Pumpkinhead, Swallow The Rat, Buzz – Mothership: October 9, 2025
Pumpkinhead, the Otautahi, 90’s metal, punk nee grunge group, were a relatively short-lived affair, 1993 to 1996 (though there were the brief reunions in 2007, 2008 & 2021).
There was an album, 1995’s SLOTH and a four singles/EPs all in a two year window, the band were already showing signs of a ‘sound’ metamorphosis, but sadly in 1996 it all went pete tong and the band dissolved.
But though brief, they certainly packed it in, playing at 1995’s Big Day Out, a 95bFM Private Function, and opening for such international acts as Faith No More, Fugazi, Primus and The Hard Ons.
Tonight in Tamaki Makaurau, as part of a three date tour to celebrate the 30th Anniversary reissue on vinyl of SLOTH, Pumpkinhead performed in a rare TM show, alongside local acts Swallow The Rat and Buzz.
Buzz
Formed in 2022, Buzz are Harper (bass), Harlo (guitar), Flea (singer/lead guitar) and a new drummer (replacing Holly who left a few months ago) With a single song online, 2023’s Rotting Away, Buzz command by live reputation, a reputation coalesced around their chameleon-like singer Flea.
Already onstage when I arrive (an early start at 8.15pm) Buzz, well Flea is beckoning the reticent audience to come hither. His engaging persona, the flares, shaggy hair all infer confidence and cognizance. Looking Marc Bolan-ish, with a Jarvis Cocker swagger, and harbouring slung-guitar aesthetics, he is adeptly enwrapped by the other three onstage: bass, guitar and drums, as they stormed through a set of grungy, 70’s influenced emo songs.
Overcoming a few tech issues early, Buzz delivered a tightly, focused flow of songs, including Rotting Away, with touches of gothica, courtesy of the solid bass, rhythm guitar and drums, that fostered Flea’s narcissistic vocal and lead guitar theatrics. It’s almost criminal that the band has only a single song in the music-sphere, surely more must be in the works.
Swallow The Rat
The band’s guitarist Brian Purington just arrived back in the country the day before, as StR had been on a substantive European Tour for the last few weeks. The post-punker three-piece were certainly refined, solid and acting in symbiosis thanks to the experience. In a set that included the known, they also played a number of new songs, many of which are likely to be demo’d for a future release, and another European adventure. PS their Face Unpopular 7”EP which got horribly delayed in pressing, held in limbo by Italian customs, has finally made it out, it’s limited edition, so grab it while you can.
Pumpkinhead
Possibly, tonight was the first time Pumpkinhead has played in Tamaki Makaurau for 30 years (or there abouts) and based on the age of most in the crowd, many may have been at The Powerstation to see that show. There’s a theatrical wariness in the air, Pumpkin paraphernalia adorns both mic stand and singer Brent Milligan, as the theme music warns that something is afoot.
As expected songs from their sole album SLOTH, dominate, though not constrained to the album prescribed order. Francis Hunt, together with Milligan dominate the stage banter, humour, self-deprevation is the order of the day, referencing their worldly years and describe this song and that as a pop song.
Performance wise. Milligan exudes all the energy of a man twenty years younger, as he strips to bare chest (and tattoos) and theatrics onstage adding further animation to the songs. Pumpkinhead-live still have their drive, Milligan still has that voice, as their classic 90s coalescence of punk, metal and rap is revisited and triggers memories of decades past.
Pre the mid-point, Pumpkinhead pulled one from the ether, Home, an early recording that appeared on a Failsafe Records compilation before being signed to Wildside Records, it’s refreshing. As is when Water (a radio friendly tune) seriously enamours the crowd with its harmony and catchy chorus and the freeze-frame theatrics midway the album’s title track – SLOTH. Later Gruntruck, a live b-side off their 1995 Third Eye EP is another welcome distraction, as is the guitar/vocals switch between Milligan and Hunt for Be Sure (or was it on I Like?)
Of course, Pumpkinhead closed with Nark, from their 1996 swansong EP, a song signposting the band’s gradual shift towards the 90s metal/rap synthesis sound, as they introduced it with “Jump, Jump” Then in a clever juxtapose, the band return for a last blast, playing Swimming, another early song from the same Failsafe Records compilation as Home. Tonight Pumpkinhead delivered SLOTH, and more to the favoured few, more AKers should’ve been there, but given the financial crisis caused by baldy man and his minions. As a luminary of the NZ Music Industry said to me whilst in ballroom banter, it’s hard to get people out to gigs at the moment.
Simon Coffey
Click on any image to view a photo gallery by John Hastings:
