Grapehouse, Groopchat & Castlegarden -Small Gods Taproom: July 4, 2025
Small Gods Taproom: Hidden near the Powerstation. below towering apartments, accessible by steep hills and pathways.
Snuggled in the corner, a taproom, fitting 50 maybe 60 people, a great range of craft beers, no stage, small PA, an intimate space… aroha at first sight. Three bands tonight, one seen before, one also heard of, another an unknown, likely all toru are traversing punk: taking, mimicking, shaking it in different ways.
Groopchat
I’m no stranger to this outfit, my fourth encounter, a toru-piece, (bass/vocals, guitar/vocals & drums) a band that is continuing to move beyond their female tagged grunge-punk diminutions. Slowish songs start the night, the band are relaxed, delivering, exuding confidence. Unsurprisingly the singer is talker, giver. By their third song, a punkier drone-sound is dominating, post-emo.
What stands out, dominates, drives the energy is the bass rhythms, Huia’s skills on her Rickenbacker bass almost mask a need for a second guitar. The riffs create a unique musical temperament for Groopchat. The last few (two) songs in their 20 minute-ish set tops off a clever buildup in the night’s novelette. There is a distinct psych vibe, sabbath darkness that leaves me seemingly interested in where they are headed, where/when a recording might be in the offering.
Grapehouse
Described as shoegaze-pop-rock, this four-piece (three girls and a guy) were winners of the 2024 Ding Dong Lounge Band Competition, and released their debut single/video Thinking Way Too Much single released in March this year. Their gentle pop-melodic beginnings somewhat juxtaposed the singer wearing a Metallica t-shirt (Ride The Lightning I think) Their second song converses again, in an emoish manner, but by their third tune, an alt-pop-guitar energy dominates, somewhat reminiscent of past acts like The Breeders and Throwing Muses.
Grapehouse have strength in their dual vocalists/guitarist, both are confident adept singers, contrasting each other. The same again as the slightly more ancillary of the two laid down some way-intricate melodies and riffs throughout the night on her guitar. Onstage, singer/guitarist Jennifer is a confident vocalist with clever, catchy, connecting lyrics about youthful anxieties and impact of living in a social media world (forgetting your Facebook password) She entraps the audience with her babble, in fact, the symbiosis between band members was a delightful spectacle, as they finished with a dirty emo beat driven song, and an wholly unexpected swinging blue ballad.
Castlegarden
Someone finally switched of the house lights that have been blaring down all evening, mood-lighting, it seems appropriate for a band described as experimental rock, psych and even post-punk band, Castlegarden, four on the floor, start with a full-bodied (like stout) assault with a psych undertow, elongated, their is an Impressive surf guitar feel to it, though the vocals some meandering. Vocals are shared amongst the three guitarists upfront, adding dynamism. Mid-set the songs lose substance, like the vocals before, but let’s be clear, their skill sets are impressive, it just feels a little too impromptu-jazz (or stand-up) for a while.
But. Yes, as the bassist assumes or subsumes dominance of the vocals in the later part of their presence, substance coalesces lyrically and musically. Castlegarden are definitely in the post-punk corner, think bands like Monochrome Set, The Associates, perhaps even Neutral Milk Hotel. There are gems (germs) of essence coming hither from the band during their last two compositions. Something is afoot, further investigation is warranted (besides the beer selection).
Simon Coffey
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