Supertrip

Happy New Year from all of the members of Supertrip and our families. Here's hoping 2024 will be a better year than the last. :)

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Just a little heads up that our 2017 release, "Rock Me 20" has been added to the tracklist for our compilation album, "Chronology". It now contains pretty much every available recording we made. All free to download. :)

Chronology, by Supertrip 17 track album

At this point in time, it's uncertain what this means for our Bandcamp page's future, but if something major comes up, you will be the first to know.

We will be watching this space closely.

Bandcamp sold to Songtradr - What does it mean for musicians? Turbulent times for the most popular indie artist platform! After just 18 months with Epic Games, now this: Bandcamp sold to Songtradr!

On this day 25 years ago, 15 May 1998, we would have our first ever experience in a recording studio. Only a few weeks after the Expressions gig, we found ourselves recording demo versions of 2 of our songs - "Got to Get Away" and "I Know".

The studio (which no longer exists) was owned by Te Runanga O Nga Maata Waka, which provided tertiary education (in the years that followed, a few members of the band themselves would sign up for the audio engineering course). Through them, not only did we get 2 demos out of it, but we also provided a few of their students an opportunity to put their skills to the test.

We, along with the other Linwood Community Rock School band, Pus (who had by this time renamed themselves to Grimace), were booked for a recording session each. We went first. From memory, it was sometime after dinner, if not late afternoon when we were scheduled. It took a while just to setup the equipment with their microphones (the drums usually need more than 1).

The recording of the songs was very basic. It was similar to that of a live recording, as the instruments were all done at the same time. But after that part was over, it was time to have the vocals redone over top, including the backing vocals. When it was time for this phase, they started with "Got to Get Away". However, by the time the vocals had been completed for that song, Luke - who usually provided backing vocals for the next song, "I Know" - had to leave earlier than the rest of us. As a substitute in his absence, we turned to the members of the other band (Grimace). Their drummer, Daniel Wills stepped forward (reluctantly, I might add) and the rest is history.

Once we were done, whoever was left from Supertrip would then pack up any equipment they brought themselves, while the rest of the instruments were left behind for Grimace to use for their session (I'm pretty sure the drumkit used wasn't Luke's and may be one the studio owned). A few weeks later at one of our usual weekly rehearsals, Rasjad gave each of us our copy of the recordings on CD.

Personal opinion (from Jared) of the mix, I think it could've been a little better. I would've preferred the band being invited back into the studio to oversee the mixing process to make sure it sounded the way we would've liked it, rather than trusting the judgment of the one who mixed it (that's not to say they didn't do a good job though). Besides, I really would've loved to have returned to record the other songs we'd written as well.

For years after this, the only people that would have the privilege of listening to our demo would be family and friends. But an opportunity arose in 2002 when I discovered how to share music online (and I don't mean using the likes of Napster or similar). Around this time, I discovered websites like BeSonic (which was my go-to website for music sharing at this time). Here, I uploaded the 2 demos (along with our Blues Bar and rehearsal recordings) to see if they would become popular, even though the band wasn't active at this time. We didn't become a global sensation, but there was a spark of interest among some of the people using that website.

Since its initial upload to the Internet in 2002, the demos have found themselves at their new home on Bandcamp, and you can download them for free at this link here >>> https://supertrip.bandcamp.com/album/brotown-sessions

Next up in our 25 year celebrations, it won't be on a particular date as I'm unsure of when exactly it took place. This is regarding our next live performance. You can expect a post about it roughly around August/September. :)

"Brotown Sessions" (1998/2002).

On this day, 25 April 1998 - 25 years ago - we took part in the Expressions Talent Scan, held at the Majestic Theatre, which was then City New Life Church (eventually renamed Majestic Church). In this talent competition, a variety of different acts such as solo singers, sketches, comedy, dancers and (of course) bands would meet at the theatre in the morning of ANZAC Day that year. In the morning, all the acts would go through the judging section of the Talent Scan. Those who got through to the next phase would return later that night to perform in front of a live audience. The photos below are from the morning segment.

We decided to perform a rendition of "I Know" for the occasion. A more family-friendly one, shall we say. It was a church after all. Accompanying us at the talent show was our fellow Linwood Community Rock School spinoff band, Pus (but mistakenly identified as PVS by the event staff - unless that was deliberate?). After both bands performed our songs of choice, we were told to return after a certain time to check the notice board to see which acts were chosen to perform at the night event. We got through, but Pus didn't.

As the night approached, we were feeling more pumped than we had been earlier in the day. Blame it on the fact that we weren't used to getting up that early on a public holiday, let alone a Saturday, and were probably now fully awake by this time. Besides, we were just happy to have made it to this point in the show.

At almost an hour into the evening show, we were eventually given our cue to head backstage to get ready for our turn on stage. While we were still on our way backstage, the hosts were already handing out awards for the section we were in (other awards were given out in between acts at earlier parts of the show as well). Because of this, some of us didn't hear our band name (which was still The Rascals, by the way) being called. Our manager Rasjad, from out of the audience, popped up on stage to receive it for us, while also calling us out from the wings to join him there. The award was for second place in the Band section. Pus - even though they weren't at this part of the event - also received an award, which Rasjad would take on their behalf. After this, we returned backstage to prepare.

