Posts by tillakaratne

  • Hard News: The Clean are The Clean are…,

    As far as I can tell The Clean are only playing one show in Dunedin at the fairly dull sounding Heritage gig - Resound. It is being held at the Regent theatre, where people are able to sit down quietly (to The Clean - what the ...?) and watch 10 or so acts play for 30 minutes each. It seems very cruel to have The Clean play for such a short time and they aren't even the main act (bloody Mother Goose in wacky 70's attire close the show). The Sneaky Feelings are also on the bill (or should be), but it seems a bit cheeky to make this claim without David Pine (NZ Ambassador to the Philippines these days which seems a reasonable excuse to be absent). It seems more like the Dribbling Darts and guests.

    I apologise for the tone but the Clean reviews for this current tour (including the Hustle thing) sound amazing and I just want it too. Does anyone know of another show on this tour?

    Having said all that, Dunedin was thoroughly spoilt in 2000 with the outstanding Dunedin Sound showcase featuring: The Clean, The Verlaines, The Puddle, The Chills, Snapper, Renderers, Dead C., Cloudboy, Plagal Grind, David Mitchell (3x), Jay Clarkson and Alastair Galbraith. If you like this kind of music, it was really spectacular!

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 10 posts Report Reply

  • Random Play: It’s Only Rock’n’Roll,

    And the "venue" upstairs in an arcade just off Queen St on the right going down, in the block before Queens Arcade? I saw my oldest son's band play there a few

    Graham, I think it was called the 'Pod' among other names. It might have been a strip bar before being used for early 90's thrash bands such as 'Anigma' [sic] before evolving into a alternative music venue. I don't know what happened to it.

    My absolute favourite Auckland venue ever is the sadly demised Gluepot (early 90's period) . A long, warm corridor with plenty of faclities, easy access to liquor, a UFO like entrance, and all of this away from the stage. It was cosy in a beer soaked, stark, 70's kinda way.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 10 posts Report Reply

  • Flying Nun Moments,

    ...Manakura is the winner of the Flying Nun box set...

    Good choice for overall winner. I really enjoyed that story and clearly it wasn't topped.

    I was actually going to suggest that Shayne Carter get the boxed set since he featured in many key FN moments posted here as well as having the most songs included in the boxed set (musicianwise anyway) - although I could be wrong (groups include: Bored Games, Double Happys, Shayne Carter and Peter Jefferies, The Weeds, Straitjacket Fits, Dimmer).

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 10 posts Report Reply

  • Flying Nun Moments,

    Terminals, thank you Stephen Cogle!

    I had a similar experience with Stephen Cogle with just as good an outcome. The Terminals played at the Gluepot in Auckland with The Puddle (maybe a year or two earlier). This was an incredibly rare event and I'm still not sure how this unlikely combination came about. Anyhow, I too approached Stephen Cogle at the bar in a state of disrepair to ask why 'Uncoffined' was not played because it was one of my favs (pretty cheeky really considering it was an excellent show). I mentioned that I would be in Hamilton to see the show the next night and would it be possible for them to play it then.

    Cue the following night and they played it almost immediately. It would have been perfect too if Brian Crook hadn't broken a string just as it begun.

    It should be said that Stephen Cogle still has the most fantastic, booming voice that still creates chills everytime. Don't take my word for it, listen to 'Native Waiter' by the VDB, lovingly included on the fancy new boxed set.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 10 posts Report Reply

  • Flying Nun Moments,

    How about melting moments and not lovely choclately ones either. The not so great encounters with Flying Nun luminaries where a young FN obsessive (and co-desperado) attempt to get closer by shamelessly asking them for stuff.

    Ahem, here are a few of these encounters:
    * Gingerly asking Shayne Carter, Robert Scott, most of JPSE, Chris Knox, Roger Shepherd (and others probably) in a meek and simpering tone for autographs on the just released 'Pink Flying Saucer over the Southern Alps' compilation at the now demised Truetone records in Newmarket (they all generously and gracefully obliged).
    * Assisting Mathew and Alice to carry their gear out to the car in thanks for a shiny new autograph on their new EP after a great Dribbling Darts of Love performance at the Gluepot (Alice recognised my friend and I the following week and acknowledged us and everything!)
    * Asking David Kilgour for his guitar pick at the end of a solo performance at Warners Pub in Christchurch and joyously receiving a chewed up grey thing - thrashed beyond repair.
    * Receiving a heavy black slab for my 21st, which turned out to be a guitar pick somehow obtained from those scary Bailter Space guys by my co-desperado in Christchurch. What a gift!
    * Boldly bounding backstage at the Gluepot to demand a pick from the Able Tasmans (they may have had body builders at this show?). I was denied a pick but fortunately put out of my misery quickly (rather surprisingly considering) by being offered a swig of the group's whiskey. At least I think it was whisky because the bottle was concealed in a brown paper bag.

    Alas, the list could go on. The point being that at least for me, these people made a huge impact and the allure too great that I lost any integrity I might have had at the time (which might not be saying much). Thankfully, the musicians were kind and obliging and a little surprised (and probably concerned) to be approached like this by someone so desperate.

    So thanks.

    P.S. I miss the Gluepot.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 10 posts Report Reply

  • Flying Nun: Revisited,

    I should have included YouTube links to parts 1 and 3 of the RMP documentary in my original post. If you want to see all three (easily) then one option is go to YouTube or Flying Nun (the website has finally been updated to cater for the boxed set) or my latest blog (for easy viewing of all three clips).

    Incidently, did the PublicAddress top 5 lists (which seemed to generate a lot of heat at the time) have any impact on the final outcome?

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 10 posts Report Reply

  • Flying Nun: Revisited,

    Rain is a beautiful tune. More so as it includes the lovely vocals of Denise Roughan, formally of Look Blue Go Purple, 3D's and now drumming in Ghostclub (in London). She should have sung more in the 3D's.

    You are my Cactus Cat ...

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 10 posts Report Reply

  • Flying Nun: Revisited,

    The presenter I am certain is Brent Hansen now (and perhaps formally) of MTV fame.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 10 posts Report Reply

  • Flying Nun: Revisited,

    Yep. Roger Shepherd is about to be interviewed by Kim Hill on National Radio in a couple of minutes. Also check out SmokeCDs and a MySpace blog I posted with the track list and other comments (including one from George Henderson about The Puddle not being included).

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 10 posts Report Reply

  • Flying Nun: Revisited,

    Discovered an excellent selection of three clips at YouTube. They show Radio with Pictures footage from 1984 looking at Christchurch and Dunedin bands from this period. The part linked here (the second) looks more closely at Flying Nun bands (see Shayne Carter - an out of town guest). Nice to be able to see this history with the imminent release of the Flying Nun Records 25st anniversary boxed set.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 10 posts Report Reply