Amped Music Project is staging a series of gigs featuring up and comers and established artists at Te Whare o Rukutia from today.
This afternoon the line-up is Grace Gemmell, Youbee’s Rubies, Flush Median, 12 (One Two), Askhole, SEEK HELP! and Angel’s Mischief - and special guests Ghost Colored Faces.
Tomorrow it’s the turn of Red Rekords, George McKinnon, Alex Austin, Amber Hurring, Keira Wallace and special guest, Violet Hirst.
The following weekend there will be another two gigs, the first at Te Whare and the second at Pearl Diver, featuring both Amped’s proteges and more established groups, such as Robots in Love.
Tickets are free but booking is recommended.
The gigs
Today and tomorrow at Te Whare o Rukutia, 1-5pm.
Tickets at humanitix.com
BUNCHIE’S BIG SCORE
Bunchie’s Big Score is comprised of Hamish Waddell on guitar and vocals, Reef Brazendale on drums and Max White on organ and vocals.
Their debut single, Scrapbook, came out recently and a music video directed by Kieran Dodd will be coming out any day. Plus, their South Island tour is about to start so it seemed like a good time to have a chat with Max about their music, the new single and what’s with that weird name?
Q What is with that weird name? It reminds me of the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers?
A Around 2014, there was a GIF that made the rounds on the internet of a green llama named ‘‘Bunchie’’. Some people think it’s possible this virtual llama was a subconscious influence on the band’s name but no-one is certain. There is a Sonic Youth track called Cinderella’s Big Score, which may also have played a role.
Q How long has the band been going? When did you start?
A Bunchy’s Big Score started as a recording project last year. Hamish had won the university’s Six60 scholarship, which meant he was living in the fabled 660 Castle St rent-free for the year. This is where we came up with and recorded a large bulk of our current material and we’ve been playing shows for about 10 months now.
Q What sort of music do you play?
A We’re an art/noise rock group taking notes from groups like The Microphones, The Moldy Peaches and Black Midi. Our sets are mostly comprised of original music but we like to throw in a few covers to please the crowd and to try to ensure no-one leaves halfway through the show. In the past, we have played Undone by Weezer, Baba O’ Riley by The Who, and As it Was by Harry Styles.
Q What’s your favourite local venue and why?
A It has to be Yours, on Moray Pl. They’re always having exciting events and a lot of really nice people work there. It’s also one of the only venues in the city that allows us to put on all-ages shows, which is ideal for us, as young people are a good portion of our audience.
Q Who are your favourite local bands?
A Night Lunch, Vagina Dry and Give Up.
The gig
Bunchie’s Big Score kick off their tour at Yours on September 6.
Listen to Scrapbook on Soundcloud.
Tickets from undertheradar.
WHAT’S HOT?
Steep Street are an alt-folk local band made up of Harold Bernhardt (vocals/guitar), Alan McCulloch (mandolin/violin), Bridget Ellis (bass/vocals) and Allen Frazer (drums).
Named after a paper road, the band has recorded ‘‘two-thirds’’ of their debut album with Tom Bell at his Port Chalmers recording studio.
You can look out for this online later this year or early next. They will be playing for a bit of koha at The Inch bar tonight from 7.30pm.
Local hard rock band Saurian has an EP coming called Bled Dry.
You can look for it anytime after September 13, then the band will embark on a national tour starting in Dunedin on September 21 at the Dunedin Musician’s Club.
The gig
Steep Street at the Inch Bar tonight from 7.30pm.