'Hottest live act' visits

Waimarino Bulletin, Issue 7, 2 September 1988, Page 19

'Hottest live act' visits

Wellington band The Holidaymakers celebrate a successful winter when they tour the North Island this winter break. In the last two months they have toured extensively, topped the charts with their single Sweet Lovers and delighted audiences with their blend of soul, reggae and funk. Supported by a stack of positive reviews from New Zealand's top critics they are now set to claim the title of the country's hottest live act. The band's range of vocal styles, outstanding musicianship and strong songwriting abilities make their set exciting, diverse and highly danceable. Ruapehu region winter holiday makers can watch the band "Holidaymakers" at The Chateau, Whakapapa on Saturdjay and Sunday, September 3 and 4, and at Hot Lava, Ohakune on Monday, September 5. The Holidaymakers, who were formed just 18 months ago, combine self-penned material with a selection of soul and funk classics. Despite the relatively short lifespan of the band, they have their roots in a musical heritage spanning almost 10 years. Main songwriter and guitarist John McDougall, singer Peter Marshall, guitarist Stephen Jessup and saxophonist Andrew Clouston formed the nucleus of Wellington bands The Rodents and The Hulamen. After the Hulamen split there was a three year gap as band members went off in differ-

ent musical and geographical directions.

But when John Stephen teamed

again in the Tombolas and were joined by singer-songwriter Mara Finau, the seeds of The and Holidaymakers were up sown.