Music News - Final Round Of Acts Announced For Auckland Big Day Out
05 December 2007 - 0 Comments
Four West Auckland lads hit the local produce stage at BDO 08 and promise to deliver a raw punk extravaganza. Since the popular release of their debut self titled album in 2001, MISSING TEETH have scraped together three 7" vinyl releases, two Compilation releases (from own label, Puppy Killer Records) and the aptly named “Disaster” EP. Their latest self funded, produced, engineered and mixed album iLL gOTTEN gAINS has just hit the shelves in November and boasts 18 new tracks of heavily distilled sweat and beer-fuelled punk/rock. Recording everything in their own west Auckland studio (The Dank), MISSING TEETH are well known across the long white cloud for their staunch DIY ethos and ferocious live shows. Be there to witness the carnage.
SHOCKING PINKS is the solo recording project of Christchurch's reclusive Nick Harte. Having released three albums in NZ (two on legendary Flying Nun label) Shocking Pinks have now inked a four-album contract with NY based DFA records. The first release on DFA, a self titled album compiling tracks from their Flying Nun sets, has received rave reviews abroad and in Pitchfork. Single ‘End of the World’ has been tickling bFM listeners’ eardrums with its sweet melancholy. Harte has finally assembled a permanent live line-up that does justice to the dreamy recorded sound: Vaughan Williams on bass (ex D4, Fanatics), Tim McDonald (ex Incisions) on drums, Harte's girlfriend Emma Rosenberg on keys and Nick Harte on guitar/vocals. An appealing mix of catchy melodies and minor chords, Shocking Pinks sound is hard to define. But if you tried to picture the bastard offspring of My Bloody Valentine, The Stooges, Liquid Liquid and Fleetwood Mac, you'd be halfway there...
You sashayed to his beats in the chart topping ‘Wandering Eye’, now it’s time to see DJ MU in all his solo glory. Hailing from the LBC (Lyall Bay City) Wellington, comes beat maker and mpc engineer DJ MU aka DJ Fitchie aka Chris Faiumu. Member of NZ dub darlings Fat Freddy’s Drop, Roots Foundation Sound System and Bongmaster, this Wellingtonian local legend has been providing the general public with smooth beats for years. Sighting influences from Donny Hathaway and D’Angelo through to NZ’s Black Seeds, DJ MU has a sound that is all his own. Currently producing albums for Ladi 6 & Parks and Rio, this jack of all trades is an essential ingredient in your BDO day.
DICK ‘MAGIK’ JOHNSONS reputation for rocking a party began amidst the acid house madness of Manchester’s infamous Hacienda, where he was Saturday night resident alongside Graeme Park and Tom Wainright. He soon had his own room, The 5th Man, where the legendary basement sessions became a part of club history. Establishing Shaboom Records, which has now become one of the worlds most respected dance labels, boasting artists from Joeski and Onionz to DJ Sneak; Johnson is a house music heavyweight in both hemispheres. A slice of future dance music that goes from deep organic house to quirky downbeats, broken electro and back again, this is a must for all house fiends. Be prepared for dirty tracks off his much anticipated second album, "You Are Sound" released on Underwater this year, follow up to his 2005 debut house hit ‘Cardboard Journey’.
If you haven’t heard quirky, electro/Indie group THE EXILES single ‘The One’ over the past few months it’s possible you live in a tent (with no portable radio). The Auckland collective lead by Sean Strum and Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper, made a splash with ‘The One’ becoming the first independently released New Zealand track to reach the Top 30 on digital sales alone. Formed in 2003, The Exiles have been chipping away at a catalogue of songs now ready to be unleashed on the NZ public. Boasting impressive musical resumes, Sean is a core member of The Nixons and Eye TV, while Mahuia is a classically trained violinist and award-winning composer. This group have skills, talent and likeability to boot. If their first release is anything to go by, get ready to be humming along to their next single “Circles”, due for release in February 2008.
Quirky and original four-piece, THE ELECTRIC CONFECTIONAIRES hail from Auckland’s North Shore (yes, there’s something in the water). Hot on the heels of their 2007 debut album ‘Sweet Tooth’, these youngsters are back for a repeat performance at BDO offering a whole new batch of sonic treats. With a sound heavily influenced by 60s and 70s juggernauts The Beatles, Doors, Kinks and Funk Brothers, their music is inherently stamped with the ‘feel good’ factor. Supporting US Band The Fray and touring the country with Evermore and Thristy Merc this year, they have been praised for musicianship beyond their years. Need we say more? Strap on your dancing shoes and schedule this foursome’s sugary tunes into your day.
