Good Laika

The band’s members Robin Hinkley, vocals and guitar, Jason Fa’afoi, vocals and guitar, Matthew Armitage, bass and vocals, Ricky Boyd, drums and percussion and Nic Marshall, rhodes and organ, combine their talents to create a sound that is both unique and compelling.

This mood is in keeping with the band’s name. Laika, the first dog in space and Russian national hero had her suspicions when the men with beards and fluffy hats started dressing her up in a spacesuit, but she adored the attention. Like the ill-fated canine, Good Laika the band invokes pictures of bitter irony, grim humour and passionate ambition.

Each of the members of Good Laika have had successful musical careers with other bands. Robin fronted Bleakhouse, which, bereft of any literary credentials, was in fact named after an interesting sounding but otherwise nondescript Auckland road; accomplished actor and raconteur Jason played guitar in The Stereo Bus, who met critical acclaim during the late 90s; multi-instrumentalist Matthew lent his guitar playing skill to garage-funk outfit Odessa; Ricky kept time for the Accelerants and led the notorious 50s rock 'n' rhythm Boom Shack sessions; and Nic played with arts festival stalwarts, musical collective Verona.

• Lucy Lawless and Friends
• Tim Ripper Owens
• Dimmer - The Farewell Shows
• Inquisition (US), Vassafor, Anno Domini Mortus, Winter Deluge
• The Gunslinger's Ball