Ishtar are an Auckland, New Zealand-based hard rock group. With a huge, dark sound and balance of melodic hooks, cinematic aural soundscapes and big riffs, Ishtar are considered one of Auckland’s best live acts. Comparisons have been drawn to 70s Stadium rockers Led Zeppelin, Queen and Van Halen, Gothic female-lead rockers Evanescence and Nightwish and 80’s metal gods Ozzy Osbourne and Judas Priest & progressive acts Dream Theater, Faith No More and Rush, however Ishtar are more a modern spin on and sum of the above parts than a slavish imitation of any particular band.
Originally formed in 2000 the band cut several demos early on, a number of songs getting airplay on The Axe Attack and BFM. They wrote an indie film soundtrack and played a new year’s gig to several thousand people at Aotea square before splitting in late 2002
Ishtar resurfaced in 2003 when guitarist Simon Whitlow put together a new, tighter, more dynamic line-up including drummer Dave Cannon. Vocalist Mel Wright joined in 2004 as did bassist Jamie Denton, first to fill-in, then permanently in 2006. Playing regularly around the Auckland scene Ishtar built a reputation for their kick-arse live set. They also spent time in the studio. In Dec 2004 Ishtar recorded ‘The Enemy Within’ at Studio 203 with Andrew Buckton. A Heavy rocking number with revolving two handed tapping motif and killer bassline their debut release showcased an accessible yet chops heavy approach. They also recorded the stripped back acoustic ballad Plea with just Simon on guitars and Mel on vocals. In 05 The Enemy Within was included on Reconstruction, a NZ unsigned artists Tsunami charity CD. The Enemy Within got airplay on The Axe Attack and both tracks were playlisted on Valdus Radio.
In 2006 Ishtar built on their reputation for putting on great live shows including playing to a packed out Shadows bar on occasion and playing the Studio twice. They also completed work on their debut ep, South of Sanity. An eclectic, hard rocking set including 4 new songs recorded at the Rock Factory and 2 songs from the Studio 203 sessions, ‘South of Sanity’ covered much of the breadth of the band’s live show from the hard-rocking ‘Enemy Within’ to their live anthem ‘South of Sanity’ the epic, celtic influenced ‘Pendle Hill’ and Kashmir-esque ‘Temple of Ishtar’ to the heavy rock and roll of ‘Secret Love’ and acoustic ballad ‘Plea’. Several of the songs have been played on radio from several community stations round the country to ‘Pendle Hill’ getting play from Rock Factory engineer/Wednesday night DJ Michelle Klaessens on Kiwi FM. Howick rock radio station Valdus Radio particularly have championed Ishtar, playing the entire EP daily and sponsoring their EP launch in the days leading up to the launch.
Ishtar are planning big things for 2007 including a single release and accompanying video from South of Sanity, a tour of the North Island and recording work towards their second release.
So what the fucks your point Dave? Anyone going to the gig @ rising Sun likely to come to our gig if nothing else was on?
No, didn't think so. Dumb cunt
We presume tv is all about programmes interrupted by ads. Its really ads with programmes in the middle to draw people in.
The Cigarette Widows (Aka Mantissa)
Svelte
Ishtar
Sonic Altar
Zspine
The Studio 340 K rd, Auckland.
Saturday 18 November.
More details TBC.
I find their big killer is the capacitance, they just suck the tone right out of your signal. Second to that they have a lot of crappy sounds. I've got a couple of Zoom units i haven't used for years, a 508 Delay and 509 Modulator (numbers could be vice versa?) All negatives aside the modulator's chorus patch is pretty good, tremolo is not terrible, phaser, flanger etc not too flash. The pitch shifter had a lot of trouble tracking the notes and giving you the right note in return. Whammy setting on it worked ok. The delay was just a piece of shit.
Also got one of their drum machines, its not the worst I've played to but not the best, its fine for practicing to.
with regards to APRA I've got nothing but praise for them. they do a fantastic job collecting royalties and are constantly battling away for the songwriter in what seems to me an era that threatens the concept of intellectual property. In the couple of times in the past I've needed their help they have been obliging, the one time I've had someone put a claim on the royalties to one of my songs (a former band member who will remain nameless) they were awesome in how quick they got things cleared up...
While theoretically I suppose you could try to collect your own royalties you would most likely run into trouble anywhere you tried it.... any place you may collect royalties from will tell yo they pay their APRA licence and if you want the money join the club.... if you wanna play debt collector though please read section 23 of the fair trade act 1986 thoroughly first, it will advise you how to go about it and not incur massive fines (up to $100,000 for the company and $10,000 for the collector) by not stepping out of line... and good luck.
