New Zealand’s Psychedelic Rock Scene

New Zealand’s psychedelic rock scene is thriving, with new bands and artists emerging all the time. Here’s a guide to some of the best New Zealand psychedelic rock bands to check out.

Introduction

In the late 1960s, a new type of rock music began to emerge in New Zealand. This genre, which came to be known as “psychedelic rock,” was heavily influenced by the British and American psychedelic scenes of the time. Psychedelic rock artists in New Zealand combined elements of traditional Maori music with Western psychedelic and garage rock to create a unique sound that was distinctly Kiwi.

During the 1970s and 1980s, New Zealand’s psychedelic rock scene flourished, producing some of the country’s most beloved bands, including The Clean, The Chills, and The Verlaines. these bands helped to define an era of New Zealand music and culture, and their influence can still be heard in the work of contemporary artists.

The Psychedelic Rock Scene in New Zealand

New Zealand’s psychedelic rock scene is one of the most vibrant and exciting in the world. With a strong DIY ethic, a focus on collaboration and an openness to experimentation, the scene has produced some truly unique and innovative music. In this article, we’ll explore the history of the scene and some of its key players.

The Bands

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, New Zealand saw a burgeoning psychedelic rock scene. Bands like the Knots, the Fourmyula, and Mammal all began experimenting with the new sound. These bands combined elements of British and American psychedelia with a distinctly Kiwi twist, creating a unique musical experience.

The Knots were one of the first New Zealand bands to gain international recognition. Their debut album, Psychedelic Summer, was released in 1967 and was an instant hit. The record combined catchy pop melodies with hard-hitting rock riffs, and it quickly became a favorite among psychedelic fans around the world. The Fourmyula followed suit in 1968 with their own debut album, The Route to Happiness. The record featured a more experimental sound than Psychedelic Summer, but it still managed to capture the essence of the genre.

Mammal was another important band in the development of New Zealand psychedelia. Formed in 1968, the group was known for their lengthy improvised jams and their experimental use of unorthodox instruments. They were also one of the first New Zealand bands to experiment with psychedelic imagery and lyrics, as evidenced by their debut album, In A Pink Glow.

Despite their short-lived careers, these three bands left a lasting impact on the New Zealand music scene. Their innovative sounds inspired subsequent generations of Kiwi musicians, and they continue to be revered by fans of psychedelic rock today.

The Fans

New Zealand’s Psychedelic Rock Scene has a devoted and passionate following. The fans are dedicated to keeping the music alive and thriving. They are the ones who go to the gigs, support the bands, and buy the records.

The fans are a tightly-knit community. They keep in touch with each other through social media, message boards, and word of mouth. They share information about new bands, upcoming gigs, and new releases.

The fans are responsible for keeping the scene alive. Without their dedication and commitment, the scene would not exist.

The Music

New Zealand’s psychedelic rock scene has produced some of the most interesting and innovative music of the past few years. A melting pot of influences, the scene has its roots in the country’s vibrant Maori and Polynesian cultures, as well as the more traditional rock and roll sounds of the West. The result is a unique and exciting sound that is sure to get your feet moving.

The Sounds

The New Zealand psychedelic rock scene of the late 1960s and early 1970s produced some of the most interesting and innovative music of the era. Bands like Split Enz, Blerta, and Fat Lady Sings fused elements of rock, pop, and folk with traditional Maori and Polynesian influences to create a unique and distinctly Kiwi sound.

While most of these bands never achieved much commercial success outside of New Zealand, their music has influenced generations of musicians both in NZ and abroad. If you’re a fan of psychedelic rock, or just looking for something different, check out some of these great Kiwi bands.

The Lyrics

Psychedelic rock embrac es the mind-altering effects of drugs, both real and imaginary. The lyrics often deal with the theme s of Love and Peace, while also exploring social and political issues. The music is typ ically characterized by distorted guitars, heavy drums, and mind-bending sound e ffects.

Psychedelic roc k emerged in the mid -1960s as a s ubgenre of rock music . Its roots can be traced back to the work of pioneering artists like the Beatles , Bob Dylan , an d the Beach Boys . These artists experimented with new sounds an d techniques that would later become synonymous with psychedelic rock .

In its earliest form s, psychedelic roc k was often referred to as ‘acid rock ‘ or ‘trip hop ‘. This type of music typically featured long improvised jams , based around t he use of feedback – laden guitars and overdriven amplifiers. The first al bum to be classified as psychedelic roc k was the Beach Boys ‘ Pet Sounds , released in 196 6 .

The first wave of psychedelia came to an end in the late 1960s , but th e genre made a comeback in t he 1990s w ith bands like Nirvana , Pearl Jam , and Smashing Pumpkins . Psychedelic roc k has also been influential on genres as diverse as shoegaze , stoner metal , and electronica .

Conclusion

In conclusion, New Zealand’s psychedelic rock scene is vibrant and growing. Although there is no one definitive sound, many of the bands are creating original and innovative music that is gaining international attention. With a strong DIY ethic and a focus on collaboration, the scene is constantly evolving and is sure to produce even more great music in the years to come.