The DFenders
About The DFenders from Dunedin
The DFenders are an 80s-influenced pop/rock band from Dunedin, New
Zealand. Members include lead singer and bassist Luke Herlihy,
keyboardist Adon Moskal, guitarist Mike Carter and drummer Matt Taine.
They released their 10 song debut album The DFenders in May 2008. In
September 2008, The DFenders topped the nomination list for the
People’s Choice Award at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards,
becoming one of the five finalists.
History
The DFenders formed in 2005 when Moskal and Herlihy met at the
University of Otago. The original line-up featured Herlihy on lead
vocals and rhythm guitar, Moskal on synthesizers, Ben Johnstone on
bass, Scott Herriott on lead guitar, and John Sadler on drums. The
group recorded two demo tracks at Albany Street Studios in Dunedin: (I
Want To) Do It Tonight and I Like The Girls. Johnstone and Sadler left
the band at the end of 2005; Todd Bazely was brought in as drummer
while Herlihy took over bass guitar. The DFenders recorded two new
demos in 2006: Jamie’s Sister and The Dunedin Sun (a cover of Rancid’s
Brad Logan). Bazely left in early-2007 to join Dunedin band Vidakova
and was replaced by Matthew Taine. Herriott left soon after to pursue
his metal band Christpuncher and was replaced by Mike Carter. The
DFenders went into the studio in mid-2007 to record their debut album,
with the assistance of session musicians Rob Burns (bass), Marcel
Rodeka (drums), Paul Young (saxophone), John Egenes (dobro), and
Anthony Lander and Chris Keogh from Dunedin band The Tweeks (backing
vocals). They officially released the album The DFenders in May 2008,
on their independent label Hot Tramp Records. The album was nominated
in the 2008 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards for the People’s Choice
Award, and in September 2008 The DFenders topped the list of
nominations. They are currently planning a 08/09 summer tour of New
Zealand, and compiling tracks for their as-yet-untitled sophomore album
to be recorded in 2009.
The DFenders can currently be heard on Dunedin’s Radio One, the
nationally broadcast Kiwi FM, and have a music video circulating on C4
(New Zealand music video channel).
The DFenders Album
Tracklisting
1. (I Want To) Do It Tonight
2. I Like The Girls
3. She’s Never Gonna Be The One
4. Girl Next Door
5. Jamie’s Sister
6. Signs
7. Good Is Good (Bad Is Better)
8. Gypsytown
9. If You Were Gone
10. (I Don’t Want To) Break Your Heart Tonight
Influences
The DFenders play 80s-influenced pop/rock songs, drawing inspiration
from acts such as The Cars, Huey Lewis & The News, and The Knack.
Controversy
In September 2008, The DFenders were the subject of controversy over
their ascension to the top of the People’s Choice Award, when they were
accused in a New Zealand Herald article by Vodafone Music Manager
Morgan Donoghue of abusing the voting system. In subsequent articles in
the Otago Daily Times, and Channel 3’s news coverage, The DFenders were
cleared of any misconduct by RIANZ (Recording Industry Association of
New Zealand) executive Campbell Smith.
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