Hoodoo Gurus – The Powerstation: April 5, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)
Tamaki Makaurau’s affair with Hoodoo Gurus harks back to the mid 1980’s when Ponsonby’s mighty Gluepot still hosted concerts. Way back then, on the 5th (and 6th) October 1984, just over 40 years ago, in the Gluepot, Tamaki Makaurau first experienced these Stoneage Romeos, Hoodoo Gurus, (They also played a private show an extinct hipster nightclub Zanzibar on the 7th) So it seems pertinent that even though they were just here in March 2023, they once again pop over on their Back to the Stoneage Tour to celebrate 40 years since the release of Stoneage Romeos.
I always associated Hoodoo Gurus with fellow bands The Stems and The Lime Spiders (god I loved them), Aussie bands that combined power pop, garage rock, and punk into a sound, in differing quantities. And while many other acts fell by the side, the band’s dominant songwriter, guitarist and band frontman Dave Faulkner, managed to find a perfect balance that endeared them to many in Australia, Aotearoa, America and beyond. Pō/Tonight’s lineup has been stable since 2014, when Nik Rieth (Celebite Rifles/New Christ) replaced retiring longtime drummer Mark Kingsmill. Joining originator Brad Shepherd (who I just found out had been in The Hitmen) and long server since 1988 Richard Grossman (whose murky past includes a rima/five year stint with The Divinyls) I end the fanboyism here.
Silk Cut
I last saw these guys opening for The Happy Mondays October 2023, and since then they have released their self-titled sophomore album. Silk Cut‘s members are seasoned with members Andrew Thorne, Aidan Phillips, Jayden Lee, and Justin McLean bringing together their long diverse backgrounds in music. Their short set of songs leans towards a 90s aesthetic influenced by the shoegaze genre, recalling bands like Slowdive, but there is more of a dream-pop element apparent, and at times definitely a Beatlesque aspect shown. The audience pō, are appreciative, and possibly impressed by the skillfulness on stage, and while their sound is professionally executed in minutiae, it sometimes came across as overly complex, potentially overshadowing Silk Cut‘s potentially memorable qualities, You know; where’s the single?
Hoodoo Gurus
The Powerstation is sold out, and many (in this older crowd) are vying for the stepped spots to view the stage, the merch is shifting, and while the waiata of The Troggs, The Ramones (and more) waft, personal histories are being embellished and shared as the crowd await the changeover. The stage dims, the cheers arise and the band enstage, and as promised, the wha/four take us through Stoneage Romeos celebrating its 40th-ish anniversary.
Quickly the bangers appear, I want you back, it’s magic returns, and the crowd are singing along in the chorus, band and masses in unison of joy. Arthur has a short prelude, something about bassists, (or the lack thereof) But it’s when Dig It Up with gothic macabre feel and narrative is played, that the Gurus are digging deep into their garage-punk roots, replicated again later when In The Echo Chamber surfaces. In between Leilani, the band’s first ever single (on the mighty Phantom Records label as Le Hoodoo Gurus) creates a theatrical affair onstage, originally written with toru/three guitars and no bass, but envisioned for Stoneage Romeos. Dave Faulkner plays the magnificent maestro in bringing it alive. The final song I Was A Kamikaze Pilot with its catchy chorus and guitar riffs had the crowd really moving as the needle lifted off Stoneage Romeos.
And then, just like that the needle came back down on World of Pain, a song from their 2022 album Chariot of the Gods, a superbly-realized garage-rock song. (The) Hoodoo Gurus have been on the road, taking their Back to the Stoneage Tour through America, Australia and now Aotearoa since last year. 60 shows in total, with tonight being the end game. Dave Faulkner has always had the gift of the gab, and betweens songs he is a consummate host, telling stories and glazing the band’s way into the next waiata. Which at this point becomes a request as Faulkner elicits suggestions, it takes a couple of goes, avoiding the expected (“We’ll play those later”) until rua/two are pulled from the hat. Turkey Dinner ( bside to the Death Defying 7”) and Out That Door (from Blow Your Cool LP) much to the bands delight, as much as the audiences. It sees an impromptu choice from the bands as Death Defying (from Mars Needs Guitars) follows quickly.
Axeman, Guitarist Brad Shepherd and Dave Faulkner have a hand-in-glove connection on stage, and while Faulkner is the mainstay scriber for the bands, Shepherd’s contribution beyond five strings come forth, as he sings and play harmonica on Poison Pen providing a high-octane moment. It’s followed by his taking the lead vocals on Mars Need Guitars, a waiata that harks well back to the garage-punk past of the band members, it’s a gritty darkness that again refreshes the pō.
There the title track from Chariot of the Gods which shines the other side of its’ elements, an eclectic drum driven song that swings between minimalism and hard rock. As the intro on Come Anytime entered, the audience revitalised, and were rewarded with The Right Time (1994’s Crank) and then rewarded again as Bittersweet finally arrives, it seems all in the room are filming or singing or dancing or all three. And back to 1991’s popular aroha ballad 1000 Miles (Kinky) with its Paul Kelly-ish vibe, and infectious groove.
Finality came. Another b-side scooped up. Be My Guru (My Girl 7”) yet exposing once again the band’s punk-rock roots, while What’s My Scene and Like Wow – Wipeout ended the night with joy, dance and chorusing. Much was promised tonight, more was given, hopefully the Hoodoo Gurus will find another reason (there are so many) to keep visiting their (cultural) cousin across the moana.
Simon Coffey
Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Chris Zwaagdyk:
Hoodoo Gurus:
Silk Cut:
