The Plague (New Zealand band)

This article is about the New Zealand band. For the American hardcore punk band, see The Plague (American band).

The Plague was a New Zealand art/rock band that existed 1977-1979, featuring Richard von Sturmer. In 1977 Von Sturmer returned from England, according to The Mechanics Of Popular Music "charged with the new punk movement that flourished there. He assembled a troupe of 'actors' and they rehearsed a series of theatre/music pieces revolving around his poetry and showmanship. The called themselves The Plague." They used material from Inside Information; songs such as Frank Gill's An Idiot and Private Property.

History

The Plague, and ex-Westlake Boys High School pupils too, were Tim Mahon (The Whizz Kids, Blam Blam Blam), Mark Bell (Whizz Kids, Blam Blam Blam, Coconut Rough, Scribble), Ian Gilroy (Whizz Kids, Crocodiles, The Swingers) and Andrew McLennan aka Andrew Snoid (Whizz Kids, Coconut Rough, The Swingers, NZ Pop, The Zoo).

Don McGlashan described the music in an interview for Radio New Zealand's Musical Chairs in April 1998, "It was a really vicious noise, but it was really fun, fun to be part of." He played with The Plague a few times, coming straight from playing French horn in the Symphonia of Auckland, (now the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra), dressed in a 'penguin suit' and to stand on stage while people wearing only a coat of paint (assorted colours) would jump around him. Don McGlashan said of Von Sturmer, "Richard was a really prolific writer - and still is."

Band members

• Richard von Sturmer
• Don McGlashan
• Tim Mahon
• Mark Bell
• Ian Gilroy
• Andrew McLennan aka Andrew Snoid

Performances

The Plague performing live at Nambassa Music Festival 1979

The Plague first gig was with The Scavengers at the State Theatre, Symonds Street, Auckland. Von Sturmer and his backing vocalists, The Snoids appeared naked (apart from a covering of paint).

Other media

Film

• (1980) - Nambassa Festival (New Zealand)Nambassa Festival Trust with Dale Farnsworth
  • Director/editor: Philip HoweFilm Archive