Smashing it at the Smash Summer Sesh

THAT'S NOT MY HAND: Alt three-piece Threat.Meet.Protocol get some rest in before they head to Smash Palace to be part of the Smash Summer Sesh 8 line-up. Picture supplied

Tis the season of festivities . . . and festivals, which we can do in New Zealand.

Besides, with Covid messing up the live music scene, bands are frothing to take the stage again, says Smash Summer Sesh organiser Rori White (he used a stronger term than “messing up”).

The eighth instalment of the hoe-down includes a variety of acts that range from Threat.Meet.Protocol, The Murder Chord, Blame Thrower, Dead Model, Hagseed, No Brainers, Unruly, and Gisborne band The Rabbits.

The band names suggest some kind of attitude but White hesitates to call them punk. The terms “genre-defying” and “diversity” are getting thrashed more than Dimebag Darrell's guitar but the line-up is “pretty alternative”, says White.

“The Murder Chord has been described as punk rock on piano. Their music is catchy, happy and gets you up and dancing.

“Threat.Meet.Protocol have their own sound. They have a bass player, a guy in a wig on piano and a drummer. It's just a different sound, it's real alternative. They played here at Smash on Show weekend. All the farmers turned up and the place was packed out.”

This year, White went out of town to seek bands for the summer sesh.

“I'm supportive of local acts but I like to mix these concerts up.

“The Rabbits are a young, local band of 12 to 16 year olds. They pulled off Jimi Hendrix and Th'Dudes songs. They're covering their folks' music but they play a few originals as well.”

Weather permitting, and it will, the Smash Summer Sesh will rock the outdoor stage.

Smash Summer Sesh 8, Smash Palace, Sunday, December 27. Doors open at 3pm, the bands kick off at 4pm. Tickets $20+bf from www.undertheradar.co.nz or $30 at the door.