The Times Interview - Nik Brown, Explain Yourself to PJ Taylor

Monday, 07 May 2007

• Howick and Pakuranga Times

A memorable sight at the last night of Th’ Dudes-Hello Sailor-Hammond Gamble national tour triumph in Rocktober was David Gapes viewing the stage action from the balcony, front row centre. Colin Hogg was a couple of seats away.
Down the years, the charismatic journalists have contributed greatly to Auckland and NZ’s music scene. It was especially appropriate that Gapes had the best view in a heaving St James Theatre.
For if it wasn’t for him and the brave efforts of enthusiastic young people in the 1960s wanting to change and challenge established social conventions, who knows what kind of a cultural backwater this country would have been? Gapes and mates wanted to play rock n’ roll to the masses on the radio.
They took to the high seas launching legendary pirate station Radio Hauraki, effectively forcing deregulation. Private radio became a reality and competitor to the public networks. Hauraki turned 40 in November and afternoon classic DJ that rocks, Nik Brown, was in the middle of yearlong celebrations, even taking to the tour road with the Kiwi music legends.

Th’ Dudes reformation came out of the blue. Was it suggested early on as a great way to really mark Hauraki’s 40th birthday? How did the band get back together?Mai FMHauraki’sDid the full tour line-up effectively pick itself?HaurakiHaurakiHow was the tour? How were the bands received?There are a lot of legendary party people in that line-up. And time does catch up, but did they adopt a ‘one more time’ attitude on the road?Another fine memory from the final show encores was Th’ Dudes, Hello Sailor and Hammond jamming superbly to Lou Reed’s Sweet Jane. The irony is that song was a favourite jam for just about every Auckland band rehearsing in a suburban garage during the 1970s and 1980s. What are your favourite musical highlights from the tour?That Look in Your EyesMidnightCrossroadsBilly BoldSweet JaneHauraki sits on a saturated radio dial in Auckland. We’ve heard it said there are more stations per head of population than in any other city in the world. How competitive is Auckland’s radio market nowadays? How is Hauraki doing, considering it is year 41?HaurakiHauraki’sFor November’s birthday celebrations, the station assembled many of its popular DJs from the past. How was it getting all of them together again?You’ve had a long successful run in radio, working at different stations. How did you get into radio and where have you worked?Tonic TimeRadio NZ3ZM1ZM1ZMClassic HitsClassic HitsHaurakiWindyKool 93Hauraki91FMRadio IMai FMHaurakiYou’re also the voice of Mt Smart on Vodafone Warriors game day. Tell us about your passion for league and the NZ Warriors.There’s a genuine sense of optimism surrounding the Warriors this year. How do you see it? Nik Brown fact file:Born:Grew up:Schools: Favourite bands:Best musicians:All-time top songs:The greatest songwriters:Best league players seen: