaries Six60, Summer Thieves started from humble beginnings in Dunedin many moons ago. Starting as a high school band of sorts, Jake and Johnny have been jamming together since the ripe age of 15.
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Sola Rosa - Single Review: For The Mighty Dollar Feat. Kevin Mark Trail
01 Jul 2020 // review by kongfooey
Sola Rosa aka Andrew Spraggon is in a unique position in his career to be able to collaborate with some of the planet's best musicians, and on the second single from the forthcoming album Chasing The Sun he has hit the musical jackpot. The track kicks off with horns, sparse funk guitar and classic strings before kicking into the cool and catchy chorus.
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The Slider - Album Review: He Calls Your Name
16 Mar 2020 // review by kongfooey
The Slider features two tortured souls from Auckland heavy rock/blues band His Masters Voice (The Devil's Blues). Rene Black and Az Burns have created a down and dirty little beast here, featuring Rene on lead vocals and drums, with Az tackling all guitars/bass and keys, and there is a stack of talent on display within.
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Shapeshifter - Gig Review: Shapeshifter @ Trustspower Baypark, Mt Maunganui - 28/12/2019
09 Jan 2020 // review by kongfooey
After a small hiccup getting into the venue, we arrived to see State Of Mind hitting the stage, unfortunately we had missed Concord Dawn but I heard they had a killer set. State of Mind warmed up the throngs of summer DnB heads nicely with their heavy DnB morsels, their MC hyped the crowd and it was a great set for this mini DnB festival Shapeshifter had compiled on this warm summer night.
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Pluto - Album Review: IV
13 Nov 2019 // review by kongfooey
Before egos ran wild and personalities clashed to derail Pluto or Pipeline Under The Ocean in 2009 they reigned supreme on the local alternative music scene and even hitting the musical jackpot with two killer singles in Dance Stamina and Long White Cross in the mid 2000's. They also released three full-length albums and played a slew of quality live shows and festivals locally and worldwide, but unfortunately it all came unraveled while recording their fourth album.
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Radio Therapy - EP Review: Radio Therapy
31 Oct 2019 // review by kongfooey
If Pat Benatar and the Foo Fighters had a child it would be called Radio Therapy, that's my first impression of the first couple of tracks on Radio Therapy's second self-titled EP and that's a good thing in my books. Singer Renee Leishman is somewhat of a New Plymouth Rock legend having performed with bands Demon Dolls and 1080 in the past and her vocals in this release are crisp and full of melody, she also helps out the rhythm section by playing bass guitar too, which is impressive.
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L.A.B. - Single Review: Personify
17 Sep 2019 // review by kongfooey
L.A.
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Quinn The Human - Album Review: Shade Queen
26 Jul 2019 // review by kongfooey
Following on from their EP Mission Helsinki released in 2018, Quinn The Human release their first full length album Shade Queen and it doesn’t disappoint. A heady mixture of alternative and dessert rock with sprinkles of trademark Quinn humour and some sweet vocal harmonies to boot.
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dDub - Derek Browne - Album Review: Dreaming House
16 Jul 2019 // review by kongfooey
Derek Browne - the talented singer and songwriter for dDub, a roots n rock brass infused collective that dominated festivals and airwaves in previous years with successful tunes Hesitate No, Quicksand and Medicine Man, now presents us with his latest and sadly final solo album called Dreaming House. Derek was tragically diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2018 and was told he had a matter of months to live; devastating news but through pure grit, determination and his unwavering love for music Derek set about recording what would be his departing album.
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Troy Kingi - Single Review: Babylon Grows
01 Jul 2019 // review by kongfooey
The first I’ve heard of this concept 10/10/10 (ten albums in ten genres over ten years) and it’s a very cool challenge for this talented artist to set, the next installment will be called Holy Colony Burning Acres which delves into the dark corners of worldly indigenous issues and politics, weighty subject matter indeed. First cab off the rank is single/video Babylon Grows.
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Soaked Oats - EP Review: Sludge Pop
13 Jun 2019 // review by kongfooey
Soaked Oats are a quirky four headed indie beast hailing from the great southern city of Dunedin, a city that’s very well known for its plethora of fine alternative bands over the years, these guys carry on that tradition with their latest offering a 5 track EP called Sludge Pop.Sludge Pop kicks off with opening track Shuggah Doom, I really dig the dreamy guitar tones and laid back vocal delivery on this tune, this one reminds me of the band Pavement, with cool and witty lyrics like “Well it’s no wonder there’s thunder but don’t forget your lighting crew, yes if there’s a film going on then be sure it’s not all about you” the outro picks up the pace and builds into a sweet sonic blast of musical bliss.
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Checaine - Single/Video Review: Lead Not Follow
04 Jun 2019 // review by kongfooey
They may have filmed their video in a garage, but Checaine are definitely not a garage rock band. Their latest single Lead Not Follow opens with a grunty riff and right from the get-go these guys obviously mean business.
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