01 March 2017 - 0 Comments
Rollicking and rolling out of the woolliest corners of Auckland’s wild west, it’s The Nukes, New Zealand’s most feared and revered original ukulele trio.
Comprised of Dave “Fingers of fire” Parker, David “Snapper” Thiele and Benjamin “Country boy” Collier, The Nukes have a reputation for reckless and riveting live shows where a fine blend of folk, bluegrass, reggae and post punk is caressed, coaxed and beaten out of three innocent wee ukuleles.
As a child, founding member Dave Parker ran away from the circus in pursuit of a more regular life. He found it in the rather impressive combination of National pop celebrity and familial bliss, reaching the top of the charts with his bands The Parker Project and Rhythm cage whilst simultaneously reaching peak performance as a husband and father of four. However, after so many years of assumed normality, Dave began to feel the tug of his vaudevillian roots. In 2008 he could resist no longer, his will crumpled and…… The Nukes were formed.
Rumour has it that David “Snapper” Thiele was born in the back seat of a half submerged Vauxhall Viva and raised by possums in the port hills around Christchurch. This would go someway to explaining some of his more obscure talents, unique dress sense and the fact that nobody knows his actual age. Snapper has led a life of enviable variety.. Sydney cab driver, performance artist, nudist, used car salesman, house re-piler, writer and radio host. In 2008 after suffering a series of near debilitating outbursts of musical violence, Snapper was informed by his Doctor Dave Parker that the only available and viable remedy was to join The Nukes. In the interest of his health and general public safety, Snapper complied.
Like a lot of famous musicians, Ben Collier never graduated in his chosen field at a well respected tertiary institution. Unlike a lot of famous musicians, Ben is no art school flake, no law school dropout, he just never actually went to university. Instead, after a modest education in Beachhaven (considered by some to be the armpit of Auckland’s North shore) Ben spent time working in the magical world of television, and also playing drums for the widely adored New Zealand pop group Goldenhorse. This was followed by five years at a beachside meditation retreat where the only word allowed to be spoken was “parsley”. In an effort to recover from this trauma, Ben retired to the sprawling badlands of Woodhill where, like a great many deluded musicians, he found solace in the sweet twinkling tones of a ukulele. And so it was in 2008 that Dave Parker, on one of his many long distance tramping expeditions stumbled upon him, and resolved to restore him to a musically relevant condition as ”Country boy”.
Thus, The Nukes were united and began to leave impressions. At first with a whisper and then with a bang, discharging three part vocal harmonies, blistering riffs, riotous rhythms and questionable dance moves. Audiences across the land have been seduced by the music, slayed by the humour and scandalized by the scat.
If you hear that The Nukes are coming don’t duck and cover, don’t try and be a hero,
Just gather all your friends and head for ground zero.
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Three. It's the magic number. Three ukes, three unique voices, one band.
The Nukes started their musical journey in an enticingly wobbly, adorably
humble fashion way back in the adolescent months of 2008.
David Parker, Ben Collier and Dave 'Snapper' Thiele quickly earned a reputation
as 'N.Z.'s original ukulele trio'. They pounced upon or at least lunged for
every opportunity that was guileless enough to stray across their path.
Shows were played, albums were made. Egos were broken and then put back
together in mostly the right order.
Together they grew. Their sound thickened. Harmonies sprung forth in places hitherto bereft of harmony. Mountains were climbed, oceans crossed. All in the spirit of friendship and the name of music. and beer. All leading to now... and here.
The Nukes Three.
Solid material forged in the crucible of experience and promise.
Songs of humanity, love, and practical solutions for your everyday superhero.
With 'Three' The Nukes sound continues to evolve. There is an expansion of the
sonic palette, thanks in no small part to the involvement of Wellington-based
producer and musician Gerry Paul.
This cuddly maniac pushed the band to places no ukulele group should rightfully
go, and then ushered them back to relative safety with soothing clicking noises
and sympathetic eyes.
The story of 'The Nukes Three' is one of long distance love, of sleepless
nights and hair-raising flights. A story of enduring friendship and timeless
music.
