The Puddle Announce North Island Tour

Longserving Dunedin pysch-pop outfit The Puddle are heading northward in February for a comprehensive North Island tour - full details below.

Here's a live video and intro from a Dunedin show in 09.

Press Release:

The Puddle touring the North Island

Friday 4 February, Hamilton, Ward Lane (with Matthew Bannister + Hollow Grinders) Saturday 5 Feb, Auckland, Dogs Bollix (with Azalia Snail + Sandra Bell) Wednesday 9 Feb, Gisborne, Kingfisher Bar (with The Opposite Sex) Thursday 10 Feb, Masterton, Golden Shears (with Dragstrip) Friday 11 Feb, Palmerston North, Roayl Hotel (with Vorn) Saturday 12 Feb, Wellington, Happy! (with Vorn)

Legendary Dunedin psych-pop band The Puddle was formed in 1983/84 by leader/ singer/ writer/ guitarist George D Henderson. The Puddle’s 1986 – 93 Flying Nun Records catalogue of an 12" EP, two albums and a single are long out of print, but a Lazarus-like comeback over the past 5 years has seen the release of 3 new albums to international acclaim. The latest album “Playboys in the Bush” is out now CD and vinyl LP.

The Puddle's catholic mix of pop, blues, psychedelia, jazz, minimalism, rock'n'roll and god-knows-what-else appeals to humans of all ages who are not too proud to dance and the lyrics of love, sex, drugs, bewilderment and space travel are clearly audible at all times. Their live performances are legendary, walking the fine line between epiphany and cacophony with unexpected musical and lyrical rabbits pulled from invisible hats.

The current line up of The Puddle features Gavin Shaw on bass, multi-instrumentalist Allan Starrett on keyboards & viola and George’s brother (and occassional1984/85 Puddle drummer) Ian Henderson on drums. The addition of the ubiquitous Mr Starrett (who collaborated with George in Mink and The Puddle's Songs for Emily Valentine album in the 1990s, and has also played with the Pop Art Toasters, The Bats & David Kilgour) brings back that essential keyboard and multi-instrumental element missing since the early days of The Puddle when their line-up notoriously featured a flute and a French horn player.

“Led by George D. Henderson this Dunedin band is on fire right now... Such tender vocals, such wonky guitars, such marvellous meandering arrangements, such knowing meditations on human frailty – indie pop comes no better” Sunday Star Times (NZ) “Beautifully resigned guitar pop…full of the kind of articulate and well-read pop songs that made Henderson’s home country the epicentre of literate guitar music in the 1980s and ’90s.” Uncut (UK)

“The tortoise of New Zealand rock finally honours his forgotten promise.” Sunday Times (UK)

“the pinnacle of the indie pop craft in Aotearoa.” The Southland Times (NZ)

"further evidence that The Puddle are enjoying the kind of career high which other bands experience in their youth then lose" www.elsewhere.co.nz