Around 1980, I quit Southampton University and upped sticks for New Zealand, an uninformed decision fuelled by bad drugs and hubris.

I spent my last night there drinking vodka with Pete Shelley and Barry Adamson. Barry later joined Nick Cave’s band. Pete Shelley is now dead but his band, Buzzcocks, play Totara St on Thursday, November 7.

This was in a village on the Thames notable for three things: Pete Townshend, England’s most extensive cheese shop, and a recording studio owned by the band Whitesnake.

Punk 

Being an hour from London the studio was particularly popular with punk and new wave acts, who stayed at the local pub. Hazel O’Connor was there; Human League filmed the video for ‘Don’t You Want Me’ in the carpark while we all watched. The boathouse I lived in was the only decent-sized flat in the village, with music gear assembled in an attic. People would come and play when the pub closed.

That last night Tenpole Tudor was jamming out back while I sat in the kitchen with Pete and Barry and the vodka. Barry was an absolutely lovely guy; I was a mouthy teenage existentialist; and Pete was an arrogant punk. I clearly annoyed him at first sight. We argued. He was only there for the Smirnoff.

But then we had a pretty low opinion of Buzzcocks. Of the punk bands, we thought them – along with Sham 69 – the least technically proficient. That mattered to us then, being too young and dumb to realise that a couple of hits, including the mainstream success of ‘Ever Fallen in Love’, dwarfed questions of playing ability.

Buzzcocks are indeed one of the originals, with Steve Dingle, an original guitarist, still on board. Time to pogo.

Swing experts 

Next Friday, November 8, Tauranga offers two most excellent shows.

At The Holy Trinity Church find long-standing swing experts The Nairobi Trio, violinist Richard Adams, guitarist John Quigley and recent addition, virtuoso bass player Aaron Coddel. They all sing and mix swing classics with their own tunes, a user-friendly Kiwi take on the famous Hot Club Of Paris.

The Nairobi Trio. Photo: supplied.

John told me he’s particularly looking forward to the Tauranga show: “We did a show at the 16 Ave Theatre last year which was great – and we’ve invited old saxophonist band-mate Andrew Dixon to join us. He moved to Tauranga a few years ago so it will be a nice opportunity to reconnect.”

Jaw-dropping fusion

Meanwhile at Totara St it’s Ozi Ozaa...

In 2018 Yaw Asumadu, Ghanaian master drummer, composer, flautist, bass guitarist and xylophone player, moved to NZ and formed Ozi Ozaa, a huge band dedicated to funk, jazz, sweet high life and traditional African rhythms. Members came from Batucada Sound Machine, Tahuna Breaks, The Scribes of Ra, Twinset and more, all serious players. They’ve packed shows ever since, from the Auckland Arts Festival to Cuba Dupa and supporting Mad Professor.

Yaw Asumadu, from Ozi Ozaa: Yaw Asumadu, from the band Ozi Ozaa. Photo: supplied.

A BBC presenter called them: “A joyful and jaw-dropping fusion of Afro-grooves and jazz that hits you like a burst of sonic sunshine”. Sounds good to me.

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