Nearing the finish tape

By SCOTT KARA


When Cassette flew into Christchurch airport, the police and immigration staff were waiting for them.

They started drinking in Melbourne, where the band have lived for more than two years, and then on the plane they made friends with a lovely Scottish hostess who fed them as much alcohol as they desired.

For the record - and this will go down in Cassette folklore - the band supposedly drank 68 units between the three of them. But then again, do you think they can remember?

Not long into the flight, Cassette - Tom Watson, Craig Terris, and Paul Trigg - started doing what they do best, they started giggling. "We were giggling. We were extremely excited," says Watson, in his friendly drawl.

"And we just got louder and louder. But we didn't seem to be having a problem with anyone on the flight, although I was aware that there were a couple of people getting a bit grumpy.

"We got dobbed in for being unruly and they pulled us up at the other end and searched our bags."

When they got off the plane, Watson couldn't even steer his baggage trolley towards the immigration staff.

"It was a bit embarrassing, really. The guitars were all sticking out on angles and catching on lane ropes," he laughs.

Today, Watson is relaying this story while he's shoe-shopping at the Warehouse in Napier. The last time Terris was in New Zealand he bought some retro sneakers for $30 and Watson wants some, too.

Cassette is back in New Zealand touring with Wellington's Phoenix Foundation and Auckland one-man-band, Phelps and Munro, as part of the A Low Hum Tour. They play Auckland's Kings Arms Tavern tonight.

Cassette moved to Melbourne two years ago after releasing the cruisy, country-tinged EMO EP in New Zealand.

Recently, keyboard and bass player Dave Fraser left the band - "He was really missing his girlfriend," says Watson affectionately - and Cassette are now a three-piece.

Melbourne hasn't been easy for them but things are starting to look up. Their debut album is due early next year, they have made a name for themselves on the Melbourne live scene.

Most importantly, because Cassette are social lads, they have made lots of new friends in Melbourne.

"The album has taken a long time," admits Watson, "but it was the way it was always going to go. Aside from the fact we've been doing it all ourselves, and learning how to do it, we have to work all the time as well."

Trigg and Watson are landscaping - "they're wealthy people with awesome swimming pools," laughs Watson - and Terris is working in a bar.

As you can tell, like anything to do with Cassette, there's no hurry. They're a classic concoction of she'll-be-right-mate and getting it perfect.

"I got left with the record for, like, months to do things with and I spent a lot of time chasing my tail with things," says Watson.

"There is definitely an element of country noodlings, that's just something we do. There's a bit of the rock thing in there as well, because that's always going to be a part of my musical heritage, and Craig's, and Paul's, too.

"And I've been getting into a little bit of looping stuff up and getting into something that's a little bit more contemporary.

"The last thing I want to do is rush it, and that may sound insane, but the longer I spend on this thing, I feel the longer I need to spend to make sure that it's properly done when it comes out.

"I've definitely had my panic attacks. I remember sitting up one night and saying to myself, 'Oh my God, how long have I been doing this? Is this ever going to end?' But it's pretty much there now, man."

Performance

* Who: Cassette, Phoenix Foundation, Phelps and Munro

* Where and when: Kings Arms Tavern, Newton, tonight