Swallow The Rat & Wrong Things – Whammy Public Bar: August 20, 2025
At Whammy Public Bar, on a cold Wednesday/Raapa evening, Swallow The Rat shared a set that featured almost exclusively new material, plus a few surprises, in anticipation of their 21 date September tour of Europe, which includes shows in France, Germany, Hungary, and an appearance at Misty Fields Festival in the Netherlands.
Wrong Things
First up was a band that plays (reputedly) only once a year, featuring Mark Stewart (Body Corp), Martin Keane (The Sneaks), and Bruce Wurr (Cat! Cat! Cat!) In a shrill set, they delivered a very American-influenced set of post-punk, seemingly, heavily influenced by krautrock, Bailterspace and prog. If they get allowed out again, I would definitely go see Wrong Things again.
Swallow The Rat
Stalwarts of the Tamaki Makaurau’s Post-Punk scene, Swallow The Rat have been through at least three personnel changes, though the core duo of guitarist Brian Purington and drummer/vocalist Hayden Fritchley remains. The current lineup features newbie on bass and vocals – Jimmy Coldham, who joined recently.
On the back of a nationwide tour of Aotearoa in May/June, featuring the new line-up, Swallow The Rat managed to solidify their delivery, through performance and common-on-the-road living experiences. I had seen them at the start of their tour, and while I had enjoyed the show, it was hard to shake, nay mourn the loss of Steven Horsley, who had exited the group on good terms.
Perhaps, also reigniting my aroha for the band, was the set of new songs, obviously crafted on the road and in the practice room, with Coldham involvement, as he put his mark on the band, now, with his manner of bass playing, and singing in his voice. The new material easily builds on the two albums of magnificence created in past years, as the vibe of excitement, and engagement infected the many that were in the room last night.
Not expectedly, a couple of class StR songs did made the grade, including Face Unpopular and Shifting Sands, and there was a surprise in a cover of local act Repairs song Cut To The Chase (from their debut album, Repeat, Repeat) which Hayden actually did the video for. To be accurate, Repairs are now no longer local, since shifting to Europe last year.
Talking about videos, an addition to the Swallow The Rat show, was a video montage that flickered throughout, added movement and visual definition to the music being created. A welcome addition indeed. Swallow The Rat will be back on our shores in early October, playing with a reformed Pumpkinhead. It will be interesting to see how a month of touring will have enhanced them.0
Simon Coffey
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