Flashback

Free Our Minds 22/04/13

The autumn season is upon us in Aotearoa NZ, drought turning to thunder storms and chill of winter is near. Lucky we have sunshine in Europe to look forward to and shows like Summerjam Festival in Cologne to help 'free our minds'. There's also an album called 'Blackbird' getting close for take off. Stay tuned!

Milan Concert 18/04/13

Keeping on the European tour buzz, we're playing a concert at Carroponte, Milan on 2nd July. This is good news, tickets are on sale.

What The Folk 9/04/13

Folks, we're lined up for an afternoon session at Rudolstadt Festival, Germany on 6th July, a massive folk, roots and world music festival.

The Euro Hustle 5/04/13

Happy to report that our summer jaunt to Europe is building momentum. Pitch Festival in Amsterdam is the newest addition, taking to the Main Stage on Friday 5th July. Other confirmations are Vicar Street in Dublin on 23rd June, Garorock Festival in Marmande, France on 28th June and Couleur Cafe Festival in the heart of Brussels on 29th June. Full details on Gig Guide.

Bluesfest Jam 31/03/13

Searching for blues & roots brew at Byron Bay Bluesfest, Australia this long Easter weekend. We mash up MOJO stage tonight & jamming Jambalaya stage tomorrow (Monday) night. Sweet as.

Meantime... 27/03/13

Chopper, our 'Auckland representative', dropped by for a session at Bay's studio yesterday. He cooked a mean feed of lamb and couscous, we indulged in Ron Varadero rum (our album elixir) and hit record on the horn section. Wait and see what comes out in the wash eh.

What's Happening? 22/03/13

What's happening? We're on the home straight!

Surf's Up 8/03/13

On the live tour horizon, our upcoming fantastic voyages timetable features Australia and Europe. We play two shows at the acclaimed Byron Bay Bluesfest, Queensland Sunday 31st March and Monday 1st April, amongst a line up featuring 'Sugarman' Rodríguez, Mavis Staples,Shuggie Otis and Iggy & The Stooges.

The first highlights in our annual European summer festival pilgrimage are Sea Sessions, a mighty surf and music festival on the beach at Bundoran, Co, Donegal, Ireland on Saturday 22nd June, and Festival Mundial, The Netherlands on Sunday 30th June to explore the urban fields of Tilburg.

Chopper's Winery Tour Top Ten 6/03/13

1. Most beautiful venue: Neudorf (Nelson). Just go there people and see for yourselves... and while you're there snap up that wine. Jude, Tim & especially Rosie are incredible hosts.
2. Crowd who rocked us to the bones: Christchurch - we hadn't been there since before the quakes. We owed you. That gig meant so much to us.
3. Best swim: Fitzroy Beach in NP was great... but Pelorus River is essential.
4. Best new FFD guest: A tie between Julia Deans - smokin' hot bass playing / just smokin hot in general, and Shayne Carter - who is just totally amazing.
5. Best food: Gig catering went to the Hamilton crew - delicious. But how can we top the Crayfish, Flounder, Goat, Lamb, Scallop & Tuna fest at Wairunga. Legendary.
6. Best golfing experince: It could have been the hilarious round with The Adults in Havelock (who figured the rockers knew how to putt?), or Fitchie's blazing run of form... but we can't go past playing Jacks Point in QT. That place is unique... it doesn't matter that how crap
you play there, it's so beautiful.
7. Song that got you freaky: Blackbird was always awesome to start the show with. Mother, Mother made you get sexy - and the version in Hamilton was deeeeeep.
8. Proud dad moment(s): Chopper watching son Salvador rock the harmonica in Gisborne, and lighting guru Butterball tear up as his eldest jumped up for the Shiverman horn blast in The Tron. The next generation is here.
9. Where is the love?: Ah, there it is. It took 15 shows but finally, at Villa Maria, a little box of wine appeared with a hand written note "Thanks for the music. Enjoy. From Sir George". Mr Fistonich show his class and treats us to a lovely drop. Thank you, Sir G.
10. People who were awesome: Every single on of the Winery Tour Production Crew - from drivers to security to techs.... amazing. And to Cushy, our Tour Manager - who we tried to break... but couldn't. Cheers love.

Chopper's Wine Tour Diary #4 6/03/13

Sad to say it, but that's all folks - The Winery Tour is done. I say sad because it has been outrageous fun; as far as touring in NZ goes, this has set the bar at a new level. From tip to tail, from back to front we've covered pretty much the whole country. The last run took in Tauranga - so hot! Auckland - so many people! And then finished in Hamilton - so much like a time warp! (I started playing sax in rhythm & blues bands there a lifetime ago). The gigs have been uniformly amazing; you the people have shakin your collective arse - hard! We've loved unleashing some material from Blackbird, reinvented Shiverman into pretty much a new (and stonking) tune, and had the pleasure of sharing the stage with some of NZs finest - who have taught us a thing or two about music along the way. Right, it's time to sleep off the hangover and then back to the studio we go. Thank you Aotearoa, what a summer!

Raise A Glass 28/02/13

Raise a glass for The Winery Tour finale this weekend - hitting Wharepai Domain, Tauranga on Friday 1st March, Villa Maria, Auckland on Saturday 2nd March and last but not least Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Sunday 2nd March. Cheers.

Boondigga Jam 27/02/13

For all you NZ music train spotters, check our ‪Boondigga Jam with the legend Shayne Carter‬. The latest video from ‪MC Slave's Winery Tour Diary has Mr Carter dueling with Jetlag Johnson & co. Mean bro. Slave's collection of on the road clips from the North to the South is playing now on FFD UTube.

Chopper's Wine Tour Diary #3 26/02/13

In keeping with our 'taking it to the people' vibe for this summer, we've just spent the weekend kicking about the top of the South Island playing shows in Nelson and then Blenhiem. Thanks to some (more) endless summer sun and the beautiful scenery in Upper Moutere we now 'get' Nelson. You folks are lucky. And we were lucky too, getting to play two sell-out shows at the incredible Neudorf winery. What a killer spot that is - and of course they produce some legendary wine. Thanks to Tim, Jude and especially Rose for taking such good care of us. Inbetween show we managed to fit in bike rides, river swims, bbqing some t-bones, late-night liver punishment and more golf. It has to be said, Fitchie is back! Long live the king. He spanked me everytime we played golf on this trip with the final result being 5-1. Ouch! Then we treked over to Blenhiem - with the essential swim in Pelorous on the way and a sauna session when we hit the hotel. Our show that night was pretty cool - we had both Mr Carter and Mr Toogood adding their awesomeness to the Boondigga jam and a whole paddock of party people jumping about until late on a Sunday night. We've only got a few more shows to go now... it's been such a great tour. Can't wait to bring the funk to BOP, Auckland and the Waikato now.

Sun Is Shining 23/02/13

Sun is shining. Making more noise tonight at Neudorf Winery, Moutere. We be at Villa Maria Winery, Blenheim tomorrow, Sunday.

Fresh video ‘Mother Mother Live From The Winery Tour' is now playing for your viewing pleasure on both Fat Freddy's Drop TV and FFD UTube channel. Recorded at Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana, 2 February 2013, the first of 17 Winery Tour shows around New Zealand, the video of the gospel funk monster is a  antalising taste of a song destined to feature on forthcoming studio album ‘Blackbird'. DJ Fitchie mixed the Matakana recording on the road and the video combines the live experience with footage of Freddys and fellow Winery Tour bands Anika Boh & Hollie and The Adults going through their soundcheck ritual.

Mother Mother Live 21/02/13

For a taste of 'Mother Mother Live From The Winery Tour' catch our video mix premiere online at NZ Herald today. Recorded at Ascension Wine Estate at the beginning of February this where the current epic tour began. We've got two weekends left to go on the road, playing Neudorf Vineyards this Friday and Saturday, Blenheim on Sunday and wrap it up in Tauranga, Auckland and Hamilton next weekend. Chur.

Chopper's Wine Tour Diary #2 20/02/13

Just finished a three show leg around the bottom half of the South Island that acted as something of a homecoming for local lads Joe Dukie and Dobie Blaze. It's been great to be back as it's been a few years since we made it this far south; it's been incredible. First we had a blinding show in Waipara at Mudhouse - after a sobering look around CHCH city - where we witnessed Anika Moa stepping in for The Adults (Ms Deans was AWOL for one show) and drank beautiful riesling. No pressure for the rest of the shows you guys but that was the best crowd we've come across so far. Then down to Dunedin for indoor/outdoor gig under the roof of the new stadium. And then on to Queenstown where we played golf (on the amazing Jacks Point course), ate steak (thank you JSH), went jetboating, played another amazing show (with guest guitar hero Shayne Carter) and drank incredible pinot (Waitiri Creek 2008). We've been giving the material off the new album a good run in these shows and songs like 'Russia', 'Mother Mother' and 'Blackbird' seem to be hitting in all the right places - it looks like we'll unveil some more new songs over the next two weekends too. Next up we hit Nelson, but right now I'm getting ready to fly home on a cloudless day over the incredible landscape. Then it's off to the pool with my son and the driving range to try and find some form - Fitchie has taken a 3-1 lead in the Winery Tour Championship and I'm not gonna hand over the title belt without a fight.

Hot As in Central Otago 19/02/13

It is hot as in Central Otago right now. Primed for tonight's Winery Tour concert at Waitiri Creek, Gibbston Valley and looking forward to trying their seductive Pinot Noir & Pinot Gris.

Slave's New Winery Tour Diary 18/02/13

Watch MC Slave's latest Winery Tour video logs, a little crowd spotting at chur Church Road and a backstage 'Bathe in the River' sing-a-long with some of our tour comrades at Stuff online.

Heading South 15/02/13

Back on the road tomorrow, dropping The Winery Tour groove at Mud House Winery, Waipara on Saturday and hit the turf at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin on Sunday. Tix from Ticketmaster. 

Chopper's Wine Tour Diary #1 "The Norf' 14/02/13

Phew! What a run! Just knocked off the first leg of The Winery Tour - covering all points on the compass across the North island. So far, so awesome. Even though we caught some serious percipitation at the first few shows - who can really blame the east coast farmers for their rain dance, it's dry as hell out there - the trip has been amazing. First of all the music has been inspired - everyone on the tour is playing their arses off. Second, NZ rules! From days off playing golf and
eating everything from scallops to crayfish to slow-cooked goat at Wairunga in the Hawke's Bay, to swimming in the river pre-gig at Mangatainoka, to flinging the frisbee about amongst the feijoa trees in New Plymouth, we have been treated to the best the North has to offer. And then there's the crowds.... totally up for it and bringing the party atmosphere in spades. We're back home for a few days now to do the washing, mow the lawns, love the family and tend to the beans. See you in a few days Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown - we CANNOT wait.

Triple Treat 8/02/13

It's triple treat time on The Winery Tour. Kick off three concerts in a row tonight at Black Barn, Havelock North (SOLD OUT), rock Alana Estate, Martinborough on Saturday night and hit beer territory at Tui Brewery, Mangatainoka on Sunday. 
"I wonder what wine will be served? (at Tui) Sauvignon Blanc? Chardonnay? Merlot? East Indian Pale Grapes?" said Tony Chang in a recent Groove Guide interview.
View Groove Guide interview online, plus check out Master of Reality aka Fitchie aka MU sharing some wisdom with Lumiere folk. Full Winery Tour dates & ticket links on Gig Guide.

Winery Tour Beats 5/02/13

Bringing the beats to Brunton Road, Gisborne tonight and Church Road, Napier tomorrow late afternoon for Waitangi Day. Gate sales for both of these Winery Tour concerts available, playing rain or shine people. Check Gig Guide for full tour details. MC Slave's making a video diary on the road, view his log #1 at Stuff.

Vintage Tour 4/02/13

First weekend of The Winery Tour is under the belt. Choice to share the music with the fresh people in Tutukaka. Shout out to Ladi6 who jumped on the mic and smashed 'Roady' at the sold out Matakana concert. We're back in the tour van and on the road again - Gisborne and Hawke's Bay you're next. Check Gig Guide for full details. "Guest hype-man Slave and his "Fire! Fire!" toasting might cause alarm in more drought-affected parts of the country but he was an amusingly nutty addition." NZ Herald, Concert Review, The Winery Tour, Ascension Estate, Matakana. 

Winery Tour Alert 31/01/13

Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana this Sat 2nd Feb and Neudorf Vineyards, Upper Moutere on Sat 23 Feb both officially SOLD OUT! Tickets still available for Neudorf Vineyards other show on Friday 22nd Feb. In the Hawke's Bay, Black Barn Vineyards, Havelock North on Friday 8th Feb is SOLD OUT but you can still catch us at Church Road, Taradale on Weds 6th Feb aka Waitangi Day. That's all for now folks. Thanks for the aroha.

Building Anticipation 16/01/13

A little album anticipation from The Pier folks in USA, keeping in mind we got an unholy mix of disco, blues, soul and electronic funk with the dub, roots and smokers delight, check the mag's 2013 Most Anticipated Albums round up.

Summer Gold 11/01/13

It's a summer of golf, fishing and recording Blackbird album, and in-between we dropped by Coromandel Gold festival to roll in the new year. Check the photo evidence on our Gallery page courtesy photographer Shanon Moratti. A long time collaborator, Shanon is releasing a digi book in 2013 featuring his top Freddy's shots from the likes of Copenhagen, Amsterdam and more.

Churs 24/12/12

Chur chur Freddy's whanau and friends and supporters around the world for a massive year. We gonna keep doing it for the love of music in 2013. Catch you there.

Black Barn SOLD OUT! 20/12/12

Excited to say Black Barn Vineyards is the first SOLD OUT concert on the Winery Tour 2013. We've played here many times, rain or shine, and looking forward to sharing new tunes to a packed amphitheatre on Friday 8th February. If you're in the Hawke's Bay or close by don't fear because we've got one other Winery Tour gig in the region, Church Road Winery on Waitangi Day, Wednesday 6th February with cohorts Anika, Boh & Hollie and The Adults. Tickets for Church Road and other Winery Tour gigs are available from Ticketmaster. 

Silver And Gold Fidelity 19/12/12

The exclusive New Zealand only pressing of Silver And Gold 12" vinyl landed here this week and promptly sold out. Plans are afoot for a European pressing of Silver And Gold in 2013 as part of the Blackbird album release. 

#1 17/12/12

Silver And Gold is officially #1 Reggae Song on iTunesMusic NZ. Chur.

Striking Silver And Gold 14/12/12

Strike Silver And Gold, our monster summer tune now on @iTunesMusic (NZ only) with bonus trackBohannon Dub.

Silver And Gold Wax 12/12/12

Taking pre-orders now for Silver And Gold 12" vinyl a strictly limited edition release featuring monster single Silver And Gold with B-side instrumental Bohannon Dub. The single from forthcoming album Blackbird is available also as a free MP3 download. 

Break Free Silver And Gold 7/12/12

Break free... Silver And Gold live video is playing now for your viewing pleasure on FFD TV and Freddy's YouTube. Shot on tour in Australia this November, Silver And Gold features concert footage of the track at GRAPHIC Festival, Sydney Opera House, The Eclipse Festival in far North Queensland and sold out shows on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.

"Truth is, we were lucky to get this footage home safely after having to wrestle salt water crocs and dodging an ocean full of stingers in the seasonal electrical storms," Director Mark James Williams said.

The New Krayz 30/11/12

MMM... Kiss Da Cook has a new signature dish 'Krayz au Blaze' that he created for a Trans-Tasman cooking demo with @GRAPHICFestival crew from Sydney Opera House. Cook Dobie Blaze produced the crayfish dish in a Wellington kitchen with the Australian crew joining the action via a live stream on Google+ Hangout. Check the final Krayz au Blaze video now online and Plate Up. 

Tour Horizon 23/11/12

Hot on the South Pacific horizon. The Winery Tour 2013, 17 shows nationwide in February and March and the perfect excuse to revel in the Aotearoa NZ summer with fellow musicians Anika, Boh & Hollie and The Adults. Early bird tickets available from Ticketmaster until end of November.

HEADS UP COOLANGATTA & BRISBANE 13/11/12

We're on the road to the (Silver And) Gold Coast for two headline shows. Grab the last tickets from OzTix and get ready for a rambunctious, heavy bottom-end workout at Coolangatta Hotel this Thursday and The Arena, Brisbane on Friday.

Shout out to Sydney peeps for raising the Opera House roof last Saturday. Sydney Morning Herald gave us 4 and a half out of 5 stars for the exclusive album preview jam with Otis Frizzell. Chur.

Chasing Silver And Gold 10/11/12

"You can't break free
Cause you spend your whole life chasing
Chasing the Silver And Gold...."

Good for the soul. Silver And Gold, first single from Blackbird album, available now as FREE MP3 Download. Limited edition 12" vinyl with bonus instrumental track Bohannon Dub available in December. Chur.

Illicit Videos 8/11/12

Illicit video alert - there's a crayfish in the kitchen at Bay's studio, and the boys are having a jam on new tune Silver and Gold ahead of Blackbird: An Animated & Illustrated Album Preview at Sydney Opera House this Saturday - two shows one night action. Check the Feature Video, and another recent upload featuring artist Otis Frizzell in his studio making bird stencils, on Fat Freddy's Drop TV. Silver and Gold is the first single from our forthcoming studio album Blackbird, made at Bay's by the 'Kilbirnie Sound Machine'. Chur.

Blackbird Crossing the Ditch 7/11/12

Blackbird is about to fly cross the ditch, Australia are you ready for the love? Catch Blackbird: An Animated & Illustrated Album Preview exclusive at Sydney Opera House, two shows only, this Saturday 10th November as part of Graphic 2012. Artist & bro Otis Frizzell has created an epic bird and 'Alfred Hitchcock' themed illustrated fantasy to project on the Sydney Opera House and he'll be painting live while we're jamming fresh Blackbird album tunes! We then spread our tour wings North with the big beats (but no Otis) to play the auspicious Eclipse 2012 - Total Solar Eclipse Festival at Port Douglas, Cairns on 13th November, got two inner city shows, Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast on 15th November and The Arena, Brisbane on 16th November, and wind up the action at Golden Days Festival on 17th November. Check Gig Guide for tickets.

Early Bird Winery Tickets 6/11/12

We say the early blackbird gets the ticket 'cos The Winery Tour early bird ticket specials are out of the gate and available from Ticketmaster until Friday 30 November.

Graphic Blackbird Taking Flight 3/11/12

It's the Frizzell, an artist at work! Check the new video featuring Otis Frizzell in his studio preparing for the flight of the Blackbird at Sydney Opera House on 10th November as part of Graphic Festival. Videography log by MC Slave aka Mark Williams.

