um, carl, don't think yr comment has any weight after this one about fat freddies drop
// so who is the band? are the worth checkin out?
Sounds like you've been living in a small dark place with no air for the last five years....
only about 2.5 years. so ah where do they play and when? i must have missed them. this 'word of mouth' advertising doesnt work if youre not in the loop. fill me in.
Haha, chewdogg you have to be kidding, I've moved down from wellyz to dunedin to sutdy this year and have been nothing but dissapointed by the scene down here. It's just too small and there's not enough going on, sorry man, but you're deluding yourself if you think it compares to the scenes in wellyz or aucks
You just don't know where to look. There is a lot of live music in Dunedin all the time. Check the fink - there's usually live original music at Refuel, Arc, and the Crown. Dunedin doesn't have a lot of venues, but the ones it does have usually have gigs from Wednesday to Saturday.
it's hard for it to matter really isn't it?
both cities are so far apart. i think the last gig i went to in auckland (apart from the blackseeds about three years ago) was nothing at all, at a symonds street bar that probably doesn't exsist anymore. and that wouldv't been the night after bdo 1996.
this place is one of the one limited ways of findng out what happens up there without having to drive through the monsta, let alone take a bus ; P
Having lived in both, Auckland tends to have a grungier atmosphere which i personally like. Wellington doesnt seem to create uniting crowds. People are quite individual. It's probably changed now. Heaps of snobby cunts in auckland gigs now though:S
If Wellington is much worse than Auckland then we have a problem: It is impossible to find a venue in Auckland that is close in proximity to people, easy to get to and your car won't get towed from
I went to an album launch a few weeks ago at the Odeon Coffee Lounge at the Symonds St end of Mt Eden Rd. The parking was a little difficult, but not too bad, and it was a lovely intimate venue.
I'd like to point out some awesome Wellington acts - Trinity Roots (RIP), Hollie Smith, Jonathan Crayford Trio, the Black Seeds, OdESSA, Phoenix Foundation, and so many more. Wellington kicks arse, especially in the jazz, funk and dub arenas. That's not to say there aren't any awesome rock bands here though. With the Massey conservatorium of music and the Victoria music school joining up and forming one UBER-SCHOOL we should soon have even more awesome musicians around.
I can't personally speak for Auckland. But I like being in walking distance of practically every bar worth going to. I however don't like having to lug a bass amp, 2 cabinets and instruments up a huge path and a whole lot of stairs from my house....then back down after a gig. Hills + bass amps = bad. That's Wellington's downside. But it is worth it.
[q]I can't personally speak for Auckland. But I like being in walking distance of practically every bar worth going to. I however don't like having to lug a bass amp, 2 cabinets and instruments up a huge path and a whole lot of stairs from my house....then back down after a gig. Hills + bass amps = bad. That's Wellington's downside. But it is worth it.[/q]
are trying to say that there are no stairs in Auckland? Vodoo Lounge, Masonic, hmmm
// are trying to say that there are no stairs in Auckland? Vodoo Lounge, Masonic, hmmm
I think he's trying to say he doesn't enjoy lugging his rig up and down the path and steps from his house every time he needs to take it somewhere. There's a big difference between a flight of stairs, and a winding path that's up a hill and hard to see at night. (I feel his pain).
// Hills + bass amps = bad. That's Wellington's downside. But it is worth it
Come now, it's all about building character!
This topic is actually quite interesting, as i'm struggling to decide whether to study jazz at Auckland Uni or the Massey Conservatorium next year... I'm in love with the music scene in wellington and i love the vibe of the place, but i know quite a few people in business up here, and it'd be easier just to stay at home for a year or two more...
//I'm in love with the music scene in wellington and i love the vibe of the place, but i know quite a few people in business up here, and it'd be easier just to stay at home for a year or two more...
I say abandon said contacts and the comforts of home and come on down to conservatorium my friend (it's all about building character - especially when all the heaters in the practice rooms have crapped out)
Christchurch crowds got sweaty too back when I was living there... late 90's. At the Dux. I remember seeing Shapeshifter's first gig... that was MAD. Or Gilbert (Dylan) from O'rkid fucking his knee up on the fan on the ceiling while crowd surfing. Good times! When I moved to Auckland in 2000 no one seemed to dance to many bands. At the Kings arms, a semi circle of serious looking folk would form around the stage alot. Maybe too cool to dance?
Sounds like they had a bad case of "the christchurch gap" (if you've ever played there, its the good 1-4 metres of demilitarised zone where NO audience member dares to stand, even if they're into what tunes are being sweated out by the band)
// Sounds like they had a bad case of "the christchurch gap"
"The Dreaded Semi-circle". I think this is the same gap you speak of...
