Cover Bands Bios
MODERNMAORI QUARTET
The award-winning Modern Māori Quartet (MMQ) are a good looking, suave contemporary Māori showband in the vein of forebears such as the Hi-Marks, Māori Volcanics Showband, Māori Hi-Five, Quin Tikis and The Howard Morrison Quartet. Accomplished actors/musicians James Tito, Maaka Pohatu, Matariki Whatarau and Francis Kora hail from different corners of Aotearoa to perform as the core members of MMQ, with Matu Ngaropo as Music Dramaturg/Director. MMQ brings the concept of a Māori Ratpack into the present with a contemporary twist, weaving their acting and musical abilities together to tell stories, fusing hearty and humorous Māori storytelling with the Western tradition of showband entertainment.
80SX
This Auckland based 5-piece specialises in recreating the magic of the 80’s. 80sX have played many corporate gigs and each has made their own mark in the music industry. Each highly experienced member brings their own flavour to the band. With Adam Jackson on lead vocals (from bands Milk, Six Stitches and El Bajo) Caroline Lekstrom also on vocals (finalist on TV’s “Stars In Their eyes” in both NZ and her homeland Sweden), Andrew Maclaren on drums (from multi platinum selling band stellar*), Andrew Thorne playing lead guitar (Guitars on Bic Runga’s 11 x platinum debut album Drive and toured internationally with iconic NZ artists such as Bic Runga, Dave Dobbyn and Tim Finn) and Brett Wells (Chartered Director and Executive Management Professional with over 25yrs operations experience in Webb Group and a foundation member the board not to mention a board member of Starjam). 80sX have a genuine passion for the music and this really shows when they hit the stage and deliver you the best party mix you can sing along and dance to all night, on a silver platter.
BIG TICKET
Big Ticket is an eight-piece band which specialises in taking modern pop songs and playing them with a vintage twist. Their repertoire includes songs by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and also classics by popular music greats such as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and The Rolling Stones.All songs are played in a variety of vintage styles which includes Swing and MoTown. Big Tickets’ music is great for swing dancing, and also for just a good old boogie for corporate and private events.
BOOGIE MONSTA
Waikato based Covers band, Boogie Monsta have been around since 1992! Original member & founder, drummer Brian Telfar, is accompanied by Steve Crossland on Vocals/Guitar and Bass players alternate between Edward Huirama & Ken Simmonds, both whom are seasoned musicians in their own right. They’ve played at events such as Balloons over Waikato, Field Days, Various corporate Events in NZ, Australia & New Caledonia including the Royal Easter show in Sydney and a yearly commute to the Foire de Bourail in New Caledonia for their annual Country festivals. Also, a tonne of Weddings, Awards evenings & School Balls along the way. Genres range from background/easy listening acoustic to Dance, Funk, Rock n Roll & plain old outright rock. It’s with this repertoire that makes them the perfect pick for your event.
BSA BAND
BSA are a covers band based in Hamilton and Auckland, that play a wide range of music from the 1960s to now. With excellent musicianship and outstanding vocal harmonies, BSA have the ability to cater for various types of events from corporate functions to weddings. Whether you need background music over dinner or pumping sing-along anthems, BSA is bound to entertain the crowd.
Golden KIWIS
100% KIWI HITS + 100% KIWI MUSIC LEGENDSA band of New Zealand’s finest songwriters and musicians are proud to present a show that spotlights the best of Kiwi music. The Golden Kiwis play all your favourites from Split Enz, Exponents, Hello Sailor, MiSex, Dragon, Dave Dobbyn, Th’Dudes plus many more.
The Golden Kiwis are:Rikki Morris,
Cherie Mathieson (Sola Rosa),Harry Lyon (Hello Sailor, Coup d’etat),Rick Ball (Hello Sailor Ticket)Mark Steven (Ardijah),Tony Waine (Narcs).This is ain’t no disco, this is a party, a celebration of Kiwi music. This is the real deal. Oh..and bring your dancing shoes!
HALO
Having been together for over a decade, Halo have a lot of experience together playing a variety of private and corporate events both Nationally AND Internationally! They perform a wide variety of contemporary pop music and can adapt to your events theme. Some clients Halo have performed are: Vodafone • Lonely Dog Ltd • KPMG • Price Waterhouse Cooper • Ray White Real Estate Hard Rock Café • Sky City Casino • House of Travel • Trust Power – the list goes on. Available as a 5-7 piece, Halo’s dedicated 3 leading vocalists and powerhouse live band can cater to all genres, feels and styles.