Finally, it was our turn to perform "I Know". It was one of our most fun versions, to be honest. I think the audience liked what they heard that night.

It was also mentioned on the night that the entire night performance was being filmed and would be sold on VHS by the team at YFC (Youth For Christ). So, of course, we had to get a copy of it. Eventually when we did, it would be discovered (after being informed while purchasing) that the audio of the recording had some serious issues that couldn't be fixed. Thankfully though, the audio in the building itself was absolutely fine, but the film wasn't exactly perfect. Some parts were either very quiet, if they were there at all. With our part in the video, you can barely hear Stephen's vocals and Jonathan's guitar was quite low as well. Everything else was very loud in comparison. Apart from that, it was still a very cool event. :)

Multimedia is now available online, of course. Below are 3 links you can choose from:

Audio: https://supertrip.bandcamp.com/track/i-know-live-25-04-98-award-intro-version (free download)

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICGXOkFV9Kc (Just the "I Know" clip)

Full Film: https://www.veoh.com/watch/v104181255wXf6S3rN (All 2 hours worth of "Expressions Talent Scan 1998")

Next up in our journey through 25 years of Supertrip, we will be stepping back from the live circuit for a moment to focus on a rather important part of our recording history. Find out more on May 15th. :)

Supertrip (as The Rascals) entered a competition called Expressions Talent Scan and played one song ("I Know").

They came in 2nd place in the band section.

On this day, 17 April 1998 - 25 years ago - we performed our first inner city gig (still under the name of The Rascals) at the Southern Blues Bar. It was a part of a Battle of the Bands competition, sponsored by the now defunct Christchurch radio station, C93 FM.

Prior to the performance, we were rehearsing a lot more and perfecting the songs we had at the time. During the final week, the rehearsal sessions became a daily thing. At this time, we only had 4 songs, but that was about to change. Within only a few days of the gig, Jonathan started playing a new riff on his guitar, which led to the creation of what would be our 5th track. Since it was only a few days away, we did what we could to make it sound good. The arrangement wasn't perfect, but in the end it wasn't too bad at all.

The time would eventually come when we made our appearance at the Blues Bar. There was just one slight issue to deal with first though - getting in the door. Remember, at this time we were all high school students, and this was a bar in the city centre on a Friday night. Thankfully, Rasjad was there with us and managed to convince the security guard at the back door that we were indeed one of the acts for the evening.

Our time slot would eventually approach and it was time to go on stage. The tracklist was "Rock Me", "I Know", "Pete", "A Little Bit Naughty" (the new song) and "Got to Get Away". However, a last minute decision led to swapping "Rock Me" and "I Know" around. At the time it was probably seen as an odd move, but it makes sense now. It feels right.

By the time we finished our set, the crowd seemed impressed with our performance. We even had a few people approach us off stage to comment on it. It really did boost our confidence, and maybe a little bit of the ego. But that wasn't the only good thing that came out of it... As it turned out, Rasjad managed to use a microphone at the foot of the stage to record the audio. This is why you've been able to download the performance over the Internet since it was digitally remastered (in 1999, but uploaded in 2002).

To listen to the show, click here >>> https://supertrip.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-the-southern-blues-bar

The journey doesn't end here, of course. In the next chapter as we celebrate 25 years of mayhem, we look at the next talent show. More on that one on ANZAC Day (25 April). :)

Our first live performance in the heart of the city at the Southern Blues Bar.

This is our most photographed appearance.

The exact date is unknown, but roughly around this time of the year in 1998, we performed our first ever gig (while still named as The Rascals) in front of a Sunday morning congregation at Linwood Avenue Union Church, where we used to rehearse once a week after school under the management of Rasjad Addison. That's 25 years ago, ladies and gentlemen! It's crazy to think it's been that long already.

Prior to the performance, Jared (guitarist) had been on a 2-week holiday in Melbourne, so upon his arrival back home, he was informed that the band had the gig lined up for the following Sunday, and there were at least 2 new songs for him to learn. The days that followed were more active than usual, that's for sure!

On that day, we performed our songs, "Pete" and "I Know".

Not long after this event, we found ourselves lined up for our second gig, which would take place on 17 April, only a few weeks later. So, stay tuned then for yet another (Super) trip down Memory Lane. :)

Supertrip's first gig anywhere, sometime around the end of March or beginning of April of 1998.

Happy New Year! :)

Merry Christmas everyone. May this day bring you joy as we celebrate. :)

Even though we're not currently active, we have existed for a quarter of a century now. Where does the time go?

Taken sometime between October and December of 1997.

This is the embryonic version of Supertrip.

Sadly, we can relate to this image. It sucks that we never got a decent photo of the full band while we were together.

Our little drummer boy is growing up fast. A big happy birthday to Luke, who's just turned 40! Have a great day, bro. :)

Jared has some exciting plans ahead for his solo project. Are we to expect a return to the guitar!?

The Future of My Music Stuffed Duck Productions presents Duckman's Blog - "The Duck Blog" or "Gone Ducking Mad".

Merry Christmas everyone. Have a safe and joyful weekend.

From Jared, Steve, Luke, Taniela & Jonathan. :)