Hi-Tone Destroyers

During the mid 90s, no man represented the christchurch underground

rock movement more than matt alien. as the leader of blue-revivalists the black panthers and his long-surviving scuzz-rockers the hi-tone destroyers

matt was the equivelent of iggy pop to detroit, jim morrison to

california or (perhaps) chris knox to auckland. he managed to combine a

little bit of each into his stage-performer, a drug-fueled,

leather-pant wearing masochist who would bait his audience, sing lewd

lyrics and absolutely roar on the guitar - totally encapsulating

rock'n'roll at its dirtiest.

the hi-tone destroyers were a little less raunchy than their black panther

brothers - despite sharing half the same members, but had the swagger

of the mc5 at full-force and could deliver the goods at any moment -

usually at a punishing volume. they spent a good decade playing parties

and self-releasing scuzzy, amateur recordings, until the rock'n'roll

revival hit full swing in 2002, resulting in matt's abandonment for

auckland (and warmer shores) to chase success. Info thanks to bigcity.co.nz

• Double Ya D 7" vinyl release GIG w/ Little Bark & Holy Anus
• Porcelaintoy, Johanna And The Mystery
• The Tin Soldiers
• Rackets and Beach Pigs Full Mango NZ Tour
• Mighty Mighty Axemen