14 November 2013 - 0 Comments

Bay Of Plenty based Swamp Thing are embarking on further shows about the North Island in the coming few weeks. They will be returning from a brief touring visit to Australia which has included a handful of shows, among them some high profile performances at the Mullumbimby Music Festival Nov 21-24  Northern New South Wales http://www.mullummusicfestival.com/. A feature of these shows will be the Friday Nov 22^nd headline slot  that will have GOTYE (Wally de Baker) guesting with the lads .

A brief yet highly lauded three minute cameo on a recent heat of TV1’S NZ Got Talent Oct 13^th has led to a huge spike in interest and enquiry for the duo over the last few weeks – the actual youtube clip from the show sits at around 4000 views as at the beginning of November and the facebook page has seen a 50% increase in followers now well over 6000 …people want to know about these lads and unlike most on that show they have a history and depth to satisfy that initial enquiry .

Since forming in 2010 this power swamp stompin roots duo delivers and shares a wealth of experience to craft a primal blues flavoured music with a deep groove and soulful spook.

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.

Swamp Thing will be featuring and promoting their recently released second album ‘Primordium’ on these coming early Summer North Island shows  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 early Summer months of 2013 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 these North Island places to sample the sight n sounds, they come highly recommended don’t miss it.

I first saw Michael Barker about 15 years ago with Neil Finn when Neil’s first solo album Try Whistling This was released. Michael went on to be part of the John Butler Trio and the touring drummer for Split Enz. The other half of this special duo is Grant Haua. I have to be honest and say here that Grant has been off my radar for all of these years…but that’s been my loss. Grant’s contribution to the band is very impressive. His gruff swampy vocals and guitar licks gives one the impression that this guys from the deep south of the States and not little ol’ Rotorua. The musical grooves of Swamp Thing had me under their spell from the very first song.The chemistry here between these two musicians is perfect. They make the perfect gumbo with their deep rootsy blues and superb playing.

Michael Flynn 13^th floor website review October 18^th 2103 Titirangi Festival Show  
http://13thfloor.co.nz/2013/10/20/swamp-thing-titirangi-music-festival-concert-review/

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

SATURDAY NOV 30^TH @ PADDINGTON LIVE, PARNELL AUCKLAND  7.30 PM

THURSDAY DEC 5^TH @ DIGGERS BAR, HAMILTON  7.30 PM

FRIDAY DEC 6TH @ BETHELLS BEACH CAFE, WAITAKERE

SATURDAY DEC 7TH @ SANCTUARY SOUNDS FESTIVAL PUKEHOU, HAWKES BAY   

WEDNESDAY  DEC 11^TH @ MEOW CAFÉ, WELLINGTON 7.30 PM

THURSDAY DEC 12^TH @ TIN HUT , TAUHERENIKAU SOUTH WAIRARAPA 7.30 PM

FRIDAY DEC 13^TH @ WHANGANUI MUSICIANS CLUB 7.30 PM

SATURDAY DEC 14^TH @ ST PETERS HALL, PAEKAKARIKI KAPITI COAST 7.30 PM

SUNDAY DEC 15^TH @ BUTLERS REEF MOST FM SUNDAY ARVO SESSION, OAKURA 4 PM

https://www.facebook.com/swampthingnz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEN4X0iy8Qw

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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