Simon Grigg
Encyclopedia
Simon Grigg is a New Zealand
music businessman, writer, radio host, publisher, producer, DJ and archivist. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, he attended Palmerston North Boys High, Auckland Grammar and the University of Auckland.
, one of New Zealand's first two punk rock
bands, the other being The Scavengers. In June 1977 he co-promoted New Zealand's first major punk concert, which was the impetus behind a large number of so called "second generation" punk bands.
Propeller Records
. Between June 1980 and August 1983 Propeller had a string of influential releases and hit singles and albums, including a number one with The Screaming Meemees
, also managed by Grigg.
A second label, Furtive Records, was formed in 1981 to release the debut by Tall Dwarfs
and The Newmatics.
In 1982 he was awarded the Record Industry Association Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Recording Industry.
The label was seen as ground breaking, and inspired an explosion of independent labels in New Zealand.
nightclub
in Australasia
, The Asylum in Mt Eden.
A new label, Stimulant, in the mid-1980s had enormous success with UK dance artist Princess and licensed recordings from US labels.
His Def Jam collection Its The New Style was released globally.
The Auckland clubs Box and Cause Celebre, co-owned by Grigg, were important venues and focal points in the Auckland live and dance music scenes from 1988 to 1997.
In 1994 Grigg launched the record label, Huh!, releasing debuts by Nathan Haines
and OMC
. The latter's "How Bizarre
" was a worldwide hit over 1996 and 1997, reaching number one in 15 countries. It remains one of the most successful records released from New Zealand, selling several million copies.
In 1999 Huh launched the first of the Nice ’n’ Urlich series, co-ordinated and co-compiled by Grigg, which went multi-platinum across three volumes.
In 2004 Grigg's new label, Joy, released "Its On
" by 3 The Hard Way
, which reached number one in New Zealand.
Propeller Records has also released a series of archival albums, which have documented parts of New Zealand's musical history, including the reissue of the iconic punk collection, AK79
, much expanded (a joint release with Flying Nun Records
); the New Zealand post punk collection, Bigger Than Both of Us, and the soundtrack to the TVNZ documentary series, Give It A Whirl
.
In 2005, Grigg moved to Indonesia
, and in 2009 moved to Thailand
, where he now lives with his wife and daughter, although he remains active in the New Zealand recording industry on a consultancy level and as a commentator.
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...
music businessman, writer, radio host, publisher, producer, DJ and archivist. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, he attended Palmerston North Boys High, Auckland Grammar and the University of Auckland.
Punk rock
As a teenager in the 1970s he helped form The Suburban ReptilesSuburban Reptiles
The Suburban Reptiles and The Scavengers were the first punk bands to form in New Zealand.- History :The Suburban Reptiles were first conceptualised by Auckland students Simon Grigg and Brett Salter in late 1976, with some encouragement from filmmaker David Blyth...
, one of New Zealand's first two punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
bands, the other being The Scavengers. In June 1977 he co-promoted New Zealand's first major punk concert, which was the impetus behind a large number of so called "second generation" punk bands.
Propeller Records
In 1980 he formed the independent record labelRecord label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Propeller Records
Propeller Records
Propeller Records was an independent record label formed in Auckland, New Zealand, by Simon Grigg in 1980.-1980-81:In the years prior to 1980 the New Zealand contemporary recording industry was largely moribund. The major record labels were either not recording or were confining themselves largely...
. Between June 1980 and August 1983 Propeller had a string of influential releases and hit singles and albums, including a number one with The Screaming Meemees
The Screaming Meemees
The Screaming Meemees were one of the biggest post-punk new-wave pop bands in New Zealand in the early 1980s. The band formed in Auckland in 1979, composed of vocalist Tony Drumm, guitarist Michael O'Neill, keyboard and bass player Peter van der Fluit and drummer "Laurence "Yoh" Landwer-Johan...
, also managed by Grigg.
A second label, Furtive Records, was formed in 1981 to release the debut by Tall Dwarfs
Tall Dwarfs
Tall Dwarfs are a New Zealand rock band formed in 1981 by Chris Knox and Alec Bathgate who, through their do-it-yourself ethic, helped pioneer the lo-fi style of rock music. The duo formed out of the ashes of Toy Love....
and The Newmatics.