HANDS OFF
Hands Off are one of New Zealand’s best and most popular corporate bands. They have played dozens of functions, awards nights and gala dinners for many large corporate clients from both NZ and overseas and have even been sourced for functions in Bangkok, Australia, Fiji and The UK! Available in several formats and combinations, Hands Off can provide Entertainment for any function. With Drums, Bass, Guitars, Keyboards and 5 vocalists (male and female). They can deliver a live entertainment package to fit your event! With a repertoire that covers top 40 hits, popular music, disco, 80’s, classics and rock, Hands Off will always deliver a strong performance guaranteed to get everyone moving. And with their ‘try anything once’ attitude, your requests are always welcome.
HIPSTAMATICs
Hipstamatics now a household name in the live music community in New Zealand, was founded by Nate Judd and ex guitarist Kelly Pram of Auckland Soul Productions in 2011. The 10piece line up has gone through many changes over the years but has slowly built up its stellar crew with an incredible feat of credentials to back their amazing talents. The bands style and musicality takes from classic 70s and other funk fusion elements of today. In the last year Hipstamatics have been focusing their efforts on creating original music with the distinct flavour that makes the Hipstamatics sound that it is today, Plans are in motion in 2015 to write and record their first album. Watch this space...
MAGNIFICENT 7
Taking their name from the classic Western movie of the same name, the legendary members in The Magnificent Seven come from similarly disparate backgrounds as the stars of that stunning piece of cinema. This amazing musical ensemble share a reason for being much like those guns-for-hire in that 1960’s classic: all experts in their own right, they have come together from far and wide to combine as a fearless, fabulous unit. The Magnificent Seven is founded upon three musical icons, Peter Urlich, Jordan Luck and Eddie Rayner. Having fronted or been key members with their previous bands – Th’ Dudes, The Exponents, and Split Enz respectively, they bring the legacy and love of those groups back to the stage and with it, a basket of iconic Kiwi songs to delight audiences around the country. Arguably two of the best frontmen in NZ, Jordan and Peter deliver one big song after another with all the verve, skill and energy those songs deserve. And providing the star dust and terrific keyboard trills is Eddie Rayner, a true maestro, responsible for many of the Enz’s most memorable riffs. Their cohorts include the dynamic bass player Dave Gent, an Exponent himself whose intro to “Why does Love” has stopped a few hearts and started a few parties in its time; while Bryan Bell and Brett Adams wheel twin guitars with a fury and fervour that these legendary songs require. Bryan, of Dead Flowers infamy has long been a Jordan Luck stage and songwriting partner; Brett Adams is one half of The Bads, and has contributed to many film, TV and musical tracks over the past decades that have embedded him in NZ music lore. Rhythmic powerhouse Patrick Kuhtze on the drum stool has as many credits to his name as Brett, and recognised as one of NZ’s leading stickmen. With so many road miles under their collective boots, the Magnificent Seven are slick and shiny as a well-oiled machine but they truly love playing together and as anyone lucky enough to have seen them live, their energy is infectious. This remarkable gang of Kiwi legends plays from a set list that has more top ten hits than is frankly decent.
MOJO
The members of Queenstown-based covers band Mojo have played with some of the best in the business and now they are hoping to establish themselves as the best in Live Entertainment. Mojo, which established mid-2010, boasts five talented Queenstown musicians all of whom are brilliant vocalists, which enable the Live Entertainment Act to perform a large repertoire of classic songs, from a variety of time periods. The energetic group comprises of Kiwis Pearly McGrath, Shay Muddle, Pol Nicholson (Scotland), Rachel Kennedy and QT muso legend Ned ‘Hot Ocean’ Webster.Mojo’s repertoire of music includes a wide range of Kiwi and International material and encompasses several decades of hits across most genres. Think hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s and today – including covers of Dragon, Florence and the Machine, Queen, One Republic and six60 plus many more.A Highly Professional Live Entertainment Act which will appeal to almost all musical preferences, Mojo, Queenstowns Best Live entertainment Act is available for corporate, public events and private parties including weddings and birthdays. If you are looking for a Professional Band to entertain at your special occasion, look no further, Mojo will play specialised sets to suit any occasion. Truly an all round Excellent Live entertainment act for those looking for a very entertaining band.
OFF THE WALL
With over eleven years and hundreds of gigs together, Off The Wall is one of the most famous cover band in New Zealand. Throughout the years, they have worked for weddings, hallmark events or corporate functions. Their high energy sets of non-stop music are packed with many of the greatest songs of the past 50 years. They are one of Auckland’s most experienced bands, having played marquee events for NZ Fashion Week, Bledisloe Cup, Rugby World Cup, Volvo Ocean Race and prestigious functions for many of Australasia’s biggest companies. They are playing long sets of continuons, uninterrupted music. They can create tailored playlist to suit any event, and they can even play themed events such as Rock’n’Roll, Motown, Disco and 80’s nights. They can also expand to a five piece with keyboards / female vocals.
