Having just returned to New Zealand after releasing their fourth album, Harmony, in Europe via Small Town America records, the post-punk trio has been busy writing and recording a new album in London.
Recorded at Black Box Studios in France, and released mid-2012, Harmony was the last album to feature long-time bassist Lachlan Anderson. Former Mint Chicks/Opossum bassist and F in Math mastermind Michael Logie now takes over bass duties.
The band plans to use its New Zealand tour to road-test the new material in a live setting, before returning to Europe for a run of festivals and shows in July, including a performance with John Dwyer's Thee Oh Sees in Berlin.
Of course, the band's live reputation now precedes it, and you can be sure it will be a night of intensity, sweat and aggression once the boys take the stage.
Opposite Sex, which completed a national tour with Die! Die! Die! late last year, will open proceedings.
Performing with a new guitarist, whose slabs of Sonic Youth tonalities and slide-guitar distortion sit perfectly alongside the frantic energy of Lucy Hunter and Tim Player, it's an exciting sound for Opposite Sex, which has been performing as a two-piece over the past year.
• After a mind-blowing and surreal performance at this year's Feastock V, Christchurch blues-rock power trio The Laon return to Dunedin.
Comprising keytarist Hong An, bassist Klemens Cathcart, and drum aficionado Sebastian Warren, the trio plays '60s psychedelic rock in the style of Jimi Hendrix or Cream with one major twist: they don't have a guitarist.
Instead Hong An presents a virtuoso's take on the keytar, a much maligned instrument, but one that works perfectly in his hands.
• With OUSA's Battle of the Bands wrapping up last weekend, and reggae outfit Reo taking away the title, attention now turns to another competition: the national battle of the bands regional final.
Started in 1993, The New Zealand Battle of the Bands has helped the careers of many well-known New Zealand artists, including Opshop, Tadpole, Blindspott, and The Feelers.
Tonight, 10 Otago and Southland hopefuls compete for the chance to clinch the regional title.
Featuring A Distant City, Creamery, Growler, Hunting Bears, Russian Blue, Simple Thieves, Soul Manor, TieDye, The Fu King and War Saw, it's sure to be a spectacular final.
See them
• Die! Die! Die! South Island tour with Trick Mammoth and Opposite Sex, tonight, at Queens (1 Queens Gardens), door sales only from 9pm.
• Amazing Enterprises Presents: The Laon (Christchurch) with The Maine Coons, Sonic Ted, and Iron Mammoth, tonight, at Re:Fuel. Doors open 8.30, $10 on the door.
• Battle of the Bands 2013 regional final, tonight, at Sammy's Dunedin (Crawford St). Doors open 7pm, show starts at 7.30. $10 waged, $7 unwaged.
