Seminal Dunedin band The Puddle was formed in 1983 by leader-singer-writer-guitarist George D Henderson and bassist Ross Jackson and was soon joined by Lesley Paris & Norma O'Malley (Look Blue Go Purple) and Peter Gutteridge (The Great Unwashed, Snapper). The Puddle’s 1986 – 93 Flying Nun Records catalogue of an 12" EP, two albums and a single are long out of print, but a Lazarus-like comeback over the past 5 years has seen the release of 3 new albums to international acclaim. The latest album “Playboys in the Bush” is out now CD and vinyl LP.
The current line up of The Puddle features long-time fan Gavin Shaw on bass, multi-instrumentalist Allan Starrett on keyboards & viola and George’s brother (and original 1984 Puddle drummer) Ian on drums.
The Puddle's catholic mix of pop, blues, psychedelia, jazz, minimalism, rock'n'roll and god-knows-what-else appeals to humans of all ages who are not too proud to dance and the lyrics of love, sex, drugs, bewilderment and space travel are clearly audible at all times. Once known as psych-pop, the Puddle's style has since become hugely influential. Their live performances are legendary, walking the fine line between epiphany and cacophony with unexpected musical and lyrical rabbits pulled from invisible hats.
NZ Musician article
Puddle Youtube
Puddle’s Bandcamp site
“Playboys in the Bush” (CD/LP)
“Average Sensual Man” (The Puddle) / split 7” single with Robert Scott (The Clean/ The Bats)
“The Shakespeare Monkey” (CD)
“No Love No Hate” (CD)
- Listen to "I've Lost My Way in This World"
“Live 1985 & 1993” (Limited edition CD-R)
These releases may be purchased from the following retailers and distributors:
Playboys in the Bush
Amplifier (NZ)
Pebble Records (UK)
Powertool Records (EU)
CDBaby (US)
The Shakespeare Monkey:
Powertool Records (EU)
Amplifier (NZ)
Marbecks records (NZ)
Rough Trade (UK)
Missing Link Records (AU)
Last Visible Dog (US)
CD Baby (US - Online Retailer)
No Love No Hate:
Powertool Records (NZ)
Powertool Records (EU)
Slow Boat Records (NZ - Contact via email for ordering)
Amplifier (NZ)
Smoke CDs (NZ)
CD Baby (US - Online Retailer)
“Live 1985 & 1993” (Limited edition CD-R)
Fishrider MySpace Page
"No Love No Hate is Henderson’s great leap forward. This shockingly confident album retains The Puddle’s idiosyncratic character without Henderson trading in a jot of his mastery of pop form." (Dusted Magazine)
"Packed full of laid back catchiness and super-smart lyrical wordplay, it’s a worthy addition to The Puddle’s minimal back catalogue." * * * * (Real Groove Magazine)
“Henderson sounds like a man out of time but somehow also perfectly in place;… the wry, fuzzy delivery is infectious… his future cult status has probably been preserved.” (The Wire magazine)
"surreal and tender, capturing the black humour of the Silver Jews, the experimental garage rock of The Clean and Pavement’s crooked post-punk in an elusive, subtly psychedelic vision." (Fire Escape Talking)
"In much the same way that Mssrs. Kilgour, Forster and even Nick Cave tweaked the perspectives of those listening to their music, Henderson has done the same thing and if you’d listen to this you’d find out." (Dagger zine)
“A record chock-full of lo-fi indie pop...quirky melodies and self-effacing and tender lyrics...fuzzed out splendour and sweet jangle... the sound is classic Flying Nun” (New Zealand Musician)