The Winery Tour Pre-sales 30/10/12

Cheeky pre sales for The Classic Hits Winery Tour on sale today till 5pm this Thursday from Ticketmaster.

NZ Summer Boom! 25/10/12

Tour drum beat, we're the 'boom' in The Classic Hits Winery Tour 2013, headlining 17 outdoor shows across New Zealand, from Tutukaka to Dunedin, with The Adults & Anika, Boh & Hollie. On the road we'll be celebrating the release of Blackbird our third studio album. Check Gig Guide for the tour line up. Tickets on sale real soon.

Fat Electric Drop EP 19/10/12

Ladies and gentleman place your order now for Fat Electric Drop, DJ Vadim VS Fat Freddy's Drop remix EP release on strictly limited edition 12" vinyl. The EP is also available as free digi downloads here on our Merch Tent and on our Soundcloud. We've had a long association with DJ & producer Vadim (on stage and in the kitchen) and along with The Electric vocalists, soulstress Sabira Jade and lyrical marvel MC Pugs Atomz, he's remixed six classic tracks - Flashback, Ray Ray, Big BW, Pull The Catch, Wandering Eye and Midnight Marauders. Fat electric genius for the party people. Check the video of the Flashback remix debut live on stage in Austria.

Tour News in the Wings 18/10/12

Tour news in the wings, stay tuned for an announcement next week.

Blackbird Larger Than Life 21/09/12

Massive buzz about our upcoming Australian tour in November kicking off with Blackbird: An Animated & Illustrated Album Preview at Sydney Opera House. Did we just say the magic word 'album'? Tumeke! 
Yes patient folks around the world, Blackbird is officially the title of our forthcoming studio album, dropping early 2013. The celebrations take flight with a back-to-back live preview performance exclusively animated and illustrated by Otis Frizzell (the bro behind the Dr Boondigga album and other great artwork) at Sydney Opera House on Saturday 10th November as part of Graphic 2012. Tickets on sale now.
Our 'big beat heavy jammin' party'  (minus the Otis graphics) then heads to Cairns to play The Eclipse 2012 - Total Solar Eclipse Festival at Port Douglas on 13th November. We drop two inner city shows, Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast on 15th November and The Arena, Brisbane on 16th November, and finish up our Australian tour on 17th November at Golden Days Festival, the annual Soul, Blues and Roots event on the Sunshine Coast. Ticket links on Gig Guide.

Chopper's Euro Tour Wrap 3/09/12

Suffering from brain fade a bit today. We finished our tour in Croatia; soaking up the sun, eating as many sea creatures as we could find and then playing a show from what looked like a giant green house to 10,000 frenzied Outlook Festival punters. There was a kind of symmetary about that which I liked; we started this tour in Lisbon; also in 30+ heat, also at a huge festival, also feeling a little frayed around the edges, and also having a good old hoon on some new tunes. So, Kia Ora to everyone in Europe who sang, danced, cooked us food, looked after us and generally made is feel pretty darn happy. See you in 2013. A huge thank you to bus jockeys Charles Charlie Charles & Gaye Dave too, for driving us from points A to B and then on to points C, D, E, F.... Next stop.... Australia.
Random Scribbles About The Tour
The Back Stage Rider - how is it that the bottles of Jagermeister are getting bigger and the bottles of red wine are getting more and more average? I'm guessing it has something to do with...
Did You Know (1) - Jetlag Johnson claims he was once a member of the Manawatu Magic Society. So that wouild make him Hori Potter, right?
Best Breakfast Buffet - an easy win for The Marriot, Lisbon. Waffles straight from the iron to your plate and the Olympics on a 20ft wide
screen. Genius.
Best Gig - tough one here. Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin? They were all really, really good. But it's photo finish between Zurich, London, Poland & Copenhagen.
Did You Know (2) - that Freddys' 70s-inspired keyboard whiz Dobie Blaze, looks almost exactly like (a more svelte version of) 70s keyboard whiz Vangelis? Google 'Vangelis + Earth album cover'. It's true.
Best Non-Gig Activity - Zurich, and it's river have that covered. When can we come back?
Making Soundchecks Fun Again - soundchecking can be a bit shit. Add in that our final show was in a giant dusty carpack, that it was about 900 degrees, and it seemed everyone else at the festival had just jumped aboard a boat to go cruise around the Croatian Islands for the day and it becomes pretty unbearable. But then this girl appeared from nowhere and started getting down to 'Blackbird' as we sorted out a few onstage sound issues. Proving that it only takes one to make a party, and that a little bikini can go a long way. Thanks.

Marauders In Frankfurt 31/08/12

Hey there Frankfurt... Chopper Reeds is in Frankfurt tonight DJing with Freddys' extended family - local legend Michael Ruetten (SoulSearching) & the Isaac Aesili Funkommunity Soundsystem at ENZO Barboni for the 'We Are The Midnight Marauders' NZ special. Live and direct from collecting fresh vinyl during our European tour, Chopper is on fire for the full moon session of jazz, dub, funk, disco and soul. From the very ends of the earth to Frankfurt, 'We Are The Midnight Marauders' cooking from 10.00pm to 5.00am. Let's get real.

Chopper's Travel Log #6 31/08/12

Feel like Zurich should have it's own tour log entry. We've never been here before after cancelling a show (and entire tour) a few years back, so we didn't know how we'd be received. Very well, as it turned out. Initially we were booked into the 350 seater Abart, then demand grew and we got shifted to the Dynamo. Which was sandwiched right between our hotel and the glorious Limmat river (how does it stay so warm?) - talk about handy. But then demand grew again and we moved into the 1200 seater Volkshaus - which for Wellingtonians looks weirdly like the little sister of our Town Hall. Before the show we dipped our toe into the Zurich life - excellent mezze and mint tea at Maison Blunt (in fact Sugar Two Tone and I visited three times), the oldest vegetarian restaurant in europe for the crew, swimming and bombs from the bridge in the river - which is offically our new favourite inner city activity anywhere in Europe, and generally soaking up the sun. What an awesome city - and we didn't even get a real look around. The gig itself was on fire - I guess absence... or the cancelling of shows... makes the heart grow fonder and the crowd grow more mental. We dropped a good mix of old and new - Mother, Mother is turning into a deep house monster - and even finished with Marauders to say thanks for waiting. We WILL definitely be back... keep the river flowing for us.
*A late addition* We're on the final stretch now. We played Milan last night in 30 something heat - like Zurich it was our debut set there. And again the welcome we got was amazing - especially from the front row. The heat seemed to bring out a trippy show from us - full of weird twists and dubby turns. But then again, it may have been the absinthe.... is that a giant bumble bee? Hmmmm..... smells like oranges..... what was I saying?
Stand by for a final update from Croatia... and full tour top 10 list.

The Outlook Is Fine 30/08/12

Outlook Festival is the finale tonight for our European summer tour, headlining the massive bass music and sound system culture festival by the Adriatic sea in Fort Punta Christo, Pula. Peace, love and good times to everyone who shook that shiverman loose with us around UK and Europe this summer, it's been a sweaty, mental, cool, and loud affair! Check FFD Gallery for fresh tour shots from Mark Williams, Shanon Moratti and Paco Van Leeuwen.

Chopper's Travel Log Euro #5 27/08/12

Woah, I went to sleep in a bus parked in a muddy field by a lake in Belgium, then woke up in bus parked in a muddy field by a lake in Germany, and then ended up in a dusty carpark on the Austrian/Hungarian border - mental. In between times we played three cool festival shows. The show in Bochum (GER) was a real surprise. We played as part of a 17 day(wtf!) festival that has acts ranging from Freddys to Status Quo to German top 40 crooners on the bill. We were only allowed a 90 min slot - so crammed in as much as we could - but the crowd noise at the end of the show set a new bench mark. Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam & Copenhagen were deafening - Bochum was plain scary. Scary in a good way - as in MC Slave was too scared to go and give our thanks in case he was disintergrated by the applause & screaming. We were speechless. Then we got to share the stage with Amadou & Mariam in Austria. These guys covered Hope for Nick D's excellent Making Tracks show - so it was pretty inspiring to see them in action. INCREDIBLE, AMAZING, BRILLIANT... what a brilliant way to end a tough leg of the tour. Now we're resting up in Zurich ahead of our debut show here tonight. Truth be told we're all in pretty good nick - except for Spew - opps I mean Sue, our tour manager who tried to go round for round with Fitchie and the rum last night on the bus. Sucker.

Chopper's Travel Log Euro #4 23/08/12

I am actually almost too broken to type today. We're in Brussels - where we played a great show last year - and have a night off to reset after playing Groningen (our first time there) and Paris (back at Trianon). Groningen was a real surprise - a beautiful university town that we explored on bike in the 35° heat. We timed things perfectly - hitting town as a music festival kicked into geqr in the botannic gardens, but to be honest getting any sleep was tough. I deconstructed my room and dragged my bed across the room so I could sleep with my head hanging out the window. That kind of worked - I dropped off about 3am after nolessthan 8 cold showers, but then was woken by the blazing sun burning my face when it came up again at 6am. Still, we got ourselves together and played a nice relaxed show to 300 first timers. Paris was also stupidly hot, but luckily the bar beneath the Trianon served its beer barely above freezing temperature. We've come to expect a frenzied audience at Le Trianon and once again it was outrageous! Tony Chang rates that room and the Parisian crowd as his all time favourite so that pretty much sums it up. We played a good mix of old and new music - and delivered a version of 'Mother, Mother' than we've been climbing towards for the last few shows - Dukie absolutely smashed it. We start a wee run of festival shows tomorrow - gonna be a nice time to flip the set around again.

'Sunlit Bomb' 21/08/12

We return to Le Trianon, Paris tonight, a venue we love visiting and it's consistently amongst our top 5 or 6 places to play anywhere in the world. The road to Paris has been epic, catch some of the sights on our FFD Gallery with fresh photos of Berlin, Aarhus, Bristol and London thanks to snappers Mark Williams, Jana Legler, Adam Sprules and Gaby Alvarez. Or read a concert review - Copenhagen Post's 'sunlit bomb' review of Vega and Dressed Like Machines take on Astra, Berlin (in German).

Chopper's Travel Log Euro #3 20/08/12

Wow. Amsterdam was off the hook. It made up for us being a little flat in Eindhoven - sorry guys, no real reason... we did try. The Paradiso is always a banger though - what a crowd! We dropped some new tunes - 'Silver & Gold', 'Russia' - and revisited 'Afreak', which actually had its very first outing at Paradiso a few years back. Beautiful audience though - can't say how much we enjoyed it. Then we had to celebrate with a major bus party and landed in Denmark nursing a few head wounds. Nothing a decent sleep couldn't fix - that and a good meal - which we definitely got at Den Rustikke. NZ restaurantuers could take a few pointers from these guys - set menus, good prices, great food. I pulled a few cracking records from secondhand stores and then we pulled up at The Vox Hall for another great gig in Aarhus. For a small town it packs a punch. Then we hit Vega in Copenhagen for another sell out show. Man we get treated well there - by both the production crew (big shout out to Lee from Aim For The Stars Catering for the AMAZING food) and the crowd. It's always amazing when you hit the stage and are bombarded by earbleeding noise and clapping before you've played a note. We felt like we finally delivered a show worthy of the place and people last night - it'll be logged in the memory bank  for a while. And then to cap it all off we had kebabs and a bus / ferry / bus ride. Jetlag also revealed that he was once part of the Manawatu Magic Society... but I don't think making the contents of the Jagermeister bottle disappear, and then replacing it with 4 hours of non-stop bullshit really counts.

Heavier Than Ever 17/08/12

Exploring the universe of Denmark this weekend as we play a concert at Voxhall, Aarhus tonight and then return to one of our favorite venues VEGA, Copenhagen on Saturday night. "We can't wait to get back there. Last time we dropped a world premiere of our new song 'Silver and Gold'. I guess that VEGA is really the home of that particular tune, so it will be cool to take the song home again ... you can expect to hear Freddy's from the past, present and future. Also Fitchie's beats are heavier than ever, thanks to some technical developments" Tony Chang told Gaffa magazine. (Full interview in Danish at Gaffa). While on the road in the UK, Mr Chang and Chopper Reeds joined forces in Bristol to conduct an interview with Tom Headfunk and Nipsy from the Isle of Wight. Check the unedited version of the chat, including a wine making lesson, at Headfunk Meets Fat Freddys, plus the Headfunk review of our concert at 02 Academy Bristol.

Amsterdam to Groningen 15/08/12

While tonight's concert at Paradiso, Amsterdam is SOLD OUT, fear not Fred Heads because you can catch our summer tour one last time in Holland when we play in Groningen next Monday. Tickets for the show at De Oosterpoort, an intimate venue in the Metropolis of the North, are available from Ticketmaster. Given the distance between Amsterdam and Groningen is only 146 km, this is a great excuse for a Freddys excursion.

Chopper's Travel Log Euro #2 14/08/12

As it turned out, we were all pretty well-behaved in Berlin (see last tour log). And we had a great gig too. Gotta say it was one of our favourite Berlin shows in some time; amazing audience who were there for the music rather than the scene, we were mostly sober, and we had a blast on stage. After that we drove to Ostroda in the eastern reaches of Poland. It was a long bus ride, but we landed in a lakeside holiday resort for a few hours before the show. Ate some beautiful pierogi and slurped a few local beers before hitting the festival. Caught some great live stuff from Rod Taylor and huge soundsystem shows from Channel One & Aba Shanti - both were incredible btw. Had a great show in Poland again, drank some vodka with locals and then hit the buses again. Our trip back to Holland was a disaster really - a massive crash on the Autobahn meant what was going to be a testing 18hr trip turned into a soul sapping 22hr marathon. We're in Amsterdam now and I'm in the laundromat, but the guy running things here is playing an awesome mix of 80s funk and hip house, and there are girls on bikes everywhere. We play Eindhoven tonight and then return to The Dam for a show at one of our top 5 venues in the world - Paradiso. Life is sweeeeeet.

Holla Holla 14/08/12

Set to play Effenaar in the city of Eindhoven tonight and we make a welcome return to the iconic Paradiso in the centre of Amsterdam tomorrow night. Then we tiki tour to Denmark for the weekend for concerts in Aarhus and Copenhagen before heading back to Holland to play De Oosterpoort, Groningen.

Chopper's Travel Log Euro #1 13/08/12

This tour started in Lisbon - one of our favourite spots to hang about. Which is lucky because after 36 hours of travel to get there, hanging about in the Barrio Alto eating grilled sardines and drinking small glasses of perfecty chilled beer was all we were up for. That and watching the Olympics. Eventually we did do some work at Sud O Est - where some of the Freddys had a spiritual awakening after seeing The Congos perform, and the rest spent several hours in the car repeatedly watching our driver get lost. Then it was on to the UK for a hot & heavy session at The Forum (great to see the extended crew; Tubbs, Tamara, The Browns  & Vee - who seems to be running the whole of North London). London was looking great btw; clean and sexy. We followed that up with our traditional muddy festival gig (Standon Calling - which was awesome) and a first show in Sheffield (amazing crowd - if you need coffee there look up the Kiwi-run Tamper).
Now we're in Berlin, having survived the 20hr bus ride from Bristol on nothing but pot noodles, repeated screening of The Matrix and some mildly psychedealic oak leaf wine (thank you Ilse Of Wight). Last night we met up with old friends who have moved their infamous Bar 25 operation across the river and into Kater Holzig. The hospitality was amazing as per usual. Things tend to get loose when we see these guys so it'll be interesting to see which band members make it to soundcheck, and indeed the gig. I haven't actually seen anyone alive yet. Watch this space...

Euro Roll 10/08/12

We're deep into our 2012 European summer tour. Everyone's in fighting form to smash it at Astra, Berlin on Saturday night. Then we're back on the bus to headline Ostróda Reggae Festival in Poland on Sunday. The wheels on the bus then take us to the Netherlands for next weeks shows at Effenaar, Eindhoven and Paradiso, Amsterdam. Only downside to our full on tour schedule is the lack of time for golf - a fact we pointed out to I AM TV before we headed overseas. The interview with Dobie Blaze, Chopper Reeds, Tony Chang and Fitchie is playing now on FFD TV.

On The Road Snaps 8/08/12

Mighty MC Slave aka Mark Williams has been snapping on the road in Europe and his first drop kicks off with our adventures in Portugal. Check Europe 2012 in the FFD Gallery.

Last Call Sheffield, Bristol SOLD OUT! 7/08/12

Last call for tickets to our Tuesday night showdown at The Plug, Sheffield. Get amongst it because our final UK show at 02 Academy Bristol on Wednesday has officially SOLD OUT!

UK Massive 6/08/12

Smashed it London, smashed it Standon Calling. Two UK shows to go, The Plug, Sheffield on Tuesday night and 02 Academy Bristol on Wednesday. Ticket links on Gig Guide.

London Gold 3/08/12

Scoring Gold in London, our show at HMV Forum this Saturday is officially SOLD OUT! Mean London Mean.
Looking forward to headlining Standon Calling Festival on Sunday, then we hit The Plug, Sheffield on Tuesday and 02 Academy Bristol on Wednesday. Check Gig Guide for ticket links.

Zürich Upgrade 3/08/12

Ticket sales are booming for our debut in Zürich so we've upgraded to a new venue, the Volkshaus, Stauffacherstrasse 60. Last tickets for the show on Monday 27th August available from StarTicket. Get amongst it.

Mobile World 1/08/12

Stepping up in the mobile world, you can now download our free FFD App for Android as well as iPhone.
We're presently chilling in Lisbon ahead of our first European show headlining Sudoeste Festival, Zambujeira do Mar on Thursday.
The summer tiki tour hits UK this weekend. We're headlining The Forum, London on Saturday night, Standon Calling Festival on Sunday, The Plug, Sheffield on Tuesday and 02 Academy Bristol on Wednesday. Check Gig Guide for ticket links.
Meantime, a selection of photos from our European tune up shows at Bodega in Wellington are now on our FFD Gallery. Thanks Shaun Jones, Chris Gee and Alexander Hallag for sharing the shots.

Marauders En Route 29/07/12

Here comes the music. We're officially en route for our summer tour across Europe and UK. First performance will be at Sudoeste Festival in Portugal this Thursday. In the meantime sit back and relax with a fresh DJ Vadim mix that opens with an exclusive first airing of Midnight Marauders Fat Electric Drop remix from the house of DJ Vadim + The Electric Vs FFD, plus a skanking remix of Roady.
For a quick preview of our European tour, check out Toby Chang's email interview with Tom Headfunk on Vectis Radar UK.

