2009 Circle Jerk Promotional Article

If a tradition becomes a tradition at the half decade mark Hamilton’s so called ‘Circle Jerk’ is about to qualify.  Held annually since 2005 Circle Jerk is the brainchild of long time local musician Mark Tupuhi, a kind of sarcastic response to New Zealand music month and the perceived slights often visited upon the Waikato region during May.  Tupuhi’s concept is simple, and has proved effective.  It involves Hamilton talent covering the material of their peers and predecessors, playing three song sets comprised of one original number and two by other local bands.

The masturbatory act referenced in the event name deliberately sent the message that Tupuhi and his collaborators were not overly precious about ‘celebrating’ the culture.   The 2005 poster rammed the point home.  Despite this the inaugural gig saw twelve bands of diverse genres and age groups play a wide range of music, sampling the mainstream with covers of the likes of “Split Enz” and “Dragon” and “48 May” as well as championing cult acts like “Wendyhouse”, “Book of Martyrs” and “Spatula Death”. 

A couple of trends emerged from the first show that have persisted ever since.  Firstly, Circle Jerk provided the impetus for the temporary reformation of long defunct bands.  2005 saw the resurrection and the last performance to date of “Schrodinger’s Cat” and “Disjecta Membra”.  Secondly, it became apparent that some material lent itself more to reinterpretation than others.  The satirical, obscene lyrics of local legends “Mobile Stud Unit” have a continuing popularity, as does Chris Thompson’s parochial anthem “Hamilton”.

The 2006 Circle Jerk saw a change in organisational personnel and in venue, with a literal shift underground to Ward St’s Yellow Submarine.  The format remained essentially the same, with bands like “The Shrugs” and “Amy Racecar” returning and perennial favourites “Rumpus Room” and “Dick Dynamite and the Doppelgangers” making their debut.  In a night of young pretenders arguably the best performance came last, from veteran covers band “Johnny Fist”, with blistering versions of “Dogs of Prozac”’s ‘Fonzie Gets The Girls’ and “MSU”’s story of Pete Sinclair, ‘Marmite Man’.

It was perhaps not until its third year that Circle Jerk truly lived up to its potential.  The 2007 gig was held at the Ward Lane tavern and attracted a huge crowd.  It also saw a greater range in the line up than ever before, from the acoustic singer-songwriter “Kimbra” to the hardcore punk act “Gawj”.  In between these extremes there was melodic pop from “Dynamo Go”and “The Gills”, rockabilly from “Dick Dynamite and Doppelgangers”, the indie synth sound-scape of “The Deadly Deaths”, and the only live performance from the “Mobile Stud Unit”, whose ‘poop remix’ of “48 May”’s ‘Leather and Tattoos’ was a highpoint.  Also notable was the contribution of “Ministry of Hypocrisy” whose electronic replication of 706 Hamilton songs simultaneously was nothing if not different.

Last year saw Circle Jerk return to its original venue of Digger’s back bar on Hood St.  Utilising two stages for the first time the transition between bands was achieved with record speed.  The greater space also afforded more electronic acts than hitherto possible, seeing the debut performance of “Doteyes” “DJ Handbreak” and a polished, professional effort complete with music video from the all round genius of “One Fat Man”.  Other highlights included some distinctive ukulele stylings and percussion from the 25 year veterans “The Big Muffin Serious Band”, a bizarre set from event founder Tupuhi which somehow blended “Crowded House” with “MSU”, and a show stopping version of “Dead Pan Ranger”’s ‘California Dream’ by a “Rumpus Room” line up bolstered by radio personality Kerry Cooper.

The 5th anniversary of Circle Jerk, to be held at Flow bar on Saturday the 23rd of May, promises much.  With fourteen bands on the bill the doors open at 8pm and the first act will take the stage at 8:30pm sharp.  Over half of the performers will be appearing at the gig for the first time, including all the finalists from 2008’s successful revival of the Band Experiments.

“Sora Shima”, the winner of that competition, are an instrumental outfit that those far more knowledgeable than I have compared to the Scottish band “Mogwai”.  Their My Space page features a quote about audience reaction that seems to suggest that they will be ideal for an event which nominally celebrates mass wanking: “…someone next to me actually spasmed when that insane whirly-whirly effect came out”.  A certain 1980s hair product commercial described such ecstasy as “the orgasmic reaction” though another My Space comment more portentously claims their particular wall of sound “slices open reality” and creates a “black hole”.   Either way it will be fascinating to see how “Sora Shima”’s peddle heavy musicianship interprets the songbook of their peers.  I for one hope they cover “MSU”’s “Bob”.

