Since it imploded in 1970 with one scratchy recording to its name, Invercargill band Unknown Blues has remained an obscure footnote in New Zealand music history.
However, film-maker Simon Ogston hopes his documentary about the raucous rhythm and blues act might serve as both a reminiscence and a reminder of the power of live music.
Antarctic Angels and the Unknown Blues, Ogston's tale of a late-'60s southern counter-culture, features interviews with band members as well as former Antarctic Angels biker gang members, who would frequent the group's gigs.
Together with their biker mates, the band made such an impact in the deep South they continue to be talked about more than four decades after they stopped playing, Ogston says.
Last year, the complete Unknown Blues line-up - Bari Fitzgerald (rhythm guitar), Dave Hogan (vocals, blues harp), John Hancock (bass), Richard MacKay (lead guitar) and Keith Mason (drums) - re-formed for the first time in more than 40 years when Hogan was inducted into the Southland Musicians Club's Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame.
Yet the band's connections stretched beyond Invercargill.
The Unknown Blues regularly performed in Christchurch and at Dunedin's Cellars Bar on Stafford St.
The self-funded film is about to premiere in Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill (details at right), together with two other rock documentaries by Ogston, Rumble & Bang (about Christchurch group Chants R&B) and Gone With The Weird (about Christchurch underground band Squirm).
Both of these films screened at the 2011 NZ International Film Festival.
"In the course of making the film about Chants R&B someone said, 'well, if you thought Chants R&B were far-out, you should check out this Invercargill band'.
"I was intrigued by this wild Invercargill band which was largely unknown, only talked about among a small circle of enthusiasts, and hung out with motorcycle gangs," Ogston says.
"I made contact with band members and found out they were going to play a reunion show so I thought I'd better get along to that."
Ogston says initial reaction among band members to his idea varied.
"It took some of them a bit longer to warm to the idea. Some had moved on and hadn't talked about that part of their life. For some of the band it was a really positive experience to reconnect with their youth.
There was certainly nothing to be ashamed about.
"It's hard to judge just how good they were because I never saw the band and they only have one recording, but there is no denying they made a big impact on anyone who saw them," Ogston says.
"They acted up and had fun and got a reaction - they enjoyed that as much as the music, which set them apart from most R 'n' B groups of the time. They were more about behaving badly - and they excelled at that."
Catch it
Antarctic Angels and the Unknown Blues screens at the following venues: Appleby Blues Bar, Invercargill, tomorrow 7.30pm (followed by Rumble & Bang). The Church, Dunedin, Monday, October 1, 7.30pm (followed by Rumble & Bang).
