It is quite remarkable to see how the world has embraced the music industry. It has enabled various artists with great talents to form outstanding bands and individual musicians being able to build successful careers as well.
Starting out in the 90s, The Feelers emerged out of Christchurch with enchanting, slick rock hits that inspired the band into the NZ music charts. Their output is substantial and consistently impressive. Since its inception, the group has received a warm reception in the native country and even around the world.
After releasing five multi-platinum albums with catchy seven number one tracks, the band sold more than 250,000 units and gained a monolithic presence on their local rock scene.
Quick Start Guide The Feelers:
For a number of years, The Feelers was the source of background soundtrack to the New Zealand life. At the turn of the new millennium, their contributed significantly to the development of the local commercial music
The Feelers is a famous pop rock band formed in the early 90s in Christchurch, New Zealand. Hamish Gee (guitar/drums) and James Reid (guitarist/singer) are the founding members of the band.
From the early ’90s when the band was formed until 2008, The Feelers maintained the same lineup. OpShop bassman Clinton Harris and ex-Zed lead guitarist Andy Lynch joined the group later.
The year 2008 saw the departure of the bassist Matt Thomas whom Matt Short took his position. Shortly afterward, Clint Harris, a long-time friend of the band, also joined.
Since he had played for the band in some previous tours, guitarist Andy Lynch became a full-time member of The Feelers in 2006.
Warner Music signed the band, and the deal facilitated the release of their debut album, Supersystem. The album reached No.1 in New Zealand on Sept. 1998. It also became the second best-selling album in the country as well.
For two consecutive years, they also received an award for the most played single on the New Zealand Radio with “Supersystem” 1998 and “Venus” the following year.
After completing their extensive tours, the group began working on their next album. They worked with Des Broadbery (U2) to record demos of the album before initiating the production with a British producer Gil Norton. Finally, the band released their second album Communicate in 2001. It debuted at No.1.
The band saw the 2003 album Playground Battle as a new direction. The album reached number 1 slot again, and through it, The Feelers earned their third award for the APRA most played track, “Stand Up” on NZ Radio.
After extensive tours around the United States, Europe and Australasia began working on the fourth album, One World. The self-produced album was released on 13th Nov. 2006. It debuted at No. 1 on New Zealand Album Charts.
Also, the fourth album went platinum in its first week of release and eventually hitting the number one spot. The band showed diverse directions on this album, and that is why some people view it as their best work to date.
Career Highlights:
The Feelers performed at a sell-out show organized at the Octagon in Dunedin before a test match of All Blacks versus South Africa at Carisbrook in July 2008. They played two tracks, “Narrow Lanes” and “Beautiful Feeling.”
To thank their supporters who had stood with them for the first ten years, the band went on a nationwide “Heartland” Tour in October 2008 where they played acoustic shows in 18 rural towns.
In November 2008, The band the best hit album titled The Feelers: The Best: ’98-’08. It featured 18 tracks including two new singles; “Whoever Said” and “Beautiful Feeling.” In Oct. 2009, the band earned a Tui in the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards for best-selling album courtesy of The Feelers: The Best: ’98-’08.
The band announced that they were working on a new album in May 2009. In September that year, the band in collaboration released the details of their competition, whereby they will pick two winners and organize for them to fly to the Cook Islands. The two will be given a chance to sing and even appear in the video for their song “Blue Skies.”
The band had an interview with radio station The Rock FM from Rarotonga in October 2009 in which they revealed that they were not going to release a new album for the next several months, but the album didn’t appear. After long delays, the group finally announced they would release a new album in August 2011.
The band unveiled the album Hope Nature Forgives in 2011. Also, in the 2011 New Zealand election, the New Zealand National Party used the band’s song “Stand Up” as their campaign song.
Present Status:
Did not see any gigs planned when we checked in mid 2017.