Saluting Shihad

Rip It Up, Issue 227, 1 July 1996, Page 7

Saluting Shihad

A big cheerful kia ora to fellow RIU readers. I had such an amazing time last Saturday night I felt compelled to share my experience with you. Anything has to be better than a nag, hey?

Okay, last Saturday, June 1, at the Tutukaka Hotel, The Toots’, Whangarei had the pleasure of witnessing Wellington band Shihad in all their energetic, fearless glory. The night started off awesome too; my mates and I sat in the car and drank a few bottles of wine, accepting the passerbys’ sessions — alright! Good start. The first band was locally enjoyed Skin Machine. Choice one, Dave and crew. Then, to cut a lovely exploding story short, Shihad did the damage! Oooh, Jon, mate, you are just too good. Shihad went off in such an energetic cloud of kiwi brilliance, their awesome performance totally blew me away — and the whole of Toots, no doubt. Even after the gig, with the help of a few tequillas beforehand, my girlfriend Tania and I went straight towards the stage and proceeded to have a cruisy chat with Jon and Karl. Man, what awesome, laidback, talented, modest young dudes!

Well, by that time I was trying to stand up straight, as the old legs were swaying a bit with all that lovely exhausted energy lingering about. An enormous clap to the dudes from Shihad — your talent is too much — and a big cheer to Sam and the gang at Toots. My night was vividly eminent thanks to Shihad, magnificent mates, and a ragey pub. Ka pai, never to be forgotten. Kelly, Whangarei.