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Christchurch's Pumpkinhead came roaring out of the mainland in the early 90's. The band's 1995 album Sloth was recorded at Phil (AC/DC) Rudd’s rural Mountain Studio, near Tauranga with the band's live engineer David Wernham co-producing with the band. Wernham was also the guitarist/vocalist in the band 147Swordfish. The album yielded hits "I Like", "Third Eye" and the first single "Water".

After playing on the Sloth recording sessions, guitarist Jason Harmon left the band in December 1994. When the band played Strawberry Fields Festival in Raglan, February 1995, Dave Hunt proved to be a more than capable replacement on guitar. Pumpkinhead were an absolute force of nature on the live stage with Rip It Up magazine's John Russell wrote of their Strawberry Fields performance: “Every element gelled, all stops were pulled, and the result was the most supreme live performance. Just when you think they are peaking, Brent begins swigging kerosene and blows a series of enormous fireballs that tips the performance over the edge into the realm of something other worldly.”

The band imploded in November of 1996, but at the time of this writing are set for a series of reunion shows to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Sloth as well as a remastered vinyl reissue, now expanded with two bonus tracks. Originally recorded at AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd’s Mountain Studio and released in 1995, Sloth climbed the NZ charts and gave us the single 'I Like' earning critical acclaim as one of the wildest debuts of the era. - Flying Out

Our Guests

Aaron Hogg

Brent Milligan

Jason Peters

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Head Like A Hole's 3rd album marked a turning point for the band. With the addition of 2nd guitarist Tom Watson, the direction veered away from the noisy chaotic sound of previous albums towards a more bluesy, song-focused approach. Recorded in Melbourne in 1995 at the legendary Sing Sing Studios under the watchful eye of Producer Robbie Rowlands, the band was to face the uphill struggle of bettering the set of demos they created for the record - dubbed "The Stench Electric" and the quick changing musical environment that was the mid-nineties.

**Former bassist Andrew Durno declined our invitation to appear on the podcast and former drummer Mark Hamill was approached, but did not return contact in time to be interviewed.

Our Guests

Booga Beazley

Nigel Regan

Tom Watson

Robbie Rowlands

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Soulstice  - the third album from NZ drum and bass icons Shapeshifter was released in 2006, reaching No. 4 on the New Zealand Album Chart.

It's production marked a distinct change in creative direction by the band, as well as being the first record to feature former part-time contributor Paora 'P Digsss' Apera as a permanent feature in the group's line up. As a result - 'Soulstice' features a far heavier vocal focus compared to Shapeshifter's earlier, more traditional work with additional vocal contributions by long time collaborator Ladi 6.

in 2005, relocating back home to NZ from Melbourne, the band set about creating a more organic approach to production - seeking out a back to basics 'bach' (a New Zealand holiday home) in the heart of Kaikoura to convert into a studio. The result is a record that showcases their versatility, seamlessly blending elements of soul, drum and bass, funk, reggae and rock, tied together with incredible work from Mix Engineer Evan Short and long time live sound engineer and producer Tiki Taane.

Soulstice achieved Gold sales status in New Zealand in just 3 weeks and has since achieved Platinum sales and spawned some of the group's most popular songs, such as fan favourites "Electric Dream", and "Bring Change", "New Day Come" and "One". “Bring Change” received the Tui Award for Best Electronic Release.

Our Guests

P Digsss

Sam Trevethick

Nick Robinson

Evan Short

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*Season Finale

With "On The Sun", Wellington's The Black Seeds circa 2004 found themselves on the cusp of change. Not only were the band embracing a more funk approach with this record, but post release, would see founding members depart with their blessing for the band to continue.

The album spawned several huge hits, "So True", "Fire" and "Turn It Around" and It reached number 3 on the New Zealand albums chart.

The Black Seeds, of course, have gone on to huge success, and it really began with this - their 3 x Platinum second album, recorded with Lee Prebble at The Surgery Studios in Wellington.

THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ON THE SUN

To celebrate 20 years since The Black Seeds released their sophomore album “On The Sun”, they have FINALLY pressed it to vinyl for the very first time.

All 11 original Songs have been carefully remastered for this format by Mike Gibson from the original masters by Don Bartley at 301 Sydney way back in 2004, and this delicious NZ made package comes on two 180gm black vinyl with printed inner sleeves.

They have included two bonus tracks in this release with the 2023 Waiata Anthems Te Reo version of So True “Koia Ko Koe”, and a previously unreleased track Rogan Josh, which was favourite live tune The Black Seeds would sometimes jam for 8-9 minutes.

Limited to 1000 copies world-wide. 

Includes digital pre-order of On The Sun (20th Anniversary Edition). You get 2 tracks now (streaming via the free Bandcamp app and also available as a high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more), plus the complete album the moment it’s released.

Our Guests

Barnaby Weir

Lee Prebble

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Special thanks to Carl Thompson for helping make this episode possible.

The story of Villainy's debut album Mode. Set. Clear, is the story of a young band, who find the right producer, and set about becoming the band they always wanted to be. The high School band that was "Inverse Order" had to undergo a reset in order to achieve their dreams - and they did just that with Mode. Set. Clear.

Mode. Set. Clear was recorded and produced predominantly in Melbourne under the watchful eye of Shihad's Tom Larkin and engineer Ben Ehrenberg.

Villainy is Neill Fraser, Thomas Watts, James Dylan and Dave Johnston.

Villainy's official website:

villainymusic.com

Some of the enormous guitar and bass tones on Mode. Set. Clear were created with New Zealand made effect pedals from Red Witch Pedals and Crowther Audio's Prunes and Custard pedal.

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Troy Kingi's second album Shake That Skinny Ass All The Way To Zygertron solidified his ambitious plan to record 10 albums in 10 genres over 10 years.

The album, recorded at Red Room Studios in Helensville [now rebranded as The Chapel Studio in Puhoi] was Troy at his creative best, weaving an inter-dimensional sci-fi concept into a soul-funk stew, thick with vibe and character.

The band features producer Mara TK on vocals, guitar and backing vocals, Trey Liu on Drums, and J Colbert on bass along with Ed Zuccollo on keys.

Our Guests

Troy Kingi

Ed Zuccollo

Matt TeMatera Smith

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Stellar* is Boh Runga, Andrew Maclaren, Chris Van de Geer and Kurt Shanks.

Stellar* set out to create a statement with their debut album, and they did just that. The making of the acclaimed 5 x platinum album Mix is the story of 6 people - all on the same wavelength, collectively pushing the limits of technology to make an album that in 1999 sounded ahead of its time... and today - sounds like it was recorded yesterday.

Released by Sony BMG on 29 July 1999. The album debuted at No. 2 on the RIANZ albums chart, and after seven weeks within the top ten, reached number one. The album was certified 5× platinum, after selling over 75,000 copies in New Zealand.

Mix would go on to win Album of The Year at the 2000 NZ Music Awards.

Our Guests

Andrew Maclaren

Chris Van de Geer

Tom Bailey

Luke Tomes

Special thanks to Audioculture.co.nz

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Opshop in 2005 found themselves in a bit of a flux. "You Are Here" was their platinum selling debut, but line up changes meant the band were feeling the pressure to find their new sound and then, follow up such a successful first outing.

But as you'll hear, pressure creates diamonds. In this episode, Vocalist Jason Kerrison and drummer Bobby Kennedy talk through the band's internal struggles with uncertainty around the albums direction, through to it's ultimate success, and production team Greg Haver and Clint Murphy dive into the detail around crafting the album's sound. Plus special guest - film maker Adam Jones details how he caught the whole thing on film for "Second Hand Planet - The Documentary".

