The Dead C live, Naval Point Yacht Club, Lyttelton, 2014
The Dead C live, Naval Point Yacht Club, Lyttelton, 2014
In May 2014 Christchurch Art Gallery presented a classic double bill featuring two of the South Island's legendary underground bands – the Dead C and the Terminals.
Formed in the second half the 1980s, both bands have forged reputations in New Zealand and overseas for their no compromise approach. In New Zealand they have released material through the Flying Nun and Xpressway labels, as well as numerous international labels including Siltbreeze and BaDaBing Records in the USA.
Seeing these bands live is a rare opportunity at the best of times. But catching both at the same gig is almost unprecedented.
The Dead C was formed in Dunedin in 1987 and has blurred boundaries between rock music and sonic art noise ever since, taking anyone who cares to listen along for the ride. The Terminals formed in Christchurch in 1986 and, in lyricist Peter Stapleton and singer/songwriter Stephen Cogle, features one of New Zealand's most enduring song-writing collaborations.
These bands were once described as channelling both sides of the Velvet Underground: with their explosive sonic guitar feedback noises the Dead C picks up where the Velvets' White Light / White Heat album left off, while the Terminals at times reflect the quieter, subdued moments found on the album The Velvet Underground.
Filmed at the Naval Point Yacht Club, Lyttelton 23 May 2014
Directed: John Chrisstoffels
Camera: John Chrisstoffels and Julian Vares
Recording engineer: Nicholas Lynch, Acousmatique Ltd.
Related reading: Outer Spaces, Music
Exhibition
Hellzapoppin'! The Art of Flying Nun
17 September – 28 November 2021
Unruly art and design from the early years of New Zealand’s maverick record label.
Notes
One Hand Loose
Smoking twin-guitar free-form skuzz, metronomic neo-Kraut vamping, or loose-limbed hayriding hootenanny? One hand Loose is all of the above and more.
Notes
Holloway Press 1994-2014
Last chance to view the Holloway Press exhibition at Central Library Peterborough this week so if you are in the neighbourhood and like beautifully printed, designed and hand-crafted books then make sure you head along.
Notes
Sian Torrington Call Out
Christchurch Art Gallery is excited to be working with Wellington-based artist Sian Torrington on a site-specific sculptural installation that will combine ideas, images and materials that relate to living in Christchurch now.
See below for a message from Sian to find out how you can get involved.
Notes
Outer Space programme sees Canterbury arts graduate exhibit work in Showhome
The Gallery's latest exhibition in the Outer Spaces programme, Showhome, has opened in Christchurch, featuring the disconcertingly 'perfect' works of recent University of Canterbury graduate Emily Hartley-Skudder.
Notes
Worcester Boulevard exhibition extended as publication developed
The popularity of Reconstruction: Conversations on a City has led to the exhibition being extended until 14 October, and the development of a publication.
Notes
The inner binding now on display at the library
If you've not been down to the Central Library Peterborough yet now's a good time to do it.
Notes
(Way Out)er Spaces
We're pretty pleased with what we're achieving with our Outer Spaces programme, but it's always good to see what else is out there. And I do mean 'out there'...
Notes
What's the difference between a piano and an onion?
Answer: No one cries when you chop up a piano.
Apparently that's only the third worst piano joke of all time...
Notes
Getting Older - Flying Nun
November sees the 30th anniversary of my favourite record label, Flying Nun Records.
Notes
Playing to the Faithful
The 2011 Christchurch Arts Festival has been full of highlights, from theatre to dance to the visual arts. However, it's been the music that has made the biggest impression on me.
Notes
The ghost of studios past
In preparation for the next issue of Bulletin, Gallery photographer John and I have been out photographing some of the local artists who will be taking part in Rolling Maul when we reopen.