418 Groove Guide

Gigs | Music | Film | Reviews | News | Gadgets | Games | Gear

F REE

The amazing spider-man FREE

Linkin Park . David bowie Clap clap riot . The Raw Nerves

27 JUN - 03 JUL 2012 . NZ’S oNLY FREE WEEKLY STREET PRESS . ISSUE 418 . GROOVEGUIDE.CO.NZ

Shit Worth Knowing

grooveguide.co.nz

NEWS Films, Glorious Films

Scan the QR code with your smartphone to go to Groove Guide’s mobile website for breaking news, reviews, interviews and more features.

We all love to sit back and be entertained. We also love to digest and discuss some of the more arthouse type cinema that we come across, whether we be layman or veteran. Which is why the New Zealand International Film Festival is so popular year after year. This year, as per every year, there will be countless films worth your time, so we’ve come up with a small look at some of the features and documentaries that you’ll be hearing a lot about over the next few months playing at the NZIFF nationwide.

Turn to page 5 to read more.

Collapsing Cities build back up

We also do this cool social media stuff. @GrooveGuide facebook.com/grooveguide

Groove Guide is New Zealand’s leading weekly music and entertainment publication. 10,000 free copies are available every week at music stores, cafes, fast food outlets, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, cinemas and retail stores throughout New Zealand. If you would like to stock Groove Guide please contact tyler@ grooveguide.co.nz or call (09) 3664616.

Editor Grant Hislop editor@grooveguide.co.nz

CONTRIBUTING Editor Matt Monk matt@grooveguide.co.nz

Editorial assistant Tyler Hislop tyler@grooveguide.co.nz

SUB Editor Elise Brinkman elise@grooveguide.co.nz

Designer Greta Gotlieb greta@grooveguide.co.nz

Still alive and kicking

An ‘80s extravaganza is heading to Auckland in December. News came in last week that massive 1980s heavyweights Simple Minds, Devo and The Church will all be playing at this year’s A Day On The Green on Saturday 15 December.

If the bands sound familiar but don’t quite ring any bells, think The Breakfast Club (‘Don’t You Forget About Me’), ‘Love Song’, ‘Alive and Kicking’, ‘Promised You A Miracle’, ‘Glittering Prize’ and ‘Waterfront’ for Simple Minds; the classic and quirky costume stylings of Devo and their hits ‘Whip It’ and ‘Girl U Want’ along with their revolutionary music videos; and the welcome return of Steve Kilbey (here in 2011) and The Church. More announcements are to come, but in the meantime tickets will be available from Monday 02 July through Ticket Master for this very special, very one-off show.

Four years after their debut album Elixir Always, Collapsing Cities are returning with highly-anticipated sophomore release Strangers on Friday 13 July through Pastel Pistol.

They’ll be celebrating with one show at The Kings Arms in Auckland on Friday 20 July, with support from local favourites Beach Pigs and Pop Strangers. Collapsing Cities’ new album features the recent release ‘Regret’, the music video of which premiered online a few weeks ago and got fans old and new hyped for what the band will deliver following their excursion in the UK and the long break between albums. Tickets for the show are available from Under The Radar.

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Accounts Gail Hislop gail@grooveguide.co.nz

Contributors Gabi Lardies, Shaun Jones, Laura Weaser, Sendaria Johnston, Darren Maslin, Sam Wieck, Matt Glasby, Conrad Reyners, Jessica Nickelsen

print Image Print ltd.

Publisher Hark Entertainment LTD PO Box 6032 Wellesley Street, Auckland

due to space and content requirements, not all gigs may be listed. listings are user generated. groove guide assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions. groove guide is provided ‘as is’, for your information only, without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringment. the guide’s publisher assumes no responsibility for and disclaims all liability for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions in this guide and do not share the opinions expressed within. reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. copyright 2012

ISSN 1172-675X

Death becomes them

Indie noise favourites Die! Die! Die! will be releasing their fourth studio album Harmony on Friday 06 July, and to celebrate the Dunedinites will be touring the country. The album, recorded at Blackbox Studios in France, was produced by Chris Townend (Portishead, D12, Violent Femmes) and brings back Shayne P. Carter on vocals. Bassist Michael Logie (The Mint Chicks, F In Math, Opossom) will be touring with the band at all shows in Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga, Dunedin, Port Chalmers, Christchurch and Wellington.

See the tours pages for dates and venues.

Mental Case

Real-life mentalist (just like that guy who solves crimes with his mind games or something) Keith Barry will be heading to New Zealand for two shows in August. The entertainer, television show host and magician-cum-comedian has graced stages on The Ellen Show, The Jimmy Kimmel Show, The Sharon Osbourne Show, Conan and more, and will be playing in Auckland at the Bruce Mason Theatre on Wednesday 08 August and in Wellington at The Opera House on Monday 13 August.

The New Sensations

Two celebrated up-and-coming youngsters are heading around the country on tour this July. Lydia Cole and Tom Lark will be bringing their hushed melodic stylings to multiple venues around the country from north to south as the two performers finally head out on their own headlining tour. Cole and Lark will play in Raglan, Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, on the Interislander ferry, Blenheim, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, Nelson, Cook Straight, Palmerston North, Wanganui and Hamilton. Tickets are available from Under The Radar, see the tours pages for dates and venues.

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Shit Worth Knowing

PLAYING Films, Glorious Films FAVourites Lydia Cole

Favourite drink? Mulled wine, or a chocolatey beer.

Favourite restaurant/café? Bruschetteria Antipasti & Aperitivo Bar. Crostini – yum.

Favourite takeaway? Mad Mex. At midnight.

Favourite colour? Anything but turquoise.

Favourite childhood memory? Endless summers, drawing and colouring, bath time, climbing trees, and night-time songs with Mum. Favourite party food? Cheese, olives, anchovies... give me all of the salt.

Favourite vice? All of the salt.

Favourite song? This week, ‘Dreamcatcher’

by Kristin Macdonald and ‘This Song is Called Ragged’ by Jonathan Boulet.

Michael Haneke’s Amour won the Palme d’Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. His previous films, Hidden and The White Ribbon, played at the ‘05 and ‘09 NZIFFs, and it’s safe to say that every year the audience falls in love with a French film. It’s hard to read about this intelligent and intense tale of love, life and death without seeing the word “masterpiece” at least once.

Challenging and unflinching in its unbridled fantastical foray into what death may or may not be, Amour is one of the most anticipated at this year’s festival.

It’s fun to hate Jack Black. We all know that. But in Richard Linklater’s Bernie, we see what could very well be the antithesis of the Jack Black archetype. In a side of the overthe-top actor that rivals the unfamiliarity of a Robin Williams drama, Black plays a closeted small-town Texan in a mix of parody and empathy. Inspired by true events, Bernie is the charming underdog comedy you want out of every festival.

While it’s not exactly new to the screen (roughly 60 years after the original release), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is one of the most timeless Marilyn Monroe films. All the stereotypes of history’s ditsiest damsel are here in this restored classic that follows two friends after the same man, jam-packed full of the 1950s one-liners and innuendo you love to love.

There’s another classic in the line-up this year with The Shining returning to cinemas in high-definition DCP. One of cinema’s most treasured finished products as both an outstanding achievement and a complete joke, Stanley Kurbrick’s classic adaptation of the Stephen King novel is thriller, horror, drama, suspense and science-fiction gone mad.

Around the beginning of January, the trailer for Shut Up and Play the Hits surfaced online

and music fans around the world nearly lost their shit. James Murphy/LCD Soundsystem was determined to go out on top, even if the world wasn’t ready for him to do so. This documentary chronicles the final days of the man who was always there and counts down to the final concert at Madison Square Garden in one of the biggest gigs New York has seen in recent years. If there’s one man who accidentally ended up making music for his own biopic, it’s the man who threw the best going away party in the world.

Finally there’s one of the most talked about films at the 2012 NZIFF, West of Memphis. In 1994, three Arkansas teens were convicted for murdering three eight year olds. “Expertly” defined as Satanists, the infamous “West Memphis three” were released after nearly two decades of public support and calls for retrials. New Zealand’s Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh have followed the cultishly popular story and have worked with director Amy Berg to bring the controversial “innocent or not” story to screens.

Favourite meal? Second dinner.

Favourite label to put on your relationship?

Which relationship?

Favourite ‘90s TV show? Home Improvement, The Simpsons and Roswell.

Favourite word? Premium.

Favourite album? Post-War by M. Ward.

shit worth

winning Go to grooveguide.co.nz and enter the draw to win these prizes

Favourite type of groupie? Old people.

Favourite body part on you? Hands.

LADYHAWKE THU 12 JUL FOUNDRY, CHRISTCHURCH 1 X DOUBLE PASS

Favourite body part on someone else?

Depends who it is. I like faces.

Favourite venue? I’m hoping to find some gems on the road this month...

Favourite lyric? “Why am I soft in the middle when the rest of my life is so hard?” (Paul Simon) “I’m still young but my life is old” (Tom Lark).

Favourite candy bar? Curly Wurly!

Favourite current TV show? Check It Out with Dr. Steve Brule.

SEE HER LIVE: LYDIA COLE SEE TOURS AND EVENTS FOR DATES

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AUCKLAND AOTEA SQUARE ICE RINK 20 JUN - 05 AUG AOTEA SQUARE, AUCKLAND 5 X DOUBLE PASSES

LINKIN PARK

DAVID BOWIE

LIVING THINGS

ZIGGY STARDUST

5 X ALBUMS

1 X COPIES

THE

WYLD

/preface

DEBUT ALBUM 29TH JUNE 2012 FEATURING THE SINGLES

‘REVOLUTION’ & ‘FULL CIRCLE’

www.facebook.com/thewyld

TOUCH COMPASS PRESENTS

B N OO O K W !!