Circus-rock. It’s the kind of pigeon-hole description that would no doubt make Rolling Stone editors balk. But with BATTLE CIRCUS’S cacophonic mix of psychedelic, Eastern-European folk, classical piano and monstrous rock riffs, the term makes for great short-hand. Starting out in 2005, their first demo won them Channel Z’s Unsigned Competition. Music video for their single ‘Send In The Clones’ featured on Juice TV, and C4, taking away Best Cinematography at the ‘Handle The Jandal’ Music Video Awards 06. Fast forward to present day and 2007 is proving to be the bands busiest year yet. They’ve performed at Spring Scream Festival in Taiwan, supported art-rock vanguards The Red Paintings and released their debut album. Best of all, you can skip the herbals, as these acrobats of sound promise to deliver a mind bending performance.
Recently dropping the ‘kill’ from their name, SURF CITY will no doubt still launch a bona fide assault on the sunburnt masses at BDO 08. Born in 2004 from a chance meeting at a Mt Roskill party, Davin Stoddard, Logan Collins and brothers Josh and Jamie Kennedy joined forces to form the quartet. Originally called The Fibs and then Kill Surf City (throw back to an old Jesus and Mary Chain B-side) their fascination with fast guitar pop and the early 80’s sound of Dunedin saw them develop their own home grown flavour. Following several NZ tours, numerous day jobs and several flat evictions, Surf City released their 2007 debut self titled EP on Arch Hill Recordings. Self professed “Pop with loud guitars” the EP, recorded in various lounges and mixed by Murray Fisher, sounds like the Beach Boys vs the (much cooler) garage/grunge kids. And if that isn’t enough to get you queuing up to see these boys, check out the cover artwork of their EP which features a pop-art, gun toting chicken.
Fusing together rock and pop into accessible anthems is second nature for FALSE START, as demonstrated on their debut mini-album 'Adore Tu Ser', which debuted at #3 on the Heatseekers album chart. False Start spent 2007 supporting the likes of international sensations Fall Out Boy, Good Charlotte and Funeral For A Friend. As well as playing the Taste Of Chaos music festival and touring Australia. Channelling the angst of a rebellious teenager, False Start have been praised for consistently delivering: “a vigorous live show that includes spin kicks, jumps, guitar spins, and a fair bit of stick twirling and throwing”. Usurping the Blue Light Disco, False Start is renowned for their all-ages gigs and have a core youth following. Not ashamed to try anything once, they’ve even ‘rocked up’ The Warehouse jingle. With a follow up set for 2008, be prepared to see more flying kicks from lead singer Andrew and the rise of False Start fandom across schools nationwide.
The KINGSLAND VINYL APPRECIATION SOCIETY is coming to the BDO party and the KVAS myspace page will tell you that it’s ‘not a society’ and no longer ‘from Kingsland’. Solo-flyer Will Waters is the only man behind this outfit, and boy does he appreciate his vinyl. ‘A Flip And Two Twisters’ (named after Len Lye’s sculpture) is a collection of rare and unreleased NZ tracks plucked by the discerning hands of Waters. Featuring tracks from Kiwi greats Shihad, High Dependency Unit and Straitjacket Fits through to The Mint Chicks, this is one set list that’s worth its weight in gold. Roll up with your favourite pair of stubbies, flip flops and all other form of undignified apparel, and settle in for a smorgasbord of home grown goodness.
The little engine that could, four piece garage/alt rock band, THE LOOKIE LOOS pull in to the BDO station with a roar, fresh off the back of a North Island tour. Since their inception in 2005 by founding members Tim Steers (Guitar/vox) and Alex Mustard (Bass), The Lookie Loos have been gearing up for the release of their debut EP. Self written, recorded and engineered in 3 months at the Waikato Institute of Technology, EP “Timing Is Everything” has finally arrived in all its shiny, plastic-wrapped, new-smell glory. With the addition of two fresh band members at the beginning of the year Daniel Reese (lead guitar) and William Page (drums), The Lookie’s have found their niche. Having played alongside fellow underground phenomenon’s Coshercott Honeys, Fighting The Shakes, The Vacants, White birds and Lemons and recently completing a support tour for the Veils, The Lookie Loos are poised to deliver a polished set.
