Melbourne foursome Terry is crossing the Ditch this month for an extensive run of New Zealand shows in support of their debut album, Terry HQ.
The band is something of a supergroup, comprising some of Australia's indie rock royalty, drawing members from UV Race, Total Control (which, as an aside, is one of the best post-punk bands in the world), Dick Diver, and the Mick Harvey Band.
The band's meta garage punk is at once droll and scathingly critical, delivering lyrics about patriarchy and Australian politics, violence and emotional repression, nationalism, and men who won't apologise in due frankness, all while dressed in matching country cowboy hats and studded denim attire.
Their early singles, which have been trickling out online in recent months, have been all clattering sounding percussion and simple, chuggy guitar playing channeled through a new wave filter of glam and pop.
It's fun, but also pretty serious.
Quirky like the Television Personalities, imaginative like the Kinks, the band reportedly welcomes NZers the Skeptics and DD Smash in equal measure.
Guitarist Al Montfort is also a huge fan of the Bats, having interviewed Robert Scott for music website Noisy, so maybe we'll see a Robert Scott solo appearance at the show.
Opposite Sex (which looks as if it has signed to Parquet Courts' leader Andrew Savage's Dull Tools label), Lathe and Sleaze will play in support.
BEST OF THE REST
It's midyear, which would usually lend itself to a recap of the past six months' content, but for this week's Suitable Alternative, I thought I'd tweak the formula a tiny bit.
With such an abundance of local music constantly being released plus quality acts coming to town, there is always going to be national releases that are passed over.
So here are a few of my favourite 2016 New Zealand releases I haven't found an excuse to write about yet.
They're all available on Bandcamp as part of the name your price scheme.
• prizegiving, No Harm Done
Five-piece Wellington emo pop outfit with memorable songs, great vocals, and plenty of honesty and heart. Stay true young emo!Open, Breathtaking ViewsDense, complex, and intricate mathy post-rock. The melodies are clean, the dynamics are stunning, and the energy is taut.
• Yukon Era, Yukon Era
Young Auckland garage rock outfit with swirling songs, off-the-leash energy, and ample amounts of San Franciscan weirdness.
• Margins, MA COO1
Something a bit different here, a nine-track compilation of New Zealand house and techno tracks from nascent Wellington label Margins. The diversity and vibes here are so on point. K2K's Let It is an evocative, melodic and mellow standout, but these are back-to-back floor-fillers.
• Hex, Calling to the Universe
Witchy, pagan doom jangle with heavy drums, knotty leads, and dual vocals. Each song is an intoxicating rock spell.
• How Get, Very Strong
Muscular, pummelling and broken punk/emo from James Stuteley of Auckland two-piece Carb on Carb.
Screaming, powerful, and intensely committed, there are further bonus points for the beautiful Pantera pun: "A Vulgar Display of Paua.''
The gig
• Terry Terry HQ Album Release Show with Opposite Sex, Lathe, and Sleaze, Friday, July 8, at None Gallery (Stafford St). $10 on the door or presales from undertheradar.co.nz. Entry from 9pm. All ages.