From The Vaults 24/07/12

We've been digging through the crates ahead of take off for our European tour for some pre-flight complimentary entertainment. Over on FFD Soundcloud you can collect the free download of old skool jam 'Little One' recorded Live in Auckland, 2001, dub crazy 'Cay's Crays' Digital Mystikz Remix and 'Big BW' DJ Vadim Remix ft Yarah Bravo and Pugs Atoms.

Bodega Sold Out! 12/07/12

Bodega, Wellington SOLD OUT folks - both Freaky Friday 13th & Sat night tickets are gone burger. Looking forward to the sweaty jams.        

ENTER NOW 11/07/12

DJ Vadim Vs Fat Freddy's Drop Fat Electric Drop EP design competition is on now. Go to DJ Vadim's Facebook for full details and to sign in and enter an original design for this limited edition 12" vinyl. Closing date for entries is 20th July 2012.
If you'd rather send an entry direct to Freddy HQ, check the info and template download links below, and email entry to freddy(at)fatfreddysdrop.com
Design Requirements
The Fat Electric Drop design competition is to create a screen printed design and there are some very specific requirements which are outlined below in tutorials we found on the web: Here is a good tutorial.
The front must feature the words - DJ Vadim VS Fat Freddy's Drop - Fat Electric Drop EP
The back will feature the tracklist for the release: Big BW | Flashback | Midnight Mauraders | Pull The Catch | Ray Ray | Wandering Eye.
The template to design to can be downloaded here: EPS format or Photoshop Format
The main things to remember are:
You must use solid colors
You must use no more than 3 colours, each on a seperate layer.
Ultimately your final color you will need to print onto a film to make the 'screen' is black. Solid black. No transparency or opacity. No gradients. No drop shadows. No bevel and emboss. Just solid black.
For each color you want to use in your design you will need separate screens. As you design keep your work in layers in your digital files. The design will be printed on beige recycled vinyl covers, so your base colour is beige.
Don’t use too fine of details. You risk the chance of losing very fine detail in the printing process.

The winner will be sent three copies of the finished EP and invited to the closest Fat Freddy’s Drop show to them on our European tour in August with two VIP tickets. Good luck!

Fat Electric Drop Drop 10/07/12

Hang in there, full details on how to enter the Fat Electric Drop EP Design Competition on the horizon. Chur.

Fat Electric Drop EP Design Competition 6/07/12

We're launching a competition for a kick ass design to grace the sleeve of Fat Electric Drop a limited edition 12” vinyl presented by FFD and DJ Vadim. The EP features six remix tracks and will drop ahead of our European tour.
If you've got the mad skills stay tuned as we'll bringing full details this Monday on how to enter the Fat Electric Drop EP Design Competition.

On The Airwaves 4/07/12

Dropped a couple of international interviews on the airwaves this week. Listen up to Tony Chang talking about our forthcoming headline set at Standon Calling in August, touring Europe and the third studio album. Interview playing now on Standon Calling Soundcloud

Chopper Reeds chats about 'cosmic soul' and more on Radio Cardiff's 'Let It Play' show with host Big Scott. The interview took place from our studio in Wellington in between recording the new album and just after a large earthquake shook up the country. We're all safe.

European Countdown 28/06/12

Counting down the days 'till we embark on our 19 date European tour in August. Live performance is the centre of everything for Freddys so we're looking forward to taking time out from the studio to road test songs from our new studio album!
We've got 11 headline shows, from London and Bristol to Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, Copenhagen, Zurich and Milan. You can also catch us at the likes of Sudoeste Festival, Standon Calling, Ostróda Reggae Festival and Sunsplash Festival. We close the tour as the main headliner for Outlook Festival in Croatia. Check Gig Guide for full tour details and ticket links.

Take Flight In Economy 22/06/12

Take flight with Economy Records and sing along to the crackling sounds emanating from the Wellington based, artist run label that includes members of Fat Freddy's Drop. Two Economy releases ‘Unlimited Buffet' by Fabulous/Arabia and a self-titled album by Shogun Orchestra have just been licensed to Jakarta Records from Germany. To celebrate the occasion, Jakarta Records is offering 100 free downloads of a track from each album, Fabulous/Arabia ‘Up To My Neck in Shit' and Shogun Orchestra ‘Maman’. Get aboard now.
Jannis Stürtz from Jakarta Records said their original New Zealand release was Opensouls.
"However after meeting Fat Freddy's Drop while being tour manager for their opening act DJ Vadim during a 2010 European tour, I truly started discovering the New Zealand music scene more intensely."
Fabulous/Arabia are Mike Fabulous (The Black Seeds/Lord Echo) and Lawrence Arabia, two of New Zealand's young musical titans, joined by an all-star band that includes Toby Laing aka Tony Chang and Joe Lindsay aka Hopepa. Jakarta has released Fabulous/Arabia 'Unlimited Buffet' on digital, CD and gatefold vinyl.
Shogun Orchestra is an electro-Afro jazz carnival caboose led by multi-instrumentalist Lucien Johnson who has commandeered the likes of Laing, Lindsay and Iain Gordon aka Dobie Blaze. The Shogun Orchestra album is available on digital and vinyl release with Jakarta Records.

Hometown Shows 18/06/12

Pleased to announce we're sneaking in two shows at Bodega in hometown Wellington ahead of our European and UK summer tour.
Catch us direct from the recording studio on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th July at Bodega for an intimate jam. Tickets on sale now from 1-Night and RPM.

Europe & UK Drop 12/05/12

Behind the scenes of our recent low key styles we've been plotting a massive Europe & UK Summer Tour 2012. Catch us in August as we tiki tour to familiar places and discover some new digs. We're looking forward to headline shows in London, Sheffield and Bristol in the UK, Berlin in Germany, Einhoven, Amsterdam and Groningen in our first ever regional tour of Holland, Aarhus and Copenhagen in Denmark, a return to Le Trianon in Paris, France, our debut in Switzerland at Abart, Zurich, and our second ever visit to Italy where we will play Circolo Magnolia in Milan.
On the festival circuit, we're now playing Feest in Het Park in Oudenaarde, Belgium and Sunsplash Festival in Wiesen, marking our first return to Austria since playing the Dub Club, Vienna in 2003. Summer festival shows previously announced are Sudoeste TMN Festival, Portugal, Standon Calling Festival, UK, Ostroda Reggae Festival, Poland, Zelt Festival, Germany and Outlook Festival, Croatia. Check the Gig Guide for more details.

Poland Calling 26/03/12

Every year the prestigious Ostroda Reggae Festival is like a Jamaican island in Poland so it is a great pleasure to announce that we will perform there as the last show on the main Red Stage this August.
Check Gig Guide for details on all our European and UK summer festivals announced to date.

'Stop, Lunch & Listen' 23/03/12

If you're in Auckland on a Friday (like today) and got a hunger for a feed, track down Scott Taco aka Chopper Reedz and his new Mexican street food venture 'Stop, Lunch & Listen' at Barrio, 44 Ponsonby Rd. Held every Friday lunchtime, 'Stop, Lunch & Listen' is all about two things: 1) Eating tacos and 2) listening to records the whole way through - awesome openers, hit singles, gaps, dud filler tracks, pops & crackles, the run out groove when the DJ's forget to flip it over etc. Check out the action online at Boom! Tacos.

Deluxe Big Top Germany 19/03/12

Hot off the press, we're pleased to announce a show at Zeltfestival Ruhr in Germany on 24th August.
We're playing one of the deluxe big top's at Zeltfestival which is located between Bochum and Witten in the West of Germany. Zeltfestival is our only German concert to date on this year's Europe and UK summer tour. Secure your Tickets now.

On The Horizon 9/03/12

Keeping a low profile back home. Our next tiki tour is to Europe and UK in August and so far we've got three festivals, with beaches and swimming pools, confirmed to play at; Sudoeste TMN in Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal on Thursday 2nd August, Standon Calling in Hertfordshire, UK on Sunday 5th August and Outlook in Fort Puntaq Christo, Croatia on Thursday 30th August.

Off Da Hizzle 2/03/12

Still on a high from the whirlwind of shows in Melbourne and Perth. Our sideshow at Prince Bandroom was off da hizzle. Shout out to The Nudge from Wellington who helped set the night alight. Photos of the action by Adrian Eppel on our Gallery.
Queen Erykah Badu and band in Melbourne and Perth took the hizzle to a new level. Local music blogger Claire mulled on the 'Essence of Music' following the Palais Theatre experience. A recent convert to Baduizm and first time 'Fred Head' she concluded that music is good for the soul.
Europe and UK you're next.

Europe & UK Calling 28/02/12

Everybody get ready, our annual summer trek to Europe and UK is taking shape with three major festivals announced to date. Catch us at Sudoeste TMN in Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal on Thursday 2nd August, Standon Calling in Hertfordshire, UK on Sunday 5th August and Outlook in Fort Puntaq Christo, Croatia on Thursday 30th August. Ticket links on Gig Guide.
Hold tight for more Europe and UK announcements.

Best Live Gig Ever! 23/02/12

Erykah Badu at Palais Theatre in Melbourne last night - BEST LIVE GIG EVER! Four backing singers, live (killer) drums, Thunder Cat on Bass - OMG! Catch the action in Perth this Saturday when we guest again with Erykah Badu plus Mayer Hawthorne at Belvoir Amphitheatre. Tickets from Ticketmaster.

COMING ATCHA 21/02/12

Greetings Australia. We coming atcha Melbourne with Erykah Badu this Wednesday night, & Perth with Erykah Badu and Mayer Hawthorne on Saturday night. Boom! Tickets still available for the Perth show at Belvoir Amphitheatre from Ticketmaster.

Meantime, on a South American tip, read an exclusive interview by Chopper Reedz for reggae station PelaGatos in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Iñaki Durán a producer for the station said " we like a lot Fat Freddys music and we want that people start to learn and know more about the band because is a very interesting project."
When asked for a message to Argentinian reggae fans, Chopper said "Make enough noise and hopefully we'll come pay you a visit. See you soon."

Get Your Ears On 14/02/12

Get your ears on for a fresh dose of Radio WFFD playing now. From the Logg Cabin, MC Slave presents a BOB MARLEY HAPPY 67th B-DAY!! a ERYKAH TRIFECTA, James Brown, 6th Borough Project, Ladi6, Freddy's and so much more!!!
On the live front, this weekend we're playing for the first time ever at Homegrown on Wellington's Waterfront. All 17,000 tickets for the fifth annual showcase of 100% local music have officially sold out. We'll be on the Dub & Roots Stage at Waitangi Park. Australia you're next.

THE LO DOWN 10/02/12

Sadly, it is true that we are no longer playing at the upcoming Playground Weekender Festival in NSW and MS Festival in Tasmania. Apologies to both fans and organizers of the events for any inconvenience.
On the good news front if you're in Melbourne, catch the Erykah Badu & Fat Freddys Drop After Party ft. Lo Down Loretta Brown (aka Erykah Badu) DJ Set at Seven Nightclub on Weds 22nd February, directly after our show at Palais Theatre. Lo Down Loretta Brown will be spinning the decks alongside Melbourne's finest selectors including Kano, Ennio Styles, Danielsan and Slim Charles. Running from 10.00PM till 4.00AM! Get tickets from Moshtix.

Perth Baduizm 3/02/12

Don't miss our show alongside Erykah Badu and Mayer Hawthorne at Belvoir Amphitheatre, Perth on Saturday 25th February. Tickets available from Ticketmaster.
The other show with Erykah Badu in Melbourne has SOLD OUT, as has our own sideshow at Prince Bandroom in Melbourne. Check out Erykah Badu interview and photo shoot at her Texas home in the latest Oyster Magazine.

Prince Bandroom SOLD OUT! 31/01/12

Our up close and personal show at Prince Bandroom, Melbourne on 23rd February is SOLD OUT!

Laid Back NZ Special 25/01/12

Catch the New Zealand Special Cloudcast, featuring 60 tracks from the land of rolling hills and rolling beats selected by T-J Kid (The True Jazzchild) DJ Vadim and Julien Dyne, presented by Laid Back Radio and BBE.

Higher Ground 18/01/12

Taking it to the higher ground, check FFD TV for some mean concert footage and in-depth interview filmed in Cologne by Bunch TV. The web-TV's TUNES reggae show presents Wild Wind & Pull The Catch at Live Music Hall, Cologne in 2011, while presenter ONEJIRU has a korero with Hopepa, Tony Chang & MC Slave. The three part interview topics are Songwriting durch Improvisation! (Songwriting through Improvisation!) Wer ist eigentlich FAT FREDDY? (Who Is Fat Freddy?) and Aktuelle Musikzene in Neuseeland! (Current musical stage in New Zealand!).
Thanks a bunch Bunch TV especially Matthias Reitze and Jan-Simon Kruger.

PHOTO DROP 16/01/12

The eagle eyes of Chris Gee, Jason Moon and Gil Eva Craig helped capture the dynamic of ONE DROP at Black Barn Vineyards, Havelock North in early January. Check the Gallery for hot shots of the soundcheck, Kiss Da Cook Paua Wontons cooking show, Easy the wonder dog, and The Nudge and Freddys live stage odyssey.

Chur The Bay 9/01/12

Recovering from ONE DROP at Black Barn Vineyards, the rain found us there again but we all partied on like it's 2012. As the Chopper tweet said, 'Hawke's Bay = best looking caners in NZ'.

ONE DROP Black Barn Tonight 7/01/12

Dobie's mincing the paua, The Nudge pie is in the oven, sound check is on - ONE DROP at Black Barn Vineyards ready for take off. Ticket sales available from Black Barn Vineyards. Gates open 6.00PM. Kiss Da Cook Paua Wontons Cooking Show at 6.30PM, The Nudge onstage 7.30PM and the frying Freddys drop at 9.00PM.

HE TAKAI PAUA HAINAMANA 5/01/12

E WHAKAATU ANA A FAT FREDDYS DROP 'HE TAKAI PAUA HAINAMANA'. Fresh from the wok, a new version of the Paua Wontons video,  'HE TAKAI PAUA HAINAMANA' featuring the recipe in Te Reo Maori is the new Feature Video on Fat Freddys Drop TV. Thanks to Hana Pomare and Hēni Jacob for the translation.
Iain 'Dobie Blaze' Gordon will be cooking his world famous Paua Wontons this Saturday as the entree for ONE DROP at Black Barn Vineyards, Havelock North. Catch the cooking demo at the Black Barn Growers' Market from 6.30PM. First 100 people get FREE Paua Wontons. The ONE DROP main course, The Nudge pie and Freddy's soul food mash, will be served at the Black Barn Amphitheatre. Tickets available from Ticketmaster and Black Barn Vineyards.

HAVANA VS MATAKANA 4/01/12

Special Freddy greetings to Gabriel Canestrari and fiancee Agustina Londero who flew from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Aotearoa NZ especially for ONE DROP in Matakana. Gabriel, a Freddy's fan since discovering Midnight MaraudersTV3 News in 2005, convinced Agustina to make the journey a pre-wedding 'honeymoon' over Thailand or Cuba! Catch the love story on TV3 News.
Plus we've got some ONE DROP photos on our Gallery by Chris King who said it was 'a wonderful night! So polished, so good!'. Chur to that.

ONE DROP Black Barn Vineyards 3/01/12

Mean Matakana mean. ONE DROP now on the road to play Black Barn Vineyards, Havelock North this Saturday 7th Jan. We're close to selling out, so get your tickets now from Ticketmaster or Black Barn and join in the revelry with us and special guests The Nudge.

Drop It Like It's Hot 2/01/12

Drop it like it's hot, we got a little sunshine and ready to roll for ONE DROP at Ascension Wine Estate in Matakana today. Tickets available at gates, open from 5.00pm. Looking forward to the reunion with Cornerstone Roots and TrinityRoots.
Much respect to the folks who danced with us in the rain and mud at Coro Gold and La De Da festivals in celebration of the New Year! Peace, love and good times everyone for 2012.

On The Road To ONE DROP 30/12/11

Our sweet summer fun on the road kicks off Friday night at Coromandel Gold, Whitianga, and continues on Saturday at La De Da Festival in Martinborough to bring in the New Year. On Monday we hit Ascension Wine Estate to present ONE DROP with TrinityRoots and Cornerstone Roots. ONE DROP tickets from Ticketmaster and the venue. The ONE DROP experience will feature Iain Gordon aka Dobie Blaze cooking his world famous Paua Wontons, 5.30 - 6.15PM onsite at the Oak Grill Bistro. FREE Paua Wontons for the first 100 people. The ONE DROP sequel is Saturday 7th Jan at Black Barn Vineyards in Havelock North with special guests The Nudge. Plus the Paua Wontons will be cooking onsite at the Farmers Market 6.30 - 7.00PM. Why steam when you can fry!

ONE DROP RAIN OR SHINE 28/12/11

Ascension Wine Estate is raising a super-top marquee ahead of our ONE DROP event there on Monday 2nd January, as cover for possible rain in the Matakana region. The weather forecast suggests a raindrop or two so the super-top means we will play rain or shine along with fellow music marauders TrinityRoots & Cornerstone Roots. Tickets available from Ticketmaster & Ascension Wine Estate along with Bus packages ex Auckland.

WFFD Xmas NYE Special 24/12/11

Fresh from the Logg Cabin where the pohutukawa trees are in full bloom, MC Slave presents Radio WFFD Merry Xmas and Happy NYE Special with guests Nick d and Hopepa. Big up's to the world with beats from the likes of the 'Godfather of Soul' James Brown, Cornerstone Roots, A Hori Buzz and Freddy's of course. Tune in now on Radio WFFD. 

Back Where It All Began Melbourne 22/12/11

Intimate, grimey and back where it all began, we're heading to Prince Bandroom, Melbourne for a one off show on Thursday 23rd February 2012. This was the venue for our first Australian gig and our return, slotted in-between the tour with Erykah Badu, will be a cheek to cheek, bumper to bumper experience. Tickets for Prince Bandroom on sale Friday 23rd December. Numbers are limited, check Gig Guide for more details. Special Guests to be announced soon.

Chang's Xmas Message 21/12/11

Tony Chang's Xmas message 2011 playing now on Fat Freddy's Drop TV. Yule tide chur!!!!

Party In The Kitchen at ONE DROP 14/12/11

Get along early to ONE DROP in Matakana and Havelock North and experience the Kiss Da Cook Paua Wontons LIVE Cooking Show. Presented by Iain Gordon aka Dobie Blaze with DJ Hopepa, we'll be folding, cooking and serving the Euro Asian Pacific fried fantasy party pleaser for FREE. Be warned, space is limited to the first 100 people with ONE DROP tickets that make it through the gates to each of the cooking shows. It'll be the place to be, just follow your nose to The Oak Grill Bistro, Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana from 5.30pm to 6.15pm on 2nd January or the Grower's Market, Black Barn Vineyards, Havelock North from 6.30pm to 7.15pm on 7th January. Paua to the people! For ONE DROP tickets, check the Gig Guide.

