Monkey Puzzle was still playing up until April this year, we still have an active website (which incedently recieved 42000 individual hits in the past year) we have a best of album being released in the next to weeks, several video and TV production companies are still using our material in current and upcoming releases and we still intend to carry on playing under that name at a later date.
The reason we requested them to cease and desist from using the name was due to trademark infringement on their part, and to avoid confusion between the bands when it comes to gigging, royalty payments and publicity.
Over the past 8 years we've spent thousands of dollars and a great deal of time establishing the branding and name, yeah I feel like a cunt for having to take leagl action but as we pointed out to them, a very simple internet search back when they started would have quickly alerted them to the fact that we already were using the name and would have saved the hassle, we also contacted them in March while we were still activly playing and advised them that the name was unavailable in NZ.
We don't wish these young guys any ill will, but at the same time we're trying to avoid the confusion that may arrise.

By your question can I assume that just because Shihad no longer use the name you would think it acceptable for someone else in NZ to start using it? and at the same time you would find it unreasonable if they or their record company took action against someone who did?

Yeah we call ourselves" the biggest band you never heard of" we've sold 10 000+ copies of our albums worldwide, not a great deal in the grand sceme of things, but we were happy with it.
Apparently there's a book on the history of Kiwi rock being written that has a page about us, but i'll believe that when I see it, still it'd be nice if it is true, to get recognition for our efforts.

fair enough

I apologize Mother Guru if I read your post wrong but you seem to argue the same side of the point i am. However I do take offence at being called ignorant. I am based in Auckland (well noth of Auckland) and have spent a lot of time helping bands in the South. Free of charge as well. So bud get a few facts straight. i asked the question because it is a valid one and if we are going to grow the bands from down in the SI we need to get them in front of the rest of the country as much as we can and that includes innitiating discussions in Forums like this.

//Mikazi III - Nelson//

aren't those the guys who hijack other bands gigs???
heh
found memories of seeing these guys at THE cusp...

when are the announcements being made MG (question mainly aimed at Daz though)

From a working musicians point of view, gigging overseas has more to do with trying to find a bigger audience than anything else, sure a lot of Kiwi bands don't seem to be able to get recognition here (Us included) but i've looked at it quite hard recently and a big proportion of the problem lies in demographics, our music will only appeal to a small percentage of any given population/ buying public, in a country as small as NZ we just don't have the numbers to make a decent living out of music, even playing covers is a meagre existance compared to most occupations, so the only option for expanding your crowd base is to travel.

As for the Datsuns, they play support for us a few years ago and at the time I didn't think much of them, but after they went overseas I think it drove home a few realities about professional bands and the level of performance you have to have to cut it in the ultra competitive world market, 2 years ago I saw them and followed them through 4 shows in Melbourne, and I have to say I could instantly see then that they really had grown and learned a trick or 2, and it was obvious they were on the way up.

Maybe it'd be good for NZ music if a few more bands tried the world market out and toured overseas, we might see an even bigger improvement in the quality of bands around the country.

Have to agree there, i've been doing jingles and voiceover work on the side for years now, and if you even mention it you get treated like a leper...the bonus though as you said is the cred you get in the industry and the contacts you can make.

That is an interesting though Dude, maybe they can use some rap or a dj or play some jazz or....
Have you thought that maybe they like playing that type of music?
It is a bit rich acusing some-one of trying to cash in on another bands sucess.
it is obvious that they have a big following that like their music.
Surely they are entitled to play the music they like.

Smells like a wicked name... and band.
great lyrics, thoo i aint fond of the singer really.
Othawise, rock.

Thats cool jimi...Those shows are not really creatively challenging are they?
I never got to see you guys live allthough Joe did play me cd.
Are all you guys still playing?
Joe is an amazing drummer. Very passionate and technicly brilliant. And the combination of Dan and Joe is stunning. i think that when you have a rythm section that is that good and that tight you are going to sound good no matter what.

