New Zealand’s very own Blink 182, Elemeno P, with support from Fruit Juice Parade and Valentina hit San Fran, on a fantastic warm Wellington evening. It was packed out; beers were flowing, and the sticky smell of the low-ceilinged venue was absolutely buzzing. As the crowd waited for Elemeno P they sang along to songs - Bohemian Rhapsody as I have never heard it before!
Before that though Fruit Juice Parade came out to what must have been a huge audience to this young female duo. If you like something a little different and interesting take a look at them. The singer played guitar and the drummer also played a melodica in between heavy crashes of cymbals. A melodica if you aren’t aware is a free-reed instrument similar to a mouth organ, but with a keyboard. I certainly can’t compare them to anything I have heard before, but the organ certainly took me back to the classic days in the 90’s, think early mobile phone ring tones. They were more chord driven than melodic, with some harmonies thrown in for good measure. Interesting and I wish them well.
Elemeno P came on to a raw from the fans, and in usual fashion everyone from the balcony rushed to the stage knocking drinks flying. In true Kiwi fashion there were plenty of apologies at this 'High Fidelity Vinyl Release Tour' gig. San Fran always concerns me when everyone jumps up and down at the same time, the floor certainly moves a lot. Fun though!
If you haven’t heard of Elemeno P, then perhaps you have been living under a rock, or you have recently arrived I this beautiful land. The band's first album Love & Disrespect was released in 2003 and reached number one in the Kiwi charts. They certainly formed during the heyday of Kiwi music, with plenty of backing from the newly formed government initiatives of the day.
All the classics were played including Verona and 11:57, with some of the new album mixed in. The opener though was the classic Nirvana, and the band were letting out plenty of energy and the performance was spot on. These guys are my age (not old, but not young either), but they kept up the pace all night. They engaged with the crowd well, reminiscing about the last time they played in Wellington. They also read out some messages from the crowd including a happy birthday to one lucky fan, nice touch indeed.
Having never seen them live before, I thought following on from Bohemian Rhapsody was going to be tough, it certainly was not. Don’t miss them when they visit your town.
I wish them well on the rest of their tour.
Photo thanks and courtesy of Garry Thomas Photos
Fruit Juice Parade Gallery
Elemeno P Gallery
In the early 2000's, Elemeno P erupted onto the New Zealand rock scene with their energetic, power-pop anthems and devil-may-care attitude. Smash hits like Verona, Every Day’s a Saturday, Fast Times in Tahoe, and 11.57 quickly cemented their place as one of the nation’s most beloved bands.
Their debut album, Love & Disrespect (2003), shot to #1 on the NZ album charts, achieving triple-platinum status. Two more albums followed, earning Platinum and Gold certifications, and solidifying their legacy. Along the way, Elemeno P took home Best Group at the NZ Music Awards and received a prestigious APRA Silver Scrolls finalist nod for their 2008 hit Baby Come On.
Fronted by the charismatic Dave Gibson, alongside Scotty Pearson, Justyn Pilbrow, and Lani Purkis, Elemeno P’s influence on Kiwi rock remains undeniable. Following their triumphant return to touring in 2023/2024, the band continues to captivate audiences with their timeless anthems and infectious energy as they gear up for more in 2025.