RHAPSODY
Rhapsody Band is one of New Zealand’s finest cover bands, all members are successful session musicians in their own right, with years of experience in the industry working with various well known artists from New Zealand and abroad. Rhapsody Band are a high energy, world class, top of the range covers band performing not only hits from past decades, but are renowned for incorporating current #1 hits into their sets, keeping their music current and drawing in the crowd. They execute every song on their set list to perfection and over the years have mastered their performance down to a fine art. Rhapsody play a diverse range of musical genres from pop, rock to RnB, soul, Hip Hop and Jazz, something to entertain everyones tastes, their show is sure to entertain. They have worked closely with Stan Walker, Vince Harder, J-Boog, Anna Mac, Holli Smith, Adeaze, Aradnah, Iva Lankum, Fiji and Nathan Haines just to name a few. Some of their accomplishments include being New Zealand X-Factor’s preferred session players for their live shows, Stan Walkers chosen band for his many national and international tours in 2010, 2013, 2014 & 2015. They have been involved most years in playing for many renowned artists, opening and closing the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, many popular festivals including Ragamuffin, Big Day Out, Parachute Music Festival, Winery Tour and Pasifica Festival in both Auckland and Sydney Australia. Rhapsody is a band that brings exhilarating high energy to their live performance, they not only deliver musically but also in entertainment, they hype a crowd, can get the most staunch of audiences up dancing and everyone enjoying a good time, we promise you there will be nodisappointments after experiencing their live show.
SAM ALLEN
Tip-toeing the line between charmingly playful and painfully insightful, Sam Allen is a shining singer songwriter based in central Auckland. Having attained a BA in Music at Auckland University, Sam has been a live performer around Auckland for the past three years. His live performances can flow from melancholy acoustic to upbeat soul, and with energetic vocals and rhythmic guitar playing, he’s an act you don’t want to miss. Sam also carries an array of original songs in which he writes through his observations of others as most great songwriters do. Writing from the heart his unique acoustic pop/rock flavour remains true to the “kiwi” singer songwriter tradition. Sam’s live performances also echoes a deep promise of potential; any true fan of the acoustic genre should sample Sam’s melodies, and witness his performances, as Sam Allen will no doubt follow in the singer songwriter footsteps of our very best.
SOUND CENTRAL
Sound Central is a corporate band made of the finest musicians in Auckland City. They have become highly sought after due to their entertaining mixes of genres and energetic use of the stage. The band is very adaptable and is vastly experienced in various types of events, such as a sting band for award ceremonies, background lounge music and of course the “in your face extravaganza party mode”. What separates these musicians to any other is their unique ability to entertain with spontaneity, quick wit, and their thirst of dancing around the stage, rather than watching a statue perform karaoke.The atmosphere and vibe on stage will get your feet tapping along to the groove, while your eyes are glued to the eccentric nature of the band.
STANDARD DeVIATION
With many years’ live experience, four-piece jazz and swing band Standard Deviation is ideal for stylish events. They perform jazz and swing standards from the 20s to the 50s and are ideal for corporate functions and weddings as well as a private low-key get togethers. Apart from the band’s musicianship, many clients hire Standard Deviation is for their style. Unless requested otherwise, the musicians wear suits, vocalist Andrew sings through a vintage-style microphone and bassist Jonathan plays a stand-up bass.
The complete line-up is as follows:VocalsKeyboardsStand-up bassDrums.If required smaller or larger configurations are available.
Stellar Singers
BIO TO COME
ThE Brotherhood
Brotherhood Musiq – 3 boys from South Auckland, Papatoetoe pursuing their passion for music on the skycity platform. 2 brothers Harry & Aj Pualau with a good family friend Junior Tuiloma have started their music from Papatoetoe High School. They sing a whole range of songs from Soul, R & B, Old School 90’s and even Country songs to cater to any audience. With a derived passion, they look to exceed their entertainment skills not only in NZ but across the seas.
ThE LOVE DOCTORS
Four extremely talented gentlemen from a very well established kiwi group have come together to create the captivating and ever smooth, The Love Doctors. Rio, Matt, Sam & Caleb from Sons of Zion now come to you as a soulful foursome offering their melodic sound able to cater to any special event. With their experience in Sons of Zion playing such major festivals as Raggamuffin, One Love, Homegrown and Rhythm N Alps, The Love Doctors know how to entertain any audience and have a versatile set list.Soul, funk, R&B, pop, Te Reo – The Love Doctors cover it all!
