Hard rockers Saurian are celebrating the launch of their new release, Bled Dry, this week. The five-track EP includes the band’s latest singles, Devil Among Men, Down at the Crown and Park Bench. The songs that make up Bled Dry were written over a longer period of time than Saurian’s previous EP, Octopedal Rock Unit and the band’s sound continues to evolve.
The new songs have been lovingly brought to life by Steve Harrop and Tom Havard at Sublime Studios, in Kurow. The band took a slightly more complex approach than usual to a couple of the tracks by exploring what was possible with extra instrumentation and some of the music is definitely softer than their usual heavy attack.
The band start a 10-date national tour to promote the EP with a public gig at the Musicians Club on Manse St to which everyone is welcome.
They will be supported by two bands, King Mary and year 10 John McGlashan College band Soul Side, who came third in the 2023 Otago Rockquest finals. They also have a new eight-song self-titled album out now on Spotify featuring the impressive vocals of Leo Hill and original songs by the band.
You can also catch them at their album release gig on October 19, at the Pioneer Hall in Port Chalmers.
The gig
• Saurian play the Dunedin Musician’s Club, Saturday, September 21, 8pm
• The video for single Park Bench is on YouTube
DANKFEST RUMBLES
For the second year, the Dance Happy Crew and La Na bring you the second night of Dankfest, under the appropriate name of Rangatahi Rumble 2024. It’s a multi-band gig free for anyone under 18. The featured bands are Eris, indie rockers Pearly, noise rockers Talking Furniture, death rockers Noxious Death Cult and Festering Death and the very menacing Fog, from Wellington. The gig takes place at Yours tonight with doors opening at 2.30pm and the first band starting about 3.30pm. Entry is $10 for more elderly folk. The gig isn’t part of Dankfest’s weekend pass.
CROOKS DOUBLES UP
Ollie Crooks will be familiar to many readers and on September 28, you’ll have a chance to see this talented musician with a double-header at Moon’s Venue, with both The Ollie Crooks Band and Bo and the Constrictors. Both bands have been around for a while and play a tried and true mixture of folk, funk and rock.
It should be a good night.
The gig
• The Ollie Crooks Band and Bo and the Constrictors play Moons, Saturday, September 28
LANGLEY RETURNS
Matt Langley is a Silver Scroll nominee and APRA award-winning New Zealand songwriter who is based in Japan.
It’s hard to categorise Langley’s singular music but both Nick Drake and Tim Buckley come to mind. He has also collaborated on a suite of songs with renowned New Zealand Poet Laureate and author Brian Turner, called Ladders of Rain.
Langley has just released his first full-length album since 2017’s acoustic collection Winterdust.
The new album is titled As Real as You Want it to Be and sees Langley continue to follow his roots as a modern-day troubadour into a blend of baroque and pop with electronic flourishes and melodic hooks.
Listen
• Matt Langley’s single Bruised fruit, from the new album, is at Bandcamp.
UP LATE
The 3AM band will play a mix of covers and originals at The Bog Irish Bar, from 9pm tonight.