For those who have seen their blistering live show, KERRETTA will no doubt be high on the Big Day Out agenda. Those yet to experience the propulsive, driving rock of this instrumental three-piece have a chance to see them push the envelope of tone and dynamics in an intense half hour set. Their catchy, sometimes ambient and occasionally ear-splitting brand of 'molten-core' will appeal to fans of Sigur Ros and Bailterspace; but discerning listeners will know the trio peddle a uniquely atmospheric take on angular rock. "Shoot This Messenger" – Kerretta's first radio release – has been all over the bFM airwaves this year, and their debut 7" "Death in the Future" is in stores now.
With more tenacity than a pit bull, punk/rock band ALL LEFT OUT have earned their stripes in the U.S of A. Originally founded in 2002 by singer/guitatist Ken Pratten, the Hamilton band hit the ground running, releasing their ‘Retrospect’ EP in December of the same year. It wasn’t long before they flew the coup to the US in 2005 with a brand spanking new album ‘Never Say Never’. Armed with guerrilla marketing techniques, the band travelled all over the USA and Canada following the Vans Warped Tour, managing to hit its stage three times and selling 7,000 copies of their album. Repeat offences of this stunt have seen them play numerous un-booked slots on tours, gain fans and sell 17,500 thousand copies in the US, Canada & UK. This is what’s known as (in the most hyperbolic of Kiwi terms) A Bloody Good Effort. With a (legitimate) slot on the BDO bill and performing their latest offering ‘The Conquest’ - recorded in Melbourne and mastered in NYC – don’t miss these driven punk rockers.
And the bottle read ‘drink me’…PIG OUT combine the chugging synth and beat of Chicago acid house with distinctive MC styles and a rhythm section that draws on the post-funk of Factory and 99 records. Using a unique mix of programmed and live instruments they build intensity in a way that owes more to a DJ than a traditional live band. Formed in NZ in 2006 by a UK and NZ musician on sabbatical from London, Pig Out's throw down performance has seen them shift effortlessly from 4am warehouse parties in Auckland to raves on boats in Barcelona. They’ve graced European festivals and support slots for the likes of Soulwax. The trio’s 2006 mini album Club Poems (Pinacolada, NZ) received widespread critical acclaim; dubbed Album Of The Month by Real Groove magazine and ‘serotonin enhancing’ by Groove Guide. Their 2007 EP of remixes ‘Bak 2 Xtacy Rush’ (Bhang! Australia) is proving to be just as mind blowing. Now that you’ve read the label there’s every reason to try this trio’s magic mixture.
Auckland based rock group SOLSTATE formed some 18 months ago and have been gathering momentum ever since. Hooking up with award winning producer Chris van de Geer (Stellar*, Carly Binding, Tim Finn, Revolver), Vocalist Troy McKubre and crew have produced modern rock/metal that brings industrial and electronic elements into the mix. Already resonating within the NZ rock market, their first radio release ‘Alright Now’ reached #7 on the NZ Rock Radio Charts. While their latest release ‘Against & With’ is currently play listed on The Rock FM and included on July’s NZONAIR Hit Disc. Collaborating with NZ talents Andre Maclaren (drums) and Boh Runga (songwriting) their album is set to be a success.
New additions to BIG DAY OUT 2008: Missing Teeth, Shocking Pinks, MU, Dick Magik Johnson, The Exiles, The Electric Confectionaries, Battle Circus, Surf City, False Start, The Kingsland Vinyl Appreciation Society, The Lookie Loos, Kerretta, All Left Out, Pig Out and Solstate
Join the already announced: Rage Against the Machine, Bjork, Arcade Fire, Shihad, LCD Sound System, Dizzee Rascal, Billy Bragg, Spoon, Brand New, Anti-Flag, Carl Cox, Kate Nash, Shy Child, Enter Shikari, Operator Please, Unkle (live), Krafty Kuts & Dynamite MC, Die! Die! Die!, The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello acoustic), Dr Octagon with Kutmaster Kurt, Aceyalone, The Clean, Katchafire, The Phoenix Foundation, SJD, Grinspoon, Cut Off Your Hands, Hilltop Hoods, Paul Kelly, Battles, Young Sid, Antagonist, Motocade and White Birds & Lemons.
Still to come – all the fun and madness you’ve come to rely upon courtesy of the LILYWORLD posse plus the incredible artistic and visual attractions thanks to Muck-A-Mucks and all the weird and wonderful craziness to be found in the sideshow alley.
Thanks to www.bigdayout.com for this story.
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