The Pop Group – The Kings Arms

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DSC01599Post-punk pioneers The Pop Group finally made their way to New Zealand almost 40 years after forming in Bristol. The band proved that their abrasive, confrontational and political brand of punk is as vital today as it was back in the days of Margaret Thatcher’s England.

With the strains of Doctor Zhivago’s Lara’s Theme floating through the air at Auckland Kings Arms, all seemed quite peaceful until the sound of drummer Bruce Smith’s kit came crashing in. That must have been what punk sounded like to the initiated back in 1977 when The Pop Group first got together to meld elements of dub, funk, reggae and rock into the powerful sound we now call “post-punk”.

But the song wasn’t some obscure punk nugget from the 70s; it was Citizen Zombie, the title track to The Pop Group’s new album. And as front man Mark Stewart put it, “We’ve still got some lead in the old pencil”.

Indeed…the four veteran musicians…including bassist Dan Catsis and guitarist/keyboard player Gareth Sager…proved that this confrontational, noisy music is as relevant today as it was in 1979.

The band was assisted by a young guitarist/vocalist who was never introduced, but managed to sound like he fit right in , chiming in with funky, Chic-like guitar riffs as Stewart railed and screamed over them.

I should mention that Mark Stewart cut an imposing figure on stage…the man is a giant, looking much larger than his 6 feet, 6 inches. He lurched around the tiny stage, occasionally bumping into a monitor or unplugging his mic as he tore into songs like Thief Of Fire and Spanish Inquisition.

The set was fairly evenly divided between oldies like We Are All Prostitutes and She’s Beyond Good And Evil and songs from the new album. Mad Truth was especially impressive as was Trap, a gem from back in 1980.

At one point Stewart go so worked up he sang with a white towel wrapped around his head.

It was a short, exhilarating reminder of what punk was really all about…Green Day should take note. The band wrapped things up with Where There’s A Will…and then they were done.

Mission accomplished…message received!

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a gallery of photos by Keith Murdock:

The Pop Group set list:

  1. Citizen Zombie
  2. Thief Of Fire
  3. Mad Truth
  4. We Are All Prostitutes
  5. Age Of Miracles
  6. Spanish Inquisition
  7. Shadow Child
  8. She’s Beyond Good And Evil
  9. Nowhere Girl
  10. Trap
  11. O.P.H.I.A.
  12. Words Disobey Me
  13. We Are Time
  14. Where There’s A Will…

 

Marty Duda
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