Our upcoming gigs will be a bit sporadic for the next wee while as we devote ourselves to the album. We will be still trying to get out as much as we can though so check back here regularly!
01/11/03 -
TMs Birthday Party
A Fantastic honor to be asked to play at TM's birthday/Halloween party. With the recent focus being so much on the recording of the album it was great to get out and play live again. A fantastic night and thanks to Jarrod for the pictures! 28/08/03 -
The Roadhouse Gig
Although we had been pretty happy with our kings Arms gig in the first round of the battle of the bands it was still a very pleasant surprise to be told we had been selected as wildcard entries to the second round of the Battle of the Bands after we missed initially qualifying on the night of our heat. This also meant our first chance to play out at the Roadhouse in Papakura. The distance meant that we couldn’t muster the usual numbers of supporters (which is cool because when you’re a central Auckland band Papakura is a long for you and you and supporters to travel for a Thursday night gig). But to all of you that were able to make the trip out, thanks heaps!!! It makes such a difference the more familiar faces you have cheering you on, particularly when you’re playing in a venue you haven’t played before. Despite me getting lost on the way out we made it to the Roadhouse in time for the running order to be drawn. We got second spot. A pretty good place to be as another band gets to warm the crowd up first but then you‘re not sitting round all night waiting to go on. First band up were "UpFront" who had a real Rolling Stones sound and vibe. Awesome band and a couple of particularly wicked songs. Really enjoyed these guys. Then before we knew it was our turn to hit the stage. Despite the fact I was a bit spaced out after a b*tch of a week at work and with stuff all sleep Jimmy was on form and we got set up and sorted in good time. The sound guy was really good too. Didn’t stuff around and really knew what he was up to. Definitely one of the best sound guys we have ever come across. Soon it was time to get things started and we blasted in Baggy. Settled into things pretty quickly and soon we were just rocking along. Not a bad sized stage to make use of either but I got stuck by the length of my Mike lead right over one side of the stage, however Jimmy was really going for it. Next up was Drive. Totally enjoyed this tonight. One of the best versions of it I think we’ve done, then it was on to One Life which really rocked. Crowd really seemed to get into this one which amped us up even more. Up next it was Jimmy on Chicago Snow which was once again pure magic. Then before we knew it was time for our last song of the night, Cheated. We really belted this one out tonight and had a wicked ending with Jimmy breaking strings and smashing the mike off his amp as well by accident. A total wicked set. After the usual rush to get packed up and off stage it was great to sit back and chill to the two remaining bands whose name I’ve forgotten (sorry guys) but who were awesome. Was also cool to catch up with everyone who’d made the big effort to get themselves out to Papakura to see it. Thanks heaps guys!!!! Was wicked to see you all! Definitely added a bit more of a buzz to our night. As it turned out we didn’t make it through to the next round but got some wicked comments back from the sound guy and a few other punters which made us feel pretty happy with the night. Soon it was that dreaded time of the night when you have to carry everything back out to the cars and load up. Pretty much the last thing you usually feel like doing at this point of the night! Then after saying goodbye to everyone who had come along it was time for the LONG drive back to Auckland. Thanks again to everyone who made the effort to come out and see the gig, really made our night and we look forward to seeing you all again next time! 06/08/03 - Kings Arms Gig
Was a cold evening (by Auckland standards) on Wednesday when the Vauxhall boys came out to play at the King’s Arms. It was the first round of the Battle of the Bands but we were more looking forward to playing on that big stage with the fantastic sound they mixed for us last time. Upon getting to the venue (a wee bit late) we discovered we’d been drawn to play first. Is always a bit of an effort to go first up as there are usually a few stragglers who miss your show and also the audience is generally better after they’ve warmed up a bit too and seen a couple of bands (also consumed a bit more alcohol). It did work out quite well though in that we could just bring our gear straight in and onto the stage and had plenty of time to set up. By the time we’d set up and sound checked it was pretty much just time for a quick drink before we kicked things off. Once again was a great mix that the guys behind the sound desk had managed for us. These guys are awesome. Due to the 30 minute set length we were only going to play four songs tonight, so unfortunately had to drop Jimmy’s one ‘Chicago Snow’ as with him being unable to sing recently due to the flu, it was probably the least up to speed. Baggy