22 Dec 2024
UsernamePassword

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

The D4 - Gig Review: The D4 @ Totara St, Mount Maunganui - 24/03/2023

25 Mar 2023 // A review by Kerry MB

What a night! If you also had the pleasure of seeing The D4 on any leg of their 21-year anniversary tour of their debut album, 6twenty, then you'll already know what a treat it has been.

The D4 are a household name in Kiwi rock n roll, and for many, they represent years of memories.

Totara St on Friday night marked the band’s third to last show, and what a venue for it. Totara St is a rich, open space with wood accents. Opening its doors in 2015, it stands as a proud and inviting multi-functional venue.

My teenage self had the pleasure of witnessing The D4 in the thick of their 6Twenty years, here and overseas. Those years were formative, exciting and special. Fast forward to now, guess what - it still is.

What better way to kick things off with a band that are also no strangers to the grits of rock n roll than San Diego trio, The Schizophonics. For many of us, it was our first experience of seeing them and let me tell you, live, they are a band you wouldn’t forget anytime soon.

Take the MC5’s and The Stooges, with a heavy Jimi Hendrix layer that makes for some insatiable music. Their cacophony of frantic riffs and chaotic energy was infectious and riveting to watch. This is a band that knows the hold they have over an audience, and do it well.

Vocalist and Guitarist, Pat Beers possessed the stage like someone who didn’t need a map. His energy was unpredictable yet measured and certainly won over a new set of fans on Friday.

Musically, their sound is honed and deliberate as bands strive to be, and not a single note was missed despite Beers impressive aerodynamics onstage and off. Halfway during their set, he disappeared into the crowd, parting it like the proverbial red sea.

It was epic.

The Schizophonics only served to prime the palette and once The D4 took to the stage, the energy was palpable

The 6twenty tour not only marks the re-release of the album, but brings the back a band that can say they earned their stripes, since disbanding in 2006.

The setlist bought out a heady mixture of songs and opened with Get Loose. For those who also remember the devastatingly talented, Luger Boa that The D4 powerhouse, Jimmy Christmas fronted, well, you can imagine the frenzy that bought as Jimmy ripped through the number - a rare treat and probably caused a few heart palpitations in excitement. Pairing that with the bulk of 6twenty - Heartbreaker, Party and Exit To The City to name a few, was of course was a sure way to win over a crowd that has already said yes.

Like a time machine that never really went anywhere, The D4 proved yet again that their blood, sweat and probable tears that went into their early days was seen and heard around the world, and we’re lucky to call them our own, long after the door has closed.


Photo Credit: Kerry MB

Auckland Gallery

Lyttelton Gallery
Wellington Gallery

 

About The D4

The D4 was assembled in the North Shore suburbs of Auckland in 1998. The band then started playing at the legendary Frisbee Leisure Lounge parties. They have also played at the Big Day Out and at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, TX.

Facts about The D4:

- Formed 1998, original line-up included Rich Mixture (drums) and Jake Harding (bass)

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for The D4

Releases

Out Of My Head
Year: 2005
Type: Album
Out Of My Head (Limited Edition)
Year: 2005
Type: Album
6Twenty Limited Edition Vinyl
Year: 2002
Type: Album
6Twenty
Year: 2001
Type: Album
The D4 EP
Year: 2000
Type: EP

Other Reviews By Kerry MB

Kerretta - Album Review: Angelm
24 Oct 2024 // by Kerry MB
Auckland's instrumental rock trio, Kerretta, is back, and let me tell you, it couldn’t come at a better time. Angelm, their first album since 2018's Exiscens, which was a collection of outtakes and unreleased tracks.
Read More...
Shady Brain Farm - Album Review: ..Another Set Of Circumstances
26 Sep 2024 // by Kerry MB
Shady Brain Farm hail from North-West Auckland — specifically Kumeu, Waimauku, and Muriwai Beach — and has been making music together since 1997. The band, Ben Furniss lead vocals, guitar, and keyboards, Paul Taylor drums and backing vocals, and Chris Vaughan on bass and backing vocals are certainly no strangers to musical diversity and are back with a new album, ...
Read More...
Zed - Album Review: Future Memory
04 Sep 2024 // by Kerry MB
You know the name, and you know the sound of Zed, but did you know that here in 2024, the Christchurch icons are back with a new album? Because even though it has been 21 years, they never really stopped making music.
Read More...
Hadees Drudge - Album Review: The Mind Lies When The Soul Dies
01 Aug 2024 // by Kerry MB
Hadees Drudge is quite an anomaly in Wellington’s metal scene. Forgoing a second guitarist, they proudly rock one guitar in a genre where that’s almost unheard of.
Read More...
Thousand Limbs - Album Review: The Aurochs
16 Jul 2024 // by Kerry MB
Thousand Limbs has been on the scene now for a few years (since 2016) and have gained quite the following since, for their powerhouse of instrumental metal. Now, if you are also a fan of Kerretta and Nine Inch Nails then Thousand Limbs will be right up your alley.
Read More...
Crowded House - Album Review: Gravity Stairs
10 Jun 2024 // by Kerry MB
In a moment we’ve all been waiting for, Crowded House, who need no introduction have released their new album, Gravity Stairs. It’s only been a little over two years since their last offering, Dreamers Are Waiting (2021) and it seems fans just can’t get enough.
Read More...
Government Pest - EP Review: Vol. 3
05 Jun 2024 // by Kerry MB
Formed from the ashes of local bands, Hellborne and Wall of Silents to name a few, Government Pest have been on the scene since 2014 and have never failed to amaze fans with their solid metal offerings and swag of albums over the years. 2024 is no different and they’re back again with a new EP, Vol.
Read More...
PARK RD - Album Review The Novel
23 May 2024 // by Kerry MB
It’s easy to see why Auckland five-piece, PARK RD is making some noise, figuratively and literally with their debut album, The Novel. Heavy on the indie, but far from light with solid guitar riffs and pop and funk sensibilities, PARK RD are a great example of solid musicianship.
Read More...
View All Articles By Kerry MB

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