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Sometimes a band has been around so long they almost seem part of the social fabric of a place.
Here in the Western Bay of Plenty we have The Greenroom.
They’re not famous. You probably haven’t heard of them unless they played at a party you went to on some distant barely-remembered night.
But every musician in town knows them. Many have probably sat in for a night here or there replacing someone in the longtime but constantly amorphous line-up. And just when you assume they must have quietly spilt up somewhere along the line, they pop up again and it turns out they were just taking a break.
The Greenroom was formed in the mists of time around the turn of the century. The man responsible was and is Noel Smith, singer-songwriter and rhythm guitarist. Smith instigated regular weekly practice nights with brother-in-law Richard Harper, known by his drumming name, Tama.
Then – and this is pretty much a reoccurring theme for the band – the practices devolved into indulgent social and musical party nights. However, the influx of partygoers allowed the band to grow: sister Karen brought soulful vocals, Chappy Farrell added bass and blues-rock ring-ins Richard Allen, harp, and Steve Willoughby, saxophone, joined.
Noel Smith. Photo / Supplied
Key addition
But perhaps the key addition was Mike Kirk, bringing his considerable guitar expertise to the mix. Thus The Greenroom flourished: a band who loved playing at parties and pubs, aiming only to provoke dancing and fun with friends. They’ve been doing it on and off ever since.
That’s often how it starts; but what happens if you write a few songs yourself? Smith did just that and people would say: “When are you going to record them?” The flippant answer was always: “I’ll get it recorded before I’m 60”.
Legacy of music
So, two weeks before his sixtieth birthday Smith slipped into the Colourfield Studio in Welcome Bay and started the process. Now it’s done and ‘Before60’ has been released digitally to the world. I asked Smith why. “My primary incentive is to leave this legacy of thoughts and music for my children and friends in future years. I hope my music will reach some people in both a provocative and playful way.”
This warms whatever cockles are left in my heart. So much music is lost when bands don’t record. So many legendary Tauranga bands came and went without leaving a trace. Not Greenroom. Hats off I say.
Oh, and the drummer in the photo is Smith’s 12-year-old son Asher, playing with his father at his grand sixtieth birthday party.
This is How We Die. Photo / Greenwood
New songs, gig
Elsewhere: dark fuzz-driven alt-rock Katikati trio This Is How We Die has released a suitable apocalyptic new brace of songs, ‘The End Of Everything’ and ‘Nova’, both more layered and sonically complex than previous releases.
And can I fit in one totally unrelated gig? Accordionist Tracey Collins and fiddler Marian Burns play the Jam Factory on December 13. Expect a bit of everything – country, folk, French, Irish et al – from these brilliant musicians.
Hear Winston’s latest Playlist: https://tinyurl.com/3spn6mp2
