EdgeFest ‘06 It’s EdgeFest time again. The Edge radio station’s annual one-day music festival is happening on the 26th March in Hamilton, out at the Mystery Creek Events Centre.
Summertime’ has been an anthemic summer hit all over the TV and radio here in NZ, and who’re set for a big year in 2006. Nexus had a talk to the Merc-sters.
It’s sold out in previous years and EdgeFest ’06 is set to be no exception. With a huge line-up of acts across a wide range of musical styles, EdgeFest will be held in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch. Hamilton is the final stop this year, so expect plenty of amped-up end-of-tour revelry.
Nexus: Giz a brief bio on Thirsty Merc, for those of us who haven’t heard much yet.
Among the acts headlining this year are The Presidents of the United States of America, who will return to New Zealand after a soldout Auckland concert in October 2005. Best known for their hit singles ‘Lump’, ‘Peaches’, and the new single ‘Some Postman’, the Presidents will perform songs from their latest album, ‘Love Everybody’, which features the band’s trademark formula of ironic-punk, with catchy hooks and gleeful goofiness. Look out for a PUSA interview coming up in Nexus. Other international acts include P.O.D. (Payable on Death), UK duo Mattafix (hip hop, soul, reggae, and dancehall), and The Living End, one of the biggest punk rock bands out of Australia. Fellow Aussies Thirsty Merc will be there too – see below for an interview. There’s also a hefty contingent of eminent NZ-ers on the bill. Elemeno P’ll be back this year with their signature blend of guitar power-pop and big choruses. Savage was the name on everyone’s lips last year with the launch of his solo career and a couple of runaway hit tunes. He’ll be at EdgeFest to perform his songs including the smash ‘They Don’t Know’ featuring Aaradhna. Goodnight Nurse will also be there to provide the perfect mix of irresponsible punk, heart-pounding rock and pop that you’ll find yourself humming three days later. Also on the bill is veteran Edgefester P-Money, who’s bringing a special mystery guest. Nicely rounding off the line-up and also returning to EdgeFest for 2006 are Nesian Mystik. One of the biggest success stories in New Zealand music.
Thirsty Merc Also here for the Edgefest-ivities will be Thirsty Merc, the hot new Australianbased trio, whose recent single, ‘In the ISSUE 1
Thirsty Merc: We formed 4 years ago, which we just worked out today. Carl the drummer and myself grew up together in a small country town in New South Wales. I met Ray though doing some jazz around Sydney when we all moved there. Then one day we got together and that was 4 years ago. Our first
N: Favourite way to get thirsty? TM: Being in a rock band’s thirsty work – that’s kinda where the name comes from, a play on words. Playing for an hour, that’s the best way to get thirsty. N: Favourite drink? TM: Once I’ve quenched my thirst, I’m a red wine guy. N: I was intrigued by some of your merchandise – do the Thirsty Merc undies sell
“For some reason there’s a high demand for these undies we’ve started to sell. Probably they don’t sell quite as well as the t-shirts though.” album’s been out in Australia for about 18 months, and it’s just come out in NZ. N: Favourite NZ band? TM: We’re all big Neil Finn fans, so anything that he’s done. I heard another good band called Goodshirt, and some newer stuff – the guys from Evermore? We love their music too, they’re great young guys. And there seems to be a mecca of jazz musos in Sydney, and Melbourne, from Christchurch and Auckland. I think I’ve met a couple from Hamilton too. Lots of great kiwi musos come to live in Australia and they’re usually all really good. N: What can Thirsty Merc virgins expect from your live show? TM: It’s just a rock band really…with songs… and I suppose accessibility. We have a good time on stage. (incomprehensible descriptive passage here involving either the ‘60s or ‘sexy’.) Just come and have a good time – it’s not wrist slashing music. N: Looking forward to anyone on the EdgeFest bill in particular? TM: I’m keen to see the Presidents of the United States – I’ve heard good things about them live, that they’re really wicked. Also the guys are big fans of The Living End, so that’ll be good too. And also all the NZ bands that I haven’t heard.
well? (see www.thirstymerc.com) TM: For some reason there’s a high demand for these undies we’ve started to sell. Probably they don’t sell quite as well as the t-shirts though. N: Do you sign ‘em? TM: Yeah…I’ve signed undies and g-strings. It’s a hard life. Final comments? TM: It’s wicked to be here, and it’s the first time our album’s been released out of Australia, so it’s unknown territory. We’re going to try and make it part of touring schedule later in the year as well. See Thirsty Merc live at EdgeFest 06. The online bio promises ‘signature porno moustaches and wacky suits’. Edgefest tickets are available now from ticketek.co.nz and Sounds - $45 + booking fee. Pretty good value for such an extensive lineup. Want to go to Edgefest for free? Nexus has 2 double passes to the Hamilton show to give away. We’ll also be giving away some CDs. If you’d like to be in the draw, just email ‘Edgefest Giveaway’ – nexus@waikato.ac.nz and tell us what act is playing at both WSU Orientation and Edgefest this year. 23