A band forms to play some of their favourite music for two weeks. Twenty-five years and 86,000 albums later, The Warratahs remain alive and due to appear at Vilagrads.
The Warratahs got together when David Lange was Prime Minister, Bananarama was singing Venus and Radio With Pictures was popular.
The band had a life of its own from the start. With covers from the likes of Jimmie Rogers, Hank Williams and Hank Snow, plus a handful of their own songs, they quickly amassed an audience. They also found a sound of their own: a stripped-back band playing a brand of country folk with the fire of 50s style rock'n'roll.
Based on Barry Saunders' voice and songs and Nik Brown's ability to set the music alight with his violin, this has remained the landscape of the Warratahs' sound.
Hands of my Heart, written by piano player Wayne Mason and Barry Saunders, was recorded in the Radio NZ studios. It was different to other songs and got extensive radio play, earning them a Silver Scroll finalist placement.
The first album, Only Game in Town, spent months in the charts propelled by the hits Hands of my Heart and Maureen. Both have become classics.
There were several trips to Australia during the next two years and it had come to a point where they had to decide on which side of the Tasman to live. Since the music seemed to belong here, they stayed in New Zealand.
This year they celebrate 25 years with a new five-track EP featuring the new single Kupe's Tears with a newly remastered 19-track Warratahs collection.
There is also a new video for the single, made by filmmaker Brian Culy.
The Warratahs play Vilagrads, one night only, September 22. Dinner and show $69. Features Barry Saunders vocals, guitar, harmonica; Nik Brown violin, mandolin; Maurice Newport drums; Nick Theobald bass, vocals. Tickets, phone 825 2893.