Yep, i played ChCh hEAps a few years back. There were some good venues, not many. Southlander (now Jetset), Players and Hustlers had gigs sometimes. Element (now Rocky cola), The rock pool used to have bands. And of course Warners before it became a beer hall....there hasnt been gigs there for quite a while. Wunderbar. Umm, cant remember anymore off the top of my head. Things have probably changed over the 5 years Ive been gone. Saw bands and played at the Dux mostly... which used to have "The Dreaded Semi-circle", during the first band. Dux is pretty small, packs out really quickly... gigs were awesome there. Auckland used to have the semi circle at the Kings Arms from memory, happened heaps there.
the dux has a very small capacity so it generally seems quite full even when there aren't many people there.
I think you'll find there's a bit more than the Dux now days as places to play. The Jetset has had an overhaul and now actually looks decent, theres the wunderbar, the media club, capitol bar, and creation. (and probably more, its just too early in the day for me to think about these things)
//I think you'll find there's a bit more than the Dux now days as places to play. The Jetset has had an overhaul and now actually looks decent, theres the wunderbar, the media club, capitol bar, and creation. (and probably more, its just too early in the day for me to think about these things)//
If Indigo in Wellington disapeared, there'd be no major rock venue, we'd be left with bodega, happy and valve... Pretty stark, although Bodega's downstairs is fucking ace...
Christchurch huh? Can it be compared with Aucks and Wellys? Just going by the size of the cities. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I can't imagine it would have bigger crowds and more stuff happening.
"The census usually resident population count of the major cities in descending order is: Auckland 367,734, Christchurch 316,227, Manukau 283,200, North Shore 184,821, Waitakere 168,750, Wellington 163,824, "
nope studio is in the AK. no smoking.... well i dunno, personally i son't mind going outside, and on the upside i talk to random randoms outside. course that could be a downside too. I've noticed the downside in places liek that horrible street in CHCH with all the bars. Some people shouldn't talk to others. Some bars have sufferered more than others- Bodega had a bit of a slump, but Fraser seems to be getting back on top of the gigs, but Matterhorn will do well over winter cos they have heaters, and light a fire for us dirty dying breed....
Well according to the latest NZmusician Wellington has about 10 bands in all.... actually pissed me off when I read it - of course mentioned all the notables (Phonenix Foundation, Fat Freddies, etc etc) but stated that aside from the big acts there is little in the way of bands who have been round for more than a year (and no I didn't expect it to mention smaller bands but it pretty much says that there aren't any)...
10 bands??? Fuck, with a population of 163,824 people you'd think they'd be able to form more than 10 bands? Possibly you, or NZ musician magizane, meant 10 current, credible bands that are doing well?
//Possibly you, or NZ musician magizane, meant 10 current, credible bands that are doing well?
Well I don't have the article in front of me right now but they pretty much said that there are no bands (aside from the big bands) who have been round for more than a year or so who can draw a good crowd - I'll find the article and get the exact quote...
From a strictly audience-member perspective, the difference I've noticed between Orkers and Welly is that Orkers' live scene is reasonably consistent; there's usually at least a couple of worth-checking-out acts on every week. Obviously size has a lot to do with that, but the most infuriating thing I found about Welly's scene (and correct me if I'm wrong, it's been a while) is how patchy it is - a month or so of empty weekends followed by four or five great shows that all clash over one weekend.
Comments
auckland
Auckland
is this actually a question or ar eyou just trying to make people from welly feel bad?
Na, I've just heard Wellys is pretty good at the moment. Better than, say, a few years ago. Is that true?
no. the opposite is true.
um, carl, don't think yr comment has any weight after this one about fat freddies drop
// so who is the band? are the worth checkin out?
Sounds like you've been living in a small dark place with no air for the last five years....
um, unless you were being sarcastic... i mean really, you must have been....
only about 2.5 years. so ah where do they play and when? i must have missed them. this 'word of mouth' advertising doesnt work if youre not in the loop. fill me in.
dunedin
O yeah? why's that then?
Haha, chewdogg you have to be kidding, I've moved down from wellyz to dunedin to sutdy this year and have been nothing but dissapointed by the scene down here. It's just too small and there's not enough going on, sorry man, but you're deluding yourself if you think it compares to the scenes in wellyz or aucks
You just don't know where to look. There is a lot of live music in Dunedin all the time. Check the fink - there's usually live original music at Refuel, Arc, and the Crown. Dunedin doesn't have a lot of venues, but the ones it does have usually have gigs from Wednesday to Saturday.