In summary APRA rocks.
*SPAM WARNING* SPAM WARNING* SPAM WARNING*
Go to www.myspace.com/ishtarband
and
www.myspace.com/melfromishtar
Check out our debut EP 'South of Sanity'
soon available via our new myspace shop
and while you're at it drop by www.myspace.com/simon_ishtar
...............................................
Sorry being flippant, anyone who is just going onto a place to spam and not add is possibly out of line, though depends on the culture of the place. When you consider that myspace itself is taking a bit of a toll on numbers in forums you could understand if on some forums people get a little pissed off.
My thought on myspace in general.... it is a very useful tool to reach a lot of people, to host your tunes and to get your music out there as a medium in its own right... it is also potentially leading to a similar thing as, when post WW2 people flocked in droves to the new suburbs.... sure it is shiny and new (admittedly in a late 90s CSS way) but at the end of the day when everyone is their own little island and not meeting at some central hub it is a knock to the sense of community a forum can create.
oh and one final word ..... click below : )
THE ISHTAR 'SOUTH OF SANITY' EP LAUNCH
In association with Valdus Radio 107.7 fm Howick,
and the Rock Factory.
ISHTAR
ALPINE FAULT
PUPPET
SHADOWS BAR UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND
$10 General Admission
$5 AUT and B Card
Auckland University Students: Free
R18 pays to bring ID even if you're obviously over 18, they seem to have a thing for asking for it unless you've got grey hair and a zimmer frame.
www.ishtar.co.nz
www.myspace.com/ishtarband
www.alpinefault.co.nz
www.myspace.com/alpinefault
www.puppetsux.com
www.myspace.com/puppetnz
and the people helping this all happen
www.therockfactory.net
www.valdusradio.co.nz
Oh yeah and go check out www.myspace.com/ishtarband, now with forum.
5th August @ Shadows
University of Auckland
Alabaster Theatre
Goodbye Galaxy
Sonic Altar
Ishtar
19 August: The Ishtar "South of Sanity" EP Launch.
Shadows, University of Auckland
Ishtar
Alpine Fault
Puppet
Doors open 8pm,
Launch $10 General admission, $5 AUT & B Card, free for Auckland Uni students,
Launch Gig put on with help from the Awesome folk at The Rock Factory & Valdus Radio, 107.7fm Howick.
Alabaster Theatre gig $5 I think. Not surewho's organized it but they rock for bringing kick arse Wellington bands to Auckland!
In vino veritas. Lots of people get drunk at gigs and don't steal shit, its usually those who are theiving pricks when sober who do shit like that. I'm with Sam and Manamana on this, he needs to be taught a lesson. So far the lesson is if you steal something and the cash converters don't want to take it only then you've done bad and should be remorseful?
Another option would be to send out an email to shitloads of bands and venues with the guys picture and the story of what happened and ask that other bands etc keep it by their door people- blacklist him from any Wellington gigs. Doubt it'd work but if you CC him in he'd believe it?
Unless he's reading this topic then I may have just fucked that up by posting this.
Then again it might just be worth the money to poster run the city with his picture and a caption like "worthless theiving little shit" on it or something similar.
I'm thinking .................... The D4 opening for Yngwie J Malmsteen. No surprise I went to see Yngwie, possibly at the time hadn't even heard of the D4.I really liked the energy the D4 put across, possibly more than the songs themselves and was totally stoked to see Malmsteen.... for about 30 mins then started to get bored with his one trick pony show. Would have loved to see more D4 about an hour less Yngwie that night.
First gotta say thanks for the help the ohter day Noizyboy. Found myself locked out of the site...
We've just put a couple of new things up on the myspace site, www.myspace.com/ishtarband. We've put a new song, Pendle Hill, up. We've also put the entire version of Plea up there.
Pendle Hill is the first song off the EP we've been recording with Michelle Klaessens aka Dragonorchid at the helm.
check it out at....................
Depends whose sounds you like and exactly what type of vibe you want to put across.
Nothing wrong with hot cakes, they are a kick arse pedal. Probably the best value for money overdrive you'd find on the market.
Distortion- wise I'd suggest you also try out the boss DS1 distortion, MT2 metal zone and OS2 overdrive/distortion from the current crop. Their OD20 is pretty cool too, I've just picked one up and find the OD2 turbo overdrive setting on it rocks (much better than the original in terms of headroom - you had to turn the level all the way to match a clean tone). the old HM2 heavy metal is a good pedal too if you can get hold of one and far more versatile than the name suggests.
