The Tenth Annual Hamilton Circle Jerk

A quick Google search of the word 'jerk' defines the term as a sudden movement, an obnoxious person, or a treated dried strip of meat. A quick search of the term 'circle jerk', and the results become … ahem, a little more provocative.
However, search the name 'Hamilton Circle Jerk' and you will get an insight into Hamilton's rich music history. Way back in the early 2000s, a local musician formulated an idea that would become a definitive Hamilton event.

The rules were simple. Each band must perform two covers of songs by other local musicians, past or present, as well as one of their own original songs. Now celebrating its tenth year, the event has spawned similar concepts in cities such as Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin. Some have avoided the rather risqué name, but the rules have stayed the same.

Over those ten years there have been many memorable moments. A few of our favourite memorable moments include:

• the then-unknown singer called Kimbra performed a haunting version of This Night Creeps Cracked On Your Own.
• Wasteland performing three songs in under three minutes
• Ministry of Hypocrisy playing six hundred and forty Hamilton songs simultaneously
• Wink Wink Nudge Nudge's glorious ode to Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Continuing in the true Circle Jerk tradition, this year's event showcases the diversity and musical talent we have in our fair city. Over ten bands will celebrate our music history, from local legends to up-and-coming bands, congregating together for the malarkey and mayhem that is the Hamilton Circle Jerk.

Infamous legendary pus-rock band Mobile Stud Unit will make a welcome return after a long hiatus. The band has the honorary title of being the most covered band in Circle Jerk history. Forming as students while at the University of Waikato, the band gained a reputation for their outrageous antics, song titles and frontman Rohan ‘Marxi’ Marx’s fluro-green polyester jumpsuit.

RNZ National's Sounds Historical show cemented their place in New Zealand satirical song folklore with a feature on the song Stu's Pie Cart, the band's ode to the infamous Stu's River City Diner, a favourite afterhours takeaway among students making their way home from a night out.

Another band making their Circle Jerk debut is The Hollow Grinders. Known as one of New Zealand's best surf rock bands, the Hollow Grinders will no doubt will perform blistering renditions in their signature style.

Another well-known band performing at their first Circle Jerk is Arc of Ascent. Arc of Ascent is no stranger to critical accolades. The band has received high praise on a national and international level for their album releases with distribution in Europe. With a heavy tour schedule, we are lucky to catch them before they head off to Australia.

The line-up also includes many familiar and not-so-familiar faces, including:
• gorgeous, raw lo-fi duo The Halcyon Birds
• electronic and avant-garde artist Glass Shards
• brilliant and frenetic punk band Contenders
• lush shoegaze maestros Landlords
• mystery band Bitter Defeat (featuring a not-so-mysterious line-up of local musicians)
• newcomers Bloodlux
• groove practitioners Funk Therapy, and
• the audiovisual extravaganza of Dr Mesmer’s Private Army

The Circle Jerk is the great tasty buffet to showcase the glorious musical smorgasbord Hamilton has to offer. So come along, celebrate, be a part of the festivities and our local music history.

With: Mobile Stud Unit, Arc of Ascent, The Hollow Grinders, Contenders, Funk Therapy, The Halcyon Birds, Landlords, Bitter Defeat, Glass Shards, Dr Memser's Private Army, Bloodlux

Saturday 25 August 2018
The Meteor, 1 Victoria Street, Hamilton
7pm start - $10 entry.
All ages and licensed venue.

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