AK79
Encyclopedia
AK79 is a compilation album of tracks by punk
bands active in Auckland
, New Zealand
, in the late 1970s. The album was compiled by Bryan Staff, with artwork from Terence Hogan, and was released by Ripper Records in 1979 - just in time for Xmas. Bands featured on the original compilation include The Swingers
, The Scavengers
, The Primmers, Proud Scum
, Toy Love
and The Terrorways. An initial pressing of 500 was sold to a retailer. It was later reissued on LP and cassette via CBS, but deleted in 1982.
The defining record of the Auckland punk scene, it became rare and sought-after over the next decade.
An expanded and remastered CD version of the compilation was compiled by Simon Grigg
and Roger Shepherd. This was released jointly by their record labels Propeller Records
and Flying Nun Records
in November 1993. This issue was expanded to include tracks by The Suburban Reptiles
, The Spelling Mistakes
, The Features and The Marching Girls, and additional titles from the bands on the original album.
The reissue was remastered and partially remixed by Grigg, with expanded artwork by Andrew B. White. The liner notes were by Grigg, Staff and Terrorways drummer Kerry Buchanan.
On the 21st and 22nd November 2008 a number of the bands got together for a reunion gig (compered by Bryan Staff) in Auckland, including The Scavengers
, Proud Scum
, The Terrorways and The Spelling Mistakes
. Neither The Terrorways or Proud Scum
had performed since 1980.
A reissued two-LP AK79 with further unreleased tracks and a 20-page book (including commentary from 30 band members and original punks) was sold at the reunion gig, as well as AK79 T-shirts and other memorabilia.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
bands active in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, in the late 1970s. The album was compiled by Bryan Staff, with artwork from Terence Hogan, and was released by Ripper Records in 1979 - just in time for Xmas. Bands featured on the original compilation include The Swingers
The Swingers
The Swingers were a New Zealand rock band. Formed out of the remnants of The Suburban Reptiles, the founding members were Phil Judd , Wayne Stevens , and Mark Hough . Formed in 1979, the band released the single "One Good Reason" which was a top 20 hit in New Zealand...
, The Scavengers
The Scavengers
The Scavengers were a New Zealand Punk Rock band, formed in 1977. In 1979 they moved to Melbourne, Australia, and became The Marching Girls in 1980.-History:...
, The Primmers, Proud Scum
Proud Scum
Proud Scum was a notable punk band in New Zealand punk's second wave. Proud Scum were formed in Auckland in 1979 and attracted a hardcore punk and bootboy following....
, Toy Love
Toy Love
Toy Love was a New Zealand New Wave/punk rock band fronted by Chris Knox. Other members were guitarist Alec Bathgate, bass player Paul Kean, drummer Mike Dooley, and keyboard player Jane Walker...
and The Terrorways. An initial pressing of 500 was sold to a retailer. It was later reissued on LP and cassette via CBS, but deleted in 1982.
The defining record of the Auckland punk scene, it became rare and sought-after over the next decade.
An expanded and remastered CD version of the compilation was compiled by Simon Grigg
Simon Grigg
Simon Grigg is a New Zealand music businessman, writer, radio host, publisher, producer, DJ and archivist. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, he attended Palmerston North Boys High, Auckland Grammar and the University of Auckland.-Punk rock:...
and Roger Shepherd. This was released jointly by their record labels Propeller Records
Propeller Records
Propeller Records was an independent record label formed in Auckland, New Zealand, by Simon Grigg in 1980.-1980-81:In the years prior to 1980 the New Zealand contemporary recording industry was largely moribund. The major record labels were either not recording or were confining themselves largely...
and Flying Nun Records
Flying Nun Records
Flying Nun Records is an independent record label formed in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1981 by music-store proprietor Roger Shepherd.-History:The label was formed in the flurry of new punk rock-inspired labels forming in the early 1980s...
in November 1993. This issue was expanded to include tracks by The Suburban Reptiles
Suburban Reptiles
The Suburban Reptiles and The Scavengers were the first punk bands to form in New Zealand.- History :The Suburban Reptiles were first conceptualised by Auckland students Simon Grigg and Brett Salter in late 1976, with some encouragement from filmmaker David Blyth...
, The Spelling Mistakes
The Spelling Mistakes
The Spelling Mistakes were a New Zealand punk band which had minor success in the local scene in 1979 and 1980.Formed in 1979 from the remnants of two bands, Get Smart and The Aliens, their line-up was Nick Hanson , Julian Hanson , and Warwick Fowler...
, The Features and The Marching Girls, and additional titles from the bands on the original album.
The reissue was remastered and partially remixed by Grigg, with expanded artwork by Andrew B. White. The liner notes were by Grigg, Staff and Terrorways drummer Kerry Buchanan.
On the 21st and 22nd November 2008 a number of the bands got together for a reunion gig (compered by Bryan Staff) in Auckland, including The Scavengers
The Scavengers
The Scavengers were a New Zealand Punk Rock band, formed in 1977. In 1979 they moved to Melbourne, Australia, and became The Marching Girls in 1980.-History:...
, Proud Scum
Proud Scum
Proud Scum was a notable punk band in New Zealand punk's second wave. Proud Scum were formed in Auckland in 1979 and attracted a hardcore punk and bootboy following....
, The Terrorways and The Spelling Mistakes
The Spelling Mistakes
The Spelling Mistakes were a New Zealand punk band which had minor success in the local scene in 1979 and 1980.Formed in 1979 from the remnants of two bands, Get Smart and The Aliens, their line-up was Nick Hanson , Julian Hanson , and Warwick Fowler...
. Neither The Terrorways or Proud Scum
Proud Scum
Proud Scum was a notable punk band in New Zealand punk's second wave. Proud Scum were formed in Auckland in 1979 and attracted a hardcore punk and bootboy following....
had performed since 1980.
A reissued two-LP AK79 with further unreleased tracks and a 20-page book (including commentary from 30 band members and original punks) was sold at the reunion gig, as well as AK79 T-shirts and other memorabilia.
External links
- AK79 at Propeller Records
- Dead Can Dance Library contains a complete AK79 image series and track listing
- AK79 Reunion gig photos contains several photos from the AK 79 Reunion gig on November 22nd, 2008