Fast times in Wellington: Elemeno P reunite for Homegrown

Lani Purkis from Elemeno P, the Kiwi pop-grunge band that will reunite for Homegrown.

One of the biggest drawcards of Wellington's Homegrown festival is an Auckland band whose members live in separate countries.

Reformed rockers Elemeno P are a surprise inclusion on the bill for the one-day festival, performing alongside Six60, Fat Freddy's Drop, Shihad, Anika Moa and The feelers on Wellington's water front on March 4.

The four-piece released three albums between 2003 and 2008, making waves with pop-grunge singalong anthems like Fast Times in Tahoe, Verona and Every Day's a Saturday.

The group has performed occasionally ever since, never officially breaking up but playing shows together whenever possible. Homegrown will be their first show since 2013.

Drummer Scotty Pearson says it's getting harder for the group's four members to see each other with two, singer Dave Gibson and guitarist Justyn Pilbrow, living in America.

He and bassist Lani Purkis live in New Zealand.

"Its hard to get us all together in one place. We are a great little family and respect and love and disrespect each other so being together is great fun but it's hard logistically and financially," he says.

They'll use Homegrown to test the waters to see if there's demand for them to play together more frequently.

"It seems a shame not to play more shows. I'm seeing if there is interest there for us. Justyn, Dave and Lani are great writers and still have ideas for Elemeno P. I guess we just have to find the time and inclination to make it happen."

Other acts on the Homegrown bill include Sons of Zion, I Am Giant, Savage, Ladi6, Kings, Drax Project, Nomad, Team Dynamite, Spycc & INF and The Upbeats.

More names will be confirmed in a second announcement before the end of the year, taking the total to 48 acts spread over six stages.

LOWDOWN
What: Wellington's Homegrown festival
Where and when: Wellington Waterfront, March 4
Featuring: Six60, Fat Freddy's Drop, Shihad, Elemeno P, Ladi6, Anika Moa
More information: www.homegrown.net.nz