[ external link ]
i found few good bands in dunedin. there was a lot of bad punk though
it's hard for it to matter really isn't it?
both cities are so far apart. i think the last gig i went to in auckland (apart from the blackseeds about three years ago) was nothing at all, at a symonds street bar that probably doesn't exsist anymore. and that wouldv't been the night after bdo 1996.
this place is one of the one limited ways of findng out what happens up there without having to drive through the monsta, let alone take a bus ; P
Having lived in both, Auckland tends to have a grungier atmosphere which i personally like. Wellington doesnt seem to create uniting crowds. People are quite individual. It's probably changed now. Heaps of snobby cunts in auckland gigs now though:S
Depends on what you're into I guess...
Wellington definitely has better venues. Decent sized rooms with a nice atmosphere and good PA's.
If Wellington is much worse than Auckland then we have a problem: It is impossible to find a venue in Auckland that is close in proximity to people, easy to get to and your car won't get towed from
I went to an album launch a few weeks ago at the Odeon Coffee Lounge at the Symonds St end of Mt Eden Rd. The parking was a little difficult, but not too bad, and it was a lovely intimate venue.
I'd like to point out some awesome Wellington acts - Trinity Roots (RIP), Hollie Smith, Jonathan Crayford Trio, the Black Seeds, OdESSA, Phoenix Foundation, and so many more. Wellington kicks arse, especially in the jazz, funk and dub arenas. That's not to say there aren't any awesome rock bands here though. With the Massey conservatorium of music and the Victoria music school joining up and forming one UBER-SCHOOL we should soon have even more awesome musicians around.
I can't personally speak for Auckland. But I like being in walking distance of practically every bar worth going to. I however don't like having to lug a bass amp, 2 cabinets and instruments up a huge path and a whole lot of stairs from my house....then back down after a gig. Hills + bass amps = bad. That's Wellington's downside. But it is worth it.
[q]I can't personally speak for Auckland. But I like being in walking distance of practically every bar worth going to. I however don't like having to lug a bass amp, 2 cabinets and instruments up a huge path and a whole lot of stairs from my house....then back down after a gig. Hills + bass amps = bad. That's Wellington's downside. But it is worth it.[/q]
are trying to say that there are no stairs in Auckland? Vodoo Lounge, Masonic, hmmm
// are trying to say that there are no stairs in Auckland? Vodoo Lounge, Masonic, hmmm
I think he's trying to say he doesn't enjoy lugging his rig up and down the path and steps from his house every time he needs to take it somewhere. There's a big difference between a flight of stairs, and a winding path that's up a hill and hard to see at night. (I feel his pain).
// Hills + bass amps = bad. That's Wellington's downside. But it is worth it
Come now, it's all about building character!
This topic is actually quite interesting, as i'm struggling to decide whether to study jazz at Auckland Uni or the Massey Conservatorium next year... I'm in love with the music scene in wellington and i love the vibe of the place, but i know quite a few people in business up here, and it'd be easier just to stay at home for a year or two more...
// Come now, it's all about building character!
and strong leg muscles.
//There's a big difference between a flight of stairs, and a winding path that's up a hill and hard to see at night. (I feel his pain).//
They are pretty crazy as Wellington steps go...
//I'm in love with the music scene in wellington and i love the vibe of the place, but i know quite a few people in business up here, and it'd be easier just to stay at home for a year or two more...
I say abandon said contacts and the comforts of home and come on down to conservatorium my friend (it's all about building character - especially when all the heaters in the practice rooms have crapped out)
// especially when all the heaters in the practice rooms have crapped out)
Heaters? bro- my band needs fans to cool us down! Are you in a folk band or something?
Well you can always push your quad (if it's got wheels) to pretty much every venue in Welly, they're only four blocks away from each other...
Wellington crowds are better. they get more sweaty.
Christchurch crowds got sweaty too back when I was living there... late 90's. At the Dux. I remember seeing Shapeshifter's first gig... that was MAD. Or Gilbert (Dylan) from O'rkid fucking his knee up on the fan on the ceiling while crowd surfing. Good times! When I moved to Auckland in 2000 no one seemed to dance to many bands. At the Kings arms, a semi circle of serious looking folk would form around the stage alot. Maybe too cool to dance?
Sounds like they had a bad case of "the christchurch gap" (if you've ever played there, its the good 1-4 metres of demilitarised zone where NO audience member dares to stand, even if they're into what tunes are being sweated out by the band)
// Sounds like they had a bad case of "the christchurch gap"
"The Dreaded Semi-circle". I think this is the same gap you speak of...
