Hapukalypse Now
Hamilton "alternative" covers band with a near residency at the Ward Lane Tavern in the early '90s. Original line-up from late '91/early '92 was formed during the death-throes of Book of Martyrs and The Haunting; featuring Jonathan Armstrong of Book of Martyrs, Clambone and Watershed on vocals; Paul Oakley (also recently of Book of Martyrs, Clambone and Zangiacomo's Eastern Tour) on bass; along with The Haunting's Wheels and Paul Tregilgas on guitar and drums respectively. There is said to have been an earlier singer prior to Armstrong.
Then-legendary guitarist Wheels left for the UK later in '92 and was replaced by Chris Paki (formerly of Jam Sandwich and Pregnant Hippies on guitar. This line-up eventually started writing and recording original material, but disbanded a short time afterwards. They had one (some have said "unfortunate") original song Lust Cat on the 1992 compilation Juice Extractor
There was an "Alter-Ego" to Hapukalypse Now; an alternate lineup known as Big Audio Laxative. B/A/L would play Hapuka's Ward Lane slot on Thursdays when one member (usually Paul T) was absent. The lineup as Big Audio Laxative was usually Jonny (drums, vocals), Chris (guitar, vocals) and Oakley (bass).
Jonny later joined Martin Phillipps and The Chills. Paul T and Paul Oakley have gone on to play in a number of bands together (including King Biscuit, Trucker, Johnny Fist and Disjecta Membra) and countless others individually. Chris Paki meanwhile went on to play with FALLen, Raleigh 20, Johnny Fist, Hell's Belles and the Hamiltones, Rumpus Room, MSU and others.
