The Lemonheads – Double Whammy: May 28, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)
The Lemonheads returned to Auckland, selling out Double Whammy. Simon Coffey was on the scene and files this report.
Conjecture has it that The Lemonheads still owe royalties to past NZ punk rock band Proud Scum for covering their 1980 smash hit I Am A Rabbit on their 1986 debut 7” EP Laughing All the Way to the Cleaners. True (ly mirthful) story!
But for all failings, Aotearoa loves The Lemonheads, with their vast kete of dreamy, melancholic indie-punk bangers/covers (Into Your Arms, Drug Buddy, Luka, Alison’s Starting to Happen, Ride With Me) Notably, their 1992 album It’s A Shame About Ray catapulted the band into the spotlight, alongside the 1993 release Come On Feel the Lemonheads. I also have a soft spot for their earlier works, Lick from 1989 and Lovey from 1990.
The Lemonheads, well Evan Dando, (in the same way Mark E Smith was The Fall, and Robert Smith is The Cure) are no stranger to Aotearoa’s shores. I have hazy memories of seeing them perform in 1991 at the infamous Gluepot in Ponsonby and alongside The 3D’s at a Waikato University Orientation gig in 1993, followed by a show at Tamaki Makaurau’s Kurtz Lounge in 1997, and most recently in 2007. Unfortunately, I missed his solo performance in 2004, the 2014 shows, and the less said about the (attempted) 2017 shows the better. In the lead up to the show, FOMO was the buzzword amongst the gentile and ‘older’ crowd..
PASH
PASH originally formed in 1993 when Steve Simpson and Ronny Growler came to Tamaki Makauraru from Ōtautahi and recruited bass player Clem White. There was a lot of radio play on 95bFM, a CD single Doo Wop and collapse in 1997. Back after 30 years, with a new (old) song All The Way, they were a surprising choice as the opening act.
History is always getting rewritten, and PASH have played the game with the addition of a ‘best mate’ Bob Kerrighan on guitar and a well dressed keyboardist (I’m sure they didn’t have one wayback). Through a set that sounded classic alt-indie 90’s, it was like living in the 90’s all over again, with (slightly overblown) keys, but a welcome gruntier guitar sound. Ronny Growler ensconced side of stage on drums, looking a little like father Xmas, and bassist Clem sporting a way-cool Gaye Bykers on Acid t-shirt. The band played many lost in time songs, a few memorable bangers (Doo Wop and Undercover) and a new one or maybe two? Whether PASH are a going concern is hazy, but these old (indie) rockers thoroughly enjoyed bantering with the crowd, and playing once again.
The Lemonheads
There was a buzz, and the crowd up front were reluctant to abandon prime real estate, with little aplomb, Evan Dando is onstage launching into Rockin’ Stroll. And then thundering through (the album) It’s A Shame About Ray with stern sprite, occasionally his vocals waver, but with a bassist and drummer delivering the rhythms tightly, and their soundtech managing the room’s vagaries with skills it sounds earthy. The album’s title track elicited much crowd sing-along as did Drug Buddy. Alison’s Starting To Happen got a right-royal-roofing as Dando switched into the the lyrics to Bodies (Sex Pistols) but throughout the album he was solely focused on his music, not a word was uttered, the audience merely receptors (of punk rock show)
Midpoint his band goes stage left, and Dando slings on an acoustic, now he shares. He rambles, referencing Flight Of The Conchords, OMG’s How Bizarre and an elongated explanation about a crazy girlfriend (at the time) sabotaging his efforts to get into Aotearoa in 2017.
On acoustic, it’s a hodgepodge of tunes, few are introduced, sometimes no mic is used, and some are cut short. Dead Kennedys Chemical Warfare is briefly barked, meanwhile his version of The Freedom Singers Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ’round is magnificent, as is Tribute to Hank Williams originally by Tim Hardin. The Outdoor Type & Frank Mills get sing-a-long support, but for my money, it’s the rolling out of Misfits 1981 classic Skulls, it goes on a bit long and is finalised with Dando drumming and singing a version of The Eagles Lyin’ Eyes. eeek!
The billing for tonight’s show said an hour on stage, it’s been that and I was worried that fate might see the final bell tolling. But no, the bandmates returned and through the second promised album, slightly less refined, but not lacking the energy. Great Big No, Big Gay Heart are warmly received, but whence Into Your Arms arrived, crowd aroha showed, and Evan provided some serious punk rock lead guitar mahi. In his shabby-looking kaftan (or similar), straggled hair and unkept beard (maybe exaggerating a little) The Big Lebowski aka Evan Dando completed the trifecta by jumping on bass for Rick James-style, featuring a funtastic-play off with his axe counterpart. No encore, I got the feeling that he had given his all, and duly delivered way more than the promised hour.
Tonight’s The Lemonheads Tamaki Makaurau show was sold out, well in advance, which illustrates the depth of aroha for the band, foibles and all. Could it have been moved to a bigger venue, perhaps, but we were the few, the lucky few tonight.
Simon Coffey
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