As we remembered with Doc K.E.Ford's other exhibitions, in the 80's and 90's there was a wealth of great bands, of all genres, playing and recording in Hamilton
And not just around the local Waikato venues. Many of us packed up the Trucks, Trailers, Cars & Vans and headed out around the entire country. It was a great time for live music and some great adventures.
The heady days when you would drive 5 hours crammed into the truck or van with 5 or 6 other unwashed and hormonal musicians & crew, load several tons of equipment up the rickety back stairs of some dingy nightclub (god, we must have been fit), spend hours setting up, play 4 hours in hot sweaty explosions of youthful energy, only to pack it all down and load it back in the truck, maybe grab a couple of hours sleep, a gas station pie & a can of coke , and off to the next gig. Complete madness, and I wouldn’t want to change a minute of it.
But, the mullet haircuts are long gone and sadly, a lot of these venues have since closed or are no longer featuring live music but their memories live on.
Again, These pages are not intended to be a definitive guide to the Hamilton or NZ music scene. There are many sites, including Ian Duggan's 'HTown Wiki' and Simon Griggs 'AudioCulture' for more in-depth displays. These are just our memories of a very special time in our lives.
Enjoy
Phil
Load up and hit the road
Destination......anywhere
HENRY THE EIGHTH, Whangarei
Most commonly famous for the 2 flights of stairs to load up,
and the Saturday Night Fever lighted dance floor
The Bands
From Rock 'n' Roll to Heavy Metal. Covers and Originals. Part Time or Full
Through the 70's, 80's & 90's, The Hamilton bands were out and about.
Life on the road
THE HILLY
Hamilton's top touring venue of the time,
The Hillcrest Tavern
More People & Places
The Gafford Hampsters
THE CREWS
Behind the scene and behind the wheel.
The guys that kept everything working
THE LADY H
Our 'home away from home' for many years, The Lady Hamilton
Another backstairs pack in and the most notorious band room in Hamilton
More venues
The ups and downs of
life on the road
The Lake Concerts
Out, In the field
Echoes (mk I)
@ The Chateau
The Bronx
DOC K.E. FORD
Hamilton Home and Away
Candid images can provide insight ‘behind the scenes’ and provide glimpses into life, times and circumstances beyond our own experience. This is particularly evident in the images in 'Hamilton Home and Away' which include many from the archives of The Participant Observer and doublebass. Exhibited for the first time, they evoke a flavour of life on the road, and memories of how things were for those who were there.
DISCLAIMER:
Some of these photos and articles have been acquired along the way with their original source or ownership long forgotten. For those where we know where the negatives are held, we have noted them with a © marker. If there are any that are yours and you wish credit (or not to have them shown), please let us know.
Likewise, If you wish to add any comments, or send us links to any other material that we may include in this or future displays, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Phil
doublebass
E: doublebass.co@gmail.com