Tadpole (band)
Encyclopedia
Tadpole was a female-led New Zealand
band from Auckland
that formed in June 1994.
as there were three female members.
However, vocalist Renee Brennan and drummer/manager Dean Lawton have been stable members of the band since the late 1990s, just prior to their New Zealand rise to fame.
During that time, the singles "Blind" (Radio release only, 1998), "For Me" (single release, 1999) and "Backdoor" (also a single release, 1999), were released.
, released in New Zealand in mid-2000 proved a huge hit debuting at number 2 in the New Zealand charts. The Buddhafinger had a distinctive pop/punkish slant to it, and featured a part-time vinyl scratcher, DJ Kritikl (Kevin May), on most tracks.
The 2000 Buddhafinger lineup officially consisted of Renee Brennan (vocals), Dean Lawton (drums), Chris Yong (guitar), Paul Matthews (bass) and DJ Kritikl. DJ Kritikl would leave the lineup late in 2000, and the band reverted to a 4-piece.
In January 2002, Paul Matthews left to concentrate on work with fellow New Zealand
band Stylus. After a few months' speculation, his place was taken by Hamilton
bass player Shannon Brown, previously from the band Mama Said.
August 2002 came the follow-up album, The Medusa which was also a top 10 hit. In contrast with The Buddhafinger, The Medusa had "a much darker, at times menacing sound".
and 48May
respectively.
For months after Tadpole played sporadically with temporary guitar/bass parts, before settling on two new members, Henry and Ollie. This lineup kept a low profile during 2004-2005, playing 4-5 gigs at a time, rather than whole tours.
The Taddie (as fans affectionately call them) have ended up touring several times in New Zealand and have played gigs all around the world. In February 2005 their third album, Tadpole
was recorded, however it took a year and a half for its release. During that time, the singles "Too Hard" and "Yesterday" were released to New Zealand
radio and video stations.
Due to being a band in a small country, Tadpole cannot be considered as a full-time entity for the members. The vocalist, Renee, is a DJ on New Zealand's 100% NZ music radio station Kiwi FM
, and also does some voiceover (she is heard on many New Zealand advertisements, promoting everything from fast-food to department stores) and acting work.
. All have now gone their separate ways:
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...
band from Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
that formed in June 1994.
Before 2000
Between the band's beginning and 1999 Tadpole went through so many lineup changes that there soon ended up being no original members left in the band. At one point early in their career the band were so unpopular that they played to three people at a gig, and two were bar staff. At one point, Tadpole was almost an all-women bandAll-women band
An all-female band is a musical group composed of female musicians exclusively. A distinction is made here with a girl group, in which the members are solely vocalists, though this terminology is not universally followed.-1920s-1940s:In the Jazz Age and during the 1930s, "all-girl" bands such as...
as there were three female members.
However, vocalist Renee Brennan and drummer/manager Dean Lawton have been stable members of the band since the late 1990s, just prior to their New Zealand rise to fame.
During that time, the singles "Blind" (Radio release only, 1998), "For Me" (single release, 1999) and "Backdoor" (also a single release, 1999), were released.
2000 - 2002
Their debut album The BuddhafingerThe Buddhafinger
The Buddhafinger is the debut album released in 2000 by New Zealand rock group, Tadpole.-Track listing:#"Alright"#"Number One"#"Blind"#"Better Days"#"For Me"#"No Man"#"Set To Fade"#"Music Box"#"You Know It"#"Backdoor"#"Kindred"#"White Horsie"...
, released in New Zealand in mid-2000 proved a huge hit debuting at number 2 in the New Zealand charts. The Buddhafinger had a distinctive pop/punkish slant to it, and featured a part-time vinyl scratcher, DJ Kritikl (Kevin May), on most tracks.
The 2000 Buddhafinger lineup officially consisted of Renee Brennan (vocals), Dean Lawton (drums), Chris Yong (guitar), Paul Matthews (bass) and DJ Kritikl. DJ Kritikl would leave the lineup late in 2000, and the band reverted to a 4-piece.
In January 2002, Paul Matthews left to concentrate on work with fellow 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...
band Stylus. After a few months' speculation, his place was taken by Hamilton
Hamilton, New Zealand
Hamilton is the centre of New Zealand's fourth largest urban area, and Hamilton City is the country's fourth largest territorial authority. Hamilton is in the Waikato Region of the North Island, approximately south of Auckland...
bass player Shannon Brown, previously from the band Mama Said.
August 2002 came the follow-up album, The Medusa which was also a top 10 hit. In contrast with The Buddhafinger, The Medusa had "a much darker, at times menacing sound".
