Book of Martyrs
Book of Martyrs was initially formed in Rotorua by Jonathan Armstrong (drums, vocals), Alan Deare (bass, guitar) - both formerly of Number Thieves - and Sarah Knight (cello, bass) in 1988. In 1989 they released the cassette Catharsis (BOMB01) on their own label BOMB Records, featuring a fourth member known simply as Will, credited with "feedback - poetry" and with creating the cassette's cover.
Will and Sarah were later replaced by Stan Jagger (guitars), formerly of Mudpeople, and Justine Francis (violin, cello, vocals) when the band moved to Hamilton in 1990. From here they released their second cassette Purified Seven Times (BOMB02) in 1991, with Alan now sharing vocal duties with Jonny, whilst Jonny in turn adds "whirley pipe" and additional percussion to his repertoire. Although no longer a permanent member, Sarah Knight makes a guest appearance on Purified... performing cello and bass on the song Skin in Blue, which also features keyboards by producer Zed Brookes. Other guest appearances include backing vocals by one Gillian Woods on the ethereal Halo, and Malcolm Lofroth on the track Urban Jangle. Urban Jangle was aptly immortalised in the name of a Hamilton music specialist show run by Adam Hyde on Contact 89FM from 1993 to 1996. Meanwhile, the release party for Purified 7X at Ward Lane Tavern famously featured support acts such as The Haunting and Sangiacomo's Eastern Jaunt performing covers of Book of Martyrs songs.
Purified Seven Times secured for the band a level of critical acclaim and a national profile seldom accomplished by 'alternative' bands from Hamilton at that time. In 1991 the Martyrs also played support to the Able Tasmans and Bailter Space, while the song Will Shiver was later released on the second Flying Nun/Student Radio Network compilation Freak the Sheep 2 in 1992. Prior to breaking up that same year, Paul Oakley briefly replaced Stan Jagger.
Book of Martyrs - featuring Jonathan, Alan and Justine only - contributed the track The Man That Said to the 1993 compilation Discordia Concors. The band briefly made a much celebrated return to the stage at this time to play at the album release party.
In 1992 Oakley and Armstrong teamed up with Paul T and Wheels of the recently disbanded Haunting to form Hapukalypse Now, whom Stan Jagger also joined in about '93. Alan Deare subsequently went on to form Gas in 1995 with Paul T and former Cygnet Committee guitarist Dave Whitehead, while Justine Francis has remained active in a diverse range of music, theatre and performance projects.