was fantastic and then Drive was probably the tightest we’ve played it. Next up was One Life which was really booming out across the place tonight. Having such a big stage was great to be able to move and jump around. Then before we knew it, it was into our last sing for the night, Cheated, which once again proved to be a fantastic closer. Four songs goes so quickly! Would have loved to have been able to play for bit longer! So then it was a case of get the gear off stage so the next band could get into it. Once we’d packed down we decided to take everything home and then come back to watch the rest of the bands. Got back just in time to catch the end of the band on after us. Can’t remember your guys name sorry, but a really smooth sound. Polished and soulful and a babe of a bass player too! Next up was The Slacks who kind of have a 30 something ex students pub band sound. But dam did it work! Catchy songs and huge enthusiasm (from band and audience alike). Last band of the night was Silly who we’d played with at the King’s Arms last time. Quite heavy sounding, kind of P.O.D but with more balls! These guys rocked! And the audience loved them. What a night!!! Unfortunately we didn’t make it through to the next round of the Battle but The Slacks and Silly did. Was good to see bands going through whose selection you actually agree with unlike what has been the case some other times! A big thanks to everyone who turned up! Hope to see you all again soon! 24/07/03 - Temple Gig
A big thanks to everyone who turned up on Thursday. Our gig in the first round of the York Street Acid Test turned out to be our best to date. Couldn’t have been more happy with how we performed and how the night went off. Unfortunately we didn’t get selected to go through to the next round. We want to make it clear that we don’t want to take anything away form the bands that did get through as we know they believe probably as much as what we do in what they’re doing and their music. The judges for the evening appeared to have a very specific idea in mind of what they wanted to go through. The fact that two of the three artists who went through were performing as solo artists on the night was an indication that rather than a band the judges were looking for songs. Something they could hear on the radio, or sounded like something they’d heard on the radio. Rather than performers, we were left with a distinct impression they were looking for a product. We didn’t give this to them, and we never will. We don’t write 3-4min pop songs we don’t pack our songs with radio friendly hooks. We write what we write because we believe in it and we love doing it and we know there are a lot of people out there who get that too. Too often they dress these competitions up with saying promotion, professionalism, song writing, and performance are all part of the judging criteria, but you forget they are looking for a commercial sound and look. Ever feel you’ve been cheated….. 12/07/03 - The Temple 02/07/03 - The Kings Arms
We’d had a fantastic night at the last five bands for $5 that we played earlier in the year and had seen some other amazing bands, so we had high hopes for this night. Quite exciting for us too, as tonight the venue was to be the Kings Arms in Newton, which we hadn’t played in ages. With the great stage and PA that they have there the night had even more potential to go off. On some level its always quite cool to be able to play on the same stage which you’ve scene some fantastic national and international acts, so that made things a bit special as well. As soon as we arrived at the Kings Arms we were impressed with the nice relaxed vibe. After a bit of discussion managed to get ourselves shifted from last on the bill to second. We generally prefer this slot as it means you don’t have to wait around for too long getting nervous and being tempted with having a couple of beers to calm things down. On that note it also means that you finish early enough to have a few beers and watch the other bands in a more relaxed state of mind. First on stage tonight were Sushi, who we played with at the last 5 bands for $5. These guys have heaps of energy and play some great music along the lines of Good Charlotte. Jebadiah, who we’re quite big fans of, would have to be one of their major influences too. Always a sign of a good band is when having only seen them once you can remember a whole lot of their songs the next time you see them which was the case with Sushi. Also some fantastic guitar work from the guy on the flying ‘V’ guitar. Then it was our turn. Probably because we hadn’t been here in a while, but the nerves were definitely there as we were setting up. The sound man and the people helping him were fantastic though and he managed to get us miked up really quickly and had the levels sorted really well. Always a worry when someone you don’t know takes over your sound but these guys did a fantastic job. So all set up and seeing a good few familiar faces in the audience by now (cool to see all you guys) we got into it. Straight off amazed at how wicked the sound was. We had Baggy booming out through the place which was