Winston Watusi Music Plus

It's deja vu all over again this week – more upcoming local gigs...

Once again I'm going to look two weekends ahead, to give everyone the chance to assemble their drakes and hens in linear fashion. For the weekend of August 13, look at last week's column on SunLive.

Actually, this column is really only about one gig. Loserpalooza. It's an annual one-day festival that raises money for Lifeline, features an infeasible number of bands, and is organised by a man with more pseudonyms than me. It's happening August 20 at Totara Street.

First though, an amuse-bouche comprising of a couple of shows the previous night.

At The Jam Factory local power rock trio Sorry Sorry celebrate the release of their debut EP ‘Rude Awakening', a straighter rock package than earlier single ‘Waiting Game' which had a more indie vibe. They have – I believe – expanded from a trio to a four-piece and are writing songs for an album. This'll be a loud night of roaring guitars with award-winners Joe's Van playing support.

There's competition over at Totara St, as Friday, August 19, also brings Fur Patrol to town on their previously postponed ‘Pet' Tour, marking 21 years since the band's legendary album.

I assume everyone knows Julia Deans and Fur Patrol, so let me mention the support act, Wellington trio Soft Plastics. They are Sophie Scott-Maunder, Jonathan Shirley, and Laura Robinson and make music running the gamut from indie rock to dreamy Lynch-style atmospherics.

Local connection

They've had a number of songs released during the past three years (an online listen is recommended!) but the reason I mention them, aside from cool music, is that Sophie is originally from Tauranga. She went to Ōtūmoetai College and was a Play It Strange finalist in 2009, encouraged by music teacher and singer/songwriter Matt Bodman.

Sophie says: 'This is a particularly special show for me as it will be Soft Plastics' first time in my hometown and the first time my family will be seeing me perform!”. Have a good one Sophie.

So...Loserpalooza. Featuring 25 loser bands, across 12 loser hours, on two loser stages, at one loser venue. August 20, from 12pm -1am, Totara Street, $50 entry. In case you think I'm being a bit rough, that's the official description. I just stand back in awe that after having the whole damn thing wrecked by Covid at the last minute, two-years-in-a-row, the promoter has the energy to do it all again.

Fortunately he does because these gigs are really something rather wonderful, with bands from all over the country playing short high-energy sets during which almost anything can happen. This event has in its way become as iconic in New Zealand as Tauranga's Jazz Festival, so I had a chat with the Man-of-Many-Names behind it. He recommended some highlights from the many bands.

Recommendations

The first one is Vorsen: 'We're lucky enough to have one of the most influential and leading losers ever in the New Zealand punk and alternative music scene playing this year” he said and that man is band leader John Halvorsen whose CV includes The Gordons, Bailter Space and Skeptics.

Then there's Big Scout out of Blenheim who 'writes chugging post punk bass riffs, pumping songs driven by playful SST-inspired drum beats”. He also says to watch for grunge band Lizard Prom from Napier and Manawatu punks Fielding's Best Dancers.

On the local front I have a few I'd like to throw into the mix: Flogging a Dead One Horse Town, who I have never heard but just love because of their name. And Threat.Meet.Protocol, who can be very very good: watch their spectacular Halloween video on YouTube for a taster.

Other local bands worth a look include duo Grown Downz and veteran ensemble Stunt Clown, who have a full album recorded and ready to go.

For those who enjoy band names, the others playing are: Mega Maw, King Fish, Undercover Statues, Pulvinar, King Ketchup, Illicit Wah Wahz, Hemordroid, Shotgun the Couch, DAHTM, Skull Patrol, LUNGROT, Two Skinner, Tactical Chunny, Eddie and the Dreamers, Carrion Bride, Bad Juju and 5g Meatsuit.

Lizard Prom. Photo supplied