Local band chasing a musical dream

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JULIA WADE

 

30 Jan, 2023

 

Three local musical lads who banded together over their mutual taste for alternative punk rock have been drumming a strong path in the NZ music scene, with potent high-energy performances and lively unique sound striking the right chords with audiences.

 

After wowing a local crowd with their first gig at Hakaru Hall back in August 2021, Mangawhai-based band ‘0800 Belly Up’ have been crazy busy throughout 2022, performing in a list of bars and iconic venues from Northland to Wellington, including Auckland’s Ding Dong Lounge, Whangaparaoa’s Paroa Brewing, The Butter Factory in Whangarei, and twice at Leigh Sawmill.

The trio of talented musos also made it all the way to the 2022 ‘Battle of the Bands’ national final in October, have released two original singles in recent months – ‘One Last Wish’ and ‘Kick Ons’ which received a rave review from supporters of kiwi music Music.Net.NZ – as well as created their own branded merchandise of hats, beanies and tees, and just before Christmas dropped their self-titled debut EP.

Members Richard Dunn-Darvil (lead vocals/bass guitar), Buster Clarke (guitar/backing vocals) and Daniel Boyd (drums/backing vocals), are homegrown boys from Te Arai, Mangawhai and Langs Beach, who bonded over music styles at a 2020 Crate Day celebration, ‘a collection of rowdy, out the gate, bogan meets big-time characters’ the lead singer says.

“Buster and I already knew each other and had played music together for some time, then we met Boydy. After discovering our shared love for music, we started making noise together and things progressed from there. I turned an old run-down shed on a farm where I live into an awesome creative space, which is our music room, home studio and 0800 Belly Up HQ,” Richard says, who owns Mangawhai Glass Services.

“We’re completely independent, self-managed and chasing this dream off our own backs, working to bring a fresh energy, unique sound and feel-good uplifting songs to the NZ music scene.”

An unusual, intriguing name for a band, 0880 Belly Up was a group effort with Richard bringing ‘belly up’, meaning ‘to face a defeat or loss of some form, a concept along the lines of persevering life’s challenges, facing adversity, living with optimism and purpose when that feeling and time comes about, finding comfort and direction in the surreal moments of vulnerability.’

The ‘0800' was Buster’s idea, a whim the group decided to include as it had a good ring and added some kiwi identity.

Belly Up’s sound itself has a strong alternative rock/punk base, fused with each member’s unique taste, from Richard’s wide variety of genres and styles including funk, classic rock and vocally-driven hits, to Buster’s preference for abstract guitaring and alternative rock such as ‘Incubus,’ and Boydy’s tendency towards heavier music like alternative metal group ‘Tool.’

“I write the lyrics for the songs, forming most of the initial ideas before collaborating with Buster to create the instrumental side of the songs, melodies, dynamics etc. Then we all come together to piece it all together and make the finishing touches,” Richard says.

“Primarily we write to engage our listeners, whether it be through vocally-driven sing-alongs, catchy riffs and melodies, relatable ideas or the energy we put into our music. We aim to uplift and connect to our audience.”

The trio have just recently appeared at Auckland’s ‘Cassette Nine’ club on January 19 as part of a ‘Breaking Sound’ show, an organisation who ‘specialise in showcasing the hottest emerging artists from around the world’, and are set to step on stage at the Under the Bridge Festival in Puhoi on February 4.

It is clear the band relishes playing to live audiences and Richard says nothing is better than seeing people enjoy themselves.

“We give it our absolute all, putting all of our energy and passion into performing, jumping around on stage and going for it,” he says. “We focus on original music which gives us freedom of expression and there's something special about it when our audience appreciates what we're doing and we can share that energy.”

Check the band out online, 0800bellyup.com or facebook and Instagram.

 

All going well 0800 Belly Up’s members, Richard Dunn-Darvil, Buster Clarke and Daniel Boyd could give up their day jobs of glazier, builder and horticulturist. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

 

“We’re completely independent, self-managed and chasing this dream off our own backs, working to bring a fresh energy, unique sound and feel-good uplifting songs to the NZ music scene.”

- Richard Dunn-Darvil

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