2003 - 2006
In February 2003 came a large upheaval to the band. Citing musical differences, both guitarist Chris Yong and bassist Shannon Brown left. Both would go into other bands, RedlineRedline (band)
Redline are a hard rock band from Auckland, New Zealand.The group consists of brothers Chris and Richard Yong, Craig Broadbridge and Nick Gregory.- Biography :...
and 48May
48May
48May is a New Zealand pop rock group. The band consists of Jon Austin , CaptainHook , Stan Bicknell and Shannon Brown...
respectively.
For months after Tadpole played sporadically with temporary guitar/bass parts, before settling on two new members, Henry and Ollie. This lineup kept a low profile during 2004-2005, playing 4-5 gigs at a time, rather than whole tours.
The Taddie (as fans affectionately call them) have ended up touring several times in New Zealand and have played gigs all around the world. In February 2005 their third album, Tadpole
Tadpole (album)
Tadpole is the third, and last, album from New Zealand rock group, Tadpole. It was released on June 24, 2006.This was the last album recorded by the band before they split up...
was recorded, however it took a year and a half for its release. During that time, the singles "Too Hard" and "Yesterday" were released to 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...
radio and video stations.
Due to being a band in a small country, Tadpole cannot be considered as a full-time entity for the members. The vocalist, Renee, is a DJ on New Zealand's 100% NZ music radio station Kiwi FM
Kiwi FM
Kiwi FM is a New Zealand Radio Network playing 100 percent New Zealand music both nationally and to the world via its 24/7 live stream. The network was designed specifically to showcase the best New Zealand music across the broadest range of genres, enabling greater access to an international...
, and also does some voiceover (she is heard on many New Zealand advertisements, promoting everything from fast-food to department stores) and acting work.
Split
As of May 2006, Renee announced on Breakfast that after 12 years together and due to a personal conflict between herself and drummer, Dean Lawton, Tadpole as a band were to go their separate ways indefinitely, effective June 24, 2006 after a final Auckland concert and self-titled album release, TadpoleTadpole (album)
Tadpole is the third, and last, album from New Zealand rock group, Tadpole. It was released on June 24, 2006.This was the last album recorded by the band before they split up...
. All have now gone their separate ways:
- Dean Lawton now is to focus on his landscaping business.
- Henry Penny has returned to The United Kingdom and has founded the band A Quick Minute with Dave Phillips.
- Ollie Gordon is to work with Auckland band AutozammAutozamm- As For Now :-Singles:-References:*****-External links:**...
. - Renee Brennan will be heading to SpainSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and AfricaAfricaAfrica is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, as an English teacher and to gain a more cultural perspective on life.
Discography
| Date | Title | Label | Charted Positions | Certification | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | The Buddhafinger The Buddhafinger The Buddhafinger is the debut album released in 2000 by New Zealand rock group, Tadpole.-Track listing:#"Alright"#"Number One"#"Blind"#"Better Days"#"For Me"#"No Man"#"Set To Fade"#"Music Box"#"You Know It"#"Backdoor"#"Kindred"#"White Horsie"... |
Antenna Records | #2 (NZ) | 2x Platinum | |
| 2002 | The Medusa | Antenna Records | #10 (NZ) | - | |
| 2006 | Tadpole Tadpole (album) Tadpole is the third, and last, album from New Zealand rock group, Tadpole. It was released on June 24, 2006.This was the last album recorded by the band before they split up... |
Benthouse Records | - | - | |
| EPs | |||||
| 2001 | Nothing New Nothing New (Tadpole EP) Nothing New is an EP released in 2001 by New Zealand rock group, Tadpole.-Track listing:#"Nothing New"#"Blind "#"Blind "... |
- | - | ||
Singles
| Year | Single | Album | Charted | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | "Blind" | The Buddhafinger | - | - |
| 1999 | "For Me" | #12 (NZ) | - | |
| "Backdoor" | #12 (NZ) | - | ||
| "Alright" | #21 (NZ) | - | ||
| 2000 | "No Man" | - | - | |
| 2001 | "Number One" | - | - | |
| "Better Days" | - | - | ||
| "Nothing new" | Medusa | #23 (NZ) | - | |
| 2002 | "Now Today Forever" | - | - | |
| "Condition Chronic" | - | - | ||
| 2003 | "Just Not Rock And Roll" | - | - | |
| "Always Be Mine" | - | - | ||
| "Frequency" | - | - | ||
| 2005 | "Too Hard" | Tadpole | - | - |
| "Yesterday" | - | - | ||
| "Offering" | - | - |