The Politicians
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| The Politicians | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tokoroa, New Zealand |
| Genre(s) | rock new wave reggae |
| Years active | 1981-199? |
| Associated acts | The Narcs, The Bronx, The Break,Step Chant unit, Night Attack, The Panelbeaters, The Wetbacks, Made in Britain,
Touch of class,Paris,Young Lust,The Echoes,The Kiwi bandits,The Tim Armstrong band, Knightshade,Fury. |
| Former members | |
| Tim Armstrong Wa Kupa Doug Pepperell Paul van Wering Campbell Hapi Paul Alderton Ian Jeffries Adrian Ellis Donna Armstrong Jeff Downey |
|
The Politicians were a rock/new wave/reggae band formed in Tokoroa, New Zealand in March 1981.Originally writing and performing their own songs with such titles as Shift worker,Teacher Teacher,Can't write a love song,Arabian girl,5 Years time... Two of their singles were played on various NZ television shows, including Shazam and Radio with Pictures. They toured New Zealand for 5 years playing the hotel circuit. When Tim Armstrong left the band in may 1986 he went on to form The Kiwi Bandits. And The Tim Armstrong band. Which played at Zaks nitepub in Hamilton New Zealand. The Politicians continued for almost another 10 years playing resident at Shakes niteclub in Hamilton now known as the Altitude. After their resident gig finished they carried on as a working band and recorded a highly polished album entitled Test Pattern.
Wa Kupa lives in Wairoa and Doug Pepperell is now in Perth Australia. Paul Alderton is still performing with the Paul/ Simon Duo. Campbell Hapi is playing gigs around South east Asia. Paul VanWering is teaching music and Guitar in Hamilton. Ian Jefferies still does gigs and is now a Car Salesman, while Jeff Downey runs his own company, Downey Construction. Adrian Ellis continues his Music career and is working on a video company in Tokoroa.Paul Krippner has his own sound company.
Tim Armstrong's band is still performing and has released several albums and singles. The singles Photograph and Christmas day were released in 1986. Grantham street/Elenore (single) was released in 1993.Tim recorded three albums in the nineties. Relationships 1992/ Breaking hearts 1993 and Wondering why which was released on Hark records in 1995. Also a cover version of the Beatles song Here comes the sun came out as a single in 1994.Tim Armstrongs latest album just released Listen to your Heart(2007).
[edit] Band members
- Tim Armstrong (guitar/vocals)
- Wa Kupa (bass)(1981-1984)
- Doug Pepperell (drums)(1981-1982)
- Paul van Wering (guitar/keyboard)(1983-1990s)
- Campbell Hapi (bass) (1984-1986)
- Jeff Downey (drums) (1985-1990s)
- Paul Alderton (drums) (1982-1985)
- Donna Armstrong (keyboards) (1984-1986)
- Adrian Ellis(Bass) (1986-1990)
- Lance Healey(Bass) (1990)
- Paul Krippner (sound) (1985-1990s)
- Simon Elton (Bass) (1990s)
- Laurence Arps (guitar) (1990s)
- Corilin Steel (vocals) (1990s) *Corilin Steel is now resident solo singer aboard The Waipa Delta".
- Kevin Smith (Drums)(1990s)
- Liam Ryan (keyboards) various times
- Ian Jeffries (guitar) (1986-1990)[1]
Tim Armstrong band (1997 - Present)
- Tim Armstrong (guitar/vocals)
- Don McClumpha([Backing vocals/bass guitar])
- Alan Grady ([Backing vocals/drums])
[edit] Singles
| Year | Single | Album | NZ Singles Chart | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Down In Baghdad/Looking for you | - | - | |
| 1985 | Energy/Polar bear | - | - |
Album Test Pattern released 1993