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9)

30 9 97 JU – 3 71 Q NE 0 T 2 30 HE 01 A U 5 Q AT R 2 CK UE E LA EN 15 ND S T AN TH N SE I V AS ER ON SA RY 27

DANCE BEYOND DIFFERENCE DA N C E B E Y O N D DIFFERENCE

MUSIC

Shit worth doing

Thursday 28 Andrew Tosh

The Raw Nerves

4:20

Static 9pm, $5 door sales

8pm, $30 , eventfinder.co.nz

The son of late reggae pioneer Peter Tosh, Andrew Tosh will be performing a tribute to his old man at multiple venues around the country this week. See what generations of reggae-inspired living can bring out in a man who has lived the highs and lows of reggae blues.

It’s the last week that The Raw Nerves will be touring the country, playing one show in Hamilton this Thursday and their final show at Auckland’s home of garage, Whammy Bar, in St Kevin’s Arcade. See some of the best gritty garage rock New Zealand has produced since forever.

Brewhaha

Luckless

San Fran Bath House

The National 8pm, $10.00, Door Sales Only

4-9pm, $5

The team up of sublime post-folkers Luckless and Bond Street Bridge edge closer to the end of their nationwide tour, playing one show in Dunedin this Thursday and two shows in Christchurch over the weekend at the Brewery on Friday and Darkroom on Saturday.

You’re cold and alone on a winter Thursday. Your girlfriend/boyfriend is non-existent or away and you’ve got no cuddles to keep you warm. Thankfully Brewhaha, Girl Lillian and Solsona Carnival are gearing to warm you up with their somehow heartwarming blues-infused night of audio affection.

FRIDAY 29 Perditionist

95bFM Breakfast Club

The Kings Arms

Alleluya Café 8.35am-8.50

8pm, $10 door sales

Being emotionally dark and brooding is a requisite when it comes to being metal. These guys are exactly what you want out of that kind of cliché without the cliché bullshit that comes with it. See Perditionist celebrate their release of The Forever In Darkness this Friday.

It’s the morning. You don’t want to go to work. Aside from the fact that it’s Friday and you’re a little hung over, there’s also the fact that you haven’t had your morning coffee. Start your day off right with the 95bFM Breakfast Club at Alleluya with the ambient electronic Suren Ulka at 8:30am.

Ahoribuzz

Opossom

Dux Live

Darkroom

gig OF THE WEEK 9pm

8pm, $15, cosmicticketing.co.nz

Kody and crew finish up the nationwide tour for the release of Electric Hawaii with a show in Christchurch on Friday and Lyttelton at Wunderbar on Saturday.

It’s robot Hawaii indie noise at its very best, and that’s not even a thing. Catch a glimpse of what good bands will be sounding like in five years’ time.

Aaron Tokona, LA Mitchell, Riki Gooch and Hori make their return as AHoriBuzz thanks to Loop, Cosmic and RDU, and the funk-fusion mainstays continue to deliver their mash-up of all things indefinable, somehow ending up with an always well-received result of reggae and pseudo-blues hits.

Great North

Battle of the bands

Meow

The outback

Love songs, heartache and heartbreak weren’t just the theme of every girl group in the 1960s. People still get sad (or happy) and sing about it. Great North bring their alt country to Meow on the Halves tour this week.

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7:30 pm, Door sales only

A note to battling bands out there: not everyone wants to hear a sevenminute solo combining piano and guitars resulting in a Coldplay/Mars Volta/Evermore/U2/Wolfmother fusion. Don’t be a cliché.

Key

8pm, $10, door sales only

auckland

FREE

hamilton

LOCAL ACT

wellington

INTERNATIONAL ACT

dunedin

all ages

christchurch

TOUR

Shit worth doing

ALBUM REVIEW

SATURDAY 30

David Bowie

Return of the light

The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (40th Anniversary Edition)

Barnett Hall, Piha

Matariki literally lights up this weekend at Piha with the Return of the Light extravaganza. Bands, DJs, light installations, fire performers, stilt walkers, food, drinks and you dressed up as the brightest, most creative light or fire walking piece of art you can think of. And it’s at Piha! Beach naughties.

Burlesque Wonderland The venue-musicbar 8pm, $25 Door sales only

Fantasy fairytales meet feathery fantasies in this burlesque performance from the ever-popular performers from Ayla’s Angels Burlesque Circus and Cabaret, accompanied by live music from Pistol Grip, Mynor Star and I Am You along with DJ Missy G spinning tracks for you and your sexy sex pants.

Enei Bacco Room 10pm, $20, iticket.co.nz

Hailing from St Petersburg in Russia, it was way back in 2003 that young Alexey Egorchenkov first got the taste for the musical drug drum ‘n’ bass.

A decade later, the spinning and chopping DJ is celebrating his debut album following contributing and producing for the past 10 years.

Rackets & guests The Kings Arms 8pm, $5

The Kings Arms hosts some of the best young talent in a collection of noise and garage screaming indie splendour with the enticing line-up of Rackets, Sharpie Crows, Sherpa and guests. It’s got some of the most popular alternative and indie acts around Auckland all for a cheeky $5.

Left or right

Pop strangers

Dux Live

Mighty Mighty 9pm, $15, undertheradar

After six or seven weeks, Left Or Right finish up their Buzzy album release tour down in Christchurch.

The southern threesome are at their best when on stage, and the last show of the tour is bound to get messy and sweaty.

10:30 pm, door sales, $5

Flying Nun’s Pop Strangers team up with Sunken Seas for one special show in Wellington at Mighty Mighty this weekend. Grungy noise pop has rarely seemed so popular, but Pop Strangers manage to pull the crowds every time.

got some shit worth doing? list your events at grooveguide.co.nz

Forty years on and sounding like a trillion bucks (adjusted for inflation), Ziggy Stardust remains the freakiest bastard to ever change the face of rock music. The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars effortlessly captures those changing features as glam rock comes of age – embodying David Bowie’s ability to invent and re-invent himself at the drop of a velvet-peaked cap.

His creation is never fully fleshed out, with the concept behind Ziggy’s character retaining a fluid, almost mythic quality, allowing the audience to fill in the gaps as they see fit.

Remastered for the anniversary edition, this album has thankfully lost none of its verve or swagger through the re-jigging phase.

If anything, that strut is more pronounced, as Ziggy revels in a new-found level of aural clarity. Tracks have an added pop to them, avoiding the trap of sounding cold and soulless like so many other remastered classics. You can thank engineer Ray Staff for that: Ray engineered the original Ziggy Stardust at Trident Studios back in ‘71-‘72, and returns 40 years later to work his inside knowledge on this latest version.

It proves a masterstroke, with key elements lifted and sharpened, enhancing each of the 11 tracks that inhabit the length of the LP. Songs

like ‘5 Years’ and ‘Starman’ have rediscovered their string sections through the process, complementing Bowie’s passionate, melodramatic Ziggy as he alternates between soft drawl and raw-throated, fullthrottle howl.

‘5 Years’ may be complemented by its stringwork, but it’s the piano that drives things along, same as for a select group of other tracks on the album. That piano gets a little Broadway on ‘Lady Stardust’ (hopefully Bowie wasn’t stretched out on a baby grand while doing this one, though you can see that happening) a theme which is continued on ‘Star’ as Ziggy explores his ego and id to the fullest.

Don’t worry though, things never Glee out completely, as elements of blues and soul filter though the thin white duke’s master plan. And it’s always a rock master plan, no matter how you dress or change it.

Standouts ‘Moonage Daydream’ and ‘Suffragette City’ prove just how strong a rock album this is – blending powerful guitars, potent vocals and an attitude the size of several small planets into high-impact rock songs. Much like Ziggy himself, this album has a little of everything – and still packs a hell of a punch after almost half a century.

WRITTEN BY DARREN MASLIN ALBUM OUT NOW

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ARTS

Shit worth doing

ARTIST Q&A

Thursday 28

Jacob Ryan

Lenny Henry

Actor

Michael fowler centre 8pm, $89-$91 ,ticketek.co.nz

With a name like Lenworth George Henry, there’s little doubt that the comedian picked up a few jokes at school so as not to be picked on by bullies. Comedy is a defense mechanism, and we’re pretty sure that Lenworth here had to be pretty defensive with such a regal name.

The Revival

7:30pm, $20, eventfinder.co.nz

Mangare Arts Centre

Set in 1907 during the passing of the Tohunga Supression Act through to the 1970s, The Revival is equal parts love story and historical tale. Laced with an in-depth exploration of the horrors of war as well as a narrative of spirituality and defining culture, The Revival is a must see during Matariki.

Friday 29 Romeo & Juliet

Plastic

The Theatre

Glue Gallery

What happens when you mix Coca Cola with Pepsi?

Nuclear fizzing?

7:00pm

The classic love story that we all know and adore arrives at The Theatre in Wellington and runs from Tuesday to Saturday. This one might not have Leonardo DiCaprio in it or have a wicked soundtrack, but the story is always one for any kind of audience.

Running for just over a week at Dunedin’s Glue Gallery, Plastic is a performance piece by artists PiupiuMaya Turei and Hana Aoake that portrays both the performance and performers reborn into the Maori New Year.

Mates and Lovers

Flight of the Conchords

Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts

Vector Arena

9:30pm, $25-$35, Ticketek.co.nz

Key

Based on Chris Brickell’s Montana award-winning Mates and Lovers: a History of Gay New Zealand, Mates and Lovers travels time and crosses boundaries to see what life was like for gay dudes back when top hats were all the rage.