Dig Into The Dub 13/12/11

Dig into the dub with Building to the Drop a Behind The Scenes video interview in Copenhagen by Bitchslap Magazine now playing on Fat Freddys Drop TV. Filmed at Vega, one of our favourite venues in the entire world, Bitchslap talk with Tony Chang and Chopper Reedz about the balance between our live show and time in the studio building beats and ballads, plus hang out at the soundcheck and live show. Chur Nick, Peter, Fergus and the Bitchslap crew for sharing the video.
Just added some photos from our Queenstown Festival show to the Gallery, taken by Eva Patapatiou from Greece. Read her full interview online at Good Times Magazine.

Freddys Bus Stop 9/12/11

Counting the beat to ONE DROP in the sunshine. ONE DROP at Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana on 2nd January, reuintes us with fellow reggae marauders, TrinityRoots and Cornerstone Roots. We then play ONE DROP at Black Barn Vineyards, Havelock North on 7th January with special guests The Nudge bringing their swampy psychedlic blues pie to the party. ONE DROP tickets on sale from Ticketmaster, Amplifier and venues.
When we added instrumental tune Bohannon Dub to Nick d's Breakfast Musical Advent Calendar of free downloads, Tony Chang armed with a pot of coffee had a chat about all things Freddys - from ONE DROP to bus stops. Check the interview on George FM.

Dub The Advent Calendar 6/12/11

Get in the yuletide spirit with the inaugural Nick D Breakfast Musical Advent Calendar on Auckland's George FM. We've thrown Bohannon Dub in the Xmas stocking as today's free Advent download, and recommend you keep track of Nick D and his daily dose of Kiwi music grooves.

Why Steam When You Can Deep Fry! 5/12/11

Why steam when you can deep fry'! The party hits the Good Morning kitchen as Iain Gordon aka Dobie Blaze and Joe Lindsay aka Hopepa share the world famous Paua Wontons recipe on TV One, a final fling at Avalon Studio which is soon to shut shop and move to Auckland for production. Chur Good Morning crew. Full Paua Wontons video with The Nod track playing on Fat Freddys Drop TV.

Kiss The Cook 2/12/11

Special edition behind the scenes photos from our Kiss Da Cook Paua Wontons video shoot now showing on the Gallery, shot by Harry A'Court from Inject Design. Watch the hot off the gas 'foodeo' on Fat Freddy's Drop TV. Plus we've had a Paua Wontons fry up with Nightline for TV3 News. Sweet as.

Paua Wontons 29/11/11

We're pleased to present ‘Kiss Da Cook: Episode 3 Paua Wontons’ playing now on Fat Freddy's Drop TV Feature Video.
 
“The video is the recipe, from the ocean to the plate, and I wanted to capture what we usually do when it comes to having a party. Dive, mince, fold, cook, and eat”,  Dobie Blaze said.

For those in the know the Euro Asian Pacific fried fantasy cooked up by Dobie aka Iain Gordon has been a red-hot Freddy party pleaser for years. The video was shot around Wellington's rugged South Coast and at at our studio. The music match is The Nod. Thanks Freddy's whanau and Peter Young and Fish Eye Films for helping make the paua party.

Tru Light Hamburg Photos 23/11/11

Stunning selection of photos taken on vintage cameras by Niels Kramer aka Tru Light at Große Freiheit 36, Hamburg are now available to view on our Gallery. Niels used film cameras including an an old Pentacon six tl 6x6 from the late 60's with Carl Zeiss Jena objectives and 35mm Nikons, three different black and white films between 200 and 1600 ASA and two different developers. He said 'the Pentacon is pretty unknown in the Western world, since it came from the old DDR, but it's a great all mechanic camera and the objectives are among the best you can get. The whole medium format stuff I use is manual, no autofocus or programs.' The results speak for themselves.

Paua To The People 22/11/11

We've been cooking in the kitchen to bring the paua to the people with a new video Kiss Da Cook Episode 3 Paua Wonton. Check a sneaky world premiere online with NZ Herald who is reportedly 'famished to present' Iain Gordon aka Dobie Blaze and Freddy's diving, mincing, rolling and cooking up Gordon's world famous Paua Wonton. Recipe included! Thanks to Peter Young and Fish Eye Films for helping capture the paua party. Plus check Volume, NZ Herald's street mag, featuring Chopper's Tour Diary from our most recent trans-Europe express tour along with a selection of photos shot in Hamburg on vintage cameras by Niels Kramer.

The Pier Pull The Catch 21/11/11

Shout out to The Pier, USA currently featuring Pull The Catch as their MP3 Leak of the Week. The reggae-rock website is big on Pacific sounds having bundled together a Pacific Island Sampler earlier this year. Now The Pier's fished up Pull The Catch as a free download, available this week only until Saturday 26th November.

Radio WFFD Buzz 17/11/11

Another exciting edition of Radio WFFD has landed from the Logg Cabin. Join selector MC Slave dropping tunes from Erykah Badu, Stevie Wonder, Eric B. and Rakim, The Yoots and brand new single from classic cool Cornerstone Roots, 'Journey' mixed by DJ MU. Tune in now on Radio FFD.

We Support Baduizm 11/11/11

Du ru. Du Du Du ru - we're pleased to be Special Guests at Erykah Badu's first ever headline shows in Australia next year. Catch us with the 'Queen of Neo-Soul' at Palais Theatre, Melbourne on Weds 22nd Feb, and again at Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth on Sat 25th Feb. Tickets officially on sale this Monday 14th Nov from Ticketmaster.
We played after the soul and hip hop singer at Good Vibrations festivals across Australia earlier this year and were left hypnotised!
"What to say?! A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!!!! It's always great to see someone you really consider a star perform, but when they kill it like EB did, then it takes it to another level. All the FFD crew were side of stage for the entire show - jaws on the floor, eyes buggin, booty shakin. Hands down the best show I've seen for a few years" Chopper Reedz said.

Pork n the Fork 8/11/11

Vegetarians beware!! Warning!! We still love ya but...Jetlag and James Pool from the Wild Zwynren restaurant in Amsterdam serve the Freddys crew a pre-Melkweg feast for the Freddy’s crew!!! Pork n the Fork! Big up James!! BIG UP AMSTERDAM!!! Playing now on FFD TV Feature Video spot.

La De Da Summer 3/11/11

The countdown is on for La De Da Festival 2011/12, spanning two epic nights at Daisybank Farm, Martinborough in celebration of the New Year. The La De Da summer starts on December 30 with international hip hop legends including GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan, Pharoahe Monch and Jean Grae plus Kiwi acts Kids of 88, Zowie and Mt Eden. Then on 31 December bringing in a new dawn in style, we take to the stage with KORA, Katchafire, SKisM, Concord Dawn, State of Mind Live plus heaps more! Tickets and bus package options available now.

Queenstown Pix 2/11/11

Fresh shots from Queenstown Jazz Festival show on our Gallery, thanks to Swedish photographer Diana Iversen who has mostly been working as a photo-assistant in Uganda with photographer Daudi Karungi on "Extraordinary" a book featuring significant women of Uganda.

WFFD ONE DROP 1/11/11

New Radio WFFD!!! Featuring ONE DROP Allstars -TrinityRoots, The Nudge and Freddys, Ninjaman, Horace Andy, J Rocc, KRS One and Bumpy Knukles, Squarepusher just to name a few...an audio smorgasborg fresh from the Logg Cabin Kitchen! Sweet sounds, chur MC Slave.

HOMEGROWN 31/10/11

Hot off the press, we're making our HOMEGROWN debut on the Wellington Waterfront in February 2012. With HOMEGROWN having achieved four consecutive sell-outs showcasing the cream of Aotearoa NZ music, we figure it's time to join the party. Catch us at the HOMEGROWN Dub & Roots Stage on 18th February with Kora, Six60, The Black Seeds, 1814, Sola Rosa and hosts Sunshine Sound System. HOMEGROWN tickets available from Ticketek.

Super Cool Video 26/10/11

DJ Kekse aka DJ Cookie is an orange muppet in a hoodie from Hamburg who blagged his way backstage during our soundcheck at Grosse Freiheit 36 in September. The DJ cookie monster had a chat and a short jam with Jetlag and Hopepa, and he cut a super cool video of his backstage visit that can now be viewed on Fat Freddy's Drop TV. Too much DJ Kekse, thanks for sharing the good times.

Place Your Order

Now the All Blacks have the Rugby World Cup 2011 in the bag, chur bros, it's time to place your order for a ONE DROP summer in New Zealand. Tickets available now for ONE DROP at Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana on 2nd January, reuinting us with fellow reggae marauders, TrinityRoots and Cornerstone Roots, and for ONE DROP at Black Barn Vineyards, Havelock North on 7th January with special guests The Nudge bringing their swampy psychedlic blues pie to the party.
ONE DROP tickets on sale from Ticketmaster, Amplifier and venues. Bus packages available for Matakana from Ticketmaster, and bus packages for Havelock North from Black Barn.

Crouch, touch, pause, engage 21/10/11

Massive weekend with the Rugby World Cup final featuring our mighty All Blacks vs France, and we're playing two big festival shows. Catch us Friday night at Queenstown Jazz Festival, and on Sunday it's a sunset show at the SOLD OUT Gisborne Wine & Food Festival. Straight after our set at Waiohika Estate on the East Coast we'll watching the rugby final live on a giant outdoor screen, accompanied by some the local wine and beer on offer. Crouch, touch, pause, engage, game on.

WFFD WORLD CUP 2011 20/10/11

"WFFD WORLD CUP 2011!!!!! all BLACK bird live in PARIS!! EXCLUSIVE!!!! ONE DROP!! SPRING SUMMER ACTION!! FOWARD!!"
Tune in, Radio WFFD special drop, presented by MC Slave from the Logg Cabin. Playing only on Radio FFD right here on Fat Freddy's Drop homebase.

FIRST DROP 20/10/11

Drop it like it's hot, ONE DROP Matakana and Black Barn pre-sale tickets available now from Amplifier and Ticketmaster. Say no more.

Essential ONE DROP 13/10/11

Place your order now for the not-to-be-missed ONE DROP event reuniting the original marauders of Aotearoa roots music Fat Freddy's Drop, TrinityRoots and Cornerstone Roots. The heavyweight line up bring ONE DROP to Matakana's Ascension Wine Estate on Monday 2nd January 2012, almost a decade after we all stepped it up at Raglan and Kaikoura festivals in the summer of 2003.
Fat Freddy's Drop then head to Havelock North for ONE DROP at Black Barn Vineyards on Saturday 7th January. Helping bring the ONE DROP vibe to Black Barn will be special guests The Nudge.
ONE DROP tickets on sale Tuesday 25th October available from ticketmaster.co.nz, amplifier.co.nz and from the venues.

Watch This Space 12/10/11

Watch this space Thursday 13th October for a special drop announce for Aotearoa New Zealand summer 2012.

Buckwild 6/10/11

'Yeah, It’s definitely a two-way thing isn’t it. If people are talking over the quiet moments in a song that can put you off your stride a little bit, but similarly if they just get buckwild and crazy, you know it’s all going down, and that, just sets everything alight really…'
Catch Chopper Reedz and Tony Chang in conversation with Peter Sims from RedHerring.dk about playing at Vega, Denmark, Freddys voodoo music and the origin of Fred Heads.
Also, just uploaded some moody black and whites shots of our July show at Le Trianon in Paris by Raffaella Bachmann to our Gallery. Mean. And coming soon, a doco photo series shot by Niels Kramer at our soundcheck and show in Hamburg using vintage analogue cameras and black and white film, including a Pentacon Six TL made by Kamera Werkstätten in the late 60's.

The Good News 3/10/11

No news is good news - we've been chilling, catching up with whanau and friends since our return from Europe. One of our last gigs on the tour was a double hitter at Melkweg in Amsterdam and you can check photos from the two nights by Paco van Leeuwen on our Gallery.
Looking ahead we're gearing up for Queenstown Jazz Festival on 21st October and Gisborne Wine & Food Festival on 23rd October. Rumour abounds that Dobie Blaze might roll & cook his world famous Paua Wontons at the Gisborne Wine & Food Festival, mmm.

Chur 24/09/11

And..... that's a wrap. Thank you to everyone in UK & Europe who helped shake that shiverman loose, you were awesome. See you in 2012. Chur.

Last Train Denmark 21/09/11

Tickets still available for our show at Train, Aarhus in Denmark tonight, Weds 21st Sept. Check Train for details. Our final tour show is tomorrow night, Thurs 22nd Sept, at Vega in Copenhagen and it's SOLD OUT! Should be a choice party, then we're homeward bound for the land of the long white cloud deep in the South Pacific.

The Milky Way 20/09/11

Round two of our excursion at Melkweg aka Milky Way in Amsterdam is tonight, Tuesday 20th Sept. Then we're on the bus to Denmark for the final shows in this European tiki tour, playing Train, Aarhus on Weds 21st Sept and returning once again to Vega, Copenhagen on Thursday 22 Sept. Churs everyone, brilliant tour.

Paris to Amsterdam 15/09/11

Looking forward to opening the massive Fete De L'Huma Festival in Paris this Friday 16th Sept. We're first onstage at 5.40pm to launch the three days of entertainment. On Saturday 17th Sept we play Festival de Saint Nolff before making our way to Amsterdam to headline two nights at Melkweg. This will be our first return to this amazing venue since 2005 when we played the Three Piece Suit gigs with fellow Kiwi bands TrinityRoots and Ebb. We hope to make this visit as equally memorable!
Tickets still available for the Melkweg on Tuesday 20th Sept from Ticketsevice, but get in fast. Monday 19th Sept is Sold Out!

Burning Bright 13/09/11

We play Grosse Freiheit, Hamburg tonight, 13th September and Live Music Hall, Cologne tomorrow night, 14th September. Get in the mood with Berlin's We Are, On Air! #080 - Fat Freddy's Drop - Live Special hosted by DJ's ROGALL & M.PATH.IQ. Setting the tone for the online radio special is an Augustus Pablo track, Java, and then it's back to the future with the epic Live at Red Bull Studio session originally recorded in Auckland, New Zealand. The six tracks range from classic Rain to unreleased tracks Blackbird and Afreak. Special guests Daniel Yeabsley on sax and Bella Kalola & Kemara on BV's. Chur Red Bull Studio Auckland, We Are, On Air! and René at !K7 our German distributor.

Return of Kiss Da Cook Apron & Keyboard 101 12/09/11

The popular Kiss Da Cook apron, featuring Mr Dobie Blaze graphic, and Freddy's Keyboard 101 badge are both back in stock. Proudly made in New Zealand. Check them out, and order, from our Merch Tent Accessories.

Something's Cooking 10/09/11

This weekend it's all about food glorious food. We're in the UK to play, and sample the bountiful offerings, at Alex James Presents Harvest on Saturday and Harvest at Jimmy's on Sunday. Plus Dobie Blaze is cooking his world famous Paua Wontons on the Chef's Unplugged Stage at Harvest at Jimmy's.
Meantime back home The Nod is turning up as the theme music for Get Fresh with Al Brown on Saturday at 7.00PM on TV1. Al's one of our Lyall Bay neighbours, a Chef, hunter-gatherer and TV presenter who would be right at home at Harvest. Cheers everyone.

NZ News 9/09/11

While we're on the road in UK, there's news to hand from New Zealand. We are playing Queenstown Jazz Festival this Labour Weekend. Catch us for Jazz 'n' Beats on Friday 21st October at Queenstown Memorial Hall. Tickets on sale from Ticketek. We then fly from Queenstown to Gisborne to play Gisborne Wine & Food Festival on Sunday 23 October at Waiohika Estate. That's finals night for the Rugby World Cup and there will be a big screen to watch the action after the gig.

It's All Gone Wonton 8/09/11

Catch Dobie Blaze as he rolls out It's All Gone Wonton live on the Chef's Unplugged Stage this Sunday afternoon at Harvest at Jimmy's in Suffolk. Dobie is donning the Kiss Da Cook apron to make his world famous Paua Wontons, a Euro Asia Pacific Fried Freddy Fantasy. Support from sous chef Jetlag Johnson and DJ Hopepa. Paua to the people. Read more about It's All Gone Wonton at On the Beat by Mike Alexander. Freddys voodoo music on the mainstage Sunday night.
Congrats to our Harvest festival winners, Buffy Godfrey with her photo of a red pepper devil, and bonus winner Steve Neal. They'll be attending Alex James Presents Harvest which we headline on Saturday night.

Long Lunch in Puglia 7/09/11

In honour of our headline shows this weekend at Alex James's Presents Harvest and Harvest at Jimmys, kai chemist Dobie Blaze has whipped up a sumptuous foodeo, and proof of the insatiable link between music and food. Savour Dobie Blaze's Kiss Da Cook Presents Lunch In Puglia now on Fat Freddys Drop TV. Warning: The Lunch in Puglia foodeo will make you hungry.
Filmed around Monopoli, the province of Bari, Puglia in Southern Italy, during Freddys Italian tour & sojourn in 2005, the long lunch stars a rustic dish of spaghetti with langoustine, fried peppers, garlic, tomato and an octopus salad. Music track is Brothers & Sisters, Bongmaster Inc. Buon appetito!

#FFD_Blag Winners 6/09/11

Whittled down the winners for #FFD_Blag comp we've been running on Twitter @fatfreddysdrop1 Thanks everyone who sent us their best blag tweets. Tweet as. Judging was tough but fun. Now, MPC drum loop, and the winners are... 
Tobias @Poksey double pass Live Music Hall, Cologne, Tommaso @mas_acci and Alex Outhwaite @AlexOuthModel double pass each Melkweg, Amsterdam,
Poppy BendingBeckett @Poppy_B_Beckett double pass Vega, Copenhagen, and Robin Florence @zoozeloche double pass Grosse Freiheit 36, Hamburg. Congrats.

Illicit Backstage Beat Making 5/09/11

MC Slave presents Fat Freddys illicit beat making backstage at Capitol OF, Frankfurt - grooves so scandalous, someone better call a lawyer. Playing now on Fat Freddy's Drop TV.

New Radio WFFD 1/09/11

Buckle up for Radio WFFD. It's 'the hey we're on our way show' from MC Slave and features Busy Signal, Gang Starr, D'Angelo, Little Dragon, The Nudge and another spin of our new instrumental Bohannon Dub. Radio WFFD, rocking internationally on Fat Freddys Drop.