The story of three. It's the magic number.
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The Nukes Tour Dates
Wednesday 1 March 7.30pm
Tokoroa Little Theatre
$20 Book: Tokoroa Clothing Co.
Thursday 2 March 7.30pm
X Space Tauranga
Adult $25, Seniors $22,
Friends of Baycourt $20, Student/child $15
Book: http://www.ticketek.co.nz/
0800 842 538 or Baycourt Box office
Friday 3 March 7.30pm
Kauaeranga Hall
$20 or $18 pre-book
Book: 021 912 993 [email protected]
Or Lotus Realm Pollen St Thames
Saturday 4 March 7.30pm
The Riverbank Centre
Whangarei
$25 Book: http://www.whangareitheatrecompany.org.nz/
Monday 6 March 7.30pm
Te Ahu Little Theatre
Kaitaia
$20 Book: I-Site Kaitaia 09 408 9450
Wednesday 8 March 7.30pm
4th Wall Theatre
New Plymouth
$25 Book: http://www.4thwalltheatre.co.nz/
Thursday 9 March 8pm
The Third Eye Tuatara's Temple of Taste
30 Arthur St, Wellington
$15 + bf presale http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2017/the-nukes-iii-album-release-show/wellington
$20 doors if any
Friday 10 March 7.30pm
Picton Little Theatre
Picton [email protected]
$20 Book: Take Note and Alyssums & Balloons
Saturday 11 March 8pm
The Playhouse Theatre
Mapua
$20 Book: The Playhouse
Sunday 12 March 8pm
The Mussel Inn
Takaka
$15
Book: The Mussel Inn
Monday 13 March 7.30pm
Reefton Club Bridge St
Adult $20, Student $10, family $50
Door sales or 03 732 8542 or 03 732 8111
Tuesday 14 March 8pm
The Barrytown Hall
$20 Door sales
Wednesday 15 March 7.30pm
Old Lodge Theatre
Hokitika
$20 Book: Hokitika Regent Theatre
Thursday 16 March 7.30pm
Coronation Hall Bannockburn
Adult $25, SuperGold $20, Student/child $5
Book: Cromwell i-Site
Friday 17 March 7.30pm
Cellar Door
Alexandra
Adult $20, SuperGold $15, Child $10
Book: i-Site Alexandra
Saturday 18 March Midday
Arts & Heritage Precinct
Gore
$50 Book: iTicket
Monday 20 March 7.30pm
Stewart Island Community Centre
$20 Door sales
Tuesday 21 March 7pm
Catlins Community hall
$20 Book: Catlins Community Hall
Wednesday 22 March 7.30pm
Oamaru Opera House
$25+fees
Book: 03 433 0770 Ticket Direct 0800 224 224
http://www.oamaruoperahouse.co.nz/
Thursday 23 March 7.30pm
Timaru Town and Country Club
99 Douglas St. Timaru
$15 +bf pre sale at Club or online
http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2017/the-nukes-iii-album-release-show/timaru
$20 door sales
Friday 24 March 7.30pm
Ashburton Trust Event Centre
Open Hat Night
No Charge prior to the event
Gift vouchers available for this show
Saturday 25 March 8pm
Balcairn Public Hall
$25 Book: Sefton Garage, Sally Mac’s Amberley,
Stan’s 7 Day Pharmacy Rangiora
Sunday 26 March 8pm
Gloucester Room
Isaac Theatre Royal
Adult $30, Concessions $28(+booking fees)
Book: 0800 TICKETEK
http://www.isaactheatreroyal.co.nz/
Monday 27 March 7pm
The Laboratory Lincoln
$15 Book: Eventfinda or at the Laboratory
Friday 7th April 8 pm
Refreshment Room 233 Scenic Drive Titirangi Village
PH 09-817 8655
Sunday 9 April, 11.00am
Central Lakes Trust Crystal Palace- Wanaka Festival Of Colour
Tickets http://www.festivalofcolour.co.nz/act/the-nukes/
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