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What’s an upcoming film you’re jazzed about?

Our play Krishnan’s Dairy is being made into a feature film.

Where can your stalkers find you during the weekend?

Coaching my daughter’s hockey team.

7:30pm, $20/$10 thetheatre.co.nz

10

Who’s in the dead supergroup for your dream hologram show?

Marvin Gaye and Nina Simone on vocals; Charles Mingus on bass; John Coltrane on sax; Miles Davis on trumpet; Earl Palmer on drums; Thelonius Monk on keyboards and Jimi Hendrix on guitar.

Your fantasy spirit animal is…

Phoenicorn.

Your signature “I’m an amazing cook” dish is…

Mediterranean stuffed salmon fillets with lime hollandaise.

The best place for a date night is…

The theatre.

You’d get arrested if the police knew that you…

Smuggled chewing gum into Singapore.

People say you look like…

Brad Clooney.

Five celebs on your f**klist?

I find this question offensive but they’d all rhyme with Bate Clanchette.

What generic current affair has your blood boiled?

The American political system.

SEE HIM LIVE: JACOB RAJAN GURU OF CHAI TUE 10 - SAT 21 JUL RANGATIRA AT Q, AUCKLAND KRISHNAN’S DAIRY WED 25 Jul - SAT 04 Aug Rangatira at Q, Auckland indianink.co.nz

SATURDAY 30 Run, Slip, Spring Q Theatre 7:30, $20-$35, qtheatre.co.nz

Bret and Jemaine arrive in Auckland with comedy buddy Arj Barker in tow. Their television show is finished and the sky’s the limit for two of our greatest comedy exports ever, so don’t miss the chance to see them live before they fall victim to the greedy Hollywood over-exposure monster.

auckland

ART

hamilton

PLAY/TheatRE

wellington

MUSICAL

dunedin

COMEDY

christchurch

DANCE

Somewhere between the invisible connections that make up human emotions, energy and physicality there’s something primal. Touch Compass’s 15th Anniversary Season of Run, Slip, Spring explores that mystery and challenges traditional perceptions of who can, and what is, dance.

Tim & Gary

Cirque Non Sequiter

Sandridge Hotel

The Meteor

8pm, $25 presales or door tickets

Mayor Tim Shadbolt and Gary McCormick team up for this show put together for the people of Christchurch by Side Splits Comedy.

There are no two more charming nor heartwarming smiles than those of these characteristic goobers.

8:00pm , $25-35, ticketek.co.nz

This surrealist circus cabaret travels the world of myth with a menagerie of gods, creatures, sirens and spiders.

The deepest, darkest parts of your imagination will be tested in this deadly, sexy, surrealist cabaret.

Chamber Music New Zealand Presents

TAKÁCS QUARTET

Touring New Zealand 5 – 10 July 2012 Auckland | Hamilton | Napier |Wellington | Christchurch Visit chambermusic.co.nz for concert details & ticket details

Guru of Chai Auckland Q Theatre 11 July - 21 July

‘Sheer brilliance… a joy to behold.’

Dominion Post

Book at Q 309 9771 indianink.co.nz

Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Season 4 A Review by Harlequin Jones

IN CINEMAS NOW R16 Contains Horror Scenes & Violence

PROMM01.indd 1

AVA I L A B L E I N D I G I T A L 3 D A T S E L E C T C I N E M A S

15/06/12 11:42 AM

Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim are two comedians who are really good at being really weird. I wonder how great it must be to be at the age they are and be paid to act stupid.

The Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Is basically a skit show, starring the two writers and a bunch of really creepy/awkward other comedians, well I’m not sure if they are just people picked off the street or what. The music and the animation they use is straight up ugly, but in a dated 90’s kind of way. Not the kind of show you would recommend to everyone, but if you smoke pot or don’t mind that super awkward kind of shit then it’s definitely for you.

Richard Dunn is an awesome part of this show, he has a couple of reoccurring parts like ‘Dunngeon’ and ‘Getting it Dunn’ and in one of these he interviews David Navarro. Which I never thought I’d enjoy seeing.

If you want this on DVD that’s enough reason to have it, send your name + address to iwantadvdumduh@gmail.com

ON SCREEN

Shit worth WATCHING

FILM REVIEW

THURSDAY 28

Snow White and the Huntsman

The White Stripes Real Groovy Free, 7pm

Back in 2003 when you didn’t know who Meg and Jack were let alone if they were a brother-sister or husbandwife duo, The White Stripes played a show for the children of Freeman’s Bay Primary School. The footage taken that day premieres for one free screening.

The Short List

Katy Perry: Part of me

Academy Cinemas

Selected cinemas

Fleet St is putting on a showcase of eight short films from some of Auckland’s freshest, finest up-andcoming talent around. See it here first like the early adapter you are without the pretentious film-wank.

Described as a “backstage pass” to Katy Perry’s concerts, this wannabe documentary may not have been called for but will undoubtedly be a 3D hit with Perry-heads around the world.

The Three Stooges

Ice Age

General release

General release

Larry, Curly and Moe must have been the inspiration for Lenny, Carl and Moe on The Simpsons, right? That just seems like a thing that would happen.

Sean Hayes, Will Sasso and Chris Diamantopoulos star in The Three Stooges remake.

Do we really need another Ice Age movie? Sure, it’s a grand old moneymaker that the kids love and the stoners love to head along to while stuffing their mouths full of popcorn and frozen coke… okay, maybe we do need one.

FRIDAY 29 Community FOUR, 8pm

Further info directed by Rupert Sanders Starring KRISTEN STEWART, CHARLIZE THERON and CHRIS HEMSWORTH

Since Lord Of The Rings there have been two persistent trends in fantasy cinema.

1. No matter how facile the material, anything involving swords and/or sorcery can get made.

2. All the British actors who missed the LOTR gravy train want in.

Ticking both boxes, Rupert Sanders’ Brothers Grimm reboot features an extraordinary troupe of UK males (Hoskins, Winstone, McShane) and for an hour, it’s fun to watch them bickering and boozing.

Stewart is passable as the whey-faced eterni-virgin, as is her English accent; while Hemsworth, as the rugged Huntsman, opts for a Gerard Butler/Sean Connery burr that hides a multitude of sins.

Star of the show, however, is Theron’s wicked stepmother, who seethes with barely

contained sexual jealousy – just one of the many surprisingly adult aspects of a film heady with implied violence and sublimated sauce (Theron bathes in milk that coats her skin like Dulux, Stewart gets lost in a blasted forest in a druggie nightmare of rotting birds and scuttling scarab beetles).

It can’t last. No matter how impressive the visuals, two hours is far too long for a story this thin, and genre conventions ultimately snuff out the joys. The dwarves are sidelined in favour of rousing speeches – neither Stewart nor Hemsworth’s forte – and the final battle could have been ripped from a Narnia flick.

Perhaps they’ll redress the balance in the forthcoming sequel. If there are any British thesps left to star in it, that is.

WRITTEN BY MATT GLASBY, FLICKS.CO.NZ

MONDAY 02 Skins FOUR, 8:30pm

It’s so good to see Josh Brolin playing a young Tommy Lee Jones. These two ultimate dudes look the same, talk the same and are both everything you’d expect a classic hard-arse man to be. The third Men In Black has time travel, and Lady Gaga and our own Jemaine Clement as aliens.

I’ll be honest, I’ve never actually watched Skins. The one time I did, I didn’t get it. It seemed like a whole bunch of teenage dramas where everyone fucks their friends both mentally and physically. But it’s got such a huge following that clearly I’m the idiot who doesn’t get it. Anyway, season six is on FOUR.

SUNDAY 01 Boardwalk Empire

auckland

TV SHOW

hamilton

CINEMA RELEASE

wellington

3D Film

dunedin

DVD release

christchurch

BLU-RAY release

The final of the second season of Boardwalk Empire airs on Prime this Sunday. If you’re unfamiliar with the award-winning show (and one of the best dramas on television), the star-studded cast and Martin Scorsese produced series is everything badass about the 1920s we love.

Key

Prime, 9:35pm

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RNE

EAT

DINING AND Shit

Wagamama

MEXICO

MULtiple locations, wagamama.co.nz

23 Britomart place, mexico.net.nz

Everyone tells themselves that they like spicy food. And, yeah, sure you do. But there’s a difference between some Kaitaia Fire and a legitimately tasty, spicy meal. Wagamama’s Kare Lomen is just that, with its spicy coconut, chili, galangal and lemongrass red curry all mixed together with that classic and refreshing tasty mix of fresh free range egg noodles with beansprouts, cucumber, coriander and lime.

It’s like a laksa cocktail that’s actually healthy. Make your mum proud and eat healthy and fun at the same time, the Wagamama way. Three Auckland bases and one in Wellington.

Mexican food is all the rage. Whether it’s because New Zealanders like to say that we like spicy food or whether it’s because for whatever reason we’ve just had very few real Mexican restaurants for years, now that we’ve got such a plethora to choose from we’ve ended up spoiled for choice. Mexico in Britomart makes Mexican food and makes it well. Yeah, you can get burritos or whatever at any old place, but real Mexican food is different. It’s not fast food. And it comes with tequila and sangria and chilli beers, which in Mexican translates to “brat juice of kings” according to my Mexican friend Bender Bending Rodriguez.

E TA K Y

A J O U RNEY

THROUGH

(LITERALLY!) Not only is Bellota a delicious tapas bar, they are also legendary enough to give away a trip to Barcelona, Spain for two!