Download the Dub 29/08/11

Brand new instrumental Bohannon Dub is now available as a free download on Freddys Soundcloud. The track hails from the lab of DJ Fitchie who, unbeknown to the bros, hit record while they were jamming in the lead up to a recording session. The title is inspired by Daniel Best's Berlin soulclub 'Bohannon' that he named in honour of American disco stomp musician, bandleader & producer, Hamilton Bohannon. Check the video Jetlag Does Venice, Bohannon Dub on Fat Freddys Drop TV.

Harvest with Freddys 26/08/11

We've got a pair of weekend camping passes to Alex James Presents Harvest and Harvest at Jimmy's up for grabs. To win a Harvest weekend camping pass upload a photo of 'food that looks like other things' to Freddys Facebook and Dobie Blaze will select two lucky winners. Alex James Presents Harvest and Harvest at Jimmy's are both on the weekend of 9th-12th September, so remember to tell us which Festival you fancy. Thanks Harvest for sharing the bounty.
The Harvest feast for the senses feature a smashing line up of foodies and music. Freddys is headlining both in a UK summer festival exclusive, and Dobie Blaze will be making his world famous Paua Wontons on the Chef's Unplugged Stage at Harvest at Jimmy's.

Bay's Jam 25/08/11

Dobie on bass, Chopper & Tony Chang on keys? Hopepa chats to MC Slave about Freddys working at Bay's Studio and writing a new song. His son Benjamin lays down some keys too - is this a Freddys sweatshop? Catch the Bay's Jam video playing now on Fat Freddys Drop TV.

Paris Fred Heads 22/08/11

Paris Fred Heads are off the chain, crazy, almost a riot in the streets as MC Slave meets a few enthusiasts following Freddys Sold Out show at Le Trianon, Paris on 6th July. Witness the action on Fat Freddy's Drop TV. Amazing, chur Paris.

Exclusive On FFD App 19/08/11

Be the first in the world to sample our True Story video, Jetlag Does Venice Beach featuring a brand new instrumental track Bohannon Dub. The video premiere is an exclusive on our FFD App. If you're a Fred Head with a FFD App go to the Video page now, or simply download FFD App for free on iTunes. For a limited time FFD App is the only place you'll be able to view the video and listen to the track. Yes we know, we're being mean to you so you'll join us in the FFD App world.

Brussels Fred Heads 18/08/11

Catch Brussels Fred Heads at our show at Ancienne Belgique, Belgium on 5th July 2011, video now playing now on Fat Freddys Drop TV.

München Fred Heads 16/08/11

Keeping it with the Munich family, we've just uploaded a video featuring Fred Heads at our Muffathalle show on 28th June. Playing now on Fat Freddy's Drop TV. Great companion piece to the 'parlour special' of the Muffathalle show, recorded and presented by Radio M94.5, that is streaming on Freddy's Soundcloud

Munich Parlour Special 15/08/11

Rewind selector with a 'parlour special' of our show at Muffathalle, Munich in June 2011, recorded and presented by Radio M94.5 and playing now on Freddy's Soundcloud. Perfect tonic for everyone in Aotearoa, NZ battling the polar blast storms, and a great warm up for our return to UK and Europe in September. Thanks Daniela Kantner, Radio M94.5 crew, and chur Munich Fred Heads. Hang loose.

Wandering Brixton 10/08/11

What the world needs now is a little soul, and we're happy to share some Freddy voodoo featuring Wandering Eye live at Brixton O2 Academy on 18th June. Streaming now on our usual networks, FFDTV, Youtube and FFD App. Always a pleasure to play Brixton. Peace love and good times people. Hope you're all safe over there, we're thinking of you.

Tweet, Blag & Win 5/08/11

Ever blagged your way into a gig without paying the door charges? Well here's your chance to score a freebie with the return of the great Freddys Blag A Ticket competition ahead of our European tour in September. This time it's short and 'tweet' blags that we're looking for so we're running the competition on Twitter. The best blags about why you deserve to get free entry to a Freddys show will win a double pass to one of our gigs in Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Cologne or Hamburg. Blag A Ticket entires must include #FFD_Blag & city of choice. Follow us at twitter.com/fatfreddysdrop1

Shake That Shiverman 1/08/11

Shake it loose with two Shiverman remixes - a TonganChic House remix by Soane from Auckland, and a progressive electro remix by Invoker from Paris. Free download now on Freddys Soundcloud. Chur.

Turn On WFFD 26/07/11

MC Slave's cooked up a hot new installment of WFFD at the Logg Cabin. Large beats 'n' pieces in the mix and greetings worldwide. Turn on, tune in to the exclusive broadcast on Radio FFD. Chur.

Picture Palace 26/07/11

Fresh spread of photos from our recent tiki tour to view on FFD Gallery. Epic photos of Columbiahalle, Berlin gig by Jana Legler from Rockzoom, and Rockefeller, Oslo gig by wandering Kiwi Shanon Moratti & sidekick Peter Amies. Plus snaps of Sumol Summer Fest by Backpacker Man aka Bruno Leste and Le Trianon, Paris by Nadia Bouchenni.
Peace, love and good times people.

Kiwi Festival News 25/07/11

Public tickets for Coromandel Gold now on sale from Ticketmaster. We're playing the epic two day event on 30th December. The next day we'll be early risers and travelling south to count down the New Year at La De Da Festival, Martinborough. La De Da Festival tickets available from 1Night.

Golden Summer Vibe 20/07/11

More golden summer vibes on the horizon in New Zealand as we join the Coromandel Gold party. We're playing Friday 30th December at the annual summer festival at Ohuka Farm, Whitianga. Extended to a two date event this year, the heavyweight line up includes Kora, The Adults, TrinityRoots, The Nudge, 1814, Shapeshifter, Horace Andy & Dub Asante, Shihad and Ladi6 & Parks. Pre-sale Tickets available now.

Gisborne Wine & Food Festival On Sale 15/07/11

Tickets for Gisborne Wine & Food Festival 2011 on sale now. Catch us on the Rhythm Stage at 6.00PM, Sunday 23 October at Waiohika Estate. Along with the vino and kai, the Festival also features guest chef Martin Bosley's seafood workshop and a performance from the East Coast's Waihirere Kapa Haka group. The festival ends with the Rugby World Cup final transmitting on a massive outdoor screen. Tickets from Ticketek and Gisborne Wine Centre.

Chopper's Travel Log #5 14/07/11

Man the last week has just disappeared. We made the jump from Oslo to Brussels and settled into some fine beer and food, then a great gig at Ancienne... a venue so kitted out our production crew were on cloud nine. Having those guys at ease makes us at ease, and that normally results in a great gig... which it was. Loved the Nostromo vibe of the ceiling too - thought Sigourney Weaver and some aliens might appear any minute. Then we trained to Paris (300kph - awesome) and experienced the mayhem of the Parisain crowd. To say it was off the hook barely does justice too it. In fact the crwod was so hype and so loud that they kept triping the limiter on the PA. There's some great footage on Youtube that gives the flavour. Then made one last, long bus trip to Barcalona for food, fun, music, sun... ahhhh, live is tough. And now we're back home - in the rain and snow and cold... oh well, September is just round the corner. See ya then.

Wandering in Portugal Snaps 8/07/11

Check our Gallery for Wandering in Portugal snaps, taken by Mark Williams aka MC Slave. More tour pix on the way soon.

Barcelona Finale 7/07/11

Looking forward to playing Festival Cruilla Barcelona, Friday 8th July. The Festival at Parc del Forum, in the center of the beautiful city of Barcelona, is our final performance on the road across Europe and UK through June and July.
The show at Trianon, Paris on Wednesday night was off the hook, incredible audience. Fred Head Uckal tweeted - QUAND JE SERAIS GRAND, JE SERAIS FAT FREDDY'S DROP !!! Ahahahahaah !!! Concert de OOUUUUUUUFFFFFFF!! Encore une fois!!

Burning Up Paris 6/07/11

Burning up Paris tonight, 6th July, our gig at Le Trianon SOLD OUT! Last show of this tour is Cruilla Barcelona 2011, tomorrow, 8th July. Chur chur.

Munich Concert Special 5/07/11

Catch a one hour special of our concert at Muffathalle, Munich, recorded and presented by Radio M94.5. Broadcasting today 5th July between 1.00-2.00PM mid-European-time (aka tonight 11.00PM NZ time) on the M94.5 Rekorder programme. The concert to the parlour special will also stream on www.m945.de. Repeat on 11th July from 11.00PM. Thanks Daniela Kantner and Radio M94.5 crew, and chur Munich Fred Heads.

Chopper's Travel Log #4 5/07/11

Over the past couple days we played our first ever gigs in Norway. We flew in from Poland and immediately felt short... except for Fitchie & Dukie, who are about the right height to live here. After a quiet night in (except for Jonny Nacho, our new Australian monitor goon) we headed out in the bus for the road trip to Voss. We made it about 60km before our bus crapped out and then we spent the next 4 hours hanging about like tramps in the service station forecourt until a local mechanic came to the rescue. Luckily the view out the window when we finally did hit the road again kept everyone feeling good about the world - defintely one of the best drives we've ever been on.... just endless lakes, mountains, snow, waterfalls. We hit Voss late - about 10pm - but it was still light until we got on stage at midnight for a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am set and then we hung out with the extreme sports fanatics until dawn. Nutters, all of them. Then it was a helter skelter trip back to Oslo for our show there... awesome venue (Rockerfeller), awesome crowd (some of the best Shiverman dancing we've witnessed), and then an awesome golf course upon which Chopper spanked Fitchie - again! That's right, 3-0 baby. We're on the home straight now... Brussels, Paris & Barcelona here we come.

Photo Drop 4/07/11

Photos from recent shows just dropped on our Gallery, featuring Muffathalle, Munich by Salvan Joachim, Brixton O2 Academy, London by Ed Schofield and The Front Room, Wellington by Sarah Hunter.

Chopper's Travel Log #3 2/07/11

Sitting in Gdansk Airport about to fly to Oslo. We've just finished a run of 4 shows in a row... Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin and then Gdynia in Poland - at a festival Prince is headlining. In typical festival fashion we don't actually get to see him perform of course. Nevertheless everyone has been busting out tunes by His Purple-ness for the last few days. Germany was totally awesome... as it always seems to be. Was great to play in Frankfurt and Muncih after... how long? Too long no doubt. And we love Berlin... great to see the NZ whanau too - Ladi, Parks, Julien D, Shapeshifter crew, DJ Kava etc. Only down side has been that the trip has been super fast... would love to stick around and see some more of these spots. Next time, eh. Big shout out to Mr Rutten, the Bar 25 crew (look out for their new spot - amazing) and Yan from Scorpio.

Norway Debut 2/07/11

This weekend we play our first ever gigs in Norway, hitting Ekstremsportvecko in Voss on Saturday, followed by a headline show this Sunday at Rockefeller in downtown Oslo. Chur Norway.

Gisborne Rules! 1/07/11

Raise a glass in anticipation of our headline show announcement for Gisborne Wine & Food Festival 2011. We're playing the annual festival on Sunday 23 October at Waiohika Estate.Keen to sample Gisborne's top wine and food, finished off with the Rugby World Cup final on the big screen. Tickets on sale 15th July from Ticketek and Gisborne Wine Centre.
“We’re really looking forward to getting to the East Coast again. It’s been quite a few years. We love the place...Gisborne rules!” Tony Chang said.

Open'er Festival 30/06/11

Representing 'Nowej Zelandii' at Open'er Festival, Baltic Sea Coast, Poland tonight. We're on the World Stage around the midnight 'marauders' hour, playing our fourth night in a row. Chur Berlin, Munich & Frankfurt for the love & sunshine.

Berlin Groove 29/06/11

Berlin groove tonight with Ladi6 & Parks. Chur.

Brixton Bounce 29/06/11

"...a sunshine drop that had the whole venue bouncing" London Music Blog, Brixton O2 Academy review. Read full review London Music Blog.

LA DE DA NYE ON SALE NOW 29/06/11

Tickets on sale now for our NYE headliner gig at La De Da Festival 2011/12 in Martinborough. Score the first release of tickets from 1-night and party party with us and a sweet looking line up that includes Donavon Frankenreiter (just played Sumol Summer Fest, Portugal with him) KORA, State of Mind, Sola Rosa, Katchafire, Iva Lamkum, Concord Dawn and more.
For a taste of La De Da, check the video of last years festival on LaDeDaNYE.

München heute Abend! 28/06/11

Kiwi-Soul grooven mit Fat Freddys Drop und Ladi6, Tonhalle, München heute Abend!

Brixton Backstage Chat 28/06/11

Brixton O2 Academy hooked up a couple of fans with the chance to interview us and hang at our soundcheck. Watch Backstage Chat. Chur Lauren & Tom.

Relaxadas Portugal 28/06/11

'Relaxadas' vibe from our visit to Portugal, catch Hopepa & FFD in MySpace Portugal reportagem from Sumol Summer Festival.

Germany Hallo! 27/06/11

Catch you tonight Capitol, Frankfurt, with opener DJ Michael Ruetten of SoulSearching fame. Tuesday night shake loose Tonhalle, Munich and Wednesday night is mystic soul connecting at Columbiahalle, Berlin. Both Munich & Berlin gigs feature support from the supreme Ladi6 & Parks.
Get in the mood and tune in to Radio WFFD for MC Slave's Mobile Road Trip Edition recorded on our tour bus for Michael Ruetten's SoulSearching radio show.

Chopper's Travel Log #2 27/06/11

To tell the truth it doesn´t feel like we did that much in the way of work this week - instead it was all about enjoying the delights of Lisbon. Mainly it was about enjoying the sardines in Lisbons excellent restaurants... but we did also stop by the slow-roasted baby goat, had photos with the charcoal grilled sea bass... and also took a tour around the salt cod carpaccia. I think you get the picture. Some of the guys even went sight seeing... but I think that was on the way to the chicken shop. Oh, and we played a great gig to 10,000+ partying Portuguese. Obrigado Portugal - can we please come back again soon..... like next week.

MC Slave Mobile Road Trip On Air 24/06/11

Tune in now to Radio WFFD for the exclusive MC Slave Mobile Road Trip Edition, recorded on our tour bus especially for Michael Ruetten's SoulSearching radio show. The radio show special is a taster as FFD prepare to unleash 3 shows in Frankfurt, Munich & Berlin this coming week.
Tunes selected from FFD travel cases: Fat Freddys Drop - Bohannon Dub, The Yoots - Pupu Ake Mai, The Resonators - Mandrake, Lord Echo - That's Right, Karl Marx Project - Mists, Tehimana Kerr - Soul KIss,Theophilus London - Get Ill, Hori Buzz - Turnaround, Coultrain - The Girl Of My Dreams, Gappy Ranks - Put The Stereo On,Fat Freddys Drop - The Raft (Steppers Dub).

Chopper's Travel Log #1 24/06/11

Woah... forgot how much that long haul flight to the northern hemisphere hurts. to get over it there was only one thing to do... well two actually. First; drink lots of cocktails: then; play golf. It was good that we did fit in some R&R cause the next task was a whirlwind leg that saw us drive to The Hague Jazz Festival to play alongside Grace Jones (missed her due to schedule clash) and Bobby Womack (awesome), then drive back to London to play a packed Brixton Academy (great crowd, great show), then drive to Ireland to play at Body & Soul (great to meet UK music legend Don Letts and shower amongst the beautiful oak trees), and then drive back to Birmingham and then London. Had the chance to catch up with friends & family in London Town which is always good... and now we're about to fly to Portugal. It's sardine season... so life is good. Hopefully we can catch some sunshine too - so far it's all been a bit wet.
Sumol Summer Festival, Portugal, 24 June, Palco Sumol Stage @ 23h00.

Stellar Performance 23/06/11

'They are gutsy and fully-fuelled with an absolutely stellar performance with their run-around schoolboy charm, swapping and changing instruments and, in the case of charismatic Joe Lindsay, stripping down into his tight white wife-beater and Fred Perry tennis shorts..." Data Transmission Review, Brixton 02 Academy show. Read full review.

September in Europe 22/06/11

Loving Europe so much we're making a return in September to play Hamburg and Cologne in Germany, Paris and St Nolff in France, Amsterdam in Holland, and Aarhus and Copenhagen in Denmark. Check Gig Guide for more details on our fresh European ports of call this September.

La De Da NYE 22/06/11

Looking ahead to New Year's Eve 2011/2012, you'll find us at La De Da Festival in Martinborough.
La De Da is hosting two stages, dub & roots and electronica, at its new home on Dry River Road, and the experience promises to be as brilliant as the wine (think evocative Pinot Noir) grown in this premium wine district just over an hours drive from Wellington. Tickets on sale from 29 June at 1-night.

BIRMINGHAM, Chur 20/06/11

Next stop HMV Institute Birmingham this Tuesday 21st June. Tickets available from Ticketweb. Doors open 7.00PM. Curfew 11.00PM. Catch you there Rob!!
Shout out to Resonators who supported our Brixton O2 Academy show on Saturday. Chur. The fully live-9 piece dub, soul, big love crew hail from Brighton. Resonators Gold Dub, an exclusive new dub of their Gold Getter 7" single released on Wah Wah 45's label, is available as a free download from Resonators Bandcamp.

FFD APP +Tweets 20/06/11

New on the block, the official Fat Freddy's Drop APP. Download Fat Freddy's Drop APP for FREE at iTunes. FFD APP is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod (for now).
Speaking of connected, we've joined the world of tweets, follow us on Twitter @fatfreddysdrop1.

Kiss Da Cook 18/06/11

Oisín Davis of the Irish Times stirs with Dobie Blaze and heralds a true epicurean. Check Booking The Cooks featuring Dobie's recipe, Ravioli of abalone with sea urchin butter. "Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall – eat your heart out dude" Davis said. We'll be in Ireland this Sunday for the Body & Soul Festival where we play the Main Stage at 8.00PM, followed by dub master Lee Scratch Perry.

Primitive Humanoids 18/06/11

Ready to shake that Shiverman loose at Brixton O2 Academy, London. Getting in the mood is Mahogany Minute blog featuring Tony Chang who reveals that 'it all started when...at the dawn of time primitive humanoids assembled in improvised percussion troupes.'  Experience how far Freddys primitive humanoids have evolved, live at Brixton O2 Academy tonight.