Watch the Documentary Here

Second Hand Planet would go on to win big at the 2008 NZ Music Awards, winning Single of the Year (for "One Day") Highest Selling NZ Album and Highest Selling NZ Single (for "One Day")

Our Guests

Jason Kerrison

Instagram

Bobby Kennedy

Check out Bobby's Podcast "Don't Give Up" with Danny McCrum

Greg Haver

Greg Haver is a decorated producer with a diverse background in engineering, programming, and drumming. His illustrious career is marked by collaborations with renowned artists such as the Manic Street Preachers, Melanie C, INME, Opshop, John Cale, Catatonia, Super Furry Animals, and Bullet for my Valentine. His reputation is built on innovative arrangements and versatile production skills.

https://www.record-producers.com/roster/greg-haver/

Clint Murphy

Clint Murphy is a multi-platinum, award-winning producer, engineer, mixer, songwriter and musician. He has worked on records as diverse as Manic Street Preachers, Enter Shikari, RØMANS and 50 Cent, racking up hits both in the UK and internationally.

http://www.clintmurphyproductions.com/biography

Adam Jones

Adam is an Auckland based Film Maker.

http://www.adammjones.com

Buy or Stream Second Hand Planet

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Special Thanks to Adam Jones for the use of select clips from Second Hand Planet - The Documentary.

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In Part 2 of the Season 3 premiere of Studio Stories, Bassist Karl Kippenberger, Producer Gggarth Richardson and special guests talk us though the making of Shihad's "The General Electric."

Shihad, in mid 1999 were deep into the sessions for what would become The General Electric at the legendary Factory Studios in Vancouver. In this episode you'll hear about the tracking of the guitars, bass and vocals, the surprising cameo who, thanks to an abscessed tooth had to cancel their participation in the record, The General Electric's greatest unsung hero, working UNDER AC/DC and more.

Buy or Stream The General Electric

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Special thanks to Karl Kippenberger, Garth Richardson, Fu and Brad King for their contributions to this episode.

www.shihad.com

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In this - the Season Premiere of Studio Stories, Bassist Karl Kippenberger, Producer Gggarth Richardson and special guests talk us though the making of Shihad's "The General Electric."

Shihad, at the end of the nineties were about to break out of the York Street bubble to record their first full length album outside of New Zealand.

Factory Studios in Vancouver - formerly known as Little Mountain Studios was one of the most revered studios in the world, and Gggarth Richardson - the man who produced THAT Rage Against The Machine album, was the man behind the desk who would help Shihad to carve out their biggest record ever.

Buy or Stream The General Electric

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Special thanks to Karl Kippenberger, Garth Richardson, Fu and Brad King for their contributions to this episode.

www.shihad.com

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Nelson's 'Minuit', 3 friends who - in the early 2000's found their sound and ran with it.

Ruth Carr, Paul Dodge and Ryan Beehre started out as a guitar band, but quickly found themselves at the forefront of NZ breakbeat movement with their debut album, The 88. In this season finale of Studio Stories, you'll hear how the band forged their sound with gear they initially had no idea how to operate, why singer Ruth Carr doesn't actually consider herself a singer, their approach to songwriting, how they recorded their debut album themselves, and where the name "The 88" comes from.

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http://www.minuit.com

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In this episode you'll hear how the Push Push met while all still in school, rehearsing in motels, fighting over drummers, discovering "the old guard" of New Zealand metal, wanting to blow sh_t up, and eventually recording their debut album at Air Force Studios [now "Native Audio"] in Auckland.

Their first single "Trippin" spent 6 weeks at number 1 on the NZ singles charts in 1991. The album A Trillion Shades of Happy would reach number 3 on the NZ album charts in March of 1992 and remain there for 4 months.

Featuring exclusive interviews with Guitarist/Producer Andy Wilson, Singer Mikey Havoc, Producer Tim Foreman and Engineer Nigel Foster.

