Tauranga only occasionally brushes against New Zealand music history but one such convergence came in 1987.

It was in 1987 that a Tauranga compilation became the final vinyl LP pressed in New Zealand, immediately before the last record plant in the country closed.

That record was 'From Behind The Kiwifruit Curtain', featuring a cover by local artist Peter Cramond, sponsorship from 89.8 Kiwi FM, and eleven local bands. Graham Clark (now Brilleaux, then Beasley Street) contributed design and a song. It was recorded at Rotorua's Geyserland Sound, something not possible in Tauranga then, with pioneering studio The Boatshed still four years away...

There are a number of still-active musicians on the album: all three members of what was Black Rose (Pat Hawkins, Jeff Nilson, Michael Furness) are still out there; Chris Gunn featured as did Bruce Rolands; Kokomo was represented by Derek Jacombs and Ian “Beano” Gilpin; and fronting the youngest band on the album, school group Urban Services, was Michael Baxter.

Now, thanks to musically switched-on reader Mike Shennen, I've been turned on to what Michael is currently doing and I've discovered just about my new favourite local band – the Knids!

Michael is now Mikey Knid, who, along with Coz Knid and Chris Knid, are The Knids, alternative pop-rockers who embrace a DIY ethos and make lo-fi indie music, with all songs written, recorded, mixed and mastered by Mikey on his trusty Apple iPad. His sounds are cool and imaginative, inventively mixing aggressive keyboards and guitar.

NEW ALBUM

I have no idea how this completely passed me by, since the new album 'With A Hard K' is their third, but let me begin with a little history: Mikey and Coz started the Knids back in 2020 as a duo, after calling it quits on The Dead Man 6. Previously Mikey was in punk band Liberated Squid. Deciding his voice didn't suit his new songwriting directions he called up Chris to help on vocal duties, which are now shared by all three Knids.

Debut album 'One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for ManKnid' was released in 2021, second album, 'Rescue Me' in 2022, and the new one 'With a Hard “K”' a couple of months back. Lead single 'Doesn't Make It Right' kicks off the album in style with a hard-driving synth beat that recalls the eighties before Chris's anguished rock vocals come in.

This seems the pattern: Chris handles the big rock songs, often unsentimental tales of lost love; Mikey sings songs of humorous cynicism, 'Television', 'Apocalypse'; and Cos chips in with the odd novelty song, such as 'He Was Alright', also present in the rather wonderful 'Jel Mix'.

I love it all. I caught the Knids at the right time. Much as I enjoy the previous albums this new one is Da Bomb, with stronger production and every song a winner. I'm not even sure it counts as “lo-fi” any more: it sounds way too good. Do yourself a favour - discover The Knids.

Hear Winston's latest Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/74BEzgovtiIV6Hcu7gVbXE?si=81ce6d530b414f2d