Bandstanding: From the wilderness to a theatre near you

Long-time Laingholm local, Snapper Thiele has been known around our neck of the woods for many things – not the least of which being one third of ukulele success story The Nukes – in which he played banjolele. And told stories. We asked Snapper to introduce his new band ...

“Eleven years performing and touring throughout Australasia, many parking fines and an extensive wardrobe later, The Nukes had run its course for me, and I was once again a lone voice in the wilderness. To keep myself busy I grew a beard. After nine invitations to be Santa, I shaved it off.

“Looking for inspiration, and perhaps some toast, I headed out to my mate and trusted confidant Sandy Alexander Henderson, a West Auckland country guitarist, specialising in the key of G.

“As I entered his home, I was warmly welcomed into his qi-gong inspired sanctuary. He took one look at me and said ‘Here, take this’, handing me a five-string banjo from his leopard print wall. As he brushed back his long flowing locks, there was something in his eyes.

“While wondering if it was trust, faith, belief or sleep I heard the most amazing sound. It was emanating from a dream-like creature, perched on a rock-chick high stool. ‘What is that incredible instrument?’ I asked. She said it was a four-string electric bass guitar. ‘Wow, has anyone ever thought to introduce that deep-toned oddity into a live band situation?’ She replied, ‘Hi. I’m Shelley Beach’.

“With abounding inspiration and new vigour pumping in my veins, I walked what seemed like miles back to my car. I have no idea why I’d parked so far from Sandy’s but by the time I got to the car, the country had gone into lock down. This led to seven weeks on Youtube and every waking hour I picked and clawed that banjo. I could tell by my daughter’s expression she was proud of her Dad’s commitment. “Once free from lockdown, I took the banjo over to Darryn Harkness’s. We had worn our brotherhood like a warm cloak of black satin, with perhaps a scarlet silk lining. He was raising a collection of human beings deep in the Waitākeres, while still touring extensively with seven or more internationally acclaimed acts. “His response to my query was to lightly squeeze my earlobe, and, while taking a mouthful of vegan crumble, reply ‘Sure, I’d love to resonate in pleasure with you brother Snapper. As long as I can be on drums.’ “Later that week, the four of us got together and were immediately brilliant. But something was missing. A tone? A pitch? I cast my mind back to the industrial streets of Kelston and recalled a young child singing on a street corner. She caught my attention because she was solo singing Zerbinetta’s song from Strauss’s Ariadne aug Naxos. That, and the fact she was wearing a head dress made from kererū feathers and hand-spun cats hair. I thought, then, that in 20 or 30 years I’d be in a band with her. Luckily, she had become incredibly famous and, for reasons only known to her, went by the name of Mandy Patmore. I asked her to join us and still get goose bumps when I remember her two magic words ‘Yeah alright’.

“So here we are, Voices From The Wilderness. Brimming with excitement, laughter, and a heap of serious musical application. We’re ready to slap any audience across the cheek with the infectious joy of creating the music we all want to hear. Yee haa. Please come and join us. And by the way we are booked to play the gorgeously intimate Titirangi Theatre on December 12 – tickets are on Eventfinda.”

Be sure to get along to see Voices From The Wilderness. Highly recommended!

Titirangi PAINTERS

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Oils by Barbara Leikis

Over 30 Artists showing paintings in watercolour, acrylic, pastel and oils. Artists available to talk about paintings. Paintings priced for sale.

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Special display of paintings in rememberance of Life Member Barbara Leikis

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