Thogh I currently don't use one a wah pedal should be a must have. Chorus is useful though I find I use one mostly for clean sounds now and almost never on an overdriven tone.
Delay is a kickarse effect.
If your distortion creates unwanted noise or have to switch guitars and need a mute option a noise suppressor is a good pedal to own....
Other than that I wouldn't say too many other things are absolute must haves but it is cool to have a bunch of different effects, phasers, flangers, tremolo, maybe a pitch shifter or octaver
That said I've got around 50 pedals, all manner of things.
Hey Reuben, thanks for the plug. Still waiting for Michelle to do a few bits and pieces, toms need bringing out a little, a bit more bass, vocals need to be doubled, a little reverb needed on rhythm guitars- Generally really stoked with recording so far though. Am hoping we'll get a final copy of Pendle Hill some time in April, got time booked to record two more songs in May- am hoping we'll have the EP ready in June.
Link below to first draft mix, recording done mostly at platform studios by Dragonorchid.
[ external link ]
Beat up? ain't beaten up anyone yet on this site, despite butting heads with Sam and Tclak in the past. Words is words, an ass kicking is another thing entirely. Who the fuck are you Bongelzebub , JCs boyfriend? What has any of this got to do with you anyway?
Bottom line NZM was a lot busier before JCs diatribes, I've got nothing against him as a person but he runs the risk of becoming the new Liz Shaw in this place, minus the porn and Nz idol moments, but still.
Thank you Indichino, as my first act as PM I'll make Knife party the new ministers of Marijuana decriminalisation.
Not too long till you're coming up to Auckland isn't it?I'll definitely have to catch yours and Viracosha's set.
Plenty of people believe in god without ramming it down others throats, religion is not the issue here, JC's behaviour is. I could point out that govt institutions have people to police their rules and an adherance to the ten commandments is not exclusive to christians neither is breaking them exclusive to us heathens etc.......... but it is getting off the point, JC you are in some way inadequate and use religion to hide that, in reality you only hide it from yourself. That is the point. full stop.
Of course you will write some diatribe back about how I am wrong and the glory of god blah, blah, blah..... in advance I am saying that is just avoidance.
I've stated my opinion, will just leave it at that.
I agree with Tama drummer and Manamana's comments. JC leave church at the pulpit, it is getting out of hand.
Ok where to start?
1. acknowledging a 'dark side'. I know quite a few christians for whom christianity is a part of their lives. I also know a few who it is their whole lives. The first group are well rounded people who are usually happily married, enjoy life, have an appreciation of things outside the bible... basically live a 'normal' life. The latter wear christianity as a mask, often to try to hide stuff whether that be alcoholism, homosexuality, a personality disorder, depression, gender dysphoria, mental illness- whatever. It isn't a very good mask, you know the line "methinks the lady doth protest too much" in Hamlet? kinda sums it up really. If all you are is a christian it makes me wonder what it is you are trying to hide.
2. Happiness... your comment shows incredible naiveté. Philosophy is all about finding happiness in this world, or at the very least acceptance of bad things. Religion in my opinion is largely the same thing, sure it is AN answer to the great questions of creation and so forth but in the end of the day is gives you a framework to deal with those 'shit happens' moments and an answer to the inevitability of death.
My view JC we are here for a very short time and odds are you are wrong about an afterlife. Humankind is not the centre of the universe and so even if there is an afterlife isn't it terribly arrogant to think we are the ones a god would want to save? personally I'd rather save the cats and dogs than the people. My view, we are all going to die one day and that is it, game over- why be miserable while you are here?
For that matter why be a drainer and make others miserable?
Denouncing things, is a matter of perspective. If all you ever go on about is christian this and christian that effectively you are denouncing the non christian. You shut yourself away from anything non christian that is denouncement by disassociation. I was embellishing by using the word satanic.
3. God the nasty voyeur and Freud. So you were sitting in your room listening to peoples problems on radio rhema and became christian? My perspective, if there is a god he is a negligent landlord, we're fucking up his property and he doesn't want to evict us? Another view is that maybe god is one evil satanic fucker himself, looking down on all the evil things we do to each other like its a soap opera. What confort is ther really in believing in a god who likes to watch his people suffer? The guy is a sadist.
Ever read John Donne's sonnet 14? Batter my heart three person god/ As you yet but knock, breathe, shine, seek to mend..., I can understand Donne's perspective 'I want to believe in you but you ain't doing shit to prove it, show yourself!" God believes it is enough to take his word for things, believe in me and I will not make your life any better but I may help you out once you die, gotta say he'd make a crap politician or ad exec, where is the impetus? whats in it for me in the one thing we are certain of? the right here and now?
