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People in NZ first started to notice John Michaelz in the late 80's when word began spreading around the country about a band called Hard To Handle, who were causing a stir on the live scene with a rare and exciting cocktail of take-no-prisoners blues rock. Hard To Handle performed support slots and tours for artists as diverse as American bluesmen, Robert Penn and Junior Medlow, harmonica virtuoso, Darren Mansfield and Australian singer Rene Geyer.
Next up was The Stone Babies who like Hard To Handle toured the country non-stop,and had their single 'Don't Ask Me Now' specially re-mixed by Alan Jansen of OMC's 'How Bizzare' fame.
In the late 90's John and guitarist Bruce Rolands from The Stone Babies formed with bassist Andrew Featherston's new band Kosher.
Kosher's sound was rock and dub-reggae as evident on the single 'The Weekend' which made #17 on the NZ music charts, the video got great rotation on Juice.
And now finally, on June 1st 2005 John released his first solo album 'Some Songs', recorded at The Boatshed in Tauranga.
Well it's 2006 September. Been a long time coming so here's a short update. Spent most of the year writing and looking after my 4 now 5 year old boy. Did a show with the wonderful Shona Laing @ Mills Reef Winery in late december 05. Took a month of in January hopped the boat to Picton, wrote some songs and checked out the town I was born, Motueka. A few acoustic gigs and the Picton harbour festival kept the wolves at bay. Back in Tauranga finished a bunch of new songs, played @ the Tauranga Jazz festival on good friday @ the Holy Trinity Church opening the gospel show. As for right now I'm in the studio recording a new album of original gospel songs. Release date, before christmas. God bless, JM.
Band Members:
John Michaelz (vocals, guitar)
Grant Haua (guitar, backing vocals)
Wiremu Priestley (bass)
Ian Gilpin (drums)
Artist Website
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