Mikey Havoc - vocals

Shayne Silver - rhythm guitar

Andy Kane - lead guitar, vocals

Steve Abplanalp - bass

Scott Cortese - drums

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Push Push A Trillion Shades of Happy

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Welcome to Studio Stories. This is part 2 of our deep dive into the making of Weta's album Geographica.

In this episode you'll hear breakdowns of the recording of 'Got The Ju', 'Hole' and the emotional black-story behind the writing and recording of 'Conversations' as well as Aaron's struggles with mental health and his decision to leave the band shortly after the album's release. You'll also hear how the band, in Memory of Aaron, remastered the album for it's 20th Anniversary.

Featuring exclusive interviews with Drummer Clinton Den Heyer, Guitarist Gabriel Atkinson, Bassist Clinton 'Tookie' Tokona, Producer Steve James. Additional interview content from Phil Knight. Huge thanks to Lewis Tennant for archival interview content of Aaron Tokona. Check out Lewis' "Verbal Highs" Podcast. www.verbalhighs.com.

Additional interview content of Tom Larkin courtesy of The Rock FM

Follow Weta on Instagram: @wetarock

Purchase or Stream Geographica

Flying Out [Vinyl]: https://flyingout.co.nz/products/weta-geographica

Marbecks [CD] https://www.marbecks.co.nz/detail/106141/Geographica

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7M20SITvbU2h7UlicNwWnZ?autoplay=true

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/nz/album/geographica/294434006

YouTube: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n9TC0pACpV6vMJyVgGIuwpQJXBbHbeuG8

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Welcome to The Season 2 Premiere of Studio Stories. This is part 1 of an epic 2 part deep dive into the making of Weta's album Geographica.

In this episode you'll hear how the band got together and quickly found themselves with a bunch of cash to make their one and only full length album at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne.

The influence of Shihad's Tom Larkin, the massive name initially slated to produce the record, getting the 'Radiohead' guitar sound, and a breakdown of the recording of one of the band's biggest tunes - "Calling On".

Featuring exclusive interviews with Drummer Clinton Den Heyer, Guitarist Gabriel Atkinson, Bassist Clinton 'Tookie' Tokona, Producer Steve James. Archival interview content of Aaron Tokona courtesy of Phil Knight and Lewis Tennant's "Verbal Highs" Podcast. www.verbalhighs.com

Additional interview content of Tom Larkin courtesy of The Rock FM

Follow Weta on Instagram: @wetarock

Purchase or Stream Geographica

Flying Out [Vinyl]: https://flyingout.co.nz/products/weta-geographica

Marbecks [CD] https://www.marbecks.co.nz/detail/106141/Geographica

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7M20SITvbU2h7UlicNwWnZ?autoplay=true

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/nz/album/geographica/294434006

YouTube: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n9TC0pACpV6vMJyVgGIuwpQJXBbHbeuG8

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In this season finale of Studio Stories - Auckland’s Dead Flowers formed at a 21st over a bag of magic mushrooms and shot to prominence in 1992 with the release of their first single, “Lisa” which reached number 27 on the national charts. In October of that year, the band set about recording their debut album. 

In this episode, you’ll hear how the band found working with AC/DC’s legendary drummer Phil Rudd, and how they had no idea what they were doing.

These are the Studio Stories from the sessions for Dead Flowers “Skin of a Stone”.

Buy or Stream Skin of a Stone:

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Our Guests.

Riqi Harawira 

Riqi is the former lead guitarist for Dead Flowers and now a successful Singer/Songwriter.

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https://www.instagram.com/riqi_harawira_creativ_native/

Bryan Bell

Bryan is the former vocalist/Songwriter for Dead Flowers, now a founding member of The Jordan Luck Band. 

http://www.jordanluckband.com

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Take two local heavy metal veterans, throw in a teenaged drummer and a generational vocal talent.

Collectively they are Devilskin. And in 2012, Paul Martin, Tony "Nail" Vincent, Nic Martin and Jennie Skulander

gathered in Auckland's York Street Studios with Producer Clint Murphy to put together their crushing opening statement "We Rise".