just fantastic. Once again it was a nice solid opener. Next up was Drive which chugged along. By this stage we were really starting to love being on the huge stage that the kings arms has. Meant you could really move around and get into the music without worrying about crashing into anyone or anything! After Drive we launched into One Life which I probably enjoyed the most tonight. Just really hit its groove and being the big stomping song it is to hear it that loud through the PA was the biggest Buzz. Was really cool to hear a lot of people making heaps of noise when we finished. Wicked feeling to think some more people were starting to get what it is we love to do, and were maybe having as much fun listening to the music as we were playing it. Next Jimmy did his usual stunning performance of Chicago Snow and then we were into the last song of the night, Cheated. This just rocked tonight. Good sound through the PA and a great feeling in the venue and we just ripped this apart. Didn’t really want to stop but with 5 bands playing in one night everyone really has to keep to their half hour set. Was cool to get off stage and grab a beer with you guys that came along. We’re always so stoked when people can make it along. Means heaps to us. So now with a cold beer in hand, and a nice comfy seat was time to kick back and enjoy the other bands. Next band was Naquada. A five piece who we’ve never seen before. Heard some Siouxee and the Banshees influence as well as a bit of Tool at points. A really tight band with some great tunes. Probably one of the closest sounding bands to us that we’ve played with recently. Next band up, 'Chivalry' had some wicked bluesy songs. Young guys but the lead singer had a wicked voice, the drummer was really on the money and the bass player also did a stint on guitar and even a violin at one point. Was great to see some guys doing something slightly different but doing it so well and with so much conviction! A fair few beers had been consumed by this time and what had been a great night was going to continue in the same vein with last band, Silly. Pretty casual guys off stage who just tore it apart onstage. Sounded along the lines of POD and they were just awesome. Then unfortunately the night was over. Standard of bands and the vibe at the Kings arms had just been amazing. If you get the chance to see one of these 5 bands for $5 organized by Featherstone Studios DO IT! Will show you how much cool NZ music is out there that has not necessarily made it to the radio…yet! Next gig is next Saturday 9pm at the Temple, would be cool to see so many of you there again! 27/06/03 - The Temple
It was on a wet and windy not to mention bloody cold evening on Friday that Vauxhall once again took to the stage at the Temple. With the number of gigs we've been playing at the Temple recently the place is starting to feel very comfortable and familiar. We were especially excited about tonight as we had a couple of new songs for the set and were also playing after Emma Paki who has spent a bit of time in the news recently as the details of her new recording plans have come to light. Although we missed the first act of the night, BJ, who played at 8pm, was by all accounts a big hit. A nice solid solo performer according to some of the people we talked to. Unfortunately, with the hassle of carting gear in for the gig and not wanting to leave it locked up in the car in any dimly lit back street where it may go walk about, we weren't able to come in for all of Emma Paki's set, but what we did hear seemed to indicate her absence form the music scene of late hasn't marred her ability to write and sing some of the most beautiful music you're ever going to hear. An absolute pleasure and a privilege to play in the same evening as her. After captivating the audience for her slot of the night from 9pm, Emma left the stage about 11. Then it was our turn and the usual pack in and moments of fear when you think "Shit I know I've left something behind!" But we had managed to co-ordinate ourselves somehow and by 11:30 were all set up and ready to roll! Although the crowd was a bit mellow after the dulcet tones of BJ and then Emma Paki, it wasn't long before everyone was fully awake as we ripped into our opener Baggy. We've sped this song up a bit recently and it has really seemed to give it a bit more push which is just what you want when its the first song you confront people with in the evening. Drive sat really well next and then it was into Out of the Blue which is one of the new songs in the set. Out of the Blue has actually been around for a while and was in fact recorded for our Blue Demo. It has always been a crowd favourite and felt really good to have it back in the set. Is also a song that Jimmy sings and absolutely nails! After a good solid rendition of One Life, which really packed some punch tonight, it was into Taken the other new song in the set. Taken is one which we drop the bass out of completely and just have Jimmy playing an acoustic guitar while I sing. Actually feels really good not having to think about playing the bass and just concentrating on singing. Taken was probably