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Head Like A Hole - Gig Review: Head Like A Hole @ Galatos, Auckland - 6/08/2015

19 Aug 2015 // A review by Lula Mitchell

The last time I saw Head Like A Hole I was a teenager and I was in no state to form any kind of opinion on what I had just seen, other than knowing that once again I had loved it. Fast forward 20 or so years and I was completely amped to be making my way to Galatos in Auckland to see and photograph Head Like a Hole playing with 8 Foot Sativa.

8 Foot Sativa performed to their usual standard, rarking up the audience with their vicious and slamming style. They were such a coherent unit when they played; there was this certain interaction they had with each other that kept them tight but ruthless. Being in an 8 Foot Sativa crowds always see me bracing extra hard, those guys are mean.

Head Like A Hole took to the stage and it was just how I remembered their sets to be – frenetic, hyperactive, intense and unpredictable. There is something intangibly magical about seeing them live. The band as a whole have an utterly unique charisma and this was echoed through their entire set. I feel like I should tell you all the facts like how long they played for and what happened when, but after photographing four songs I chucked myself into the crowd and just enjoyed the gig. From that perspective though I can tell you just how good it sounded hearing songs like Cornbag, Hootenanny and Fish Across Face close up. 

The crowd (one of which was at his 14th HLAH show!) were very receptive to having a good time thrown at them in the form of raw energy, and with very little distance between the band and the crowd, it was an intimate gig.  

Head Like A Hole has kept their artistic spirit undiluted and it's the most uncomfortably beautiful thing.

 

About Head Like A Hole

Formed in Wellington, Head Like A Hole originally consisted of Booga Beazley, Nigel Regan, Andrew Durno and Mark Hamill. Like most young bands, they started out by playing small gigs at local pubs and at various well known live venues. Then quickly started touring the university circuit. The band soon made a name for themselves with energetic and often outrageous live performances, appearing on stage either naked, caked with mud, or covered completely in body paint.

Therefore forming a solid and dedicated following throughout the live music scene. Head like a Hole were soon signed to Wildside Records and began their recording career. 1992 saw the release of their debut album, 13 which the band largley produced themselves. The single Fish Across Face successfully made it into the New Zealand Top 10 charts. In keeping with Head Like a Hole tradition the video for Fish Across Face included a scene where Nigel regurgitates an orange substance into Booga’s mouth and was promptly pulled off air.

Head Like a Hole continued touring and performing the university orientation circuit. Then returned to the studio in 1993 to record their second album. Flik Y'Self off Y'Self. Which was released in stores in 1994 providing two singles. Faster Hooves and Spanish Goat Dancer. After the release of two successful records the band’s popularity and exposure increased, and so Head Like a Hole remained on tour. Playing to capacity crowds and sold out venues throughout the country, and in 1996 secured a position on the bill to play The Big Day Out festival. That same time the band suffered a sudden and tragic loss, with the death of their Manager Gerald Barry Dwyer. And it was late 1996 where they headed back to the studio, this time travelling to Australia and worked on a third album. Double Your Strength, Improve Your Health & Lengthen Your Life. Cornbag, the first single from the album, was released in November 1996, but received only moderate chart success.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Head Like A Hole

Releases

Narcocorrido
Year: 2015
Type: Album
Juicy Lucy
Year: 2014
Type: EP
Cornbag
Year: 2014
Type: EP
Fish Across Face
Year: 2014
Type: EP
Hootenanny
Year: 2014
Type: EP
A Crying Shame
Year: 2014
Type: EP
Spanish Goat Dancer
Year: 2014
Type: Album
Faster Hooves
Year: 2014
Type: Album
Blood Will Out
Year: 2011
Type: Album
Blood On A Honky Tonk Floor
Year: 2000
Type: Album
HLAH IV
Year: 1999
Type: Album
Wet Rubber
Year: 1998
Type: Album
The Not Nicomjool EP
Year: 1995
Type: Album
Flik Y'Self Off Y'Self
Year: 1994
Type: Album
Beelzebeats
Year: 1993
Type: Album
13
Year: 1992
Type: Album

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