Menzies, Spaghetti Land: An instant Kiwi classic
Words by Ce Goacher (She/They) - Radio Control Programme Director
I know a lot of people struggle with local music because of hearing our own accent. I get it, you don’t hear it often in the mainstream, it can be jarring. Menzies, the Te Whanganui-a-Tara group that made me think about this. Fronted by Chris Brown (Friendlies), with Miles Sutton (Welcomer) rocking out, Doug Kelly’s (Girl Boss) funking bass, and Nikita Piper (Androgynous Lemon, and Massey Wellington grad) hitting pots and pans, they look like a typical indie outfit.
Until you are ripped open by a modular theremin, and lyrics about someone fucking your mum in the family home. Menzies bring together tropes of Aotearoa emo and indie rock, with a fresh presence that creates an arresting experience rather than background noise at a craft bar.
The privilege of catching them live took me on an emotional journey through childhood vulnerabilities, complete with birthday balloons the audience had to keep off the ground, else the band threatened to stop. I laughed more than I ever have at a gig for the right reasons, a potent blend of silliness and earnest lyricism.
Their EP’s title track, Spaghetti Land, is the place to start, with an accessible riff to ease you into the tangy drawl, followed by the ballad, Hugh and Julia. The lyrics “Sitting alone at Tasman St, Slippers on and still cold feet” with a “hot choccy”, takes you into the soul of a young Wellingtonian’s flat, soothes you with its beautiful chorus, and provides a relieving climax of guitars. You might crack up at the song K.I.S.S.I.N.G, ridiculously mashing punk with Adele’s Someone Like You, which got everyone singing, eyes full of tears for many reasons. There’s something for everyone here, you might just need to work through your resentment of our own accent. It’s worth it.
Keep an eye out on Radio Control’s YouTube for the Live Session video!
NZ Top Ten 01.08.24
#HITPICK – BROWSER GAMES – MAGGOT
#1 – Pining Radiata – Forget
#2 – Persimmon – Cleaning Graves
#3 – Polaroids of Polarbears - When you're falling Awahuri Road Part 2
#4 – Just George – She Won’t Go Quietly
#5 – Maeve – Lone Rider
#6 – Frau Knotz – The Heart of Spring
#7 – Anna Coddington – Mōhou Rā
#8 – Caru & DylanBiscuit – Boys A Liar
#9 – Carb on Carb – Home Again 7
#10 – G.L.N.C – 7