When one thinks of Waiheke Island, one imagines sun-drenched beaches, incredible vineyards and a peaceful paradise. Indeed, Lonely Planet recently rated it as one to the Top 5 places in the world to visit, and states that “All in all, it’s a magical place”. So, exactly what is the sound that is stretching across the Waitemata Harbour and setting Auckland and the rest of NZ on fire? What is a Stooges influenced punk outfit doing in paradise? Kicking up an absolute storm, that’s what.
The story really begins many (many) years ago when Waiheke-born Brendan Moon left NZ as a child and moved to the UK. He cut his teeth with garage bands in the Medway scene before moving to London to work at the famous Andy’s Guitars, and becoming involved in the Cramps-inspired The Volcanoes. Among their many gigs was a tour with The Damned, and when they broke up in 1989 he got the call from singer Dave Vanian to be part of a new outfit, Dave Vanian & The Phantom Chords, who were quickly signed to Polydor and toured consistently.
After moving back to Waiheke a few years ago, Brendan met up with Stefan Thompson, who hadn’t been in a band for some years, but was known for being bassist in seminal NZ melodic hardcore outfit Sommerset. They soon made the decision to pursue a raucous musical adventure together, bringing in drummer Carsten Blutner, who had previously been in the West Berlin punk band Loose Trigger, and toured with the likes of the UK Subs. The final part of the puzzle fell into place with the arrival of frontman Darren Shevlin, a true island character. This combination of professional musicians who are old enough to know better, with a singer who is a cross between an excitable puppy and a whirling dervish, has resulted in a manic volume-driven raw rough-edged punk sound that has much in common with the late Seventies UK and American hardcore and punk scenes. It is naïve, it is honest, it is pure, it is brutal; but also contains more instinctive melodies than much of the plastic industry-created music being released today. Prior to the recording of the album Stefan made the decision to move back to Denmark, and his place was taken by Moik who first introduced himself to the band by stagediving at their gigs. He has added to the mix by bringing in his love of Clash-style ska.
Here is a group that really uses volume, maxing the PA every night, to get that all-consuming feeling that comes by being driven along by a drummer playing extremely loudly. With Moik slotting in to Carsten’s grooves and Brendan providing Link Wray influenced slabs of sound, this only leaves the dreadlocked New Age traveller to contribute his own particular style as vocally he comes across as a combination of Ian Dury, Iggy Pop and John Cooper Clarke. The guys have an incredible work ethic, and they powered through the night to record their debut album in less than 24 hours. The Hollowmen are bringing honesty back into the music scene, powering through the bullshit with a passion and belief all their own. This is for proper music lovers, who want it raw and real. This group of joyful anarchists will take you to places only found in a dystopian nightmare: incorporating all the best elements of visceral rock n roll. Available through Bandcamp at https://hollowmennz.bandcamp.com
