Alternative music alive and kicking in Horowhenua at Waitarere Wreckage

A punk performance at the Alternative Entertainment Bureau in Horowhenua. Photo / Peter Studt

Being in a punk band doesn't necessarily mean you only like one genre of music, according to James Trevethick.

The Horowhenua local is the driving force behind a venture called the Alternative Entertainment Bureau (AEB) - a pop-up venue currently meeting at Waitarere's Scout Hall to stage live music gigs for bands from many different walks of life.

Trevethick is himself a member of Ramones tribute band the Ganomes, but he is open to music of any genre wanting to be part of the AEB, which has been running in the district for almost five years.

This weekend the AEB will host four bands from Wellington and three local groups in an extravaganza called Waitarere Wreckage at the hall - although admittedly the event will be of the punk persuasion, being as it is in collaboration with a group called Up The Punks from Wellington, he said.

"Other times we've had metal bands, once we had a folk singer from Sweden. Honestly, I'd have a choir if one turned up and wanted to perform," he said.

"It's just about music. I'm a punk rocker but that's not my only choice of music."

Trevethick said the Waitarere Beach community had been supportive of the monthly events, which could get a bit on the noisy side.

"We've had no complaints - I expected some because we're loud and we don't hide the fact we're there," he said.

"We always have a big night, but not much happens in Waiterere, so people are just happy that something is happening."

James "Roy" Trevethick, of Horowhenua's Alternative Entertainment Bureau.

Trevethick said he used to run the AEB from Levin, housing it in a basement next to the Swazi store for four years until a job loss meant he could no longer pay the rent.

A move to a new venue in the centre of town was shortlived, before the Waitarere venue was trialled and succeeded.

The gigs draw not just members of the public, but the entourages and friends of the bands that perform, making them also a form of musical networking, Trevethick said.

He said there were lots of people besides himself involved in creating, organising and playing at the events.

"That's the way it works, it's a group effort," he said.

This weekend's Waitarere Wreckage, in collaboration with Always Never Fun and Up The Punks, is on Saturday April 6 from 5pm at the Waitarere Scout Hall.

It will feature bands Fusion, The Flash Harrys, Stress Ghetto, Unruly, Molenaar, The Ganomes and Rogernomix.

Entry is $10 at the door and the event is BYO.

For more information and upcoming events visit the Alternative Entertainment Bureau's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Alternative-Entertainment-Bureau-326603620822479/