For the next few months Bellota are exploring different regions of Spain with tasty specials to sink your teeth into. Get down there before 31 October 2012 for your chance to enter the draw.

91 Federal Street, Auckland For more information and full terms and conditions visit skycity.co.nz/Bellota. facebook.com/BellotaTapasBar

GIG GUIDE

SHIT WORTH DOING

WELLINGTON gig guide Wed 27 All My Sons

Circa Theatre, $46

The Eversons w/ Full Moon Fiasco

9PM, San Fran Bath House, Free

The Improv Lounge The Fringe Bar

The Spines & Melting Faces

AHORIBUZZ

Mighty Mighty

8PM, San Fran Bath House, $15 + BF

Sunset Road

All My Sons

Circa Theatre, $40

Circa Theatre, $46

Quiz Night

Carlos Navarette Band

The Big Kumara

9PM, The Southern Cross, Free

The Brown Show

Craft2.0

The Fringe Bar

Chaffers Dock

Fri 29

Dame Malvina Major 21st Anniversary Celebration Concert

All My Sons

Dubcheck

Lenny Henry

8PM, Michael Fowler Centre

The New Brides Fast Eddie’s

OK;CFL

9PM, Bodega, $5

RANDA & Díanielo 10PM, Mighty Mighty, $5

The Session Matterhorn

Sunset Road Circa Theatre, $40

9PM, Fast Eddie’s Pool Hall, $5

The Boxcar Rattle 9PM, Bodega, $5

Great North

A Night of Punk Awesomeness

Jah Red Lion

10PM, Bodega, $5

All My Sons

Circa Theatre, $46

Americana Acoustic Music Concert 8PM, Meow, $15

Brewhaha & Girl Lillian

8PMl, San Fran Bath House, $5

Chicago Thursday Cabaret Chicago Bar

Chris Bryant El Horno

Micah, B-Lo & Kev Fresh

Geek Party

1PM, The Ledge, $10

9PM, Meow, $10

Marek, B-Lo & Kev Fresh Bettys

Te Papa

Sunset Road Volcana, Sheitgeist & Von Thundersvolt

Raw Meat Comedy

Twinset

Tue 03

What Happened To The Techno

All My Sons

The 3 Bears... And Goldilocks

Circa Theatre, $46

Live Music The Library

Sun 01

Sat 30 A Few Good Men

The Grand

ParkRight next to the theatre

The Hop Garden

Circa Theatre, $10

Circa Theatre, $46

3PM, Matterhorn, $5

Lemur Attack Force Fundraiser

Circa Theatre, $40

Poker Night The Big Kumara

All My Sons

Bettys

TSB Bank Arena

Sunset Road

Sandwiches

Circa Theatre, $40

Flight of the Conchords & Arj Barker

The Fringe Bar

4PM, The Southern Cross, Free

Raw Men

St Andrews on the Terrace

Pop Strangers w/ Sunken Seas 10PM, Mighty Mighty, $5

Havana Bar

9PM, Mighty Mighty, $5

8PM, Medusa, $10

The Midyear Bash

Sandwiches

Wellington Chamber Orchestra: Beethoven Triple

Mon 02

Fuelset

9PM, Bettys, Free

Enei

Public Bar & Eatery Circa Theatre, $40

Mi Casa Su Casa

Bodega

The Sunday Jazz Club Sunset Road

Blend Bar and Cafe

Clueless

Thu 28

The Lido Cafe

Fast Eddie’s

Beats

Circa Theatre

The Boptet

Michael Fowler Centre

Circa Theatre, $46

The Improvisors: Theatresports

Sunset Road Circa Theatre

Baby Loves Disco ChameLeon

The 3 Bears... And Goldilocks Circa Theatre, $10

Te Papa

Fanshawe St. Downtown Victoria St. K’Road Civic www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/parkright

Right place Right price

SHIT WORTH DOING

auckland gig guide Wed 27

Thu 28

Square Eye Pair

A Shortcut to Happiness

1885 Live

Tido

Aotea Square Ice Rink

A Shortcut to Happiness

Tribes

Acoustic Thursday w/ Eli

The White Stripes at Freemans Bay Primary Screening

6:30PM, SkyCity Theatre 10AM, Aotea Square, $20

Battle Of the Bands: heat 3

8PM, The Kings Arms, Free

Bitchin’ Bingo Cassette Nine

Creative Jazz Club: Benny Lackener Trio 8PM, 1885 Basement, $10

Dan Aux Selectah 10PM, Racket Bar, Free

Dirty Diana’s Sol Night Chapel Bar & Bistro

DJ Amy

7PM, The Golden Dawn Tavern of Power, Free

DJ Pups

6PM, The Britomart Country Club, Free

Granduo

6PM, Shakespeare Bar

Industry Night 8PM, twentyone

Karaoke Marcus 9PM, QF Tavern

Loose Change Wednesdays Rakinos

Matariki Dawn

9PM, 1885 Britomart, Free

8PM, SkyCity Theatre

7PM, Neighbourhood

5PM, Northern Steam Ship

Acoustic Thursdays w/ Waylon

Zirka Circus

7PM, 23-27 Nuffield St, Newmarket

5PM, Sale St

The Revival

7:30PM, Mangere Arts Centre - Nga Tohu o Uenuku, $20

Run Slip Spring

7PM, Q theatre, Auckland

Square Eye Pair

7PM, Basement Theatre, $15 + BF

Tribes

Hooper & bunnyJak 9PM, Lucha Lounge, $5

Jason Skelton 8PM, GBS Bar

Jeremy Pickford 9PM, Basalt

Kara Gordon Duo 8PM, Glen Eden RSA

Lee Gray Duo

9PM, Merchant Bar

Aotea Square Ice Rink

Matariki Dawn

8PM, SkyCity Theatre

7PM, Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, $10

Acoustic Sessions w/ Eli Guttenbiel

Mike wood

10AM, Aotea Square, $20

Beauty and the Beats Snapdragon

Bitches N Shit

6PM, Racket Bar, Free

Black Confetti 8PM, Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre

DJ Alex Q

9PM, twentyone

Ewen Gilmour

Blacksalt Bar & Eatery

Fleet St presents The Short List Academy Cinemas

8PM, Khuja Lounge, Free 7PM, Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, $10

Nathan Haines Jazz Quartet Concert

7PM, Quay St Club Rooms

Aotea Square Ice Rink 10AM, Aotea Square, $20

Auckland Pledge Me Launch Party 7PM, Khuja Lounge, Free

Benn Morrison

8PM, 1885 Britomart, Free

Black Confetti

Private Lives

8PM, Dolphin Theatre, $26

The Revival

The Circling Sun & DJ Truent

Root Down with Frank Booker

6PM, Tyler Street Garage, Free

10PM, The Southern Cross, Free

Pat 4 President

9PM, Elephant Wrestler

Perditionist

8PM, The Kings Arms, $10

Private Lives

8PM, Dolphin Theatre, $26

The Revival

8PM, The Patriot

Brett Polley

9PM, Florrie McGreals

Chung Laos, Shady Brain Farm & Bearhat Masonic Tavern

DJ Johnny Baker

9PM, QF Tavern

Newtown Rocksteady

Blend

Passion Bash Charity Live 2012 Pat 4 President

6PM, Imperial Lane

The Raw Nerves

David Shanhun

8PM, The Kings Arms, $20

Ginger Minx, Free

8PM, Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre

Backbeat Bar

7:30PM, Mangere Arts Centre - Nga Tohu o Uenuku, $20

grooveguide.co.nz

6PM, Tyler Street Garage, Free

A Shortcut to Happiness

6PM, The Britomart Country Club, Free

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Freestyle

Magik sessions

Slave

16

Vector Arena

Fri 29

4:20

8PM, Maidment Theatre

Ponsonby Social Club

ASB Showgrounds

Flight of the Conchords w/ Arj Barker

Andrew Tosh

Matariki Dawn

Retro Wednesday

Real Groovy

7PM, The Golden Dawn Tavern of Power, Free

Private Lives

Masonic Tavern

8PM, Maidment Theatre

Yam Jams DJs

The Indie Club

Pub Quiz

6PM, Imperial Lane

Acoustic Thursday w/ Phil Stoodley

7PM, Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, $10 8PM, Dolphin Theatre, $26

7PM, Basement Theatre, $15 + BF

8PM, De Post

7PM, The Golden Dawn Tavern of Power, Free

DJ Karn Hall & DJ General Lee 8PM, twnetyone

DJ Trainer & DJ Darnell 6PM, The Deck

Ewen Gilmour

9PM, Whammy Bar

7:30PM, Mangere Arts Centre - Nga Tohu o Uenuku, $20

Rhythm and Style 5PM, Sale St

Ricky De Medeiros 7PM, Alp Ice Cafe, Free

Riqi Harawera 8PM, Moretons Bar

Rose Alice

6PM, Nuffield St.

