Auckland's semi-regular premier punk rock'n'roll event is returning on 25 May 2019!

After making a decision to return to Auckland's real punk roots, Punk It Up will be hosted in the same building that housed the infamous Zwines Niteclub back in the day.

Not only that, two of the bands specially reforming for this May's party, actually played their first gigs at Zwines almost 40 years to the day!

This is a once in a lifetime chance to see good friends from the past, meet new ones for the future, and indulge in the best punk rock n roll shindig this side of the black stump!

Punk It Up has always been a festival for the people, by the people, so there will be a plethora of conversation downstairs (in the old Babes Disco location), as the townsfolk gather around the many booths selling their wares of records, t-shirts, and other merchandise, whilst the sages of the modern times will be at the information tables, offering kindred spirited advice about real-world problems and the solutions to them that their organizations provide

The Jester's clan will be in full force, known in contemporary circles nowadays as 'DJs', with the almighty and holy crew of Dubhead, Miss Dom, Wastemaster, Phil A, Lise, Dean M, and a whole bunch more, not only providing fun times between the minstrels sets, but also at the After Party that is set to take the Kiwi punk tribe well into the wee small hours.

Tickets are now available at the new-fangled internet thing called the web via Under The Radar.

The Spelling Mistakes

Feels So Good

The Spelling Mistakes were formed out of the remnants of Get Smart and the Aliens - Warwick Hitler, brothers Julian and Nick Hanson, and Keith Bacon – and soon became popular with the punters at Zwines. They secured a ‘fervant yet notoriously rowdy following’ (Jason Ankeny, Allmusic.com), and the replacement of Bacon, by Nigel Russell on bass, led the band to go on to win the Windsor Castle's 1980 Battle of the Bands contest. The prize was day of recording, which led to Propeller records releasing their first single Feels So Good, which is still a favourite anthem today.

Note that The Spelling Mistakes first show was with Proud Scum at Zwines in May of 1979…

Audioculture.co.nz

Proud Scum

Suicide

Attracting a hardcore cult following, and despite their brevity, Proud Scum’s reputation is firmly cemented as one of the most popular second wave of early punk bands in NZ.

Their track I Am A Rabbit was covered by Evan Dando on the Lemonheads’ debut EP, after he heard the punk classic on US College radio.

proudscum.com

Newmatics

Riot Squad

The Newmatics came out of a fertile post-punk early 80's Auckland music scene that also spawned Blam Blam Blam and the Screaming Meemees. Taking their cues from ska, R’n’B and soul, they were a fearsome live act — but managed to release only nine songs (including their enduring legacy Riot Squad — synonymous now with the 1981 Springbok Tour). – Nzonscreen.com

Audioculture.co.nz

bankRobbers

I Wanna Be Your Dog Ft. Paul Cavemen

Returning to tantalise your earholes will be ‘All Star cover band’ bankRobbers, with Features/Fetus Productions’ own legend, Jed Town, alongside No Tag’s Andrew Boak. Joined by guest vocalists and muscians from other local noisemakers, bankRobbers will be finishing the live portion of the evening, getting punters ready for the afterparty 'til bloody late

The Bombers (City Newton Bombers)

Into The Night

Featuring members of City Newton Bombers, their live performance is gritty and driving, a perfect fit for the other bands on the bill.

With DJs: Dubhead, Miss Dom, Lise, Phil A & Wastemaster

Punk It Up 2019 will also feature The Terrorways, X-Features and Last Rockers

First Press Release
Second Press Release