The Bilders Announce Nationwide Tour Dates

New Zealand avant-garde band The Bilders have announced nationwide tour dates in the coming weeks. A rotating cast of musicians led by musician/author/poet Bill Direen, who recently performed at Wellington's Rising Tides Festival,  they kick things off next week in Auckland before heading south in January...

The Bilders

Wednesday 19th December, Whammy Bar, Auckland
Wednesday 16th January, The Dark Room, Christchurch
Friday 18th January, Taste Merchants, Dunedin

Here's an old Bill Direen clip from the 80s...

Press Release:

The Bilders are different lineups of musicians doing spoken word/song collaborations, led by musician/author/poet Bill Direen. They are known for spontaneous music making and a live recording style that has produced “many genuine classic compositions”. [Dix, John (1988), Stranded in Paradise].

Direen has garnered a passionate following in his homeland for his eclectic recording and captivating live shows. Resident mainly in France, his New Zealand shows are a rare treat.

Constant since 2010 are Stuart Page (drums) & Rick And (bv/media), with guest bassists Peter Scott Brett Cross, Mick Elborado and long-timer Mr. G Bainbridge. Other groups are a momentary Melbourne band of Barry Stockley, Jess McCann and Tama Stockley and Wellington collective Ferocious (chiefly Jo Contag/Mark Williams with spoken word by Bill Direen).

Direen’s material has been released on small specialist labels such as Unwucht (Augsburg, Germany), Siltbreeze (Philadelphia, USA), Onec (Plymouth, GB), and NZ labels Onset Offset, South Indies, Powertool and Flying Nun. Some material has been released on EMI and Warner Bros.

New Zealand and Australian tour dates:

AUCKLAND
Wednesday, December 19th, 2102. Music, readings & videos. Bill Direen with Stu Page of The Axemen and Auckland friends. Venue is WHAMMY BAR, Karangahape Rd, Auckland.

MELBOURNE (Thornbury)
Sunday, January 13th. Venue is TAGO MAGO. 4pm. With Barry Stockley (bass), Jess McCann (accordion), Tama Stockley (dr).

CHRISTCHURCH
Wednesday, January 16th, 2013. Music and readings. Bill Direen with Stuart Page and Mick Elborado. Venue is DARK ROOM, St Asaph St, Christchurch.

DUNEDIN
Friday, January 18th, 2013. Music and launch of Percutio magazine 2013. Readings & acts by contributors to Percutio 2013, followed by music by Bill Direen with Stuart Page and Mick Elborado. Venue is TASTE MERCHANTS, Dunedin.

DUNEDIN
Saturday, January 19th. 2013. Readings & acts to be announced; music by Bill Direen with Stuart Page and Mick Elborado). Venue is TASTE MERCHANTS, Dunedin.