the Magic Roundabout
the Magic Roundabout 1985-1987
Julian Terris—acoustic guitar, voice
Conrad Jones— 12-string guitar, bass
Robert Hancock—acoustic guitar, mandolin, voice
the Magic Roundabout 1987-1989
Julian Terris—guitars, bass, voice
Conrad Jones—bass, guitars, keyboards
Robert Hancock—guitars, mandolin, bass, voice
Karl Buckley—drums
Christine Watson—violin
The Magic Roundabout began as an unconventional
acoustic guitar band in 1985. Driving around and rehearsing in a Morris
van meant that a variety of atmospheres infused the music, from the desolate
suburban sprawl of the Hutt Valley to the sparkling panorama from the
Eastbourne hills, from the weirdness of industrial zones at night to burnt
forests in harsh daylight.
In 1986 a part of the band relocated to Wellington city, and in a Mount
Victoria flat the first series of recordings were made using a 4-track
reel to reel machine. Tracks 1-8 formed the basis of a first cassette
release which circulated in 1986. These acoustic songs were performed
live on a few occasions before inappropriate crowds of skinheads and rock
hardmen, working surprisingly well considering the context.
Rattle and Shake was selected to appear on a national Student Radio compilation
sometime in 1987, accelerating many things for the group. The consequent
offers of concerts was an opportunity to develop the line-up, with Karl
arriving on drums and Christine on violin. This new electric eclectic
group quickly gained a solid reputation, and with the subsequent airplay
and promotion from Student Radio performed frequently in Wellington and
Auckland.
In 1988 the then Arts Council of New Zealand awarded the group a New Recording Artists grant for the production of a 12” e.p and a promotional video. Six songs were recorded and mixed at Wellington’s Writhe Studio by Brent McLachlan, and the video footage was developed and ready to be edited. It was at this stage that we realised our then ‘manager’, Peter Kaye, had used the money to pay his personal tax bill. Stolen it, like. Put yourselves in our shoes – everything had been going to plan, and then this fall off the edge of a cliff. Too young, too idealistic and too sensitive, the band imploded and then scattered in 1989..
