Richard O’Brien, creator of the cult classic the Rocky Horror Show appears to have being granted residency in New Zealand, so Sue Moroney and I took a few minutes out in Hamilton today to celebrate with his alter-ego, Riff-Raff who has been immortalised by the city.
He has been granted an exception to policy, and while some people might have concerns, on the face of it seems reasonable. O’Brien lived in New Zealand for about 12 years during his adolesence and early twenties. He returned to NZ often as his parents remained here until they passed away a few years ago. His siblings still live here, and he owns property.
The Rocky Horror Show was a huge part of my growing up. Along with a group of friends we were kind of obsessed with the show, and to this day I can just about remember almost all the words (sad I know). We saw sit live a couple of times in the 80s with Rob Muldoon and Billy T James fulfilling the roles of the Narrator. I also remember a particularly boisterous screening of the film one Friday evening, that culminated in a mass confetti and water fight both inside and outside the theatre.
It is a total classic, and fantastic that it was written by a New Zealander. Richard O’Brien once said it was based on his experiences in Hamilton and Tauranga in the 1960s. Who knew they were that interesting….
The godfather of NZ music, Chris Knox is a terrific performer, song writer and lover of music. From the anarcho greatness of The Enemy to the polished punk of Toy Love, the DIY alternative noise of Tall Dwarfs and the box of chocolates that is his solo work, he has pushed boundaries, and found the mainstream all at the same time. “Not Given Lightly” is the reason I was allowed to play annoying alternative music in the seventh form common room, and having Chris play it at our civil union was brilliant. His music has sold bread and beer, but he has never ever sold out. You are my favourite all time musician Chris, and you and the lovely Barbara are very special people.
The actual video for Not Given Lightly is not on You Tube, but you can watch it at Amplifier. UPDATE: As Brenda helpfully pointed out in the comments on Red Alert, there is a great collection of Chris videos at NZ On Screen, including the real Not Given Lightly video. The video below is to show you just how far Chris has reached. “Its Love”, a fantastic song of his solo album Beat, was used by Heineken for a commercial, and inspired this person from Detroit to express his love for the song in his own unique way.
Thats it for Music Month. Apologies for anyone who found the posts annoying, but I hope it has reminded you of the great Kiwi music that is out there- old and new. Please keep buying the CDs, paying for the downloads and going to the gigs. Its part of us all, and the musicians need your support to keep going.
The Mint Chicks powered through the latter part of the first decade of the century with some terrific ‘noise-pop’. Hailing from Auckland the band had a huge year in 2007 and swept the music awards, before promptly re-locating to Portland, Oregon. There have been a few line-up changes but the Nielsons are still the core of the band, and their album released last year, and EP this year show they are still going strong.
And because its nearly the end of the month, a bonus track. The Mint Chicks doing Ray Columbus and the Invaders classic She’s a Mod.
The infectious groove of Fat Freddys Drop has defined the “Wellington sound” of recent years. They bestrode the first decade of the century with a mixture of dub, reggae, soul and funk that seems to never fail to deliver, both on record and live. There have been a few line-ups changes, but the great songs just keep coming. They are currently touring a theatre show, which by the sounds of things is a fantastic event. They are touring Europe with the show later in the year, and further international success awaits them.
and for the benefit of any Dom Post journalists reading. I think FFD are awesome, I really did enjoy Shihad at the ACDC concert, does that make me ‘young and hip’ again?
Where it all began. The Clean (David and Hamish Kilgour and Robert Scott) provided the impetus for Flying Nun and the inspiration for a whole load of bands who drove the so-called Dunedin sound and alternative music around the world. I just love this comment on you tube
The Clean is the Velvet Underground of the Southern Pacific! I’m from Finland and The Clean was my favorite band in 1986 and still is. Your tiny little part of the world touched very much my tiny? little part of the world in the far north. Strange, eh?
They continue to make great music, collectively and through solo projects and Robert’s leadership of The Bats. This song is 29 years old, and it still sounds as fresh and spikey as ever. The first time I heard it live was at Sammys at the Flying Nun 10th anniversary party. I am not sure you could call what followed dancing, but my god I loved it!
