Vietnam: Unfinished Business

For immediate Release

Indie Redux – WLG 1985

Vietnam: Unfinished Business

Groundbreaking Wellington post-punk band Vietnam will play the capital’s Fringe Festival to celebrate the release of their debut EP – thirty years after the first vinyl edition was issued.

Formed in Wainuiomata in 1982, the four-piece had a brief but influential career touring in New Zealand before relocating to Australia and disbanding. Known for a brooding, unique sound and lyrical intensity, their eponymously titled debut has long been considered a lost Kiwi classic that is keenly sought by collectors – so much so that Spainbased record company B.F.E. Records plans to re-release it.

Adrian Workman, the band’s bass player, says that after being approached by B.F.E. they sought approval from James Moss of Jayrem Records, who had originally released the EP in 1985. “James gave it the green light” Workman says, “and there will be a vinyl release of the original EP, probably together with some bonus live or garage recordings, in early 2017.”

Workman says the idea to appear at the Fringe Festival was mooted within the band, and Festival organisers have been very positive, with several other incarnations of bands from the era (including Unrestful Movements and Flesh D-Vice) also on the bill.

“We’re not too serious about creating any kind of magical aura for the show, it’s really more of a celebration. We never officially launched the EP, as I moved to Australia about a month after its release, so there’s definitely some unfinished business involved. We’d like to attract some of the punters from that time, and also some younger generations who have an interest in the post punk genre.”

Wellington in the early 1980’s had a vibrant and independent post punk music scene that would prove to be equally influential as its punk forebear. “It largely grew out of the frustration of being rebuffed by the mainstream venues who wanted cover bands,” Workman says.

“The underground music movement responded by promoting their own gigs in alternative venues in and around Wellington. Eventually the mainstream venues softened to the collective voice of local musicians and began opening their doors, but the alternative gigs continued. New venues came and went, and Wellington enjoyed a period of mayhem and music like it had never seen before. And it has probably never seen anything similar since!”

Vietnam appear on Saturday 18 February at Meow, 9 Edward St, Te Aro. Supported by Die Glocke and Dead Simple.

‘Indie Redux – WLG 1985’ show starts at 6pm and tickets are $12 through www.fringe.co.nz

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