A one-off night of The Chills

Martin Phillips brings The Chills back. Photo / Martin Sykes

While not many songs are good enough to warrant a tribute show, The Chills' dark, smouldering gem Pink Frost was something special.

And to celebrate its release 25 years ago, the band led by Martin Phillipps are doing a one-off Auckland show at the Montecristo Room on June 12.

The Chills recorded Pink Frost at The Lab studios in Auckland in May 1982 and did additional tracking and mixing in January, with the single finally being released that June. In 1982 the Chills enjoyed moderate chart success with the poppy Rolling Moon but oddly enough it was the darker Pink Frost that stayed in the singles charts for 18 weeks, peaking at No 17.

The song is on the 1986 album Kaleidoscope World, which was made up of a collection of early Chills tracks.

"I felt it was both appropriate and good timing to do something a little special to recognise the impact this song has had both on the fans and the acts who are now name-checking us as influential in their lives," says Phillipps.

"It is really gratifying to know we have made and continue to make some small difference."

Plus, the frontman is looking forward to showcasing what he believes is one of the strongest ever Chills live line-ups. Strong words for a band who've had around 20 different line-ups over the years.

They will be playing some new songs as well as the current line-up's interpretations of some of the more obscure Chills catalogue and the many timeless hits.

Tickets $25 from undertheradar.co.nz

Meanwhile, following a handful of raucous reunion shows in March, Head Like A Hole are heading out on a national tour in July.

The Wellington band, who split up in 2000, play in Hamilton at Altitude on July 2 and Auckland's Powerstation July 3 before heading to Wellington and the South Island.

For some all-star hip-hop action it's been confirmed Ghostface Killah, the American rapper and original member of the Wu Tang Clan, will play Auckland's Powerstation on June 21.

And if you like the dark and dour, yet stylish sounds of Interpol or the Editors then check out London's White Lies who play the Studio in Auckland on August 1 in support of their debut album To Lose My Life.

Also, Australian singer/songwriter Paul Kelly plays a show at the Montecristo Room on July 21 and local lads The Checks celebrate the release of their second album, Alice By The Moon, at the Bacco Room on June 12.