Selecta Sam

6PM, La Zeppa Kitchen

Silo Cinema: Soul Power Silo Park

Solly

Oceans Bar and Gaming Lounge

5PM, The Britomart Country Club, Free

Fleet St presents The Short List

Solly & Hudge

Academy Cinemas

Flex

11PM, 1885 Basement, Free

9PM, Neighbourhood

Slave & Hudge

5PM, Northern Steam Ship

t SHIT WORTH DOING

auckland gig guide

DUNEDIN gig guide

Square Eye Pair

Lee Gray Duo

Tono

Submariner & Cian

Light’n Up: Illuminated Costume Extravaganza

Tribes

7PM, Basement Theatre, $15 + BF 5PM, Everybodys

Supermodel 8PM, Dox Bollix

Tido

6PM, Racket Bar, Free

Tribes

8PM, Maidment Theatre

Zirka Circus

ASB Showgrounds

9PM, The Patriot

8PM, The Golden Dawn - Tavern of Power, $5

Thu 28 Jesus Christ Superstar Mosgiel Coronation Hall

Barnett Hall

8PM, Maidment Theatre

Loa

Zirka Circus

Luckless w/ Bond Street Bridge

ASB Showgrounds

9PM, The National

Sun 01

Fri 29

Aotea Square Ice Rink

DJ Dahlsim

10AM, Aotea Square, $20

10 Bar

DJ English Jake

Jesus Christ Superstar

9PM, Rickshaw Eddies

Low End Theory

9PM, Leigh Sawmill Cafe

Matariki Dawn

7PM, Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, $10

Mark Tronson

9PM, Florrie McGreals

5PM, The Golden Dawn Tavern of Power, Free

Mosgiel Coronation Hall Glue Gallery

Mazzive 2012

Flight of the Conchords w/ Arj Barker

Alexandre Champagnat

N.U.T.E & guests

Rudsits Brothers

Aotea Square Ice Rink

Nigel Love

Sunday Session

10AM, Aotea Square, $20

5PM, The Britomart Country Club, Free

Ben Wah

Paris Is Burning

ASB Showgrounds

Private Lives

Mon 02

Jesus Christ Superstar

8PM, Dolphin Theatre, $26

Rackets & guests

Aotea Square Ice Rink

Plastic

The Revival

Black Confetti

Sat 30 A Shortcut to Happiness

8PM, SkyCity Theatre

7PM, Alp Ice Cafe, Free

8PM, Racket Bar, Free

The Boom Bap Rakinos

DJ Jarrod Phillips & DJ Sample Gee 9PM, twentyone

DJ Linely Latu & DJ Darnell 7PM, The Deck

Fleet St presents The Short List Academy Cinemas

Flight of the Conchords w/ Arj Barker Vector Arena

The Golden Mean Impression 10PM, Khuja Lounge, $5

Goody 2 Shoes 9PM, Merchant Bar

Great North

8PM, Wine Cellar, $10

Hot Sex: Girls vs Boys 10PM, Be Club, $5

Hudge

8PM, La Zeppa Kitchen

Jason Kyle, Adam & Normski 6PM, Snapdragon

Josh

7PM, Imperial Lane

Master Jams w/ Normski & Benwah

9PM, Tyler Street Garage, Free TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre 10PM, Whammy Bar, $10

Vector Arena

2PM, Merchant Bar

Chapel Bar & Bistro

Zirka Circus

7:30PM, Mangere Arts Centre - Nga Tohu o Uenuku, $20

Sandon James

11PM, 1885 Basement, Free

10AM, Aotea Square, $20

Sick Disco

7PM, Cassette Nine, $10

Silo Sessions: World Together 12PM, Silo Park

Slave & Empty

7PM, Neighbourhood

Solly & Submariner 5PM, Northern Steam Ship

Spooky

7PM, Everybodys

Square Eye Pair

7PM, Basement Theatre, $15 + BF

Take 2

8PM, Black Salt Bar

Thirty Years Late, The Fritts & Sophie Rose

Bold as Brass: Handel, Haydn & Beethoven Kings and Queens Performing Arts Centre

In The Next Room or The Vibrator Play

Mosgiel Coronation Hall Glue Gallery

6:30PM, Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre

Sun 01

The KA Music Quiz

Bold as Brass: Handel, Haydn & Beethoven

7PM, The Kings Arms, Free

Saturday at Sale St 7PM, Sale St

Sat 30

Fortune Theatre, $40

10PM, 1885 Britomart, $10

8PM, The Kings Arms, $5

Plastic

Tue 03 Aotea Square Ice Rink 10AM, Aotea Square, $20

The KA Quiz

7PM, The Kings Arms, Free

Open mic night

Kings and Queens Performing Arts Centre

In The Next Room or The Vibrator Play Fortune Theatre, $40

Jesus Christ Superstar Mosgiel Coronation Hall

Plastic

Glue Gallery

8PM, Windsor Castle

Nutcracker on Ice

Tue 03

The World’s Greatest Quiz Night

In The Next Room or The Vibrator Play

7:30PM, ASB Theatre, $59

Chapel Bar & Bistro

Zirka Circus

ASB Showgrounds

Fortune Theatre, $40

Jesus Christ Superstar Mosgiel Coronation Hall

Plastic

Glue Gallery

8PM, Shadows

Grooveguide.co.nz

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SHIT WORTH DOING

CHRISTCHURCH gig guide Wed 27

D’sendnatz

Karaoke

DJ Mike T

Sandridge Hotel

Quiz Night Phoenix Bar

Weaponized Anthesiac Lockjaw 8PM, Dux Live

Pierside Cafe and Bar The Monday Room

I Sing The Body Electric Jack Mann Complex

Karaoke Phoenix Bar

Left Or Right

The Blue Pub, Methven

Thu 28 The Black Velvet Band Becks Southern Alehouse

ENEI w/ guests 8PM, Dux Live

Karaoke

Opossom darkroom

Showoff Majestic

Mayor Tim Shadbolt & Gary McCormick Show Lincoln Event Centre

Quarry Bar & Bistro

Brothers Grimm Woolston Club

Burlesque Wonderland

The Celtic Ball

Sun 01

Cemetery Slaughter

I Sing The Body Electric

Zebedees

Jack Mann Complex

The Crystal Set

Jack Daniels Secret Launch w/ Von Voin Strum

Scottish Society Hall

Becks Southern Alehouse

DJ Mike T

Dux Live

I Sing The Body Electric

Massive Winter Soulstice 2012

JDV Restaurant and Bar Jack Mann Complex

Insane Jane

Pierside Cafe and Bar,

Left Or Right

Sat 30

9PM, Dux Live

The Shameless Two

12 Gauge

Darkroom

Phoenix Bar

Fri 29

Pierside Cafe and Bar

Baby Loves Disco: the ‘70s Superstars Tour

Luckless Massive Winter Soulstice 2012 Soulstice, Springfield

The Running Bull Bar & Grill House

Opossom

Mates and Lovers

The Second Test

Ahoribuzz

Sandridge Hotel

The Venue-Musicbar

Pierside Cafe and Bar

Karaoke w/ DJ Chick

Mayor Tim Shadbolt and Gary McCormick Show

Soulstice, Springfield

Mon 02 Quiz Night

Bealey’s Speights Ale House

Quiz Night

Ferrymead Speights Ale House

Quiz Night

Pierside Cafe and Bar

Wunderbar, Lyttelton

8PM, Dux Live, $15 + BF

WAIKATO gig guide Wed 27 Dads Army

8PM, Riverlea Theatre, Hamilton, $28

Latin Dancing Rhythms

8PM, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Hamilton, $35

Oliver

7:30PM, Founders Theatre, Hamilton

SKYCITY Hamilton

Oliver

7:30PM, Founders Theatre, Hamilton

Thu 28 Dads Army

8PM, Riverlea Theatre, Hamilton, $28

Five Go Mad On Improv The Meteor, Hamilton

Great North

The YOT Club, Raglan

Ka Hao Te Rangatahi The Meteor, Hamilton

Latin Dancing Rhythms SKYCITY Hamilton

7PM, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Hamilton

Fri 29 Battle of the Bands 2012: Heat 1 The Outback, Hamilton

Dads Army

8PM, Riverlea Theatre, Hamilton, $28

Mates and Lovers

8PM, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Hamilton, $35

Jesse O’Brien

Cock & Bull, Hamilton

Latin Dancing Rhythms

Sat 30 Cirque Non Sequiter Dads Army

8PM, Riverlea Theatre, Hamilton, $28

Jesse O’Brien

7:30PM, Founders Theatre, Hamilton

Mon 02 The Magic Chicken

Cock & Bull, Hamilton

Clarence St Theatre, Hamilton, $15

Matariki International

WBOP Magic vs Queensland Firebirds

Waikato Museum, Hamilton

Mates and Lovers

8PM, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Hamilton, $35

Oliver

Oliver

The Second Test

The Meteor, Hamilton

Oliver

8PM, The Meteor, Hamilton, $35

7:30PM, Founders Theatre, Hamilton

Poetry Idol

Drop-In Art Sessions Waikato Museum, Hamilton

SKYCITY Hamilton

7:30PM, Founders Theatre, Hamilton

Sun 01

7PM, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Hamilton

7:30PM, Claudelands Arena, Hamilton

Tue 03 Oliver

7:30PM, Founders Theatre, Hamilton

BARS

Shit worth dRINKING

Grand Central

The Paddington

126 Ponsonby Road, Auckland

117 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell, Auckland

Situated in the heart of Ponsonby, this unique little bar has plenty to offer every day of the week with live music Monday to Thursday and DJs Friday to Sunday.

Now stocking a wide range of craft beers on tap and by bottle this lively venue will cater to whatever your taste may be. Check out our Facebook page for up to date gig guide and drink specials at facebook.com/ GrandCentralBar. Grand Central – better than any other GC.

An easy five minute walk from Vector Arena with acres of free parking, The Paddington is the perfect spot for pre and post-concert drinks and dinner. As a treat for all you Hipopopotomas’ out there, show the Paddington crew your Flight of The Conchords ticket before and/or after the Vector gigs on the night and you’ll get 2-for-1 beers or wines.

The Claddagh

Chapel

372-376 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland

147 Ponsonby Road, Auckland

There’s something to do every night of the week at The Claddagh. Monday pool nights, darts competitions on Tuesdays, pub quiz Wednesdays, karaoke Thursdays and fresh, live music every Friday and Saturday. Come Sunday there’s no better place for a roast meal for you and your friends or that stranger you took home who you think you’ve got at least one more round with.