Flash FFD Stash 16/06/11

Just landed, flash FFD Stash bag and new t-shirts. Available now in our Merch Tent. Our black FFD Stash Bag fits vinyl or beach gear, and features an original FFD vinyl design by Jason Hill. The new t-shrits also feature the FFD vinyl design, plus we've got a shipment of FFD World Tour 2011 t-shirts available. The tour t-shirts feature Dr Boondigga and FFD car on the front with world tour dates, from Auckland to Barcelona, on the back. All stock screenprinted in New Zealand by Dr Printor, Karousel.

Loving The Brixton Way 16/06/11

Score a spot for you and a mate to our soundcheck at Brixton O2 Academy this Saturday afternoon. Go to the Brixton O2 Academy Facebook and LIKE. Tickets for gig on Saturday night available from alt-tickets. Doors open 7.00PM, support act Resonators on stage 8.00PM and we shake that shiverman loose from 9.00PM.

HOPE Afrobeat 15/06/11

Catch Malian/French superstars Amadou & Mariam bringing Afrobeat to the kitchen in a cover of HOPE, playing now on Fat Freddy's Drop TV. One of best-selling and best-loved acts to come out of Africa, the blind, married musical team made the HOPE cover in Paris for NZ TV series Making Tracks. Chur Amadou & Mariam and thanks Nick D, Dean Cornish and the Making Tracks crew.

Sun Is Gonna Shine Again 15/06/11

We've arrived safely in UK en route to play The Hague Jazz Festival on Friday, our first gig of a summer tiki tour across Europe, UK and Ireland. Massive headline show at Brixton O2 Academy on Saturday, then we fly to Ireland on Sunday for Body & Soul Festival in the enchanted woods of Ballinlough Castle, Co. Westmeath. Get in the mood with another vintage video on FFD TV from MC Slave who presents The Camel featuring Alice Russell live at Astoria, London in 2007. Sun is gonna shine again...

Video Stings 14/06/11

With Europe, UK and Ireland gigs kicking off this week it's a sweet time to share MC Slave's videos of some recent exploits. Tune in to Fat Freddy's Drop TV for Tony Chang's Brixton O2 Academy Sting and catch the Fred Heads experience at The Mercury Theatre and The Front Room in June. Plus the Feature Video transports us back in time to an epic encore jam of Wandering Eye at Brixton Academy in 2006. Loving the Brixton way, don't let it all fade away - get tickets now for our return to Brixton O2 Academy this Saturday 18th June 2011.

Curtain Raiser Germany 10/06/11

Getting onboard Freddys pirate soul train in Germany are Michael Rütten and Ladi6 & Parks. Hailing from Frankfurt, Rütten is renown as a DJ, music-journalist, producer and host of ‘soulsearching w/Michael Rütten’ radio show. He'll be spinning records before our show at Capitol OF in his hometown on 27 June. Ladi6 hails from Christchurch, NZ and recently re-located to Berlin with her producer bro Parks and drummer Julian Dyne. Definitely worth catching live and raising the roof at our shows at Tonhalle, Munich on 28th June and Columbiahalle, Berlin on 29th June. Ladi6 raps on Roady from Based On A True Story and toured Europe with us a few years back. Fitchie co-produced her debut album Time Is Not Much, and she recently released the follow up, The Liberation Of. Check her new video Like Water. For Michael Rütten's take on Freddys, listen to Soulsearching 623 'Road Trip' special edition recorded with us in Cologne and Chiemsee Reggae Festival in 2010.

Extreme Freddys 8/06/11

We're packing our kayaks, bmx bikes, BASE and longboards for Ekstremsportvecko in Voss, Norway this July, one of the largest extreme sport and music festivals of its kind in the world. Ekstremsportveko has tried to get us to play for over three years and finally we will be there to help spice up the action, playing the festival finale on Saturday 2nd July. This is our first ever gig in Norway, and you can catch us one more time at Rockefeller in Oslo the following night.

Double Whammy Winner 8/06/11

We've picked a winner for the DOUBLE WHAMMY TICKET LOTTERY in Ireland, and it is (drum roll please) 
NIAMH REYNOLDS. 
Congratulations Niamh! Looking forward to seeing you in June at Body & Soul Festival, Ballinlough Castle, and say hello to the Electric Picnic at Stradbally Hall for us.

UK, IRELAND and EUROPE HERE WE COME! 5/06/11

Prepare for Freddys live in UK, Ireland and Europe with another exciting installment from Radio WFFD. Selector MC Slave is digging local and international flavors from Gil Scott Heron, Wagon Christ, Cookie Dough, A Hori Buzz and Med and Aloe Blacc. Bonus extra, a lil Freddy's jam called Bohannin Dub fresh out of the desk of DJ Fitchie. Tune in right here on Freddys Radio FFD.

A Family Affair, The Tivoli Review 5/06/11

'It was a family affair, with lead vocalist Dallas Tamaira, bringing his father on stage at one point. Tamaira explained it was the first time his father had ever performed with him. It was a powerful musical moment considering he credits his father as his original inspiration for getting into music. They start singing together and all of a sudden Mr Tamaira was ripping out the guitar and smashing out amazing tunes! With deep respect from the crowd he definitely stood on his own two feet and impressed the Tivoli.' Amber Shadlow, News Unlimited. Read more in Live @ The Tivoli Review. Includes photos by Kate Santleton.

Welli Welli 3/06/11

We be mashing it up to a SOLD OUT house at The Front Room on Saturday in hometown Welli. Doors open from 7.30pm, pre-show sounds from DJ Zen from 8.00pm and Freddys superfly sounds live on stage from 10.00pm. Chur.

Win Tix to UK & Ireland Gigs 1/06/11

First day of June and a step closer to our tiki tour overseas. Win tickets to our shows at 02 Brixton Academy (18th June) or Birmingham HMV Institute (21st June) with Clash Music. Competition closes 4th June. If you're in Ireland, win tickets to see us at Body & Soul Festival (we play there Sunday 19th June) via The Double Whammy Ticket Lottery on the Body & Soul Facebook. The double whammy is the winner also receives tickets to Electric Picnic Festival which we played at last year (but not this one). Competition closes 7th June.

The Front Room SOLD OUT! 30/05/11

Live at The Front Room, Wellington is SOLD OUT!!! Go Welli. Now roll on Saturday for the party party.

Chur Bris-Vegas 30/05/11

We had a wild time in Brisbane for our two shows at The Tivoli in the weekend. As one local noted 'Freddys rocked Bris-Vegas.' One of the highlights was Joe Tamaira, Dukie's Dad, jumping up on stage to sing Cay's Crays. Tumeke. Thanks Bris-Vegas.
Khan Tihema from Brisbane's Courier Mail reviewed our Friday show on his blog.
'After seeing their amazing live performance at the Tivoli last night, it’s easy to understand why fans across the world love Fat Freddy’s Drop. From their first song Cay’s Crays to the last Shiverman and encore Wandering Eye, the Freddy’s full musical repertoire was on display in their 2 hour show. They slipped a couple of new tracks into their set, which definitely sounded different to any of their previous tracks. Yet they sat easily next to favourites like Roady and Boondigga with a near capacity crowd loving every moment. Lead singer Dallas Tamaira and Trombonist Joe Lyndsey, had the crowd singing and dancing along with the later pulling out his trade mark dance grooves and tearing up the stage much to the delight of the crowd. The rest of the guys from the band all had their time centre stage, with trumpeter Toby Laing playing some great solos along with saxophonist Scott Towers and guitarist Tehimana Kerr, all taking turns to “improvise” and “jam” during the tracks...They gave the fans what they wanted, and no doubt many went home humming a FFD tune or two! Big ups to the Freddy’s!'

Hello Brisbane, Last Tix Welli 26/05/11

We've landed in Brisbane for two shows at The Tivoli this Friday and Saturday. Tickets available from Ticketek. Our show at The Front Room in Wellington on 4th June is close to selling out. Hit up Ticketmaster now if you want to catch our only hometown gig before we head to Europe and UK.
Fav review for our shows at The Mercury Theatre, Auckland comes from Jinxer on Ticketmaster: To see 7 people (+ hidden others) put it together in sync and with FFD panache was a real treat. Have been wanting to see them for sometime but always seem to miss them. Love the old tunes and can always do with more of those, but I loved the new tunes too especially Blackbird! Keep it up guys and have a great world tour!

Score UK Gig Tix 24/05/11

Keen to score a double pass to our show at O2 Brixton Academy on 18th June or Birmingham's HMV Institute on 21st June? Click through to Clash Music and simply answer the question, what country do Fat Freddy's Drop hail from: Australia, New Zealand or France? Easy as, and while you're on Clash Music check out The Camel video featuring Alice Russell jamming with us at London's Astoria back in 2007. Sun is gonna shine again!

Rapturous 23/05/11

Recovering from rapturous three nights at The Mercury Theatre in Auckland. Massive thanks to everyone who helped make the party party including visitors from the likes of USA, South Africa and Germany. Thanks also to DJ MIkki Dee for the sweet soundz support. Check photos from Friday and Sunday gigs by Ren Kirk and Nick Kingstone on our photo Gallery.
Brisbane you're now in the sightline for this weekend. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Freddys Rapture 20/05/11

Our world tour kicks off over the weekend, playing three nights straight Friday, Saturday and Sunday at The Mercury Theatre in Auckland. The cities oldest surviving theatre is also a venue for The Equippers Church, so with a 'rapture' rumour on high alert come and congregate with Freddys and shake that shiverman loose. First two shows sold out, Sunday tickets available from Ticketmaster. After-party entertainment at The Mercury from champion DJ Mikki Dee. Catch you next weekend Brisbane at The Tivoli.

Rise Up Christchurch 19/05/11

Rise Up Christchurch, Te Kotahitanga is a global telethon, raising funds for the New Zealand Government's Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. The 12-hour 'entertainment spectacular' this Sunday features live events in Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and Sydney in Australia, and the Telethon will be broadcast live on Maori Television as well as streaming globally. Check out Rise Up Christchurch on how you can get involved, and make a donation for a choice cause.

City Panthers Challenge 18/05/11

We play the Open'er Festival in Poland on 30th June and recently received an email from The City Panthers about dancing at the gig. Read on;
'Hi,
We are two girls who at nights become The City Panthers - activists fighting against ignorance and prejudices - we are using only paint (street art) and our minds, trying to be effective (= make other think) while remain undisclosed.
But we are also dancers, truely dedicated to music and movement... and we love your music! And we'd love to merge our two activities into a stage dance show during your gig at Heineken Opener Festival in Gdynia (Poland) on 30 June 2011.
For us your music is to move to it... Your music stimulates us and our bodies to do wild things...so Take that risk, if u dare..
Alexandra aka Gato Negro and Alexandra aka Gato Rojo - The City Panthers - rebbels who learn to see through flames.'

From A Fan 16/05/11

Hello F.F.D. People,

Last year a couple visited from New Zealand and brought your music, along with many other similar bands - Trinity Roots, Black Seeds et al. My girlfriend, Lisa has become your number one fan. She plays the your music constantly. I don't mind, I also am a big fan, even though I'm getting on 70 years old.

She was planning to travel to Brixton for your performance there, but as you added the Body and Soul Festival to the tour, as we live in Ireland, it could not be better, and I booked tickets last night. A few days after the concert is her 52nd birthday, so it will be her present.

I am disabled, so we will be able to enjoy the concert from the very best position - right in front of the stage.

Currently, Lisa is in Spain, and I sent her an email saying what I had done.  This was her reply:

I opened your email and ...
 
THATS BRILLIANT !!!!  ABSOLUTELY AMAZING !  FUCKING MARVELLOUS !! STUPENDOUS !
FABULOUS !  THE BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT IN MY LIFE !!!!  FIRST THING I DID WHEN I CAME IN HERE WAS TO GO TO U TUBE AND PUT ON BLACK BIRD BY FF SO HERE I AM LISTENING TO THEM WHILST READING THE BEST NEWS AND CERTAINLY MY DAY IS MADE ! ....AND THE BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE TOO ?
 It couldn't be better -  and I cant wait.!

I think that more or less says it all.

If you could possibly give her a birthday dedication, it will be the icing on the cake. I will be in a wheelchair and am fairly easy to identify - looking the way I do, and she will be the one leaping up and down having multiple orgasms.

Really looking forward to the concert guys. Thanks for coming to Ireland.

Best regards,
Frank Samms

Freddys Ready To Congregate 13/05/11

It's the final count down to our world tour and we're ready to drop some brand new tunes. First port of call is Auckland next Friday for a weekend of Freddys at The Mercury Theatre, the city's oldest surviving theatre that has been used as an evangelical church in recent times. The following weekend we're across the ditch to Brisbane for two nights at The Tivoli with support from Melbourne's Electric Empire and Brisbane's Senor Rudekat. Queen's Birthday weekend we play hometown Wellington at The Front Room for one night only, and then we sail across the seven seas to Europe and UK. Tour and ticket details on our Gig Guide.

A Brief History of Dub 10/05/11

...40 years later, Tubby’s dub still ranks among the best, and the music he invented has evolved in many directions to form new genres, including grime, punk, most modern dance and dubstep.
“The very best dub and reggae is deep, deep music – both in its sonic construction and lyrical content.” Chopper Reedz plays saxophone in dub band Fat Freddy’s Drop. “We want our music to have that impact – for the grooves to be so deep you can fall into them.”
From Kingston to Croydon, A Brief History of Dub - read full story online at NOUSE, University of York, UK

NZ Tour News + Free Download 6/05/11

Tickets for our bonus third Auckland show at The Mercury Theatre, Sunday 22 May, on sale now from amplifier.co.nz and Ticketmaster.
Get in the booty party mode with a free download of Pull The Catch Bootleg, a hot mash of Freddys Pull The Catch and Jay-Z's Dirt Off My Shoulder mixed by Mikki Dee. Download now from Freddys Soundcloud.

Auckland Show Pre-Sale Offer 4/05/11

Ticketmaster are offering pre-sale tickets for our third Auckland show on Sunday 22 May at The Mercury Theatre. From midday today to midnight Thursday, check Ticketmaster and use the codeword SHIVERMAN when purchasing tickets for the Sunday show. Public sales start Friday 6th May from both Ticketmaster and amplifier.co.nz
The NZ shows are being presented in association with Groove Guide who this week feature an interview with DJ Fitchie. "It’s been a lot of hard work, but being independent has been the right decision for us" Fitchie said. Check story online at Groove Guide or pick it up on the streets today.

Free Download Pull The Catch Bootleg 3/05/11

Score a free download of Pull The Catch Bootleg featuring Fat Freddys Drop vs Jay-Z with Mikki Dee. The bootleg remix of Pull The Catch with Jay-Z’s Dirt Off My Shoulder hails from the lab of Mikki Dee, DJ and Live Video Remixer. Download Pull The Catch Bootleg now, and check out the video on Fat Freddys Drop TV

Harvest Festival Abundance 3/05/11

We're pleased to announce our return to the UK again in September 2011 to headline the inaugural Alex James Presents Harvest food festival hosted by the Blur bassist turned country squire and cheese-maker on his Oxfordshire farm. Freddys also headline the sister festival Harvest at Jimmys that has been running in Suffolk since 2009. Notable foodies at Harvest will include Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Yotam Ottolenghi and Richard Corrigan. As the Guardian noted, ‘it is more than likely that Alex James's award-winning cheeses - such as Blue Monday named after his favourite New Order song - will also feature’.

Third Show Added The Mercury Theatre 3/05/11

We've announced a third Auckland show at The Mercury Theatre in May. With our Friday and Saturday night shows sold out, catch us at the new bat time of Sunday 22 May for our weekend of Freddys at The Mercury Theatre. Tickets for new Sunday show available Friday 6th May from Ticketmaster and amplifier.co.nz

Score Tickets to The Hague Jazz Festival 28/04/11

We're playing The Hague Jazz Festival on Friday 17th June, around midnight on the A-Train Stage. You can win tickets by signing up to The Hague Jazz Festival newsletter. Other confirmed acts at the three-day festival include Bobby Womack, Gino Vannelli, Macy Gray, Angie Stone, Bilal, Patti Austin and The E-Family featuring Sheila E.

Radio WFFD From The Logg Cabin 28/04/11

MC Slave aka LOGGY LOGG PRESENTS FROM THE LOGG CABIN!!! Its a goody!!!!!!! Musica featuring Bilal, Jamie Woon, Karl Marx, Shiverman Invoker mix, Benjamin Damage and Doc Daneeka, Gappy Ranks, Pharoah Monch, Beastie Boys and D'Angelo!!!! Broadcasting now, exclusive to Radio WFFD.

Hot Tickets 21/04/11

Our Auckland and Wellington shows are hot tickets. The Mercury Theatre on Friday 20th May is over half sold while the second show on Saturday 21st May is close to selling out. The Front Room on Queens Birthday in our hometown is also over half sold. Thanks to everyone who has purchased tickets to date, and for all you others, buy tickets now to avoid missing out.

Midnight Marauders at The Hague Jazz Festival 15/04/11

The Hague Jazz 2011: #AngieStone, #MacyGray, #Cassandra Wilson #fatfreddysdrop #Waylononline #DariusDante, #AloeBlacc, #SheilaE.
We're very pleased to be announced as part of The Hague Jazz Festival this June in the Netherlands, an unstoppable event that has grown to be one of the bigger jazz festivals in Europe. Catch us Friday 17th June on the A-Train stage just after the midnight hour. Tickets on sale now.

NZ Tickets On Sale Now 11/04/11

Tickets for The Mercury Theatre and The Front Room shows on sale now from Amplifier and Ticketmaster.
Don't be shy, The Mercury Theatre is strictly limited to 578 seats while The Front Room has a capacity of 650.

NZ Pre-Sales, the password is... 8/04/11

To score pre-sale tickets to our shows at The Mercury Theatre and The Front Room, go to Ticketmaster and use the special password SHIVERMAN. Pre-sales available until midnight Sunday 10th April. General public tickets on sale Monday 11th April.

Chch Chur 7/04/11

The recent Cuba For Chch multi-band, money-raiser in Wellington has raised over NZ$34,000 to date, with all proceeds going to NZ Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal. We loved helping out with a performance at San Francisco Bath House, kicking off the set with Shiverman to a hyped, excited & heaving crowd. 500 people were jammed in the intimate space, with another 700 waiting outside to swop places. The queue snaked down Cuba and around to our old haunt of Ghuznee St. As Radio Active said "the communal atmosphere & empathy felt throughout Cuba St transcended the individual and was splendiferous to witness."
Donations for Cuba For Chch are still being gratefully accepted at Give A Little.

