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How quickly Halloween turns to Christmas; in the blink of an eye pumpkins are replaced by tinsel, reindeer and ho-ho-hoing.
Just as the Watusi Country Club’s dive-bombing swallows herald the arrival of spring, so the
merry jingle of two novelty songs welcomes the festive season.
Chanelle Davis. Photo / Supplied
One comes from an old Tauranga acquaintance. Chanelle Davis is a singer-songwriter I last met when she was acting as assistant for venerated songwriting teacher Pat Pattison from Berklee College of Music and already making a songwriting name for herself.
She released her first children’s album, ‘The Little Green Turtle And Other Songs for Kids!’ in 2017, and returns with Chanelle & Friends, bringing the barn dance back this summer with new single ‘Creature Groove’.
Enviable group
Davis has assembled an enviable group: kiwi icons The Topp Twins, singer Tami Neilson, and fiddler Marian Burns. ‘Creature Groove’ is currently sitting atop the iTunes children’s music charts.
The other one is a real Christmas song, from the unlikely punk-leaning twin duos of Billy Two – Michael Baxter and Coz Rutherford of disbanded outfit The Knids – and Glen and Lara Wilson from Te Puke’s Dead Simple. Together they’re Simple Billy. ‘I’ve Given Up On Christmas’ arrives any day –keep an eye out.
Chanelle Davis with the Topp Twins. Photo / Supplied
There are also two new local albums. ‘Before 60’ comes from Noel Smith and the Greenroom. The Greenroom band is somewhat legendary locally for longevity, revolving members, and a reputation for favouring enthusiasm over accuracy. They have played a thousand parties and have many friends. There are tracks on this week’s playlist; more next week.
Who are they?
And if there have been rumours of a Greenroom album for years they’re nothing compared to rumours swirling around The False Waltons.
False Waltons. Photo / Supplied
Are they really three brothers? Did frontman Marcus Walton really spent time on England’s underground bare-knuckle fighting circuit? Did bassist Pete Walton really tour Australasia as a competitive yo-yo performer? What is a False Walton anyway?
Throughout the 35 impressive minutes of their debut ‘The Purpose’ none of these questions are answered. But they do reveal an ambitious band with both a musical identity and a broad range within that.
Catching them live I was struck by the sheer force of their wall-of-sound Hüsker Dü approach, but even then it was clear they are connoisseurs of guitar tone, borne out on an album where songs range from the full-on title track to mournful ballad ‘Train To Your Town’, and guitar freak-outs on ‘A Little Strange’.
‘Hot Cat On A Hot Tin Roof’ is a blazing hard-rock opener that deserves radio play and they slip into indie territory with ‘Carry Fire’, while ‘Side On’ brings the sound wall I remember. Different colours and flavours abound. I like it. The band is looking at a vinyl release in the near future, probably at the Jam Factory.
A gig
One quick gig. The Nukes. Four guys and a bunch of ukuleles play December 5 at The Arts Junction in Katikati. And – as you've got to be if all you have is ukuleles – they are sensational.
The Nukes. Photo / Supplied
Hear Winston’s latest Playlist: