Music: the 7th Annual Hamilton Circle Jerk!

With a name like The Hamilton Circle Jerk, you would be forgiven for thinking you have somehow discovered Hamilton’s dark seedy underworld. Sadly, if your recreational pursuits lie there, you might feel a bit ripped off by stumbling into The Annual Hamilton Circle Jerk.

However, if you are a lover of discovering new music and bands, you may well have found a whole new side to Hamilton you didn’t know existed!

It all started from an idea formulated by a local musician 7 years ago that germinated into a music event. The rules are simple; each band must perform two covers of songs by other Hamilton bands/musicians (past or present) and one of their own. Indeed, seeing the love shown by local musicians for their rich local musical history, expressed by their enthusiastic covering of each other’s songs, was not lost on this local idea's man. Hence, the appropriately and colourfully titled Circle Jerk was born.

Following the tradition from where it first began, the event showcases the diversity of musical talent and genres Hamilton has to offer, with up to 15 bands playing on one night. The Circle Jerk features artists from differing genres including reggae, alt-country, indie, drum n bass, electronic, hardcore, psychobilly, post-rock and anything else you can throw into the mix.

One of the pleasantries of “the Jerk” is the appearance of Hamilton music veterans and those who have moved away, but who still hold an affinity to the Hamilton scene. New up and coming bands that are establishing themselves a reputation for their amazing live performances also have the opportunity to “show their stuff” (cue the obligatory jokes!) to a large and appreciative audience.

This year’s line up is no exception and continues to celebrate the fun, malarkey and the tasty treats of genres that is the Circle Jerk.

And for the princely sum of $10, it’s worth grabbing your mates,
joining in the festivities and heading to
Flow Bar 266 Vic St on Sat the 28th of May.
Doors open at 8pm
First band on 8.30pm!

Strayhound http://www.myspace.com/strayhoundmusic - alt-country/rock
Dick Dynamite and the Doppelgangers http://www.myspace.com/dickdynamiteandthedoppelgangers - psychobilly/rockabilly
Penelope The http://www.facebook.com/penelopethe - gritty guitar rock
Knights of The DUB Table http://www.facebook.com/knightsofthedubtable - Reggae, drum n bass
Noosphere http://www.myspace.com/noosphere - post-rock soundscapes
The Shrugs http://www.myspace.com/theshrugsnz - jangly indie rock
AUM http://www.myspace.com/aumnz - Drum n bass, dubstep, jungle
Wasteland - http://www.myspace.com/wastelandhcroots - Harcore, punk
Electric Mayhem - Hardcore, punk
Dead Fires http://soundcloud.com/deadfires - instrumental (Feat. members of Sora Shima)
Blood Pops- indie rock
The Changing Same http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/The-Changing-Same/196370473710?ref=ts - indie pop
Disco Volante http://www.facebook.com/pages/Disco-Volante/100467730039813 - quirky sci-fi instrumental rock
Doteyes http://doteyes.bandcamp.com - electronic lo fi
Sumo Love Machine http://www.facebook.com/sumolovemachine - garage rock

About some of the bands....

Dick Dynamite and The Doppelgangers- Described as NZ best Psychobilly rock band, Dick Dynamite are well known for their amazing on stage instrument acrobatics… and for being so damn good! They have played festivals such as Camp a Low Hum and have supported legendary rockabilly musician Slim Jim Phantom from Stray Cats (US). After winning the York St Band Experiments, which included recording time and distribution through Border, they have just released their new music video "Deviant" thanks to Indiefilm.

AUM - Well-known drum n bass electronic producer duo. Over the past few years, Aum has played various live shows throughout NZ, including tours and support slots for some of NZ's most experienced and experimental artists, such as CERN, Optimus Gryme. They are also known for being part of The Collective who are responsible for the re-birth of drum & bass and the birth of dubstep in Hamilton. Hosting acts like The Upbeats, Survival (UK) Jakes (UK), Cern, Optimus Gryme, Concord Dawn, Truth, Organikismness, Consequence, Trei and Full Code.

Knights of The DUB Table - Knights of the DUB Table combine elements of reggae, drum & bass, hip-hop and rock into their own fusion of dub flavoured music. Since their inception during 2008, they have performed alongside some of New Zealand’s best-known reggae/dub acts Katchafire, dDub, Rhombus, Cornerstone Roots, Opensouls, Optimus Gryme and popular Australian Dub outfit, The Versionaries. In 2009 they won the York St Band Experiments and in 2010, they released 'Tronic EP' which included bonus remixes from Tiki Taane, Optimus Gryme, AUM, Undertow and their very own Mr Samy'samson.

“These guys have a great style and for me to be apart of their progression is an honour.” - Tiki Taane 2009

The Shrugs - The Shrugs are known for their brilliant crafty lyrics blended with catchy chorus hooks. They are a slice of Kiwiana, reminiscent of a great NZ summers day complete with sandy jandals. For 10 years The Shrugs have been entertaining Hamilton and NZ audiences alike. Their sweetly vitriolic track Dead by Morning featured on an episode of Outrageous Fortune. Last year they released their 5th album Grasshopper City.

ENDS

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