my favourite song of the night and although its the first time we've played it in a gig it actually went really smoothly. Next up Jimmy did his usual magic on Chicago Snow and then Cheated the last song of the evening just went off. Despite having two more songs in the set it just seemed to fly by tonight. Really happy with how the newies fitted into the set and we will definitely be playing them again! After the gig it was good grab a nice cold beer and catch up with some people. Really appreciate the effort you guys make it come out it see us. It really makes a huge difference to us! After a couple of cold ones it was time to pack everything up and head home (our least favourite part of the evening!). Although knackered after the evening it felt cool to know we'd have the chance to do it all over again as soon as Wednesday night when we play the Kings Arms as part of the five bands for $5. Hope to see you all there! 12/06/03 - The Temple First up a huge thanks to everyone who turned up! It was fantastic to look out from the stage and see so many familiar faces and the way everyone got into it was wicked. We really appreciate all of you making the effort to get out and come and see us, especially on a Thursday night with one more day of the grind to go before the weekend (Work is truly a four letter word!). Definitely makes us feel loved. This was actually going to be the first time we’d played a weeknight since we’d started this latest set of gigs. Felt a bit weird having to do the normal daily grind and then rush home to get organised for a gig. Despite the usual traffic problems that abound in this lovely city of ours we made it to the Temple on time, although finding a park was a bloody nightmare. Setting up was a bit of a rush due to our traffic and parking ‘issues’ but come 8pm we were all ready to roll. Being the first band on in the evening can sometimes be a bit daunting and you can feel like you’re only there to warm up the crowd but none of this was true this time as the crowd was awesome and really into it. The set went really well. Baggy proved as ever it’s the great opener and we spat out a really tight version of One Life. That song in particular was really charging. Once again Jimmy managed to reduce a noisy bar to near silent attention with Chicago Snow, which is a song that just gets better and better. Cheated had a real bite to tonight as well. Jimmy just seems to keep finding more and more places to take the guitar, particularly in the anarchic feedback of the intro. Although One Life went off tonight I think in terms of actual songs Cheated buzzes me out the more we play it. Really pleased with the set tonight. Nice to know we can keep putting it out to a consistent standard. We also have a couple of new songs on the way. Called ‘Retreat’ and ‘Innocence’, we think both stack up against the rest of the songs in the current set and are pretty excited about giving them their first public showing. Finishing the set was a bit of rush to get everything packed up and off stage so the next band, Seclusion could get in. Definitely enjoyed playing so early in the night, but one good thing about playing last is you can leave the packing out until you’ve had a couple of beers and relaxed abit. But wasn’t really too painful and we got the gear back to Jimmy’s place and were back in with a couple of frosty beverages in record time. That first beer stated so good! Unfortunately due to getting our gear home we missed most of Seclusion’s set but heard good things from people we were talking to later. Next on stage were Defekt. These guys were awesome. Had a real early Faith No More sound to them and the lead singer’s voice was just awesome. Definitely worth catching if you get the chance. Final band for the night were a wicked punk/scar group called Free For All. Sounded like a bit of a cross between Madness and Greenday. Really good bouncy stuff, so good in fact that Jimmy up for a bit of a pogo. And then it was all over before we knew it. Another wicked night at the Temple! Of course the Vauxhall lads and a few others felt obliged to prop up the bar for a while after Free For All finished and we have no comment on the vicious rumour that proceedings were then moved to Dispensary Bar until the very wee hours of Friday morning. A few very sore heads round on Friday. Can’t wait until we get to do it all over again! Hope to see you all then! 10/05/03 - Masonic Tavern With having had a really good run of gigs to date we were really looking forward to playing at the Masonic. We were part of a 5 bands for $5 being put on by Featherstone Studios. These are always really well run and no one gets away with any bullshit which is not always the case when you put five bands in one room for an evening. Being the first ones there we got to choose our slot and decided to go second. Nice position to play as your not the first band on having to break the ice but then you don't have to hang around for too long waiting to go on. Also means you can get some good quality drinking time in while watching the other bands! First band up for the night were Espresso who are pretty much made up of