First announced to coincide with 2022's appearance at The Others Way, this vinyl summation of all things Newmatics seemed to have fallen into the abyss... Imagine our delight when, out of the blue, these tasty LPs showed up on our doorstep at last! No need to keep it down for this riot squad, now you can finally crank up this ska-soul-R'n'B outfit's entire output in one place, as nature intended: on vinyl!
Newmatics came out of a fertile post-punk early-80s Auckland music scene that also spawned Blam Blam Blam and the Screaming Meemees. Taking their cues from ska, r’n’b and soul, they were a fearsome live act – but managed to release only nine songs (including their enduring legacy 'Riot Squad' – synonymous now with the 1981 Springbok Tour). After their split in 1983, Mark Clare took up acting (he’s the bungy jumper in the classic Instant Kiwi ad), Kelly Rogers co-founded Rialto Cinemas, and Ben Staples played with UK indie band The Woodentops. Brent Pasley founded his own landscape architecture company. Chris Watts went to play in numerous jazz bands and is a music teacher. Jeff Smith became an animator and film-maker (Poi E, Rumble & Bang). Jump to 2022 and all their Harlequin studio recordings (transferred from master tape) and a live rendition of Land Of 1000 Dances are presented with insert and other random goodies by Electric Alchemy & Newmatics. Get your dancing shoes on!
Tracklist:
- Square One
- 5 Miseries
- Judas
- Playing The Champion
- Riot Squad
- Doobie Do Boy
- Broadcast
- Crossed Wires
- Walkie Talkies
- Sounds
- Land Of 1000 Dances (Live)