My pick for the most underutilised venue in Auckland (well, this or Point Chevalier's The Ambassador)? The Winchester is the closest you can get to a Melbournian corner pub venue here in our fair city (ie: the kind of place where all the good bands usually play), but the really memorable gigs and events where it opens its doors are few and far between.
Although the competition with the Panther And The Zoo gig at the KA the same night (oh, and apparently there's some other event of some sort happening tonight) means it's a far-from-capacity crowd, this might be another one to add to the slender tally.
First off: it's the Drabs' night - their EP release, printed up by none other than Jack White's Third Man pressing - so it makes sense that the openers are of a piece, odd curios that appear to have stepped out of some mystical New Zealand past.
We're treated to a brief but wonderful performance by a lovely older gentleman on the musical saw, for a start - then we hear from the Hollow Grinders.
For several years now, they've been one of the only peddlers of razor-sharp surf rock in Hamilton. Although I always want these bands to give vocals more of a shot (if only because D-Super remain one of my all-time faves) their chops are lean, mean and to the point. It's a privilege getting this sporadic opportunity to see them.