three singer song writers. Amazing songs and voices! Place really started to full up about now and by the time Espresso had finished and we'd set up the place was looking really full. Awesome vibe in the room by the time we hit the stage. Knew things were going to be good from the time we soundchecked, levels were really sweet and that upstairs room at the Masonic holds sound really well. Charged into Baggy and was probably the best we've played it live to date. Was great to get such a wicked response from the crowd and the other bands. This was probably my highlight of the night! Drive was solid too and One Life felt really tight and tones of soul. Jimmy was jumping and thrashing around which the audience was loving as well. Next up Jimmy wowed them again with Chicago snow and then before we knew it, it was time for our last song. Cheated is always great to go out on and seems to getting the best reaction form the audience of our whole set and tonight was no exception. Jimmy was giving the feedback death and the intro felt quite thunderous. Really gave it our all for this one and Jimmy was throwing himself round like a man possessed, and also managed to slice a couple of his fingers up on his guitar strings ala John Toogood of Pacifier style! The wicked response at the end from the audience made us fell a thousand feet tall. Definitely our best gig to date and just makes us even more hungry for the next one! Once we packed up it was time for a few beers and to enjoy the other bands. Shudder, Flick and Sushi were all amazing. All really rock but slightly different which made for a really enjoyable evening. Probably the best standard overall that I've seen at a 5 bands for $5 which made the night feel even better! Amazing night and can't wait to get back on the stage again! Thanks to everyone who came along and supported, can't say enough how much we appreciate it!!! Was especially cool to catch up with some old partners in crime. Hope to see you all again at the next one!
After the long lay off we have had in the recent months the idea of a
second gig within the a fortnight of our last one was a dam exciting proposition. Two
weeks ago at The Temple things went really well and we were hoping for a repeat of this.
The five bands on a Saturday night at the Temple always draws a wide and varied crowd and
is one of the best ways to see new Auckland bands. We rolled up just after 10pm for our
midnight slot, to see the place had been really packed by Prolepsis (I think that’s
the right spelling) who were just finishing up. Unfortunately it was about now we got the
bad news that due to something that had happened earlier in the night (never did find out
what) the bands were now running about an hour behind! This meant an extra hour guarding
our gear outside on Upper Queen Street. Not much we could do but light up a ciggie and
watch the world roll by. The usual interesting mix of people, most making there way up to
K’Road to get out of it, and some on their way back down (literally ). Hang the DJ I
say! Come and see some rock ‘n’ roll bands. Time actually went pretty quick. Had
a good yarn to the Temple’s new door man ‘Tim’ (whose lovely mug you can
see in a photo below), as well as having an interesting discussion with one of the guys
from LSP (top bunch of people), about the lack of live music venues in Auckland. Hard to
believe that in a city of over 1 million we have next to no venues. God bless the Temple
and Café 223, although future of the Temple is still abit of a mystery amid
rumours of a
possible shift to K’Road. Velez played at about 11 and totally packed the Temple out.
Looked like quite a young band but really solid and great sound. Some amazing harmonies
between the guitarist and keyboard player, although don’t like trying to describe
others music as I hate it when they do that to us was kind of mellow betchaduppa and
coldplay. After Velez LSP played about midnight. Nice, slightly dark sound (think we have
a bit in common) and they also boast one of the sexiest lady bass players I’ve seen
in a long time! Their drummer was also pretty dam scary looking but is a top guy.
Definitely check these guys out if you get a chance! So finally around 1:15am we finally
hit the stage. Unfortunately by this time some of the crowd had drifted off including a
few of ours who had dutifully turned up at midnight only to be told they had to wait
another hour. Thanks to everyone who made it and those that couldn’t stick around
thanks for coming out anyway, these kind of delays don’t happen all the time! We
played a good set. Stand out for me would have to be Jimmy on ‘Chicago Snow’
again. He really gave it something else. One Life also went down a treat. To the couple in
the corner by the bar (you know who you were!) cool to see a couple of the lyrics really
hit home. And probably my second favourite of the night was our last song Cheated. Had
quite an edge to it tonight. I think waiting in the cold on Queen Street for three hours
can do that to yay! Great night! After a few drinks and loading the gear home didn’t
hit the sack until about 5am with Monday morning looming far too close for my liking.