In 1982 he was awarded the Record Industry Association Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Recording Industry.
The label was seen as ground breaking, and inspired an explosion of independent labels in New Zealand.
Late 1980s and 1990s
In 1986 Grigg opened the first house musicHouse music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
in Australasia
Australasia
Australasia is a region of Oceania comprising Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes...
, The Asylum in Mt Eden.
A new label, Stimulant, in the mid-1980s had enormous success with UK dance artist Princess and licensed recordings from US labels.
His Def Jam collection Its The New Style was released globally.
The Auckland clubs Box and Cause Celebre, co-owned by Grigg, were important venues and focal points in the Auckland live and dance music scenes from 1988 to 1997.
In 1994 Grigg launched the record label, Huh!, releasing debuts by Nathan Haines
Nathan Haines
Nathan Haines is a New Zealand jazz and adult contemporary saxophonist.-Life and career:Haines was born in 1972. His father, Kevin, played jazz bass, and his brother, Joel, played guitar. Haines played gigs with Joel across New Zealand, before moving to New York in 1991 to study jazz...
and OMC
OMC (band)
OMC, or Otara Millionaires Club, was a music group from Auckland, New Zealand best known for their 1996 hit "How Bizarre", named one of the greatest New Zealand songs of all time by the Australasian Performing Right Association...
. The latter's "How Bizarre
How Bizarre (song)
"How Bizarre" is the debut single of New Zealand musical group OMC from their debut album of the same name. It was released as a single in New Zealand in 1995 and internationally in 1996....
" was a worldwide hit over 1996 and 1997, reaching number one in 15 countries. It remains one of the most successful records released from New Zealand, selling several million copies.
In 1999 Huh launched the first of the Nice ’n’ Urlich series, co-ordinated and co-compiled by Grigg, which went multi-platinum across three volumes.
2000s
Grigg hosted the BPM and Extended Play radio programmes on 95bFM and George FM between 1985 and 2005. The BPM show was New Zealand's first dedicated dancefloor-aimed radio show and ran for 17 years.In 2004 Grigg's new label, Joy, released "Its On
It's On (Move to This)
"It’s On " is a single by New Zealand R&B group, 3 The Hard Way, released in 2003. The single entered the New Zealand singles chart at number one and was certified gold.-Track Listings:#It's On ...
" by 3 The Hard Way
3 The Hard Way
3 The Hard Way is a New Zealand hiphop group formed in 1994.-History:3 The Hard Ways first release was Hip Hop Holiday, which was released in 1994. The song spent five weeks at the top of the New Zealand charts, selling in excess of thirty thousand copies, and became a Kiwi anthem...
, which reached number one in New Zealand.
Propeller Records has also released a series of archival albums, which have documented parts of New Zealand's musical history, including the reissue of the iconic punk collection, AK79
AK79
AK79 is a compilation album of tracks by punk bands active in Auckland, New Zealand, in the late 1970s. The album was compiled by Bryan Staff, with artwork from Terence Hogan, and was released by Ripper Records in 1979 - just in time for Xmas. Bands featured on the original compilation include The...
, much expanded (a joint release with Flying Nun Records
Flying Nun Records
Flying Nun Records is an independent record label formed in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1981 by music-store proprietor Roger Shepherd.-History:The label was formed in the flurry of new punk rock-inspired labels forming in the early 1980s...
); the New Zealand post punk collection, Bigger Than Both of Us, and the soundtrack to the TVNZ documentary series, Give It A Whirl
Give It a Whirl
Give It A Whirl: The Soundtrack from the Major Television Series is a compilation album released in 2003 by recording label, Propeller Records for the six-part New Zealand Documentary Give It A Whirl. The Documentary, released in 2003, traced the development of New Zealand music from the 50's...
.
In 2005, Grigg moved to Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, and in 2009 moved to Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, where he now lives with his wife and daughter, although he remains active in the New Zealand recording industry on a consultancy level and as a commentator.