Club Connoisseurs is the name of the game at Ponsonby’s Chapel Bar & Bistro on Monday nights from 6:30 to 10:30. When you’re back at work feeling sorry for yourself, Chapel’s helping you get back on the good foot with DJs spinning their treasured collection of funk, reggae, soul, jazz and more so you can get on up through the rest of the week.

tours & events

Upcoming tours & events Luger Boa

Bill Bailey

Thu 26 Jul Bodega, Wellington Fri 27 Jul Brewers Bar, Tauranga Sat 28 Jul The Kings Arms, Auckland

Fri 28 Sep Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington Sat 29 Sep Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington Mon 01 Oct CBS Canterbury Arena, Christchurch Wed 03 Oct ASB Theatre, Auckland Thu 04 Oct ASB Theatre, Auckland

Coldplay

Sat 10 Nov Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland

Fri 29 Jun The Kings Arms, Auckland

The Perfect Storm

Fri 13 Jul The Foundry, Christchurch

Radiohead (UK) Thu 19 Jul Shadows, Auckland Fri 20 Jul Altitude, Hamilton Sat 21 Jul San Fran Bath House, Wellington Thu 26 Jul World, Queenstown Fri 27 Jul Sammy’s, Dunedin Sat 28 Jul Bedford Pop Up, Christchurch

Sun 19 Aug Vector Arena, Auckland

Keith Barry

Wed 08 Aug Bruce Mason Theatre, Auckland Mon 13 Aug Opera House, Wellington

Fri 20 Jul The Kings Arms, Auckland

Dame Edna Everage

Sat 11 Aug The Civic, Auckland Sun 12 Aug The Civic, Auckland Mon 13 Aug The Civic, Auckland Tue 14 Aug The Civic, Auckland

Tue 06 Nov Vector Arena, Auckland

Home Brew

Jeff Dunham

Collapsing Cities

Fri 29 Jun Darkroom, Christchurch Sat 30 Jun Wunderbar, Lyttelton

Perditionist

Black Keys

Sat 03 Nov Vector Arena, Auckland Mon 05 Nov TSB Bank Arena, Wellington

Opossom

Ladyhawke

Wed 11 Jul Union Hall, Dunedin Thu 12 Jul The Foundry, Christchurch Fri 13 Jul San Fran Bath House, Wellington Sat 14 Jul Studio, Auckland

The Raw Nerves

Thu 28 Jun Static, Hamilton Fri 29 Jun Whammy Bar, Auckland

Lydia Cole & Tom Lark

Thu 05 Jul The YOT Club, Raglan Sun 08 Jul Besos Latinos (Elliot Stables), Auckland Wed 11 Jul Major Toms, Tauranga Thu 12 Jul Mighty Mighty, Wellington Sat 14 Jul Interislander Ferry, Cook Strait Sat 14 Jul The Secret Garden Café, Blenheim Sun 15 Jul Dux Live, Christchurch Tue 17 Jul Arthur St Café, Timaru Wed 18 Jul The Church Café, Dunedin Thu 19 Jul Fairfield House, Nelson Fri 20 Jul Interislander Ferry, Cook Strait Fri 20 Jul OE Café, Palmerston North Sat 21 Jul Whanganui Musicians club, Whanganui Fri 27 Jul Milk & Honey, Hamilton

Mark Gardener

Thu 09 Aug Mighty Mighty, Wellington Fri 10 Aug The Kings Arms, Auckland Sat 11 Aug Wunderbar, Lyttelton

dDub

Missy Higgins

Fri 29 Jun Players Entertainment Venue, Invercargill Sat 30 Jun Mint Bar, Wanaka Sun 01 Jul Winter Festival Mardigra, Queenstown

Mon 06 Aug Q Theatre, Auckland Tue 07 Aug Q Theatre, Auckland

Tommy Emmanuel

Thu 16 August Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland Sat 18 Aug Founders Theatre, Hamilton Sun 19 Aug Opera House, Wellington

Serjey Malov

Wed 27 Jun Civic Theatre, Invercargill Fri 29 Jun The Winery, Blenheim Sat 30 Jun Chanel Arts Centre, Motueka Sun 01 Jul Memorial Hall, Waikanae

Shapeshifter

Sat 14 Jul The Bedford, Christchurch

Smashing Pumpkins

Sat 04 Aug Vector Arena, Auckland

Sunken Seas

Wed 11 Jul San Fran Bath House, Wellington Fri 13 Jul Wunderbar, Lyttleton Sat 14 Jul Chicks Hotel, Port Chalmers Sat 28 Jul Space Monster, Whanganui Fri 04 Aug Whammy Bar, Auckland Wed 11 Aug Bad Cave, Palmerston North

Terror

Devo, Simple Minds & The Church

Tue 17 Jul Void, Hamilton Wed 18 Jul The Kings Arms, Auckland

Sat 15 Dec Villa Maria Estate, Auckland

Die! Die! Die!

Thu 12 Jul Static, Hamilton Fri 13 Jul Winchester, Auckland Sat 14 Jul Tauranga Wed 25 Jul Crown Hotel, Dunedin Fri 27 Jul Chicks Hotel, Port Chalmers Sat 28 Jul Dux Live, Christchurch Fri 03 Aug Bodega, Wellington

The English Beat

Thu 23 Aug Powerstation, Auckland

Flight Of The Conchords

Wed 27 Jun Trafalgar Centre, Nelson Fri 29 Jun Vector Arena, Auckland Sat 30 Jun Vector Arena, Auckland Sun 01 Jul Vector Arena, Auckland Mon 02 Jul TSB Bank Arena, Wellington

Goodshirt

Fri 06 Jul The Bacco Room, Auckland

Grizzly Bear

Tue 20 Nov The Opera House, Wellington Wed 21 Nov Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland

Lawrence Arabia

Fri 13 Jul St Michaels and All Angels, Christchurch Sat 14 Jul Sammy’s, Dunedin Fri 20 Jul Town Hall, Auckland Sat 21 Jul Opera House, Wellington

Left Or Right

Fri 29 Jun Blue Pub, Methven Sat 30 Jun Dux Live, Christchurch

Lenny Henry

Wed 27 Jun Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington

Lil’ Band O’ Gold

Wed 04 Jul Opera House, Wellington Thu 05 Jul Municipal Theatre, Napier Fri 06 Jul Clarence St Theatre, Hamilton Sat 07 Jul Powerstation, Auckland

LUCKLESS & BOND STREET BRIDGE

Wed 27 Jun Theatrette, Oamaru Thu 28 Jun The National, Dunedin Fri 29 Jun The Brewery, Christchurch Sat 30 Jun Darkroom, Christchurch

Mr Thing

Wed 27 Jun Subculture, Queenstown Thu 28 Jun Opium, Wanaka Fri 29 Jun San Fran Bath House, Wellington Sat 30 Jun Rakinos, Auckland

Nasum (SE)

Thu 28 Aug The Kings Arms, Auckland

NZ International Film Festival Sun 19 Jul - Sun 05 Aug Multiple Venues, Auckland Fri 27 Jul - Sun 12 Aug Multiple Venues, Wellington Fri 27 Jul - Sun 12 Aug Multiple Venues, Dunedin Thu 09 Aug - Sun 26 Aug Hoyts Northlands, Christchurch

Tim and Eric

Sat 06 Oct Powerstation, Auckland

Groove Guide & The Production Co. Present

ROUNDHOUSE ENTERTAINMENT, LG, PRIME AND CLASSIC HITS PRESENT

Lydia Cole Me & Moon Tour Tom Lark with

5th July 8th July 11th july 12th July 14th july 14th July 15th July 17th July 18th July 19th July 20th july 20th july 21st july 27th july

Raglan Yot Club Auckland Besos Latinos tauranga major toms Wellington Mighty Mighty cook strait interislander ferry blenheim the secret garden cafe Christchurch dux live Timaru Arthur Street Cafe Dunedin The Church Cafe Nelson Fair Field House cook strait interislander ferry palmerston north 0e cafe whanganui whanganiui musicians club hamilton milk & honey Tickets from www.undertheradar.co.nz

ALBUM OUT NOW

www.lydiacole.com - www.tomlark.bandcamp.com

LENNY HENRY Maggie Gerrand presents

“A charismatic comic at his best” The Guardian

“Remarkable and exhilarating comedy” Financial Times

ONE MAN’S LOVE OF MUSIC FROM

CRADLE TO RAVE A COMIC CABARET VOYAGE AN ELECTRIFYING MIX OF MUSIC AND COMEDY

SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER

VILLA MARIA ESTATE AUCKLAND TICKETS ON SALYE NEXT MONDA

NEW ZEALAND TOUR DATES

AUCKLAND AOTEA CENTRE, THE EDGE. Sunday 24 June, 8.00pm.

• Bookings: 0800 BUY TICKETS (289 842) www.buytickets.co.nz

WELLINGTON MICHAEL FOWLER CENTRE. Wednesday 27 June, 8.00pm.

• Bookings: 0800TICKETEK (842 538) www.ticketek.co.nz

ALL INFO: ADAYONTHEGREEN.CO.NZ

e s u e R / t o y o c b e R Re /

The Amazing Spider-Man hits cinemas next week.

Doesn’t that seem a bit… familiar?