An album that would go on to debut at number 1 on the national charts and certified platinum 3 years later.

These are the Studio Stories behind one of New Zealand's most successful debut albums ever.

Buy or stream We Rise

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Apple Music

Guests

Paul Martin is Devilskin's co-founder bassist and songwriter.

Follow Paul on Instagram

Nic Martin is Devilskin's Drummer and songwriter

Follow Nic on Instagram

Clint Murphy is a multi-platinum, award-winning producer, engineer, mixer, songwriter and musician.

Now based in his native New Zealand, He has worked on records as diverse as Manic Street Preachers, Enter Shikari,

RØMANS and 50 Cent, racking up hits both in the UK and internationally.

Follow Clint on Instagram

https://www.clintmurphyproductions.com

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Supergroove’s “Traction” is one of the most successful New Zealand albums of all time. 

Released in 1994, the album shipped Platinum and debuted at #1 on the National Album Charts, holding on to the top spot for over a month.

'Traction' remained in the Top 15 for over 3 months and has now sold well over 5 times platinum. 

In this episode, you’ll hear the surprisingly ‘heavy’ influence behind the album, why Che’ had to stand on a chair during the recording of one song, overdubbed foot tapping, crowd noises and who the ‘Having an abundance of platonic relationships reminiscent of my man Mike Plato’ guy is,

and there's a crap load of nerdy audio production talk as well. 

These are the Studio Stories from the sessions for Supergroove - “Traction”

BUY OR STREAM TRACTION

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Our Guests.

Karl Steven

Karl is Supergroove’s Singer/Songwriter Producer and now a multi award winning composer.

All info at www.karlsteven.com 

Follow him on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlssteven/

Tim Stewart

Tim is Supergroove’s trumpet player as well as the man behind “Tibor” a musical divergence from the rootsy soul sounds of Tim’s other band Hopetoun Brown and finds him heading deep into the possibilities of analogue synthesis, 808 drum machines and the joys of a well-placed ribbon microphone. Tibor is also a three piece band helmed by Stewart on lead vocals and bass guitar.

Buy or Stream Tim’s project “Tibor” 

Spotify 

Follow Tim on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tiborino

Malcolm Welsford

Malcolm is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated music producers and co-founder of the now defunct, but legendary York Street Studios. These days, Malcolm is the man behind Drum and Bass act Mac Summer.

https://macsummermusic.com

https://welsfordmusic.com

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SHIHAD - KILLJOY

Following on from their debut album “Churn'', Shihad continued to push themselves into new and uncharted territory with their bludgeoning 2nd album ‘Killjoy’ released in 1995. 

In this episode you’ll hear the decision making process behind the albums huge production. How Neil Finn was at least partly responsible for the monstrous guitar sound. How the Beatles “Revolver” album influenced the song ’The Call’, the undeniable influence of Steve Albini, and the value of just turning everything up to 11.  

These are the Studio Stories from the sessions for Shihad’s ‘Killjoy”

GUESTS

Jon Toogood

Frontman, guitarist, songwriter. Follow Jon on Instagram 

Follow Shihad on Instagram

Buy or Stream Killjoy

Apple Music

Spotify

Malcolm Welsford

Malcolm is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated music producers and co-founder of the now defunct, but legendary York Street Studios. These days, Malcolm is the man behind Drum and Bass act Mac Summer.

https://macsummermusic.com

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Starting November 2nd, 2022, you'll hear how some classic New Zealand records came to life.

How these albums were initially conceived while sweeping bakery floors, or sweating it out on stages across the country.

How they were recorded in brand new studios with internationally recognised rock stars and producers.

And how they were received. Debuting at number 1 on the national charts, a gold record... 5 times platinum sales and multiple New Zealand Music Awards.

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Take Your Podcast Production To The Next Level!

www.rustlepodcasts.com

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