The Skeptics were an industrial or post-punk band formed in Palmerston North, most famous for their controversial freezing works video, A.F.F.C.O.
History
The Skeptics began in 1979, when singer David D'Ath and guitarist Robin Gauld were still at school in Palmy. Don White played drums and Nick Roughan (later of Dimmer, and numerous engineering and production credits) took on bass. Despite the seemingly traditional band line-up, from the outset the group made a hell of a racket, incorporating noise and electronic elements into their sound. This aspect developed, with most band members triggering or manipulating samples and tapes as part of their performances.
After running their own club, a series of compilation appearances and an EP called Chowder Over Wisconsin, The Skeptics relocated as a band to Wellington.
In 1985 Gauld left and was replaced by John Halvorsen (of Bailter Space and The Gordons). This was the same year the band released their first album, Ponds, through a label called Industrial Tapes.
Their second album, the cheekily titled Skeptics III was the start of an ongoing relationship with Flying Nun. This album featured the song A.F.F.C.O., the video for which caused a massive stir due to upfront depictions of sheep being slaughtered in a freezing works and D'Ath wandering around wrapped in bloody plastic. The video has hardly ever been screened on NZ TV.
Frontman D'Ath learned he had leukemia sometime after the release of Skeptics III and died before the release of the band's next album, Amalgam. After his death two more albums and EPs of previously recorded material were compiled and released, the most recent being the EP If I Will I Can, for a box set released in 1992.
Three of the founding members of the band, Gauld, White and Roughnan, formed a new group called Hub in the early 90s.
Band members
- David D'Ath - Vocals
- Robin Gauld - Guitar (left 1985)
- John Halvorsen - Guitar (joined 1985)
- Don White - Drums
- Nick Roughan - Bass
Discography
Albums
- 1985 - Ponds (?)
- 1987 - Skeptics III (Flying Nun)
- 1990 - Amalgam (Flying Nun)
- 1990 - Sensible (Flying Nun)
EPs
- 1983 - Chowder Over Wisconsin (?)
- 1984 - Skeptics Said (Industrial Tapes)
- 1991 - Sensible (Flying Nun)
- 1992 - If I Will I Can (Flying Nun)
Related Links
Jan 1979 - Dec 1992
