Herbs (band)
Encyclopedia
Herbs are a New Zealand
reggae
vocal group formed in 1979 once described as "New Zealand's most soulful, heartfelt and consistent contemporary musical voice". It has been said their debut EP Whats' Be Happen? "set a standard for Pacific reggae which has arguably never been surpassed".
, Taj Mahal
, Tina Turner
, Neil Young
, George Benson
and Stevie Wonder
.
Though upbeat, Herbs' music is clear in its messages. Their 1982 New Zealand
hit "French Letter", which spent 11 weeks on the charts, came to express New Zealand's anti-nuclear stance. Fourteen years later, it was re-recorded to garner support for the prevention of nuclear testing at Mururoa. Similarly, "No Nukes (The Second Letter)", "Nuclear Waste" and "Light Of The Pacific" expressed much the same sentiment.
Herbs' third release and first full album Long Ago, which featured the 1984 single of the same name, was produced by well-known New Zealand bass player Billy Kristian. In 1986, former Be-Bop Deluxe bassist/vocalist Charlie Tumahai
joined the group, having been a session musician for various international acts.
In 1986, "Slice of Heaven
" with Dave Dobbyn
reached number one on both the New Zealand and Australian charts. In 1989, Tim Finn
joined them for "Parihaka" and, in 1992, Annie Crummer
fronted the hit single "See What Love Can Do".
In 1989, the band was assisted by Eagles member Joe Walsh
, who produced, played slide guitar and sung on the band's Homegrown album, which featured a cover of "Walk Away Renee
", originally recorded by The Left Banke
. Walsh announced he had joined Herbs, but the union lasted less than a year.
They also provided two songs to the 1990 film, The Shrimp on the Barbie
: A cover of the Peggy Lee
song "Mañana (Is Good Enough for Me)" and "Listen".
Herbs are considered pioneers of the Pacific reggae
sound, having paved the way for contemporary New Zealand reggae
groups such as Fat Freddy's Drop
, Katchafire
and Trinity Roots.
Although their last album of new material was released in 1990, Herbs still perform in New Zealand and Australia, with guitarist Dilworth Karaka the last remaining member of the original line-up that released Whats' Be Happen? in 1981. Of the 2010 line-up, Karaka, saxophonist Morrie Watene (joined 1982), keyboardist Tama Lundon (joined 1983) and percussionist Thom Nepia (joined 1985) remain from the band's late 1980s commercial peak.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
vocal group formed in 1979 once described as "New Zealand's most soulful, heartfelt and consistent contemporary musical voice". It has been said their debut EP Whats' Be Happen? "set a standard for Pacific reggae which has arguably never been surpassed".
History
Herbs produced a stream of reggae hits with some of the country's top talent. In the 1980s and the first half of the '90s, Herbs had 10 Top 20 singles hits. Herbs also worked alongside UB40UB40
UB40 are a British reggae/pop band formed in 1978 in Birmingham. The band has placed more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. One of the world's best-selling music artists, UB40 have sold over 70 million records.Their hit singles...
, Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal (musician)
Henry Saint Clair Fredericks , who uses the stage name Taj Mahal, is an American Grammy Award winning blues musician. He incorporates elements of world music into his music...
, Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
, Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
, George Benson
George Benson
George Benson is a ten Grammy Award winning American musician, whose production career began at the age of twenty-one as a jazz guitarist....
and Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
.
Though upbeat, Herbs' music is clear in its messages. Their 1982 New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
hit "French Letter", which spent 11 weeks on the charts, came to express New Zealand's anti-nuclear stance. Fourteen years later, it was re-recorded to garner support for the prevention of nuclear testing at Mururoa. Similarly, "No Nukes (The Second Letter)", "Nuclear Waste" and "Light Of The Pacific" expressed much the same sentiment.
Herbs' third release and first full album Long Ago, which featured the 1984 single of the same name, was produced by well-known New Zealand bass player Billy Kristian. In 1986, former Be-Bop Deluxe bassist/vocalist Charlie Tumahai
Charlie Tumahai
Charles Turu Tumahai was a New Zealand singer, bass player and songwriter who was a member of several noted rock groups in New Zealand, Australia and the UK...
joined the group, having been a session musician for various international acts.
In 1986, "Slice of Heaven
Slice of Heaven
"Slice of Heaven" is a single by New Zealand singer/songwriter Dave Dobbyn with the band Herbs, released in 1986 on the soundtrack of the animated motion picture, Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tail Tale. The single charted at No. 1 in New Zealand...
" with Dave Dobbyn
Dave Dobbyn
Dave Dobbyn, ONZM is an award-winning New Zealand musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. In his early career he was a member of the rock group Th' Dudes and was the main creative force in pop band DD Smash...
reached number one on both the New Zealand and Australian charts. In 1989, Tim Finn
Tim Finn
Brian Timothy "Tim" Finn, OBE is a New Zealand singer and musician. Finn is most known for his music with New Zealand 1970s and 1980s rock group Split Enz, and later for his solo work, a temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowded House and his joint efforts with Neil Finn as the Finn...
joined them for "Parihaka" and, in 1992, Annie Crummer
Annie Crummer
Annie Crummer is a New Zealand Pop singer and songwriter who has seen success in both a solo career and as part of various musical groups.She grew up in West Auckland. Her father, a Cook Islander, was one of her strongest musical influences...
fronted the hit single "See What Love Can Do".