Instead you find confort is such a god?
time to introduce a bit of freud here TO UNDERSTAND A SITUATION WE NEED TO INTERNALIZE IT, TO RUN IT PAST OUR OWN EXPERIENCE AND PUT YOURSELF IN THE OTHER PERSONS SHOES, lets run that concept aye JC.
Say I am unhappy and listening to unhappy people on the radio, lets say what I am hearing is a voice on the radio telling me all is ok cause the big guy is watching and everything is fine, maybe I might internalize that and come to the conclusion it might be the answer to my problems- if I was troubled it might bring me a lot of comfort.
If I wasn't dealing with some kind of bad voodoo though why would it bring me comfort? wouldn't I be listening and thinking Rhema hasn't solved this persons problems, the girl is still going to die, and the church is not going to reunite the guy with his daughter. They have done nothing for the root cause, all they have done is administered a placebo.
Of course if I was depressed or failing to deal with some personal issue I sure feel a lot better, for about five minutes............. then the placebo effect starts to wear off, is this why you sound like a broken record JC, while you pretend you are here to convert others you are really just administering yourself a Jesus enema?
and umm.... my vote, "Allow some, but more moderation is required."
Anyway awaiting your response JC.
In your case JC I think your religion is a measure of your own issues and hang ups. Says to me you are/ possibly were not the most popular guy before some born agains hijacked you for an evening. I don't know your back story dude but you seem typical of a number of lonely foreign students I've worked with in the past. Also suggests you have a side to you that maybe you don't want to acknowledge, take from that what you will.
You do get that some people are actually happy without having religion in their lives JC? I think all of us need something in our lives to bring us happiness and confort, primary narcisism I think they call it, whether it is a loved one, acceptance, money, status, music, belongings, religion, a purpose... whatever- (and usually a combination of many of the above) you seem very blinkered at times to that, is that because you see anything not fitting into a christian framework as satanic? You know that to denounce anything as such says more about your primary responces to it than properties of said practices......
If we want to talk religion lets ask the question JC, as I am presuming you weren't brought up christian, what led you towards it?
What do you consider evil? and what have you got to atone for JC?
All too often religion becomes a measure of sorrow, those unhappiest jump in the most wholeheartedly. Question JC are you so much better off for wearing a crucifix? or is there a root issue still undealt with? what are you hiding?
Wanna talk religion? you cannot tell others why it might be a good thing for others before you understand you.
So come on who is Jesus Crux and how do you find yourself the fanatic you are today? See if you can take a crack at this leaving your dogma at the door
Don't know the artist in question JC but a quick google search shows email lexlina614@hotmail.com , site http://www.barefootson.com/caroline.htm
Maori version of treaty allows for the arrival of Tauiwi, i.e. 'other people' (as opposed to just british) going on the rule of contra preferendum (go with the treaty written in native tongue) its pretty much open to most folk and run by the govt beurocratic types. I personally have a few niggling doubts about how this country hands out immigration points like why do we make it so hard for qualified tradespeople when we have such a noticable shortage of certain trades yet put so much importance is put on having a ton of cash in a NZ bank account, ecpecially when a lot of said rich people don't invest much back.
Oh shit I'm at danger of sounding like Winston....... Public discussions definitely a good thing.
Hmm... dodgy lyrics... I think Helloween are great for that.... "Pink Bubbles Goes Ape"
Some people are much too smart
They know everything before it starts
Eating wisdom with the pail
No wonder when it sticks
In your darkest hour I will sing this song for you
Cry and tell And slander Yell
and grumble well
So loud for heaven's sake
Pink bubbles go ape
Also from Germany the Scorpions 'Hell Cat"
You know that guy with piccadilly-eyes
Was talking to the French boy
But didn't realize.
Banana-long-boat-eating
An' he tried to get a wife
But he couldn't stay alive
Well, you know that lad with the rubber-dad
Paints his fingers yellow, blue, and red.
An' you also know that she's a liar
Knowing only her desire ...
Tacky but I love it all the same Zodiac Mindwarp...
Well I Love Tv And I Love T. Rex
I Can See Through Your Skirt
I've Got X-Ray Spex
I Came From The Sky Like A 747
I'm The Bad Boy Baby I Fell Out Of Heaven
Sex Fuhrer Baby I'm A Love Dictator
Blitzkrieg Romance I'm A Cool Dominator
Scatterbrain "Drunken milkmen"
Drunken milkmen driving drunk,
Swerves on the curves.
Chevrolet heads his way...
A flash - A crash!
Milk and blood, blood and milk
Family of four, family no more.
Drunken milkmen driving drunk.