Able Tasmans

Among the many bright lamps of the brand new Zealand pop picture from the 1980s, Able Tasmans formed in Auckland in 1984. Originally a trio made up of keyboardist Graeme Humphreys, bassist Dave Beniston and drummer Craig Baxter, they in the beginning provided a tongue-in-cheek, ’60s-affected visual typified by tunes like “Nelson the Kitty?!!”; nevertheless, upon signing towards the famous Soaring Nun label a 12 months later release a their debut EP The Tired Sunlight, the Tasmans relocated to a noisier and even more colorful sound with the help of vocalist Peter Eager and guitarist Anthony Nevison. An individual, the eccentric “Buffalos,” adopted in 1986, and a 12 months later the music group — now comprising Eager, Humphreys, Beniston, organist Leslie Jonkers and drummer Stuart Greenway — released their full-length debut A Cuppa Tea and a LAY DOWN. A three-year hiatus adopted as Capable Tasmans’ lineup continuing to fluctuate; finally, in 1990, they resurfaced with Hey Spinner!, a pleasant chamber pop work recorded from the nucleus of Humphreys, Jonkers and Eager with the help of ex-Verlaines Jane Dodd on bass, keyboardist Ron Small and drummer Craig Mason. Though slice using the same roster, 1992’s Someone Ate My World offered a significantly different, denser audio having a thematic focus on the environment.