Check out the photos below and come see us soon!!! Hope to be confirming more gigs really
soon! 15/03/03 - temple gig WHERE: The Temple Queen street Auckland TIME: Midnight SET LIST: Baggy Drive One Life Chicago Snow Cheated
Jimmy and I were both really amped for this. Had been a long time coming and couldn’t wait to be back in front of a good crowd at the temple. Needless to say nerves were pretty bad (particularly on my part, as always). Unfortunately we got to the temple a bit late and so only caught the band on just before us which was ‘5th threat’, a nice rocking little three piece which sounded kind of like a slightly harder version of pennywise. Bloody good I reckon! While waiting for 5th threat to finish Had a good chat to Nick and Tu, form Nimbus who played earlier in the night as well. Couple of top guys and sorry we missed their set. Check out there web page but basically they’ve been playing a lot round Hamilton Rotovegas and Auckland and doing really well. Hopefully we can hook up with them (if they’ll have us) when we play Hamilton later in the year. Finally the moment of truth came. Hands were shaking so bad before we went on when I was showing Tessa how to use my camera I couldn’t hold the bastard still. Rather embarrassing! Once on stage things started to come right though. Jimmy was really getting stuck into it and a good crowd of people (most from the Covert theatre) had turned up to see us, including some who had been witness to the noise control fiasco of last Friday. Everything went really well. My favourite song was one life although Jimmy did a wicked version of Chicago snow that had the audience really entranced by the end. Is always freaky to hear the audience noise gradually die away when Jimmy plays his songs until by the end it feels like the whole bar is just watching him. Way cool!. A couple of people also picked out cheated as their favourite song which isn’t something I would have guessed even though has been a favourite of ours for a while now as it’s a good solid way to rock out at the end of a set. So it was all over too quickly! Gals it went well and felt so good to sit down and have a couple of beers afterwards. Great to see Chris and Lauren as well (for those of you that don’t know, these too lovely people have been with us pretty much since the beginning with Lauren playing bass and keyboards and singing backing vocals for us for a fair while, while Chris was our drummer from late 1997 to January last year). Big thanks to everyone that came! we hope to have some more dates confirmed in the next week or so and would be lovely to see you all again. Thanks to Tessa for the photos as well. Go the temple!
WHERE: Jimmy’s house TIME: 9pm SET LIST: Baggy Drive One Life Chicago Snow Cheated (But we actually played One More Day and One Life in our sound check and then only got through Baggy of the set list proper before we got shut down.) 
We were really looking forward to using this gig at Jimmy’s place as a last bash before our temple gig this coming Saturday (15/3). Also nice to do it in such a relaxed atmosphere. The party wasn’t really for us we just kind of tacked ourselves on the end at the suggestion of Kath (Jimmy’s flatmate). Having rehearsed in the garage (a lot!) we were well use to the space and looking forward to getting stuck in and putting on a good show for everyone. However things weren’t to run quite so smoothly. We soundchecked about 8:30pm and played a couple of songs before launching into our set proper at about 9:30pm after everyone had finished dinner and was just starting to get well lubricated. However after about one song noise control turned up and issued us with that dreaded notice basically saying another complete within 72 hours and we take your gear (see photo). Although everyone was keen (including us) for us to charge on regardless we decided to play it safe as we couldn’t afford to loose any gear with the temple gig next Saturday. So after a much shorter set than planned we had to call it a night. Me and Jimmy were pretty pissed off as had really been looking forward to playing. Also hated to come up short for those people who had come along to see us. Just have to do it especially well for them all next Saturday at the temple. So after being shut down and getting over the initial feelings of rage towards the Auckland city council and the mystery neighbour in question we all settled into an evening of good beer, great BBQ food (thanks Kath!) and fun in and out of the spa! Can’t wait for the temple next Saturday!!! The Vauxhall Cometh!
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