Clap Clap Riot is a four-piece Indie Rock band based in Auckland, New Zealand. In 2008 they won the MTV 'Kick-start your career' band competition.[1]
The band originated in Canterbury and was originally named Band Theft Auto.[1]. The name Clap Clap Riot comes from the applause machine designed by John Lydon for the show Top Of The Pops in the early '80's.
The band released their debut EP 'TV Knows Better' through RhythMethod in February 2009, which produced two singles - 'Thief' and 'Don't Want Your Baby'. 'TV Knows Better' was produced by Jimmy Xmas. Clap Clap Riot have completed two headline tours throughout New Zealand, toured Australia twice and performed at the Big Day Out, Rhythm and Vines and Southern Amp festivals. As part of their prize from winning the 'Kick-Start your career" competition, MTV Australia televised a live performance from Clap Clap Riot when they performed at ‘The Lair’ alongside Evermore in Sydney, April 2009.
They are currently working on their debut full-length album due for release in 2011. So far the album has seen two singles, the first being 'Everyone's Asleep' which was shortlisted for the prestigious Apra Silver Scrolls Songwriting Competition. The second being 'Yoko Ono', was released in August 2011 and has been made available for free download for a limited time from the website www.youmyyokoono.com