ThE Noodles
The Noodles tour New Zealand regularly for weddings, festivals, concerts, corporate events, bars, clubs and other events where a successful day/night of entertainment is required. Some of the major shows include the Official After Party for Rugby World Sevens players, Toast Martinborough, Summer Tides, Harvest Festival, Cuba Street Carnival, Wellington Cup Trentham Racecourse, NZ Masters Games Wanganui 2013, Picton Maritime Feastaval, Chatham Islands Sea Food Festival and New Years Eve at Furneaux Lodge in Marlborough Sounds (2006-2014). The Noodles are also available for acoustic shows, which are extremely popular for outdoor settings such as garden parties and outdoor wedding receptions. The three-piece band consists of Nick Fawdray – lead vocals/guitar, Samuel Russell – drums/SPDX and Frazer Jones – bass/vocals. It’s this unique combination that gives The Noodles their “Fat Sound” that pleases crowds everywhere they go. Recent corporate clients of The Noodles include Imperial Tabbacco, AA (The Automobile Association of NZ), NZRFU, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Air New Zealand, AMP, Telecom, Contact Energy, Meridian Energy, Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, MetService, Russell McVeagh, James Cameron and Deloitte.The Noodles have also been involved with charity events such as Pink Ribbon Day (Breast cancer) and Women’s Refuge.
ThE RED VELVET SEAT
The Red Velvet Seat are Soulful, Funky and Seriously Sassy. They’re an Auckland-based covers band that can grow from a duo to a full 7-piece with horns. Best known for their love of funk, power ballads, and all of your favourite classics from the ’70s to today, The Red Velvet Seat can warm up a small gathering or keep a party of 500 moving for hours. Book them for your next corporate event. They can’t wait to meet you and get your party pumping.
ThE SATISFACTIONs
The Satisfactions are the ultimate good time party band guaranteed to provide you with music to get your party, wedding, corporate function or establishment going long into the night. A rocking four piece with over 15 years of experience, they have played and seen it all, so they are more than ready to give their all and make whatever night you have in mind a night you will always remember. Let The Satisfactions take the night you have planned and make it one all your friends, colleagues and patrons will remember for a very long time.
TWO MANY CHIEFS
Two Many Chiefs is an Auckland based trio, with a combined performance time of 30+ years. Dillon, Lou’ana and Cam bring a unique and dynamic performance to the table. They have a wide range of material ranging from jazz standards to modern top 40. They’ll have you singing along to songs you know or mingling to timeless classics. They are not only a very talented trio but skilled in there own right. Dillon can be seen Singing lead with Hipstamatics. He’s fronted legendary guitarist Billy TK Senor and can also be seen with “Harvey Knows A Killer” where he features as singer/ keyboardist. Lou’ana Pereira-Dinnan was born singing naturally. From a young age she was completely immersed in music and performance. She currently sings with local Auckland funk bands Fibonacci and Hipstamatics. When she’s not funking it up, she can be seen fronting the 22 piece Queen City big band, or the house band downtown at Orleans. The moment Cam touched a drum kit at age 10 he knew he had found his passion in life. With 12 years drumming experiencehe is without doubt a very talented and sort after performer. He is currently playing for “Hipstamatics,” “Sal Valentine and the Baby Shakes,”Phil Broadhurst, and every other well respected musician who can get his hands on him.
UNION BAND
Union, featuring the amazing vocals of Leza Corban, are one of Auckland’s most sought after bands. Their mix of everyone’s dance favourites, lively delivery and utmost professionalism have seen Union become the darlings of the corporate crowd. Leza has an inimitable knack for enticing the most reluctant of partygoers onto the dancefloor. Their upbeat repertoire of the best of the 70’s, 80’s and Top 40 dance hits is a winning combination.
White CHAPEL JACk
Recently the winners of RNZ Battle of the Covers Band 2018, White Chapel Jak are a suitcase kick drum stomping, stand on the double bass dancing, classical guitar with overtones of “yeeaaah” strumming, hilarious ‘Holly High Hair’ styled Maori front lady, Kiwiana rocking “Original” covers band! This band has a knack for getting you up and dancing in the middle of the day… or night…even if you swear on your favourite worn out pants “I will not dance!”. You will fall in love with their contagious energy, be mesmerised by their musical wizardry and lose yourself in the truly magical way they give you permission to just…let go and party hearty people.