The Ponsonby DCs

"The New New Zealand National Anthem !"

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KIWI CULT CLASSIC SET TO MAKE ITS MARK

Classic New Zealand  act The Ponsonby DCs’ lost debut tipped for international honours.

 New Zealand’s The Ponsonby DCs look like belatedly achieving the international renown they are overdue for thanks to the re-release of an album first put out in 1986.  The album, owned by San Francisco’s Music Publishing Company “3:05 AM Music” (BMI), appears thanks to a remarkable chain of events.

 The Ponsonby DCs had started life in Auckland in the mid-eighties co-led by Bassist/ Guitarist Keith Dion – best known now for his work with Arthur Lee and Love and the late Noel Redding (from The Jimi Hendrix Experience). Keith had returned to San Francisco in 1986 with a bunch of demos recorded with The Ponsonbys DCs. These recordings grabbed the attention of Keith’s friends the Dead Kennedys whose enthusiasm helped persuade him to return to Auckland and put together this excellent debut album.

At the time there was great interest in the group on the alternative and college music scenes in the States, reflected by rave reviews in the NorthAmerican media– most notably in Spin Magazine which dubbed The PonsonbyDCs “sons of Dire Straits meets Lou Reed” and cited the great humour and the “remarkable lyrics” that underpinned their quirky and original individual sound.

The record was then sent back to New Zealand as a US import gaining much press attention and eventual airplay.

However things had been quiet for a while until, in late 2005, Keith’s co-leader in the group – chief songwriter Gavin Buxton received an email from aleading TV film producer enquiring about their classic New Zealand song, G’Day Mate - seeking permission for its inclusion in an upcoming TV documentary. As aresult the album was reviewed by Nick Bollinger on Radio New Zealand who de-scribed it as “… a pioneering piece of Kiwi Pop, an underground milestone” and “a genuine New Zealand classic, years ahead of its time …”.

 Then, when the album appeared in a list of the Top 10 worldwide releases by the New Zealand Listener critics’ poll for 2005, it was clear that it was time for action!

Since then, 3:05 AM Music (BMI) have decided to extend the album’s release to the UK and Europe and let audiences here sample the band’s unique and evergreen Pop vision.

 Included in this deluxe expanded edition are 7 additional songs from their unreleased 1988 follow up “Everybody’s a DC”, as well as 2 superior alternate takes from the original album.

 Besides Dion and Buxton, the rest of the line up includes several of New Zealand’s most acclaimed and talented musicians – award winning song writer John Quiqley, sax and trombone virtuoso Chris Watts and one of New Zealand’s most in demand and award winning drummer - percussionists Jay Foulkes. 

 The Ponsonby DCs also hope to visit the UK in the new year in support of the record.

 In the meantime, enquiries about the album and / or the band, including requests for interview, session, live appearance etc., can be directed to Wilton PR (national radio & TV pluggers) on 07752 191445 or to Futureproof Records (press and regional/ specialist media promotion) on 020 7792 8597.

The New Zealand Listener is the main stream press's # 1 film , music and art magazine. Their music critic Nick Bollinger compiled a list of the "Best Music Released in 2005".

Check out # 10.

1. CHAVEZ RAVINE, Ry Cooder (Nonesuch).

2. PEGASUS, the Phoenix Foundation (FMR).

3. LOST AND SAFE, the Books (Tomlab/Spunk).

4. KICKING TELEVISION, Wilco (Nonesuch).

5. GET BEHIND ME SATAN, the White Stripes (XL/Shock).

6. IN THE HEART OF THE MOON, Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate (World Circuit).

7. AT CARNEGIE HALL, Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane (Bluenote).

8. CRIPPLE CROW, Devendra Banhart (Shock).

9. I'VE GOT MY OWN HELL TO RAISE, Bettye LaVette (Anti).

10. THE PONSONBY DCs, the Ponsonby DCs.

The Front Lawn and "How Bizarre" are pre-empted and Peter Cape updated in "G'Day Mate", the Ponsonby DCs' 20-year-old pioneering piece of Kiwipop. Now on CD for the first time, the short-lived group's only record is expanded with more lost anthems from mid-80s New Zealand ("Queen Street", "Looking for the Action" and - best of all - "Another Great Moment in the History of Trivia Passes").

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"The New New Zealand National Anthem !"

Or at least that's what the New Zealand entertainment papers screamed on the initial hearing and domestic release of "G'Day Mate" from The Ponsonby DC's debut EP back in the late 1980's. Released only marginally at the time in the USA through the alternative college radio network, and then as an "import" back to New Zealand, this virtually unknown local group made the sort of splash that most established groups could only hope to make after several years of hard work.

After all the local media hoopla that ensued, what was left but to have the Australasian office of WEA license "G'Day Mate" as a single which actually hit # 19 on the NZ AM Radio Charts.All this from a band that started off as just a laugh and a hoot amongst good friends, all of whom were at the time playing in more established, well known and signed New Zealand groups like Martial Law, Peking Man, Big Sideways and The Newmatics.

With major international press reviews pouring in from the likes of SPIN, The Gavin Report, Beef Music and Art and Option amongst others, The Ponsonby DCs seemed to make an international, high profile splash without even really trying. Isn't that the way it's supposed to be ?

Never before released in The UK, Europe or Australia, and never anywhere in CD format, The Ponsonby DC's "Everybody's A DC" will also include their never issued follow up to the original EP - all rolled into one great new package. Listen for yourself and you will probably agree: This could be one of the greatest New Zealand Pop Albums of all time.

"Everybody's A DC"

Track Listing:

Queen Street/G'Day Mate/Looking For The Action/Heaven/Holiday/When I Was George Orwell's Hairdresser/Slogans And Cliches/Another Great Moment (In The History Of Trivia)/Ponsonby Medley: No Rhythm / City of Pity/Go-Go Bananas/Summer Mellow/Parachute/Don't Lose Your Cool

Produced by Keith Dion and Gavin Buxton

All Songs C + P 3:05 AM Music BMI International.

Gavin Buxton: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Violin, Alto Saxophone

Keith Dion: Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, 12 String Acoustic Guitar

Chris Watts: Trombone, Alto Saxophone Jay F'Bula: Drums, Percussion

 Jannelle Alston: Background Vocals

 John Quigley: Drums # 11 & 6, Bass # 6, Electric Guitar # 13

Dave Majors: Bass Guitar # 11

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