On The Road To Birmingham 6/04/11

By popular demand we are on the road to Birmingham, playing at HMV Institute, Birmingham on Tuesday 21st June 2011.  
This one's for Rob from Birmingham! Rob has followed the Freddys for years around the UK, always bringing the band fresh vegetables from his allotment. Because Rob couldn't make it to the Brixton O2 Academy show (originally the only UK gig this summer), the seed was planted for a trip to Birmingham. Tickets on sale now.

Kia Ora Europe!! 5/04/11

Kia Ora Europe!! Brand new WFFD featuring Lord Echo,The Electrified Flashback, Wayne Marshall on the Captain Rhythm and DJ Muro from Japan with the funky reggae mix!! Tune in with selector MC Slave, broadcasting now exclusively on Radio FFD.

New New Zealand Shows 4/04/11

We're pleased to announce shows at The Mercury Theatre, Auckland for two nights on 20^th and 21^st May and at The Front Room, Wellington on 4^th June. Tickets on sale Monday 11th April. More details to follow.

Flashback Jerk Chicken Video 30/03/11

Fat Freddy's Drop VS The Electric Flashback To Jerk Chicken video now playing on Fat Freddy's Drop TV Following the hot reception to Fat Freddy's Drop VS The Electric Flashback 2011 remix, Director Mark Williams trawled the vaults to find footage of The Electrics' DJ Vadim in a jerk chicken cook off with Dobie Blaze. Filmed in Lyall Bay, Wellington, New Zealand. Co-starring Yarah Bravo.
Download the free Fat Freddy's Drop VS The Electric Flashback 2011 remix now from Freddy's Soundcloud.

VIVE L'ELYSEE MONMARTRE - FREDDYS VOUS AIMENT PARIS 24/03/11

Fat Freddy's Drop are very saddened to hear of the fire at Elysees Monmartre yesterday. Freddys played two nights at the iconic Paris venue in November 2008.
Fitchie & Dukie remember the shows as amazing - an incredible audience who listened with a concentrated intensity and a room like nothing else these boys from NZ have ever played in. Venue staff had stories of revolutionary meetings being held there as well as being Napoleon's favourite theatre to see shows and hold rallies. The band have always talked about going back to Paris to play again at Elysees Monmartre - we hope this dream can come true and the beautiful venue is restored!

The Road To Brussels 24/03/11

Good news keeps running, we are on The Road To Brussels, one show only Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, on 5th July. Tickets on sale now from AB.

en concert à Paris 23/03/11

We love Paris, and are pleased to announce one show only at Le Trianon on 6th July as part of our European summer tour. Tickets on sale now from avosbillets.

Cuba St to Poland 22/03/11

We're proud to be playing CUBA FOR CHCH this Friday night at San Francisco Bath House, a multivenue, multiband, moneyraiser with all proceeds going to NZ Red Cross 2011 Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. On-stage from 8.00PM - limited capacity!! Entry is a $10 CUBA FOR CHCH Passport that also gets you entry to all the Cuba St venues participating in this massive event. Tix from local Cuba St merchants such as Mandatory & Scopa.
On the international tour front, catch us at Open'er Festival, Poland on 30th June. It's the largest Polish open-air music and performing arts festival, and definitely the most important music event in Gdynia - a city in the north of Poland at the Baltic Sea coast.

Fresh European Destinations 21/03/11

We're pleased to announce two fresh destinations, Ireland and Norway, have been added to our European summer tiki tour 2011. Catch us at Body and Soul Festival among the trees and gardens of historic Ballinlough Castle, Co. Westmeath on 19th June, and Rockefeller in Oslo on Sunday 3 July. Tickets for both on sale now.

Electric Flashback Remix 17/03/11

Catch our FREE download Fat Freddy's Drop Vs The Electric Flashback 2011, available now. The mystic soul connection is in anticipation of Fat Freddy's Drop On The Road To Brixton show at Brixton Academy, London 18th June 2011. Enjoy, and remember tickets for On The Road To Brixton selling fast.
The sonic Flashback remix hails from the house of DJ Vadim and his band The Electric, gathering the talents of Chicago's freshest upcoming MC Pugs Atomz, UK sultry soulstress Sabira Jade, and of course Daddy Vad himself. The Electric supported us on our last visit to Europe, and this week released their own debut album, Life is Moving. Chur!

Dreimal hoch! 14/03/11

We are pleased to announce three shows in Germany this June, playing Capitol, Frankfurt, Tonhalle, Munich and Columbiahalle in Berlin where we'll be catching up with old friends. Tickets on sale now. Three cheers Germany!

Olá Barcelona 11/03/11

More good news, we are playing Cruïlla Barcelona Spain on 8th July. The Barcelona summer music festival in Spain defines its focus as “urban music” and “without music boundaries”, with a strong stress on quality. Cruïlla means 'Crossing'.

On The Road To Brisbane 9/03/11

Good news drop, Freddy's is On The Road to Brisbane for two shows only in May. This is our first return to Brisbane since 2009 and we're back at The Tivoli. Tickets on sale now from Ticketek, Australia.

BAD NEWS - FREDDYS HAVE CANCELLED COACHELLA

We're very sad to announce that Freddy's will not be making the trip to Coachella. As an independent band that operates entirely within the confines of their own bank account, Fat Freddy's are unable to sustain the financial loss required to make this trip happen.
The Drop would like to thank our supporters for all the work you put in - Bennett Freed, Jeff Jaquin, Ryan Owens, Angela Moore, Gary Fortune, Alan Holt, Nicole Duckworth and Cushla Aston. You all worked miracles but it still wasn't adding up.
To Freddy's fans in California, we're so sorry.  We tried really hard. Brittany Roberts and everyone else who have bought their tickets, please get in touch with us directly at freddy@fatfreddysdrop.com. We'll find a way to make it up to you. The disappointment is bitter for all of us.

Radio WFFD Brixton Academy Special 7/03/11

Radio WFFD hosted by the infamous MC Slave is back with Brixton Academy Special, a celebration of our return to Brixton Academy on 18th June 2011, Freddy's only UK show this summer. Tune in to Radio FFD and check the session selection of reggae music classics, and The Clash for good measure!! ROOTS MUSIC FOR THE SOUTH LONDON MASSIVE!! and a special dedication to the people of Christchurch.
You can support Christchurch via two NZ music download fundraisers, both of which feature Freddy's music, Tunes for Christchurch with Amplifier or Songs for Christchurch from MusicHype.

Brixton Calling 4/03/11

Newsflash, On The Road To Brixton 18th June at 02 Brixton Academy in South London will be Fat Freddy's only UK show this summer. Tickets are selling fast so if you're keen to join us for what promises to be an epic event, book now at alt-tickets.
Meantime, check Fat Freddys Drop TV for a taste of our visit to Opononi over the NZ summer. Videographer MC Slave has also produced an old gem from the vaults featuring Dobie Blaze and crew cooking up a batch of his delicious Paua Wontons at Inertia in Sydney in 2009.

Music 4 Chch 2/03/11

Fat Freddy's Drop is pleased to share the music for two Christchurch earthquake fundraisers. We've got The Raft as part of Songs for Christchurch, a massive six hours of NZ music downloads on MusicHype, and from Thursday 3 March we're supporting Tunes for Christchurch with Amplifier who are taking donations in exchange for NZ music downloads. Our Tunes for Christchurch selections are Pull The Catch and the old skool Better Than Change by Dallas aka Joe Dukie. Chur.

Love Chch 25/02/11

Keep showing the love for those affected by the Christchurch earthquake. You can donate $$ online with NZ Red Cross. There are links there for Red Cross in Aussie and UK who are also accepting donations. If your'e in Auckland, head to Rakinos next Friday 4th March for LOVE CHANT, CHCH QUAKE FUNDRAISER. Entry $10.00 on the door with all proceeds to the relief fund. The night of uplifting soul, funk and whatever else to show support for those affected is on from 8PM till late with the likes of Chopper Reeds & MC Slave on the decks.
Chur Chch peeps, xxx.

Support Chch 23/02/11

Bring some shine on a bleak week, here are a few ways to support those hit by Christchurch earthquake. If you're in homebase Lyall Bay, Wellington, there is a collection tomorrow, Thursday, at Maranui Cafe, accepting necessities such as baby food, torches, nappies, gloves, new buckets & plastic bags. In Auckland, head to Rakinos next Friday 4th March for LOVE CHANT, CHCH QUAKE FUNDRAISER. Entry $10.00 on the door with all proceeds to the relief fund. The night of uplifting soul, funk and whatever else to show support for those affected is on from 8PM till late with the likes of Chopper Reeds & MC Slave on the decks. For secure online doantions, check NZ Red Cross. Heard on the grapevine that Zane Lowe dedicated HOPE on his BBC show for Chch peeps & whanau. Let your love flow down. Chur.

Love to Chch 23/02/11

Fat Freddy's Drop whanau send love to our Christchurch people who suffered a devastating earthquake yesterday. We are safe in Welli but thinking of those who have lost family and friends. Fa'a malosi - be strong.

Surf's Up Portugal 18/02/11

We're pleased to announce that we are playing Sumol Summer Fest in Ericeira, Portugal on 24th June 2011. Music, surf, beach and good vibes await us all the second edition of the Sumol Summer Fest overlooking the Sea of Ribeira D'ilhas.

Closer to hand, this weekend we return to Australia for the second round of Good Vibrations festival - playing Gold Coast on Saturday and Perth on Sunday.

Chopper's Tour Diary: Good Vibes Part I: Sydney & Melb 16/02/11

What a killer summer the Freddys have had so far. It really started with a trip to Australia in late 2010. Then jumped into top gear with The Road To Opo Tour (North) and Sunshine Fest (South), and now we've pushed the over drive button - and jumped back over the ditch - for Good Vibrations.
 
Our arrival into Sydney was a bit odd... normally we bring the sun with us but this time we couldn't keep the rain at bay. Still, we warmed up for the festival by hitting the amazing Argentinian restaurant Porteno for some serious food (suckling pig, Mackrel cerviche, grilled spatchcock etc) and a beautiful red.
 
Down at GV HQ, the rain was pouring and the punters roaring as the one and only Erykah Badu hit the stage. What to say?! A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!!!! It's always great to see someone you really consider a star perform, but when they kill it like EB did, then it takes it to another level. All the FFD crew were side of stage for the entire show - jaws on the floor, eyes buggin, booty shakin. Hands down the best show I've seen for a few years.
 
It was kinda hard taking the stage after that... so perhaps we should fast forward to the following day in Melbourne. This time I checked Badu from front of house... she played a different set (respect for that)  and was again totally awesome. This time the Freddys were on fire! An already short set (1 hour) seemed to go by in a blink of an eye - but the whole band was rockin from the opening beat of Pull The Catch through to the Shiverman freak out.
 
Can't wait for this weekend now. See you in Gold Coast & Perth... and yes, we'lll be watching every minute of Erykah's shows.

Hot Hits at Good Vibrations 14/02/11

'One of better stages to hang by was the 'Roots' tent where 'Good Vibe' goers were treated to the vocal talents of Erykah Badu, New Zealand soul brothers Fat Freddy's Drop, and the ridiculously cool combination of rapper Nas and Bob Marley's youngest son Damien who were easily the biggest highlight of the day. ' The Hot Hits, Good Vibrations 2011, Melbourne Review.

The Good Vibes 11/02/11

Feeling the choice vibes as we prepare to hit Good Vibrations Festival circuit in Australia. On the Roots stage this Saturday in Sydney and Sunday in Melbourne. Catch you and the good vibes with the likes of Kelis, Erykah Badu, Nas & Damien Marley and Ludacris. For more info check Sydney and Melbourne schedules.

On The Road To Brixton 4/02/11

We're very excited to announce On The Road to Brixton live at Brixton O2 Academy, London on 18th June 2011. Tickets on sale from Friday 4th February (UK time). Don't miss our first gig at the Brixton O2 Academy since a massive sold out show there in 2006. Chur.

Sunshine Vibes 4/02/11

Sunshine vibes abound - we're playing Shotover Sunshine Festival on Saturday 5th Feb and then we head over the ditch for two banging weekends of Good Vibrations Festival. Check us on the Roots stage at Good Vibrations Sydney, Melbourne and Gold Coast (all onstage 5.25PM) and Perth (onstage 5.55PM). We're in the schedule after Erykah Badu and will be followed by Nas & Damien Marley and Ludacris.

Drop It Like It's Fat 2/02/11

Dropping it like it's fat we have a brand new Radio WFFD show from MC Slave and a special three-part recording of our show at Live Music Hall in Cologne. Select Radio FFD for your listening pleasure.
MC Slave said 'CHHHHUURRR......LIVE FROM THE LOGG CABIN it's the good vibes 2011 special featuring NAS, DAMIAN, ERYKAH, KELIS, FREDDYS, CEE LO as well as a bit of Lord Echo,and a snippet of Detroit in the form of Moody Man.'
Our exclusive Live Music Hall show was recorded at the tail-end of 2010 and is presented with thanks to Yannick and the crew at Red Bull Music Academy Radio. Dive deep into the drop.

Sun is Shining 31/01/11

We're heading South this weekend for Shotover Sunshine Festival in the Wakatipu Basin, Queenstown. Organiser Downtown Brown said pre-sale tickets are close to selling out for the festival on Saturday 5th Feb but there will be limited gate sales. The action starts at midday and we're on stage from 8.30PM as the sun sets.

Shotover Sunshine Festival celebrates choice New Zealand music, culture & landscape, Waitangi unity, and the birth of Bob 'Sun is shining, the weather is sweet, Make you want to move your dancing feet' Marley.

Big BW Free Downloads 28/01/11

Fat Freddy's Drop Big BW remixes free downloads up for grabs. Score Big BW DJ Vadim remix and Big BW Christiaan Ercolano remix now.

Fresh Catch 25/01/11

Lovely long holiday weekend in the Capital for Wellington Anniversary. Here's the link for our laidback stint on FRESH TV with thanks to Bella Kalolo, Jetlag & Slave for stepping up to the mic in Mangawhai. We're on Episode 5.

Fresh Freddy 20/01/11

We get fresh on FRESH screening this Saturday at 10.00am on TV2. The banging Pacific Island show caught up with us in Mangawhai during The Road To Opononi Summer Tour. Singer Bella Kalolo who was the stunning support act  on the North Island leg is the star in the making on the Fresh Freddys clip. Episode 4 of FRESH is hosted by brothers Robbie & Pua Magasiva. Catch FRESH online at TVNZ.

Shotover Sunshine Festival On The Rise 10/01/11

Rocked The Road To Opononi Summer Tour and now we have some downtime before our next gig Shotover Sunshine Festival in the Wakatipu Basin on Waitangi Weekend. Hosted by Downtown Brown from Subculture club in Queenstown, the first ever Sunshine Festivital celebrates many things - awesome New Zealand music, culture & landscape, Waitangi unity, and the birth of Bob Marley. Tickets for Shotover Sunshine Festival on sale now.

The Road To Opononi Sunset Finale 8/01/11

We've finally made it to Opononi for our summer and world tour finale. Set aganist the sandhill vista of Hokianga Harbour this is a very special place to celebrate an end to an epic touring schedule that since early 2010 has taken us to California, Hawaii, across Europe and UK, Australia and finally on the home run to Opononi. Chur to one and all for the support.

Mangawhai Double-Whammy 6/01/11

We're in Mangawhai tonight and tomorrow night. Door sales for Mangawhai double-whammy available.
As NZ Herald Time Out noted today, The Road To Opononi Summer Tour finishes this Saturday at its 'titular destination after many kilometres.'

On The Road To Mangawhai 5/01/11

On the road now to Mangawhai where we play two gigs this Thursday and Friday night.
Check the Gallery for some great photos of our gig at Enmore in Sydney late 2010. The photographer is Chris McKeen who ended up in hospital not long after our show (nothing we did) and he's all better now. Chur bro.

Rocking the Mount 4/01/11

Rocking Brewers Field in Mount Maunganui tonight. Door sales available.
Next up is Mangawhai for two nights and the summer tour grand finale in Opononi.

Good Stuff Freddys & Yannix 4/01/11

Yannix our biggest Franch fan starred on TV3 News last night when intrepid reporter David Farrier tracked him down in Waihi to record the moment Yannix joined The Road To Opononi Summer Tour.
Love also a comment by Sam in response to the story. 'That is brilliant! I work in a pub in France and sometimes put a bit of Fat Freddy's on during the stressful food service since it's so mellow and smooth. I am always suprised at how many frogs have heard of the group. Good stuff Fat Freddy's!

On The Road To Coroglen 3/01/11

On the road to Coroglen for more music and mayhem tonight. Chur Waihi for a great time, and chur chur to our opening act Bella Kalolo who has joined us for the final stetch to Opononi. The soul/jazz singer recently performed the title track for feature film Matariki and was backing vocalist on The Freddy's Show tour in 2010.
Catch Bella and the Freddys tonight at Coroglen, followed by Mount Maunganui, Mangawhai and Opononi.

Yannix Hits The Headlines 2/01/11

Our fav French fan Yannix stars in todays Herald on Sunday talking about blagging his way 18,500km to NZ to hang with us on The Road To Opononi Summer Tour. We will meet Yannix and his girlfirend Carine in person in Waihi today at the soundcheck for tonights gig at Waihi Hotel. Choice bro.

Hopepa On The Road To Opononi 1/01/11

The Road To Opononi Summer Tour lands in Waihi on Sunday followed by Coroglen, Mount Maunganui, Mangawhai and the grand finale in Opononi. See you there people.

Hopepa who grew up in Northland shared some of his Hokianga memories with NZ Herald Weekend mag.  "There's something about it. It still has a real feeling of isolation; perhaps it's the way the sand dunes somehow guard the entrance to the harbour or just that there's only one ATM and very little cellphone coverage. Life is definitely slower there, just a good relaxed atmosphere," says Joe.

Good Vibes at Riwaka 1/01/11

We counted down to the new year in fine form at Riwaka Hotel. Anna Pearson from Nelson Mail was along for the mash up and said 'The dancers up front made for a heaving mass of happiness'. Check full review online at Stuff.

Happy Lucky New Year 31/12/10

Bringing in the New Year playing to the masses tonight in a marquee in a paddock at Riwaka Hotel, top of the South Island. Support from DJ Vee direct from London. Door sales available.
Best wishes and peace to all as we welcome 2011 The Year of The Rabbit. Luck, hope and inspiration.

Yannix On The Road to Opononi 30/12/10

One of Freddys biggest fans, Yannix from France is flying to NZ to join The Road to Opononi Summer Tour. He's hooking up with us at the Waihi gig this Sunday and we're inviting him to join us again at our Coroglen, Mount Maunganui, Mangawhai and Opononi gigs.
Chur to everyone who contributed to fundraising to help Yannix travel here, and extra big chur to Yannix our Blag a Ticket Overall Favourite winner. Welcome to NZ bro.

