Out of the garage and into the club

Gasoline Cowboy play the Indie Club next Friday.

Andrew Maitai thought he knew most of the bands in Auckland until he started the Indie Club.

"Then, suddenly, all these other bands popped up I'd never even heard of. I thought, 'Wow, where are they hiding?' "

And where are they hiding?

"Obviously in their garages I think," laughs Maitai, the founder of the club night for local bands and managing director of Powertool Records.

The Indie Club started in late February and happens every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at the Grand Circle in the St James.

Each night has a theme: Wednesday is new band night; Thursday a quiet one with acoustic, folk and alt country acts; Friday is pop music for the future with indie pop and rock; and Saturday is freak scene, specialising in music from the fringe.

Entry is $10 and includes a free CD.

With four gigs a week, and usually four bands a night, it is a big undertaking for one person. But, says Maitai flippantly: "That's kind of me, really. Yeah, I just think of something and go for it. But it's a fulltime job trying to find bands because four nights a week is pretty full on."

A lot of bands are around but he admits that there's a lot of "crap" music out there. So, rather than taking a punt on bands he's never heard of, and subjecting audiences to bands that might need a bit more work before going fully public, he dedicates Wednesday night to new bands.

"That gives me a chance to check them out. It also gives me a chance to see if they can pull a crowd or not, and which other night I could slot them into. But really, you've gotta see a lot of bands to find the gems," he says.

He is enthusiastic when describing bands such as Matamata's Fideleo (who play the Indie Club tomorrow night) as the "New Zealand answer to the Mars Volta".

He also recommends checking out Auckland songwriter and pianist, Lily Green, who also plays tomorrow, and Asian Indie pop band, Infinite Flying Kick and Auckland group Gasoline Cowboy, who both appear on May 12.

His favourite music this year is a Wellingtonian called Vorn (on May 26) who Powertool have planned to release soon.

Maitai is a firm believer in the DIY, punk rock ethic. That attitude has powered his company since he set it up in 2003. Initially, Powertool was a vehicle to release music by his band, Joed Out, and band mate Ben Barrett's solo project, Feyodor.

A compilation from that year called Here Come the Bulletholes included songs by a handful of bands on the roster, as well as Chris Knox, Voom, and all-girl group, Mary.

The company has expanded into organising gigs, growing its roster, publishing the fanzine Drill every month, and distributing music by local and overseas artists around the country.

He has also bought a CD printer and duplicator allowing him to do short runs of CDs for his bands and anyone else who wants to put their music to disc. "I firmly believe all bands should be selling CDs, at least at their gigs," he says.

Which is why you can take some music home with you from the Indie Club. And, you never know, it might just include your new favourite band.

* The Indie Club at The Grand Circle, St James, tonight at 9; and tomorrow, 9pm. First band is on 9.30pm

Who's playing: (tonight) The Pits, The Johnsons, Jackpoint; (tomorrow) Le Leverets, Battle Circus, Lily Green, Fideleo.

Plus: The Indie Club runs every week on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.