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Words by Leigh Owen
Photos by Vanessa Smith and Cameron Smith
When Valve bar on Vivian St closed it’s doors last November I was left wondering what would or could take the place of this niche venue, which served as a home to the punk and metal scenes in Wellington for over a decade.
To my relief Hole In The Wall opened it’s doors to the public four weeks ago. A massive re-fit brings a ‘new and improved’ vibe with freshly painted walls, a resealed floor and brand spanking new booths to perch upon. There’s a new PA system and a set of lights, which admittedly gave it a school disco feel but I’m sure once there are a few more layers of spilled alcohol, sweat and other human fluids it will give that lived-in feel and the place will feel perfect.
This particular gig was a Thursday ‘cheap bubbles for the ladies’ night – a nice twist to a gig that may otherwise be dominated by male metal heads. Opening the night was Wellington’s best kept heavy rock secret, Beastwars …
This four-piece is fresh to Wellington’s ears having played perhaps two gigs together in total to date. But these guys are individually well-seasoned musicians so they’re tight and know how play a good set.
Hailing from yesterday’s groups such as Paselode and the Larry Normans these guys make something new that could be called the heaviest slush- rock this city’s seen in a while.
Frontman, Matt Hyde, is captivating. He appears mellow, spending the set standing very still with eyes shut, but the occasional flamenco- style stamp of feet and clap of hands emits a kind of deep-felt energy that makes you want to stomp too. And don’t let his grey hair fool you for this guy can summon hell and purge the most throat ripping vocals; kind of like a strike of lightning before the thunder of the bass and drums rolling behind him.
At times their guitar lines remind me of Kyuss, which is a welcomed feeling. And Clayton Anderson’s Gibson Explorer brings a quality of sound which is a great change from other rock guitarists usually drowning their sound in distortion.
These guys are good. They come across as confident with nothing to prove, which is charming. They are a must-see act for anyone partial to the heavier side of rock or those wanting an alternative to the cutesy awkward indie bands flooding the scene at the moment.
Following the solid sounds of Beastwars is DJ Knave Knixx’s new project, Sexy/Heavy.
Logan Jeffs, AKA Knave Knixx, has been in the music scene over the years DJing and playing in a myriad of bands such as surf-rock band, Crypt Kicker 3, and goth industrial outfit, N.U.T.E. to name a couple.
With ex-Connan and the Mockasins stand-up bass player, Ross Walker, Sexy/Heavy abandons the blues and plays LOUD fast rock. Reminiscent of DFA, they are a moderate assault on the ears with distorted guitars and chunky, rolling basslines that almost make you feel sea sick.
Knixx is a charismatic front person with lots of energy to give and Walker smiles the whole time. An entertaining band to watch and can only get better with time.