In 1989, the band was assisted by Eagles member Joe Walsh
Joe Walsh
Joseph Fidler "Joe" Walsh is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has been a member of three commercially successful bands, the James Gang, Barnstorm, and the Eagles, and has experienced notable success as a solo artist and prolific session musician, especially with B.B...
, who produced, played slide guitar and sung on the band's Homegrown album, which featured a cover of "Walk Away Renee
Walk Away Renee
"Walk Away Renée" is a song made popular by the band The Left Banke in 1966 , composed by the group's then 16-year-old keyboard player Michael Brown and Tony Sansone...
", originally recorded by The Left Banke
The Left Banke
The Left Banke is an American baroque pop band that formed in New York City in 1965 and disbanded in 1969. They are best remembered for their two U.S. hit singles, "Walk Away Renée" and "Pretty Ballerina"...
. Walsh announced he had joined Herbs, but the union lasted less than a year.
They also provided two songs to the 1990 film, The Shrimp on the Barbie
The Shrimp on the Barbie
The Shrimp on the Barbie is a 1990 comedy film directed by Michael Gottlieb and starring Cheech Marin. In Australia this movie was released as The Boyfriend From Hell...
: A cover of the Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress in a career spanning six decades. From her beginning as a vocalist on local radio to singing with Benny Goodman's big band, she forged a sophisticated persona, evolving into a multi-faceted artist and...
song "Mañana (Is Good Enough for Me)" and "Listen".
Herbs are considered pioneers of the Pacific reggae
Pacific reggae
Pacific reggae is a style of reggae music found in the Pacific. This style is found in Polynesia , and Melanesia...
sound, having paved the way for contemporary New Zealand reggae
New Zealand reggae
New Zealand reggae is the New Zealand variation of the musical genre reggae. It is a large and well established part of New Zealand music, and includes some of the country's most successful and highly acclaimed bands....
groups such as Fat Freddy's Drop
Fat Freddy's Drop
Fat Freddy’s Drop is a seven-piece band from Wellington, New Zealand, whose musical style has been characterised as any combination of dub, reggae, soul, jazz, rhythm and blues, and techno. Originally a jam band formed in the late 1990s by musicians from other bands in Wellington, Fat Freddy’s Drop...
, Katchafire
Katchafire
Katchafire is a New Zealand roots reggae band from Hamilton, New Zealand.Katchafire formed in 1997 as a Bob Marley tribute band and later began writing and performing their own songs...
and Trinity Roots.
Although their last album of new material was released in 1990, Herbs still perform in New Zealand and Australia, with guitarist Dilworth Karaka the last remaining member of the original line-up that released Whats' Be Happen? in 1981. Of the 2010 line-up, Karaka, saxophonist Morrie Watene (joined 1982), keyboardist Tama Lundon (joined 1983) and percussionist Thom Nepia (joined 1985) remain from the band's late 1980s commercial peak.
Band members
- Dilworth Karaka - vocals/guitar
- Morrie Watene - vocals/saxophone
- Tama Lundon - vocals/keyboards
- Thom Nepia - vocals/percussion
- Tama Renata - vocals/guitar
- Gordon Joll - drums
- Kaitapu Monga - bass guitar
Past members
- Toni Fonoti - vocals/percussion
- Spencer Fusimalohi - vocals/guitar
- Fred Faleauto (deceased) - vocals/drums
- Dave Pou - bass guitar
- John Berkley - bass guitar
- Phil Toms - vocals/bass guitar
- Carl Perkins - vocals/percussion
- Jack Allen - vocals/bass guitar
- Willie Hona - vocals/guitar
- Charlie TumahaiCharlie TumahaiCharles Turu Tumahai was a New Zealand singer, bass player and songwriter who was a member of several noted rock groups in New Zealand, Australia and the UK...
(deceased) - vocals/bass guitar - Joe WalshJoe WalshJoseph Fidler "Joe" Walsh is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has been a member of three commercially successful bands, the James Gang, Barnstorm, and the Eagles, and has experienced notable success as a solo artist and prolific session musician, especially with B.B...