Sorry maybe selling out was the wrong term, cashing in is probably more appropriate, but I still really admire bands that don't limit themselves to one sound, i've always tried to avoid it with my song writing and people have often said it's something they enjoy about seeing bands that i'm involved with.

I really hate seeing bands where you can't tell where one song ends and the next one starts, or even all the songs sound like the same progression with different lyrics, I think that's what annoys me most about the "Punk" scene, and I don't say that lightly because MP started out as a punk band, the reason we removed our selves from that scene was the stagnation within it....so I really have to say good on these guys (The Housewives) for being so diverse, hell I'd love to do a show with them just to get a chance to see the music in a live setting.

We're on the 4 1/2 week countdown to Oz, we're back at the end of Sept, we still have one or two spots left in October and then it's looking like Dec/Jan before we could do anything, but I'm serious about wanting to do a gig with these guys, they sound pretty cool, They're based in Nelson? we'd be happy to come down and do a show with their hometown crowd, and then maybe do a contra deal up here.

Drop me a line at sideshifter@paradise.net.nz or danny@monkeypuzzle.co.nz

it's all down to Karma, if you not willing to share what you've got, you'll always have nothing.
Thank You mluvr, hope you're having a bloody great day. I am, the sun is shining, it's warm and my crazy dog is doing weird things which is always entertaining!

On ya Mluvr I wholeheartedly agree.
Haha MP be careful that would just give the boys big heads posts like that.
They would be thrilled I am sure to support you guys.
I sent you a couple of emails.
regards

Nice thought
Whatch out though sainthood is a bitch LOL

oysterbokkie, please don't go off any of our recordings. We never really got anything to be proud of in the slightest, unfortunately. We're not playing, being so far away from each other, but I'm trying in vain to learn the guitar. I'm getting bored without music so hopefully there'll be a new project soon.

I really like Joe's drumming. He constantly impressed us when we were creating. Of course there are always things to work on and I'm pretty sure he realises that.

Dude, I can see what you're getting at and yeah it does seem a bit sell out, but the fact that its the same guys trying again as opposed to guys that have never played together before makes the difference.
The fact that they are willing to keep going despite their previous failure and are obviously bright enough to re-think their approach makes them more likey to succeed in the long run...sure thet are trying to jump a band wagon a bit by doing the whole Rock and Roll thing, but Rockquest is an means to an end, so if it gets them established then they can go ahead and do the music they really want to do, but on the other hand if they are trying to cash in on the boring R'n'R revival scene thats happening at the moment they'll fall flat on their faces, if you make a concious decision to follow a trend you're already too late.

From what i've heard of them personally I hope they do win, and then carry on to bigger and better things, which judging from their obvious musical abilities will be pretty damn impressive.

Aka I think that monkey puzzle is actually supportive,
Just a bit of background to the guys from the Housewives. I know that 3 of the guys are planning to do the Jazz degree next year depending on their success as the Housewives this year.
They are passionate about jazz but love and enjoy playing rock. And their music writing talents in both genres are exceptional.
I believe that they have the right combination
Musical knowledge - theory
Talent and skill
Attitude and commitment
Hard work
but most of all passion.
Charl the guitarist spends on average 3 to 4 hours a day practicing and on top of that you have band practice and music theory. Plenty of commitment i would think.

//Last year several of the members played in a "technical rock" band

Hahaha. I think most people referred to us as a 'crap rock' band.

No, I was in Joe's band. By the way, I wasn't saying earlier that I thought fishing programmes were selling out. It's just funny.

Once again Mlvr you are on the money. The Housewives are currently preparing for the Rockquest Finals if they make it so we have had to put the soundtrack on hold until after that and after their exams. But I have to say that I was blown away by their attitude. they have suggested that we have a listen to Mother Guru as well and contact them to be involved. If Mother Guru reads this thenemail me some of your music so i can have a listen. The housewives also want to involve the surf legend Glen cambell or G from raglan. This attitude of sharing is quite refreshing... see not every-one are uptight little losers.