If there’s one word that seems to be dominating the superhero movie genre, it’s “reboot”. It’s not just superhero movies, either. Comics are being rebooted constantly in an effort to familiarise new readers to decades of already-established material. But when a story/trilogy gets rebooted after five years, is that overkill? Well, no. Not if it’s The Amazing Spider-Man. Why does this film escape the slaying? Because it’s taking the approach that the audience already knows the character, which of course, we do.

It’s retelling the story because, as well as being somewhat of a cash cow, there is still a story to be told. It may be taking the Chris Nolan approach of darker and grittier, but that’s not to say it’s buying into the fad of overly (and sometimes needlessly) mature storytelling. If it worked for Batman it can work for Spider-Man, right?

Let’s recap. The Spider-Man trilogy caught audience attention back in 2002 with the Sam Raimi-directed, Tobey Maguire-starring original, Spider-Man. Everyone knows that “with great power comes great responsibility”. It doesn’t need to be driven home anymore. We know that Peter Parker (played by Andrew Garfield) got spider powers by getting bitten by a spider. We don’t need much of an origin story. It’s common knowledge that the ongoing theme of Peter Parker/Spider-Man is one of loss and tragedy and how a relatable everyman can overcome the challenges that life unfairly doles out on him. And since we all know this already, why do these points need to be driven home more than is necessary? In The Amazing Spider-Man, director Marc Webb knows this.

Hence why we’re not choosing to look at this so much as a reboot, but more of a less comic-book take on the origin of our favourite web-head.

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grooveguide.co.nz

But the film is different in more than just having a more sinister and mysterious tone. While we’re used to the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus and Venom in the Spider-Man movie realm, the producers decided to drop familiarity for more in-depth storytelling. Rhys Ifans plays friend gone villain (another recurring theme) Doctor Curt Connors in the new film. While he may not be the most memorable of villains, the doctor (known as The Lizard in Peter Parker’s tale) helps bring about the reoccurring science element that we’re used to seeing with any SpiderMan story. The hero is, after all, one of the smartest men on the planet – if he could just manage his time better (what with high-school, a job, being a hero, stopping crimes… usual teenage stuff ) he just might be able to do something with his brain.

Another notable difference in the new Spider-franchise is the female lead. Gwen Stacy (played by Emma Stone) may not be as familiar to those who don’t read the comics. Although she did make an appearance in the abysmal Spider-Man 3 (the less mentioned, the better) she was in fact Spider-Man’s first true love. Kirsten Dunst played Mary-Jane Watson in the original trilogy, who is one of the comic industry’s most notable redheads and superhero damsels in distress. Gwen Stacy is more than just a girl for the bad guys to kidnap – her life with Peter Parker is one of the most pivotal points in what makes the hero the hero he is. I won’t speculate (and possibly spoil) as to how this will be treated in the new film franchise, but comic readers will know exactly what I mean by that.

e l yc The whole idea of a “reboot” is quickly becoming a tiresome one for good reason. Despite the third and final film of Chris Nolan’s Batman trilogy not even hitting cinemas yet, talks are already in place as to how the legacy will continue after the director’s departure. The word is, of course, the studio will just reboot the story. X-Men: First Class was both a re-imagining and a reboot. The currently in-production Man of Steel is – you guessed it – a Superman reboot, following the 2006 Superman Returns semi-reboot. It’s all getting too much too fast, all in the name of swapping perceivably risky business decisions (an unfamiliar character) for a money-maker where film studios think that the common audience member is too much of an idiot to not know that Superman is an alien. We don’t need this stuff spelled out. My grandma knows what kryptonite is – even spellcheck knows what kryptonite is. With any luck, both filmgoers and filmmakers will realise that the term “reboot” needs somewhat of a reimagining itself. It may be up to The Amazing Spider-Man to push that fact and, if all goes ahead as the studios have planned, we’ll be getting a mixture of an origin tale along with challenging character and story development. You could say that, given the power this film could have, it’s almost also got the responsibility.

Written by Summer Thernomme The Amazing Spider-Man In cinemas Wed 03 July

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N I L

K R A P N I K

Somewhere between writing every Transformers theme song and repeating similar rhymes for nearly six years, Linkin Park obviously knew it was time for a change.

“It’s more like we just started recording and these were the things that started showing up. It became obvious to us that it is the kind of record we need at this moment, that we wanted to get that stuff out.”

So they gave birth to their concept album, A Thousand Suns, in 2010 – which was met with both open arms by new fans and disdain from old.

It marked a significant transition from their rapping, vinyl-scratching, shrieking sounds that dominated every album from Hybrid Theory in 2000 to Minutes to Midnight in 2006.

Co-producer Rick Rubin, notable for his work with Metallica and Adele, says with A Thousand Suns there will still “ a lot of irons in the fire”, adding that Living Things required a different approach.

Their just-released fifth studio album, Living Things, seeks to blend both the best of both worlds, reeling it in a bit, realising perhaps that they came on too strong with their alternative sound. Lead singer Chester Bennington says the themes are more a lot about relationships and less about politics – a heavy-handed motif on their previous album.

“With this [new] album, we’ve incorporated a lot of guitar work with big choruses and the heavier electronic stuff to give it that really big wall of sound feeling without getting too metal.

“This will be more familiar to people than A Thousand Suns was, where we were like, ‘Fuck it, we’re just going to go bonkers’.”

Producer and rapper Mike Shinoda agrees, but admits the personal nature wasn’t intentional to depart from their previous work.

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“Typically we’ll have a once-a-week meeting to go listen to the songs that they’re coming up with and talk about them. For so early in the project, they were much further along than they were on the last two albums we did.”

The debut single, ‘Burn It Down’, certainly seeks to prove their point.

Electronic-heavy, the throbbing beat slowly comes through before exploding into Chester’s powerful battle cries.

The accompanying video – directed by the band’s turntablist Joe Hahn – was released through YouTube at the end of May, and has attracted over 6 million views, as well as a positive reception from fans and critics.

Rolling Stone magazine calls the album “the band’s most powerful since its megahit 2000 debut”.

A welcome return to form.

WRITTEN BY LAURA WEASER ALBUM OUT NOW: LIVING THINGS

The RAW

N E R V ES

“It’s all about making light of shit situations.” That’s how Rory, guitarist and vocalist of The Raw Nerves, sums up their debut LP. Even though it’s about ‘mean girlfriends and chronic boredom’, ultimately the record is a hopeful one.

real attempt at getting a push”, and the force behind The Raw Nerves’ push isn’t hot air. A solid set of songs to sing along to and a vibrant atmosphere at all their live shows would make an excess of humility feel more selfish than stoic.

The self-titled album was released on vinyl by nascent local label 1:12 Records and is also being distributed digitally through Bandcamp. So far it’s been downloaded by people in far-away lands with ridiculous names you’ve never heard of, like Hungary and America.

This weekend the band wraps up their album tour with shows in Hamilton and Auckland, having spent the last handful of weekends in Wellington, Whanganui and Christchurch. “Whanganui was insane.

I was nearly throwing up by the end of it, such a small room and it was jam-packed, just way too hot in there.” With the potential for near-chunders, it’s no wonder that there’s so much buzz around the homecoming show at Whammy.

Recorded to eight-track tape in a single day by Alex, The Raw Nerves bassist. Mixed by the audio electronics alchemist Greg Brice at Ekadek.

Mastered by none other than local luminary Karl Stevens. There’s a locality and presentness baked right into the vinyl. It wears Auckland on its sleeve... literally. The sleeve was screenprinted and assembled by hand in Auckland. It marks a significant point for The Raw Nerves who have been consistenly building momentum in the last year. They haven’t slowed down by the record’s release, either.

“When you send a record away for pressing you get bored. We usually write a new song every couple of weeks, so we’d like to do another EP this year,” says Rory. This work ethic is no small part of The Raw Nerves’ success and is a conscious effort on behalf of the band, their “first

As well as a rare performance from long-dormant garage supergroup The Conjurors and an Elvis tribute act named American Stu, it’ll be the first real opportunity for Aucklanders to get their hands on a copy of the limited run LP. The acolytes of power chord party tunes will be buffing the toecaps on their Chuck Taylors for this one. Rightly so.

WRITTEN BY SAM WIECk SEE THEM LIVE: THE RAW NERVES THU 28 JUN STATIC, HAMILTON FRI 29 JUN WHAMMY BAR, AUCKLAND

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GEEKS

shit worth playing with

GAMING

groove GADGETS

Watch Dogs Preview

Groove GADGETS is where we cast our eye over Cool new shit.

Xbox 360/PS3/PC

Got some cool shit you want to see on this page? send us an email at gear@grooveguide.co.nz

In this universe

By Samsong Last weekend I saw my friend’s new Galaxy phone. Compared to the iPhone it was slimmer and had a larger screen. It also has its own version of Siri, along with a unique feature called Smart Stay which tracks your eyes and keeps the screen bright when you’re looking at it.

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Watch Dogs takes place in today’s modern world, where everyone is connected – from Facebook to SMS, city surveillance cameras and online bank accounts. Everything is recorded and traceable, and everyone leaves a digital shadow.

My eyes on preview started in the city of Chicago.

This is third person, over the shoulder, set in an open world; totally free-roaming. Furthermore, everything digitally connected is usable and hackable. Cell phones, digital devices, traffic lights, security cameras can all be manipulated.

Next, one of the developers brought out an iPad. Using an app, he displayed an interactive 3D map of Chicago that directly accessed and extended the game he had just been playing. That kind of cross-platform synergy shows an unprecedented level of gaming interoperability.

Ubisoft Montreal’s developers hinted that several players could be playing the single player experience at the same time, but with different objectives, different characters, and different motivations. If fully realised, this could herald a completely new way to experience games.