Yep, i played ChCh hEAps a few years back. There were some good venues, not many. Southlander (now Jetset), Players and Hustlers had gigs sometimes. Element (now Rocky cola), The rock pool used to have bands. And of course Warners before it became a beer hall....there hasnt been gigs there for quite a while. Wunderbar. Umm, cant remember anymore off the top of my head. Things have probably changed over the 5 years Ive been gone. Saw bands and played at the Dux mostly... which used to have "The Dreaded Semi-circle", during the first band. Dux is pretty small, packs out really quickly... gigs were awesome there. Auckland used to have the semi circle at the Kings Arms from memory, happened heaps there.
the dux has a very small capacity so it generally seems quite full even when there aren't many people there.
I think you'll find there's a bit more than the Dux now days as places to play. The Jetset has had an overhaul and now actually looks decent, theres the wunderbar, the media club, capitol bar, and creation. (and probably more, its just too early in the day for me to think about these things)
//I think you'll find there's a bit more than the Dux now days as places to play. The Jetset has had an overhaul and now actually looks decent, theres the wunderbar, the media club, capitol bar, and creation. (and probably more, its just too early in the day for me to think about these things)//
If Indigo in Wellington disapeared, there'd be no major rock venue, we'd be left with bodega, happy and valve... Pretty stark, although Bodega's downstairs is fucking ace...
What about the Christchurch scene? Does it not count?
Christchurch huh? Can it be compared with Aucks and Wellys? Just going by the size of the cities. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I can't imagine it would have bigger crowds and more stuff happening.
well the leper ballet drew in about 400 people over the weekend to see them play their last shows at creation. thats a pretty size decent crowd
just to be REALLY fucking pedantic -
"The census usually resident population count of the major cities in descending order is: Auckland 367,734, Christchurch 316,227, Manukau 283,200, North Shore 184,821, Waitakere 168,750, Wellington 163,824, "
[ external link ]
...alhough Welly and Auck seem to be touted as having the bigger music scenes...I'm just defensive of my dear little conservative white-town
All in all, all venues are great if there is a crowd and production is sweet, Studio has to be the best layout for musicians in the country
// Studio has to be the best layout for musicians in the country
Where is 'Studio'?. And do you think that because of the size and shape of the venue? Or the size of the stage, or the P.A?
well it does have a very spacious backstage area.... and its one of the last bastions of smoking areas... just quietly...
The no smoking must have a real impact on live music all over the country too huh?
So the 'Studio' is in Wellington?
nope studio is in the AK. no smoking.... well i dunno, personally i son't mind going outside, and on the upside i talk to random randoms outside. course that could be a downside too. I've noticed the downside in places liek that horrible street in CHCH with all the bars. Some people shouldn't talk to others. Some bars have sufferered more than others- Bodega had a bit of a slump, but Fraser seems to be getting back on top of the gigs, but Matterhorn will do well over winter cos they have heaters, and light a fire for us dirty dying breed....
// I've noticed the downside in places liek that horrible street in CHCH with all the bars.
The Strip... yes that is a horrible area.
Well according to the latest NZmusician Wellington has about 10 bands in all.... actually pissed me off when I read it - of course mentioned all the notables (Phonenix Foundation, Fat Freddies, etc etc) but stated that aside from the big acts there is little in the way of bands who have been round for more than a year (and no I didn't expect it to mention smaller bands but it pretty much says that there aren't any)...
10 bands??? Fuck, with a population of 163,824 people you'd think they'd be able to form more than 10 bands? Possibly you, or NZ musician magizane, meant 10 current, credible bands that are doing well?
heehee, most of these ten Wellytown bands would have the same band members . . .
//Possibly you, or NZ musician magizane, meant 10 current, credible bands that are doing well?
Well I don't have the article in front of me right now but they pretty much said that there are no bands (aside from the big bands) who have been round for more than a year or so who can draw a good crowd - I'll find the article and get the exact quote...
as if NZmusician is on the pulse for the whole range.
What about the sorts of good things going on at Happy, with Jeff henderson, Jon Crayford etc for example.
So who are the big TEN and is metalfoot among them??
From a strictly audience-member perspective, the difference I've noticed between Orkers and Welly is that Orkers' live scene is reasonably consistent; there's usually at least a couple of worth-checking-out acts on every week. Obviously size has a lot to do with that, but the most infuriating thing I found about Welly's scene (and correct me if I'm wrong, it's been a while) is how patchy it is - a month or so of empty weekends followed by four or five great shows that all clash over one weekend.
//a month or so of empty weekends followed by four or five great shows that all clash over one weekend.
This is typical... I've seen this happen so much it's just not funny...