Sweet. Sometimes you just wish that there were more people out there willing to actually venture away from their safe little forums / chats and go and find that next new favourite band. You'd probably be surprised at what you'd find in New Zealand metal if you took a long enough look around.
Eg: HUMAN have...
*Recently signed an album distribution deal covering European territories
*Appeared on TV2's National Anthem
*Released over 6 recordings
*Made one video for the song "Paytoilet Of Despair" and are editing their second one for "Night Of The Living Bread"
*Are in the mastering / duplication stages of their next album "Blood Bucket"
*Receive radio airplay on a regular basis as far away as the USA (incl Hawaii), UK, Germany and Norway
*Have been an independent band with no record company backing
*Have a reputation in the underground metal scene world wide as being a maniacal yet important metal band (but have the worst luck when it comes to grabbing a small amount of attention in their own country).
Now some may have an opinion on metal (saying it's shit, talentless, noise etc etc etc) . These arguments have been around since Adam was a mosh monkey. In short, don't wait to be spoon fed your flavour of the month. Grow an open mind and get hunting. Start with HUMAN.
HUMAN (Christchurch metal LEGENDS) are cooking some big things right now! please go to their official website and stay in the loop... before it's too late and you're the last to know. PS No pressure, just a suggestion.
I used to tag along to the Hammerack shows when I was 14 years old. My first live band experience was seeing them and Shihad at the Blenheim Rd (which is - I think - opposite a big Warehouse store right now). Me and a friend ended up there somehow, got turned away of course because we had acne and we were about 4 and half feet tall, then Murray suddenly sticks his head out a window and says "hey lads, jump in here". We got lost in the moshpit and stayed there for the entire gig so the cops wouldn't nab us! First gig - great gig. Heard "Straight From Hell", "Andromeda" and "Hard Rock Fever" there too.
I probably used to annoy the piss out of Jamie every Thursday and Friday when I offered to carry his gats into the Playroom weekly - he must've been a patient fella I tell ya. I would get up on stage and play second guitar to Metallica's "For Whom The Bell Tolls" and Anthraxs' version of "Got The Time". All the time. And that's how I got the playing bug.
I remember lots of names and faces from that place, and it was just magic when you walked in there and saw the massive stage and huge lights, the smell of the smoke machine. All that stuff I'll remember for a loooong time.
I play in a CHCH metal band called HUMAN and we've been around for the better part of 16 years now. Me and our bassist Vaughn were regulars at every show and that's how we got started in bands that would eventually lead us to where we are now. Jamie recorded our bands third demo before Hammerack left for Auckland, in Hammeracks' rehearsal room. Best sounding tape we ever did IMO.
So Jamie, wherever you may be roaming matey, I hope you remember us because we talk about those days alot dude - from you sitting in your bedroom looking out the front window playing guitar ALL day, to me thrashing my Exodus tapes at you in the van, and those raging parties out at Ian and Stephs in Waikuku.
Rot n roll!
Scott
HUMAN
www.human-metal.com
www.myspace.com/humanmetal