Surfaced

By Microsoft Introducing this sexy little number: Microsoft Surface has both tablet and laptop functionality in a variety of fun colours. microsoft.com/surface

WRITTEN BY CONRAD REYNERS

Assassin’s Creed III Preview Xbox 360/PS3 On the final afternoon of E3, I received a behindclosed-doors peek at Assassin’s Creed III. The demo opened on the Frontier, a snowy, wooded wilderness. Assassin Connor Kenway seems at home running over the varied terrain, sliding down slippery slopes, and leaping from tree branch to tree branch. Besides his assassin blade he has a couple of new weapons: the tomahawk, and Chinese rope dart.

Next, we moved to Boston, which was recreated using authentic period maps. Landmarks and city accuracy are incredibly important, as it was in other Assassin’s Creed titles.

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When an unfit, unhealthy, under 30 smoker has a heart attack, how does he fix his life up? By stumbling across a phone booth that turns him into an uncertain, unlimited amount of weird-ass superheroes with ridiculous powers. As much mystery as unfathomable, DC’s Dial H makes minimal sense and has you enjoying every misunderstood step along the journey.

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In Boston, we got to see some of Connor’s urban stealth abilities, sneaking past redcoats and running along rooftops. This assassin seems just a bit more reckless, a bit more of a brawler, than the earlier models.

From what I saw, Assassin’s Creed III looks to be intense and good-looking, with enough changes from the previous titles to keep it feeling fresh. It’s due for release on October 30th.

WRITTEN BY JESSICA NICKELSEN

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FASHION

Shit worth WEARING

STYLE FILE

groove gear

EMMA GLEASON

Groove Gear is where we cast our eye over top shelf gear.

FASHION BLOGGER

Got some cool shit you want to see on this page? send us an email at gear@grooveguide.co.nz

What’s the ethos of your blog?

Quite classic, however I never take anything too seriously and love to have fun with clothes. Contemporary and historical context of clothing and fashion is really important to me, as is the construction and design. Understanding what you are wearing is so important! Equally important is having fun though.

OAT er C ONE st WO T ylve

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Jonesing for Jeans

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What muso/celebrity has style up the wazoo?

Celebrity crushes for me are the impeccable Olsen twins, Carey Mulligan and Leelee Sobieski. I’m also obsessed with Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Winona Ryder, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss from the ‘90s.

Society’s biggest fashion faux pas?

Printed leggings on 99 per cent of the people who wear them.

What’s the must-have look this winter?

I’m all about great outerwear for winter. You can’t beat a fantastic coat – whether it’s a traditional wool or a trench, or an on-trend camo print. Best paired with good quality, classic knitwear. Karen Walker has a fantastic cocoon coat and Workshop have a great camouflage men’s parka.

What are the essentials for a man’s wardrobe?

Coats and knitwear look fantastic on men. As does a classic oxford shirt or a simple white t-shirt. And most guys look great in a beanie.

Simple and classic is great when it comes to menswear, although a sense of humour here and there is also really important.

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Which historical figure had some wicked style?

I’ve been fascinated with the lives and style of the Mitford Sisters since I was a child. I also love Virginia Woolf and Sylvia Plath.

What are the essentials for a woman’s wardrobe?

Similar classics to menswear (all the best garments cross gender lines). Particularly for women I think it’s important to have a good fur jacket, some stilettos and some sharp slim trousers. Leather pants are a classic – and great for winter. And crisp cream trousers, although they are high maintenance.

Everyone should own at least one good…

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shit worth WE WENT TO

live reviews

Flight of the Conchords MICHAEL FOWLER CENTRE, WELLINGTON TUE 19 JUN

The weather in the capital last night was utterly appalling. But inside the Michael Fowler Centre it was heating up in anticipation of the arrival of New Zealand’s arguably best-loved comedy duo.

Once settled in, the show kicked off with a 20-minute set from Arj Barker – or Dave, as you might know him better, from the Flight of the Conchords’ TV show. His set was pretty fluid, but for some reason it never really fired up the winter crowd, whose response was a bit lukewarm.

Nonetheless, comments at interval and the crowd around the merch tent signing still indicated a warm appreciation. Wellingtonians are a quiet bunch when it comes to comedy.

From the first moment the lads stepped on stage in silver space tops and dinky cardboard helmets for opener ‘Too Many Dicks’, hometown heroes Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement had the punters licking the salt from their sweaty fingertips.

They mixed back catalogue (‘Hurt Feelings’, ‘The Most Beautiful Girl in the Room’, Ladies’, ‘Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous’ and more) with some fine and well-rehearsed improvisations and intentionally clunky “lulls” (yep, they were actually on the set list). With almost rehearsedsounding “stuff-ups” no beats dropped. The Conchords’ geeky, nervous, ad-lib banter is the same refreshing, low-key, deadpan humour, delivered in a fashion that only true Kiwis can appreciate.

Brett and Jemaine were surrounded by a vast array of electrical toys – synths, guitars, a toy piano, drums – and accompanied halfway through by lone cellist Nigel, introduced as the New Zealand Sympathy Orchestra. Nigel proved himself highly erudite, especially during the final number ‘Bowie’s in Space’, when all three stood, whipped off their clothes like male strippers to reveal matching sequinned jumpsuits. They then proceeded to tear up ‘Demon Woman’ in true glam style, with capes held up with wire and a major shred-solo by Brett on a kid-size Flying V guitar.

To add even more fun some new numbers got the test drive, too, including ‘Back On The Road’, a number that dryly apologised for the poor performance and longed for the next town so they could set up and disappoint all over again. “Um, yeah,” Brett explained, “We’ve gotta get back on the road…gotta get going because were playing here tomorrow night.”

Of course, we’ve all caught the HBO effort, we know about The Muppets, the movies and all that, but nothing really compares to the on-stage experience. The Conchords still rock the party!

WRITTEN BY TIM GRUAR PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SENDARIA JOHNSTON FACEBOOK.COM/NAYABLUESPHOTOGRAPHY

GOODSHIRT SAN FRAN BATH HOUSE, WELLINGTON FRI 22 JUN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SHAUN JONES SHAUNJONESPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

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ENCORE

Groove Guide: Have you guys had some good lunch before your interview?

Steve: I had some steak and carrots for lunch actually.

GG: That’s protein. I like that.

S: We were talking about it on the way in the car.

Dave: Carrot is weird. Just carrot on its own.

S: I could have had some better vegetables, I think. Like potato.

D: I had a muesli bar.

GG: You might fall in to a carb coma for the interview though.

S: Maybe I will.

GG: Clearly we are hitting some pressing subjects here.

D: The steak I think was good though.

S: I liked it.

GG: Did you cook the steak or have it made for you?

S: No, I cooked it myself.

GG: That’s not very rock’n’roll.

D: He cut it straight out of the cow though.

GG: That’s a bit more hardcore. Tell us about the new album.

S: It’s out now… this is our first full-length album, we’ve had an EP before. It’s being distributed through Universal, but everything else is independent.

GG: Are you guys going to be touring?

S: We’re touring in July and then hopefully in Australia once we release the album over there. We’ve toured a couple of times in Melbourne and Sydney before. That’s as far as we kinda went with touring, but you can play at least five or six shows a week there

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Five Minutes with Steve & Dave from Clap Clap Riot

because it’s far bigger than any city in New Zealand so you can actually kind of do that.

D: It’s quite good as well, because when you’re over there you can kind of do stint after stint. You know, you do show, show, show all in the same place so you can carry on from, you know, if people liked you at the first show they can come to the second show and third show and so on which is a really good thing to be able to do.

GG: What are some of the favourite places to play locally?

S: I always like the Wunderbar in Lyttleton.

It’s such a good venue.

GG: Everyone loves Wunderbar.

S: Yeah, I think it’s been closed three times or something since the earthquakes, but it’s such a good venue.

D: It makes sense, when you go there, why everyone talks about it I think. It’s a really unusual venue but at the same time the room’s quite rad and it’s relatively small.

Small rooms are always better than massive rooms because they’re immediately cosier even if there are only 10 people. There’s no huge distance between the crowd and the band. So yeah, that’s why the Wunderbar is really cool.

GG: Have you guys been playing any festivals?

D: We did Rhythm and Vines over New Year’s which was a really, really killer show.

S: We played Big Day Out and Splore a couple of years ago.

GG: Do you reckon there will be a new Big Day Out? S: There’s definitely going to be a commercial, not commercialised but a more

mainstream kind of festival for rock and pop.

D: I think there’s still definitely a hole until something fills the alternative side. Rhythm and Vines is great and it’s kind of the next closest thing at this stage. The bigger acts that are coming are the big dance and dubstep acts.

GG: So why are you the only two who came in?

S: Tristan has a really bad foot in month syndrome. He says really terrible shit off the top of his head all the time.

GG: Do you want to do a Tristan impression so we can feel like he’s here?

D: One time we were in a meeting with a bunch of big executives and he said “all Dutch are assholes”. There was a Dutch person there and he was referring to one particular Dutch person that we knew. He still denies that he said it but Steve and I cringed when it happened. He will deny this again but we were there... we know. He will never live that down. He always gets really grumpy when he’s hungry as well, that’s another thing you’ve got to think about ahead of an interview.

GG: Well you guys did, you had the steak.

S: We sorted it out. He would just come here hungry.

D: And angry.

GG: I’m glad we’ve got the two professionals here.

SEE THEM LIVE: CLAP CLAP RIOT THU 26 JUL BODEGA WELLINGTON FRI 27 JUL BREWERS BAR, TAURANGA SAT 28 JUL KINGS ARMS, AUCKLAND ALBUM OUT NOW: COUNTING SPINS

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