The Wong Way To Marry & The Nambassa 1979 Rock Festival on TVNZ
May 26Colleen Poulter’s book “the Wong Way to Marry” on 1970s culture down under and the Rock Festivals of the era was featured on TVNZ (Asia Downunder). You can get signed copies of “Wong Way” and C A Poulter’s latest installment “Trippin’ the Wright Way” by contacting the author direct on Facebook. Now also available as...
Stoned Guitar
May 08
Stoned Guitar is the second album by New Zealand blues-rock band The Human Instinct. It was released in 1970 and featured the guitar talents of Billy TK senior. The cover featured a painting by New Plymouth artist Michael Smither, “Two Rock Pools”. Photo courtesy of Billy TK (Senior)
Hipshooters Voodoo Love
May 07
3 piece line up of Anton Elkington on guitars and vocals, Billy Williams on bass, and a very solid John Forbes on drums. The Hipshooters were formed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1993 and moved to Brisbane, Australia in 1995 where they have become firmly established regularly playing at all the Major Blues Festivals, and releasing three Independently produced CD’s. Photo courtesy of Billy...
Split Enz at Nambassa
May 04
Split Enz were a New Zealand band of the 1970s and early 1980s featuring Phil Judd and brothers Tim Finn and Neil Finn. They achieved chart success in New Zealand, Australia and Canada during the early 1980s, most notably with the single “I Got You”, and built a cult following elsewhere. Their musical style was eclectic and original, incorporating influences from art rock, vaudeville, swing, punk, rock, new wave and pop. Photo courtesy of Peter Terry –...
Split Enz at Nambassa January 1979
May 03
Split Enz at the Nambassa festival New Zealand, January 1979 1978 was the band’s toughest year. They lost their Chrysalis contract and spent most of the year without a record deal, a booking agent or a manager. Debts mounted and, unable to get gigs, they were forced to go on the dole. But they continued writing new material at a frantic pace and rehearsing constantly. It was at this point that the New Zealand Arts Council came to the rescue with a five thousand dollar grant. They immediately booked a tiny 8-track studio in Luton and with the help of 18-year-old English engineer David Tickle, they knocked out demo recordings of around 28 new songs in less than five days. These legendary sessions, (the Rootin’ Tootin’ Luton Tapes), displayed both a newfound edge and considerable commercial potential. Around the same time, they recorded a new single with Tickle, a frenetic new song by Tim called “I See Red”. Photo courtesy of Peter Terry –...