- vocals/guitar - Kristen Hapi - drums
- Juanito Muzzio - percussion
- Grant Pukeroa - vocals/drums
- Max Hohepa - vocals/bass guitar
- Walter Bianco - saxophone/flute
- Leyton Greening - drums
- Lionel Nelson - vocals
- Ned Webster - drums
- Ryan Monga - drums
Albums
| Date of Release | Title | Label | Charted | Country | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 1981 in music See also:* Timeline of musical eventsThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1981.-January–April:*January 10 – A revival of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance opens at Broadway's Uris Theatre, starring Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith.*January 24 –... |
Whats' Be Happen? | Warrior | #40 | NZ | Z 20012 |
| 1982 1982 in music This is a list of notable events in music from 1982. 1982 was a big year in music with Madonna making her debut as well as the year that Michael Jackson released Thriller which became the world's best selling album and it still holds that title today.... |
Light Of The Pacific | Warrior | #49 | NZ | WAR 2005 |
| 1984 1984 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1984.-Janury-March:*January 21 – "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood reaches number one in the UK singles chart, despite being banned by the BBC; it spends a total of forty-two weeks in the Top 40.*January 27 – Michael Jackson's... |
Long Ago | Warrior | #39 | NZ | WAR 2007 |
| 1987 1987 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1987.See also:Record labels established in 1987-January-February:*January 3 – Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame... |
Sensitive to a Smile | Warrior | #10 | NZ | WAR 2008 |
| 1988 1988 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1988.-January-March:* January 1 – André Rieu's Johann Strauss Orchestra plays its first concert.... |
Sensitive to a Smile (Australian pressing) | Mushroom | - | - | L38988 |
| 1990 1990 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1990.-Events:*January 21 – MTV's Unplugged premieres on cable television with British band Squeeze... |
Homegrown | Tribal | - | - | 9031727721-1 |
| 1993 1993 in music This is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992.... |
13 Years of Herbs: The Best Of 13 Years (Best Of) 13 Years is a greatest hits album released in 1993 by New Zealand reggae group, Herbs.-Track listing:#"Karanga Ra"#"French Letter"#"Sensitive to a Smile"#"Long Ago"#"Slice of Heaven" featuring Dave Dobbyn#"Listen"#"Homegrown"... |
Warner New Zealand | #14 | NZ | 4509941522 |
| 2001 2001 in music See also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band.... |
Listen: The Very Best Of | Warner New Zealand | #1 | NZ | 0927419502 |
| 2008 2008 in music 2008 was a huge year in music history with the emergence of pop superstars Lady Gaga and Katy Perry into the mainstream. Also, this is the year that is widely agreed upon by critics as the start of the fall of hip hop from the mainstream and the rise of Synthpop into the mainstream due to acts such... |
Lights Of The Pacific: The Very Best Of | Warner New Zealand | #8 | NZ | 5186511252 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Album | Charted | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | "French Letter" | Light Of The Pacific | #11 (NZ) | - |
| 1982 | "Jah's Son" | Light Of The Pacific | #15 (NZ) | - |
| 1984 | "Long Ago" | Long Ago | #22 (NZ) | - |
| 1985 | "Nuclear Waste" | Long Ago | #32 (NZ) | - |
| 1986 | "Slice of Heaven Slice of Heaven "Slice of Heaven" is a single by New Zealand singer/songwriter Dave Dobbyn with the band Herbs, released in 1986 on the soundtrack of the animated motion picture, Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tail Tale. The single charted at No. 1 in New Zealand... " (with Dave Dobbyn Dave Dobbyn Dave Dobbyn, ONZM is an award-winning New Zealand musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. In his early career he was a member of the rock group Th' Dudes and was the main creative force in pop band DD Smash... ) |
Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale | #1 (NZ) #1 (AUS) |
- |
| 1987 | "Sensitive to a Smile" | Sensitive to a Smile | #9 (NZ) | - |
| 1987 | "Rust In Dust" | Sensitive to a Smile | #11 (NZ) | - |
| 1988 | "Listen" | Sensitive to a Smile | #7 (NZ) | - |
| 1989 | "No Nukes (The Second Letter)" | Sensitive to a Smile | #48 (NZ) | - |
| 1989 | "Parihaka" (with Tim Finn Tim Finn Brian Timothy "Tim" Finn, OBE is a New Zealand singer and musician. Finn is most known for his music with New Zealand 1970s and 1980s rock group Split Enz, and later for his solo work, a temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowded House and his joint efforts with Neil Finn as the Finn... ) |
#6 (NZ) | - | |
| 1991 | "Homegrown" | Homegrown | #41 (NZ) | - |
| 1992 | "See What Love Can Do" (with Annie Crummer Annie Crummer Annie Crummer is a New Zealand Pop singer and songwriter who has seen success in both a solo career and as part of various musical groups.She grew up in West Auckland. Her father, a Cook Islander, was one of her strongest musical influences... ) |
Language | #3 (NZ) | - |
| 1993 | "Till We Kissed" (with Ray Columbus Ray Columbus Ray Columbus is a New Zealand solo singer and entertainer who has had a career spanning six decades. He was lead singer of Ray Columbus & the Invaders who had a hit with She's A Mod in the 1960s. Since then he has been a solo singer and television host.-Links:* *... ) |
#46 (NZ) | - | |
| 1994 | "Good For Life" | #50 (NZ) | - | |
| 1995 | "French Letter '95" | #9 (NZ) | - | |