Spellbound

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May 21, 2018 by Simon Sweetman

The Ghost of Electricity: War Stories by Jon McLeary # 206 Split Enz

I saw them at some key gigs in their strange career. At the Great Ngarauawahia Music Festival when they were Split Ends. I was fourteen and like most people there to see Black Sabbath but I do remember they were interesting. Dressed pretty much like everybody else there – a much different spectacle than what […]

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January 19, 2017 by Simon Sweetman

Split Enz: Our Greatest Band

I love Split Enz. When I think about it (which I’m only just doing now in order to create a subject to blog about) they are probably the band I have liked the longest – equal with The Beatles. I have been aware of the music of the Enz as long as I can remember, […]

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February 10, 2016 by Simon Sweetman

Five Films That Stay With Me: Adam Fresco

Adam Fresco works in film, theatre and TV as a writer, director, producer, performer and professional acting coach. Born in London, he arrived in Auckland a decade ago, having worked in professional British Theatre and TV. The Director of DramaTrain.co.nz and Producer for Imagine Studios NZ, Adam is a self-confessed film nut. He regularly reviews […]

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November 27, 2013 by Simon Sweetman

Ping Pong: DVD

Ping Pong Director: Hugh Hartford Vendetta Oh I really wanted to enjoy this movie – and on a basic level I did. It’s in no way terrible – but see that tagline: Never Too Old For Gold and the cover image of an older gent with his ping pong bat poised, taking it seriously and […]

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October 11, 2011 by Simon Sweetman

The Vinyl Countdown # 1812

Split Enz, The Beginning Of The Enz (1979) It was a treat to find this LP not all that long ago. The album was a highlight of the two Split Enz CD box-sets I used to own; remember those? The gold one of all the seventies material and the silver one that collected the 1980s […]

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September 2, 2011 by Simon Sweetman

The Vinyl Countdown # 1871

Split Enz, Mental Notes (1975) I was born and raised a Split Enz fan – it’s something I think of as one of the great cultural gifts my parents passed down; gave willingly to me. I still remember the night my parents went to the Napier show on the Enz With A Bang tour and […]