“Radiator” are all about the funk.  Definitive nice guys, the Trenwith brothers have an impeccable pedigree (their parents were part of the legendary “Hamilton County Bluegrass Band”) and have honed their act for close on a decade.  A line in one of their songs, “you have to fight, for the right, to remain funky” was without a doubt the most quoted H-town lyric of last year.

“The Dusk” are young men on the come.  Arguably they have improved out of sight since winning through to the Band Experiments finals as the most popular of heat runners up.  Teenage garage rock seldom sounds this good and to my ears at least there’s a hint of early Dylan brashness about the lead singer’s delivery.

“Knights of the DUB Table” bring something new and fresh to Circle Jerk: a six-piece line up, for one thing.  Their particular combination of reggae, drum’n'bass, hip-hop and rock is probably a first for the event as well.

“Sumo Love Machine” are much more white boy.  Circle Jerk comes at a transitional time for the band, with personnel changes afoot and debates raging as to the “Machine”’s overall direction.  At their best - and given that the gig will mark lead singer Andy’s last outing, you would expect nothing less on the night - they are witty and theatrical punk pranksters.  They certainly have the best theme song in town.

“The Prime Numbers” are also at something of a cross roads with the imminent departure of both lead guitarist and bass player.  This is a crying shame given relatively recent recordings and live shows that suggest real progression.  On a bill where female musicians are unfortunately thin on the ground “The Prime Numbers” sport two, including the distinctively Gallic singer and song-writer Marion Chastelas.

Completely different again are “Wasteland”.  Minimalist, hardcore punks they promise a short set devoid of bullshit or any extraneous embellishments.  Energy and intensity are guaranteed.

Bullshit of the most imaginative variety will be a feature of “Goulash Archipelago”.  A side project for the anarchic geniuses behind “The Big Muffin Serious Band” I am expecting a similar blend of ukulele, kazoo and stand up percussion, not to mention melodic singing, skilled harmonies and the kind of comedic timing that only comes with over a quarter century of experience.  They will in all likelihood be playing first so make sure you get to Flow early.

Two of the acts returning from the 2008 Circle Jerk will be performing in Hamilton for the final time.  As mentioned above “Doteyes” debuted last year;  in the intervening months Shane Dudfield’s development of his solo electronic and sometime guitar work has been remarkable.  Dudfield is also part of “Dynamo Go”, popsters who have survived untold line-up changes and rumours of demise to emerge with a new CD and a slightly harder sound than ever before.  Lead singer Gian Perrone’s dulcet tones and robust intelligence will be sorely missed.

Likewise back at the Jerk by popular demand are “The Shrugs”, “Dick Dynamite and the Doppelgangers”, and “Rumpus Room”.  “The Shrugs” really are one of the great mainstays of the city with an output that is as prolific as it is diverse.  Resisting easy categorisation, the “alternative folk country” band write the smartest lyrics in town and the showmanship of Messers Doube, Bassett and Tregilas is superb.

After missing the 2008 Jerk ”Dick Dynamite” are chomping at the bit to cover a favourite song or two.  Perhaps the most inherently danceable band on the bill, the voice of Ricky Kimber-Bell is easily Hamilton’s finest, with a Freddy Mercury like range that always does full justice to material with origins anywhere from the 1950s to the present day.

“Rumpus Room” are an old school outfit that has long been but one of the musical expressions of “Datsuns”‘ sound engineer Scott Newth.  After setting the bar very high last year a lot is expected of them.  Rumour has it that “Rumpus” have again drafted in a new member for a one off guest performance.

Rumours also abound about an unnamed ’super group’ that has especially formed for the Circle Jerk’s 5th anniversary.  A combination of established musicians from high profile bands of the past it may or may not include at least one international artist.  You will have to find out on the night.

One thing that is certain is the identity of the final act.  Circle Jerk began with Mark Tupuhi and this year it will end with him, playing with a collaborator under the collective name “Dharma Junkies”.  The lateness of the hour is sure to produce something special from the ever surprising event founder.

Whilst its origins were relatively humble the Circle Jerk premise has proved a robust one, showcasing a wide variety of Hamilton performers and song writers.  In its short history it has already become a musical focal point and social highlight of the year, breaking down the artificial barriers between differing styles and ’scenes’, catering for as wide an audience as possible while retaining the uniqueness and integrity of individual acts.