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NZMM: Artists on Wellington Music – Steve Francis/Bulletbelt & Red Dawn

We’ve been checking in with some local artists, writers & critics to get their thoughts on what makes the Wellington Music scene unique, and to get their take on some of their favourite Wellington sounds. You can check out some older posts from critics Nick Bollinger, & Grant Smithies, Blue Smoke writer Chris Bourke, and musicians Samuel Flynn Scott & Alistair Fraser, but since it is New Zealand Music Month we thought we would check in with some more people over the course of May.

Whether offering an opinion on the uniqueness or elusive qualities that make up Wellington music, or just some of their favourite albums, the most important thing is the music itself, and we hope these posts lead you back to some favourite albums, or help you to discover something new.

Up today is Steve Francis, who holds down the drum chair on two top local Black Metal bands Bulletbelt & Red Dawn.

Wellington is such a big melting pot of people from all over NZ who have migrated here for Uni, or just to get out of their small town. To me that is one of the big reasons the Capital has produced so many great bands. People coming together as strangers, forming bands and evolving. Members come and go and sometimes some great music is made along the journey. Coming from the metal scene most bands I know have at least 1-2 members who are originally from small town NZ. Usually if you were a metalhead in provincial NZ you are an outcast. This adds steel and determination to what you do. It’s a you against the world mentality. When you hit the big city and meet a lot more like minded metal maniacs, bands are formed and there are actually venues to play and people to come see you!
Some of my favorite Wellington releases.

Shihad – Devolve (EP)
Tokyo – Lonely Hearts
Smut – False promises

Shihad – ‘It’

Tokyo – ‘Lonely Hearts’

Smut – ‘False promises’

You can check out the latest Bulletbelt CD we have in our collection here, or buy some Bulletbelt on their Bandcamp page here, and some Red Dawn here.


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