Bio

Hailing from Wairarapa, Spank are a four piece band with an upbeat britpop post-punk influence. At times you can hear a wee country blues jangle that has a tinge of the great guitar master Johnny Marr. Spank’s performance is scattered with humour and fun and the songs are about the ironies from modern day life. The band have wide ranging influences from Black Sabbath right through to modern day pop. Each member has an eclectic mix of classical and modern influences that are too wide to list and many of their songs feature the dark rich tone of the American cornet.

The band released their EP Slap-up and Noblest in June and have just recorded their latest EP Kimberley Road in Levin at Tsunami Sound Studio. It is due to be released in January.

Nikki King, the bands vocalist, has extensive brass and performance experience and switches between vocal, cornet and guitar in the set whilst Sheldon Hedgman, a once regular of the Cross Creek Blues Club blends his unique style of clean jangly, sometimes a bit dirty and rhythmical guitar to the mix. David Heath, the bands drummer uses his many different music experiences to bring excitement and vibrancy to the rhythm section as both he and Pete King have experience working in classical and rock ensembles. Pete’s energetic bass lines have your feet tapping with urgency and make the characteristic retro Spank sound. You might know David from his reggae show on RadioActive.

Recently the band were proud to make it to the Manawatu Regional final of Battle of the Bands. They are also forging forward bringing many different bands to the Wairarapa after the closure of King Street Live with their monthly Carterton event named Spank invites.

Their album Slap-up and Noblest was recently reviewed by NZ Musician magazine and described as being “full of energy” and gave special mention to the “synergy” between the rhythm section. Nikki’s trumpet playing was notable as their “point of difference”.

If you listen very carefully you will hear the many stories Spank have to tell that are splattered with irony and dark humour backed by vibrant and exciting melodies and music.

Band Members:
Nikki King (vocals, guitar, cornet)
Sheldon Hedgman (guitar, backing vocals)
Pete King (bass)
David Heath (drums)

Links

• Artist Website
• Facebook Page
• Twitter Page
• Youtube Page
• Bandcamp Page
• SoundCloud Page
• Apple Music Page