Coachella 29/12/10

While we are on the road touring NZ, the word from the international front is that we're invited to play Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California in 2011. "Chopper Reedz" said the invitation to play at the festival was huge news, "Crowded House has been the only other New Zealand band invited to play." Read more in NZ Herald.

On The Road To Oakura 29/12/10

We rocked the Hutt last night for our first summer tour gig, and hit the road now to Oakura in New Plymouth where we play Butlers Reef Hotel tonight.

On The Road to Opononi 28/12/10

We've eaten all the Dobie Blaze Plum Duff puddings and are officially On The Road To Opononi. Our NZ summer tour kicks off tonight at the Station Village Complex in Lower Hutt. Door sales available.
Tomorrow night is Butlers Reef Hotel in Oakura, New Plymouth.

Yannix Blags 23/12/10

Yannix the Blag a Ticket Overall Favourite winner is still trying to blag his way from France to New Zealand and go to a gig/s of his choice on The Road to Opononi Summer Tour. He's been on Radio Nova in Paris four times to blag support and we're still taking donations at Blag Yannix An Airfare in exchange for Live at Roundhouse downloads. Will Yannix blag an escape from the snow to our sandy shores? Stay tuned for updates.

Ho Ho Hamper Winners 22/12/10

Ho ho chur to the recipients of FFD Ultimate Xmas Hamper - Erena Hodgkinson, Carolyn Falloon, Millie Thomas, Melissa Aubroeck, Janine Willoughby, Jason Layton, Carolyn Falloon, Jaime Hayden, Melinda Johnson, Maria Salvatierra, Hannah Proudfoot and Mina Mathieson.

The heavyweight hampers shipped out this week contained a stash of Freddys music including last copies of FFD Based On A True Story, 2LP - SIGNED MERRY CHRISTMAS by the band, FFD T-Shirt, Al Brown & Co Olive Oil, Havana Coffee, Hema Water and a double pass to a Gig of Choice The Road to Opononi Summer Tour. The special Surprise Christmas Plate Cooked by FFD's Dobie Blaze was a Plum Duff pudding made from a secret family recipe.
Dobie the kai khemist is presenting a Kiss Da Cook special on Redbird's show on Radio Active tomorrow, Thursday 23 December, around 11.00am NZ time.

BLAG A TICKET BONUS WINNERS 20/12/10

We are pleased to announce 14 bonus winners for our Blag a Ticket competition. The high standard of entries to 'blag' a double pass to a gig of your choice at The Road to Opononi Summer Tour inspired us to create some new categories. Read on;

Best Sob Story
Alison Worth
What a great opportunity to see our favourite band in our home country! Here  goes;
I would love to 'blag' my gorgeous husband a ticket to the gig in Waihi simply because the last two years for him have been really tough - his business went broke, he was declared bankrupt and all he has done is battle on supporting his family (me and 2 ½ year old daughter, Sacha) through thick and thin. He's had no fun nights out with his friends or time off to even go fishing! He reeeeeeally deserves a ticket to your gig and some fun times again - cool tunes, great venue and good company.

Jen Bridges
Brighton chica sadly missed you this summer.  I'm visiting a very special old man called Bob on Waiheke Island from November to February - you see he's 83 and he's been really unwell lately.  I asked him to be my Grandad when I was 10 because I loved him like he already was - he was so chuffed.  When I heard he nearly died in July, I knew I had to make the trip over to spend some time.  3 months of island life though, for this groovemeister?  Go on, gizzz a ticket n I'll dance for you all night ;-)

Best Freddys Supporter
J Tuhoro
I was introduced to your music on holiday in Aotearoa by my niece Tazmin, I bought 'Live at the Materhorn', and returned to Australia and just loved the music.  I took the CD to a camping grounds in Mission Beach,North Queensland where I stayed for three months, and introduced your music to everyone their.   I have not been to a live gig yet but because I introduced your music to North Queenslanders, I deserve, a double pass to your Wellington gigs, Please

Julian Tindle
My name is Joo from the UK, I have been to many of your gigs and have always brought a treat for the lads, a nice selection of the best at hand. All be it up until the last show i attended in Bristol where the security took the treats booo! ;0(

They threatened to call the ol' bill! I still blagged my way in, no way was I missing the best gig of 5 so far, I won't bring anymore FIRE! to venues but if there's another way to make contact now 'Nell' no longer works the mechanise stand? I'm not throwing it on stage Arohanui xx 

Best Furthest Travelled to get to a gig
Milan Romic
Sup boys,

Ok i deserve these tickets for the following reasons, mainly being Im your biggest fan.

Ok so I bought BOATS and boondigga  on the first day of their release, already had my own copy of live at matterhorn while I was still at school and had to save pocket money to buy that gem, own the fantastic voyages too, sick stuff. I own all your albums to date including some vinyl rarities...to name a few : hope, flashbacks, and the flashbax jazzonova remixes, dookie and fitchie seconds and this room releases, cays crays d & b remixes...plus also the dallas better than change ep. 

Ive been to so many of your gigs, being from auckland i try and get to as many as posible, went to your old gig at st james, as well as at aut, round the boats period, as well as soundsplash before that,  Been to the galatos, as well as up at matakana, hit up rythm and vines in 2006, and did the missions for sandwiches and summerset to welly...not once but TWICE...yes a 9 hour drive to see you cats play a show in your home town.

I also have been in europe for a year as i come form Serbia so I took original copies of your cd and your dvd fantastic voyages to my cuzzys who bacame fans through me, and I rep-ed fat freddys everywhere. first thing i bought when i came back was the live at the roundhouse.  I got a European girlfriend and she loves you guys heaps too, so I brought her back for a kiwi summer and we were keen as to go up to mangawhai and see you cats, i havent seen yous in ages and she never has, but its hard as we struggling a bit now, paying the big flight back from europe etc.  So if you gave us some tix wed be stoked.

Best Positivity
Lisa Purda
Hey Freds,

Apart the fact that I adore your music & love your live gigs. Unfortunately this year I can't afford it as for the past two years my hubby and I have been working with a small group of my art students from Pahiatua to fundraise enough money to take them to Italy. Some of them have never left NZ! so for them it will be the trip of a life time. We have all put our hearts and souls into this dream and we (the group) have raised $40,000.00 so far. We have just paid deposits and are flying out 2nd April next year. I rekon we might have earned a nice weekend away. If I may be so bold to blow my own trumpet? Chur

Matthew Reeves
So, I'm 25, a single Dad to an awesome six year old dude, have just completed extramurally my first year of a social work degree - so far earning nothing less than a (B) over the past year! and have been solidly single (by choice) for the past two years after my little mans mum ran off with someone from the office.. I feel I've pulled a solid effort to raise this kid while I make a better life for us, and just recently after a long term stint of singledom I've found this bubbling chemistry with a young lady that works in a store I frequent, and when I finally find the courage to ask her out, a fat freddys gig would be a stunner of a first date.

Pauline Sandford
kia ora from the surf highway 45 in the naki, i have a darling daughter who was born on the 1st of january so each year im home on new years eve with her until she is old enough to celebrate , i love her to bits and  it is a blessing to be her mum, as your taranaki gig is the night before news years eve i get to go out yeeeyahhh, even tho most celebrate new years eve i do a night early as i always have a birthday girl to look after on new years, please please pick me for a ticket to your gig as its my big yearly night out, safe travels and enjoy the summer, cheers smokki

Best Poem
Gina Straker

Why I D*serve a Tick

because back in the day

in a good old welly way

i could go see you guys play

for a fiver, eh?

but now you're big time

no more can I go

out on the town

to your pricey show

so give me a break

and a ticket or two

for this blag??

I sent to you

wld love to cu @ opononi....

Best Getting Together at a Freddys Gig Story
Mark Harris
Hi guys,

In 2004 I was traveling around Oz when I scored tickets to your Dub Conspiracy concert in Brisbane. That night changed my life! A gorgeous woman (another traveling Kiwi) stood on my toe on the dance floor and sparks flew. We're now happily married, living in Gisborne with our fantastic children. We were married on the beach two years ago and didn't have a honeymoon fund. Friends have seen you around the world however we haven't had the opportunity since Oz. I would love to surprise my girl with a long overdue honeymoon and celebrate you guys who brought us together. Cheers Mark

Helena Allen
hi there fat freddys

I really would like a ticket for me and my husband. Why should you care to give us one well, we had our first out of auckland date at the leigh saw mill where i saw you for the first time. It was such a great concert and it was the first time he mentioned us getting married even though we had only been going out for 6 weeks. This was the start of our love for u guys. We got engaged the following year as you played again at the leigh sawmill. But the year we got married at the leigh on labour weekend you were a no show and i was gutted.

we are now 3 years married and have seen you whenever we can. How ever money these days is tight and kids and house have taken over in the priorities stake. Come on guys please help us out we love the new album gifted to us by family. It would be wonderful to see you do it live, as only you guys can. 

Best Need a Nite Off From the Kids
Art Greedy

wow. It just might work. It might get me and my girl back together. A hopeless romantic? A lost cause? A blagger? A dreamer? I'll leave that to the critics. But we is major fans, and with all the shit that's gone on in the last 2 years thats helped tear us apart, the drop def' aint one of em. As a matter of fact it's been one of our strong points for the two of us. Seeing you guys (getting that night off from the kids) and chilling on the lawn in freo was bliss. Anyway heres to trying.

Best Worst Freddy's Experience Story
Peter
We deserve a free ticket to a freddy show because we had a stink experience at last year in Riwaka.

My gf wasn't a huge fan but I dragged her along to try and convert her, and it didn't go well.

The show itself was sweet - but half way though my gf ended up getting a cracked rib due to being bowled over by some drunken idiots who thought that sparring with each other was more fun than actually watching the freddys!

Unfortunately we couldn't stay long enough to see Slave count down that big clock around his neck!  

(I would say more but that's 100 words already)

Claire Thompson
I'd been waiting to see you live for 5 years, finally it happened & i got so excited & so drunk that i got kicked out of your coolie show :( please! 

Grab A Seat Deals 17/12/10

Air New Zealand is running some choice Weekend Offerings deals featuring a Grab A Seat airfare with a ticket to a gig of choice on The Road to Opononi Summer Tour. Going fast at Air New Zealand Grab a Seat.

Radio WFFD Merry Xmas Happy Holiday 15/12/10

Live at the LOGG CABIN! 2010 featuring Lord Echo, Lisa Tomlins, Toby Chang, Invoker from Paris's bootleg remix of Shiverman, MIKKEE DEE's Sweet Sounz Pull the Catch bootleg!! and a live Freddys exclusive!! Plus a couple of yule tide goodies!!! Chur Radio WFFD, presented by MC Slave and broadcasting exclusively right here on our own Radio FFD.

HOPE Making Tracks Tonight 14/12/10

Catch Making Tracks finale tonight on C4 featuring our classic track Hope getting an Afrobeat makeover by the legendary Malian duo Amadou & Mariam in Paris!

We Love NZ 14/12/10

Golf was the winner on Close Up last night. Check Close Up online for our golf swings, putting and career talk.
"We love you New Zealand. This is our home and you won't get rid of us that easily" Hopepa said this morning.

Getting Close Up 13/12/10

Check Close Up tonight on TV One and get close up with Fitchie, Joe Dukie, Dobie Blaze and Hopepa as they compete on the park-like surrounds of the Hutt Golf Club.

Help Yannix Blag an Airfare 10/12/10

Thanks for those who have donated money to help Blag Yannix an Airfare to NZ. For the rest of you, please donate NZ$10.00 to the cause and in return you score a free MP3 download of Live at Roundhouse. Go to Blag Yannix An Airfare and help our Blag a Ticket winner Yannix travel from France to NZ for The Road to Opononi Summer Tour. Chur.

Fred Heads Aussie 10/12/10

Check our new Feature video Fred Heads Aussie on Fat Freddy's Drop TV featuring Gabriel. Gabriel loved our Sydney show in November so much that he hopped on a plane to Melbourne the next day for a second dose of Freddys live magic.
We catch up with Gabriel among the Melbourne massive at the sold out Forum show to discover he has no regrets. Tumeke bro, party on.

Moody End of Year Throwdown 8/12/10

Look out for Detroit’s enigmatically soulful Kenny Dixon Jr. aka MOODYMANN dropping his long-awaited New Zealand debut in December at the End of Year Throw Down.

Presented by Red Bull Music Academy and Hit It & Quit It Revue  (RECLOOSE and Frank Booker) the End of Year Throw Down hits Auckland on 17th Dec at Galatos followed by Wellington on Sat 18th Dec at Garden Club with Fitchie aka MU playing hometown support. Tickets at Conch & Real Groovy plus online at iTicket.

Spreading FFD Xmas Chur 7/12/10

The silly season spirit is upon us, and to celebrate we're speading the Xmas Chur by giving you the chance to win a FFD Ultimate Xmas Hamper. Ho Ho Hopepa Santa has packed the limited edition hampers with a double pass to a gig of your choice on The Road To Opnoni Summer Tour, The Raft 7", Live at Roundhouse and Dr Boondigga & The Big BW CDs, Based On A True Story 2LP (signed) Hema Water, Al Brown & Co Olive Oil, Havana Coffee and a Special Plate cooked by our own Dobie Blaze. Listen and scan over the next week for FFD Ultimate Xmas Hamper giveaways on Amplifier.co.nz, Yahoo!Xtra, Groove Guide, ZM, Radio Active, George FM, 95bfm, Taranaki Daily News, Kiwi FM, The Edge and Flava.

FREE Downloads Big BW Remixes 6/12/10

Spreading the Freddy's Xmas Chur, we're giving away two Big BW remixes.
Download Big BW DJ Vadim remix and download Big BW Christiaan Ercolano remix now.

Help Blag Yannix An Airfare to NZ!!! 6/12/10

We've launched a fundraiser to help Blag a Ticket winner Yannix fly from France to New Zealand. You can help by donating NZD$10.00 towards Blag Yannix An Airfare and in return receive a free download of Fat Freddy's Drop Live At Roundhouse.  
You score the album for half price while Fat Freddy's Drop donates all proceeds to buy an airfare for Yannix so he can enjoy in person his Blag prize of a double pass to a gig of his choice on The Road To Opononi Summer Tour. Go to Blag Yannix An Airfare on our Merch Tent now.

More Blag Winners 3/12/10

Grouse, our second and third place getters for Blag a Ticket competition have been selected. Noel Woods and Gemma both score a double pass each to a gig of their choice on The Road to Opononi Summer Tour. Stay tuned for more surprise Blag winners!

Noel Woods Entry #69 
Based on a true story
I made the top 5 blag last year but couldnt make my free show, 2 pohara, especially after losing my job because I left my shift early to watch you
FLASH FULLAS DROP it at the International Jazz festival.
And I still dream of one day bringing you to my home organising
the HANGI DROP at Te Whiti Park, Waiwhetu with
FAT FREDDYS DROP as our headline act.
Although 91ZM are your official advertisers for your gig, I bet ya I do more advertising of anything FREDDYS on my breakfast show at Atiawa Toa FM.
So please hook us up for the Hutt gig and this will make it my 16th and counting.......FAT FREDDYS DROP show mean.......
Chur No L


3RD OVERALL WINNER
Gemma Entry #73
I deserve those blaggable tickets because FFD's music brings out the freakiest of my bad dance moves ...and I'd like to share that with a friend at your expense.
 Gemma

A Close Shave 1/12/10

We've just uploaded two fresh videos to Fat Freddy's Drop TV capturing the action on our Live at Roundhouse World Tour 2010. Videographer maestro Slave aka Mark Williams was on hand to record Chopper's close shave at Africana Cabeleireiro de Homens in Lisboa, Portugal along with our gig at Coliseum. And he found the crowd going wild at Festival Rock en Seine in Paris - spot the revealing ending as one French fan raises the bar on Fred Head crowd etiquette.

Blag A Ticket Winner Announced 29/11/10

We're pleased to announce Yannix from France is our first Blag a Ticket competition winner. Yannix scored Overall Favourite Entry and wins a double pass to a gig of his choice on The Road to Opononi summer tour. Stay tuned for more Blag winners to be announced soon.

Yannix Entry #51
hello,
Just an e mail to tell you : i am the one that you have to offer the tickets!
Why?
just because i am ashamed to say that but i am a huge fan (don't tell anybody that i am a fan, it's girl stuff being a fan!) I mean like a real fan, i bought FFD tee shirts, DVD, all of your albums, i even put FFD posters at home, i went to concerts in Berlin and london (i don't speak german and english!!! imagine how funny it was) and i've seen you each time you came in France (because i am french) for each of your gigs, even for the 1st one for "les nuits zebrees" by Radio NOVA.
I make 15 of my friends buying your album (i am a kind of french manager no?)
So i can stop my FFD travel, i must come to NZ to see you, no? so if I pay the travel, maybe you can offer me the tickets?
sorry for the extra word quota but my level makes it difficult for me being short!
Yannix

Melbourne Massive 26/11/10

Greetings Melbourne massive. Catch you tonight at our Sold Out show at the Forum. Support act this evening is fellow Kiwi act Sola Rosa encompassing the best of hip hop, reggae, jazz, latin, soul and funk.
We finish our Aussie gigs for the year on Saturday at the debut Shine On Festival in the Pyrenees Ranges.

Fav Tweet from our Sydney blow out was Tristen Tan: 'Fat Freddys Drop were magnificent last night @ Enmore. Brilliant musicians, amazing energy, beautiful soul. Mad respect.' Chur bro.

Hello Sydney 25/11/10

Greetings Sydney, we're looking forward to tonight's Sold Out show at Enmore. See you there!

Roll On Aussie 24/11/10

The sun is shining & waves rolling in Lyall Bay this morning as we get ready to fly across the ditch to Aussie for our Sold Out shows in Sydney & Melbourne and playing at the debut Shine On Festival in the Pyrenees Ranges (tickets still available). These are our last gigs in Australia for 2010. Thanks to FFD whanau over there for showing the love. We'll be back in 2011 to play the massive Good Vibrations Festival in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Perth.

Blag a Ticket Judging 23/11/10

Judging for Blag a Ticket competition is underway soon. Again, thanks for the awesome entries. The standard of 'blags' is making it a challange to select the 3 winners who will each win a double pass to a gig of their choice on The Road to Opononi summer tour. Chur

The Raft Video Launch 19/11/10

Check brand new The Raft music video directed by Jetlag Johnson playing now on fatfreddysdrop.tv as the Feature Video. Freddys guitarist Jetlag, with assistance from Kristy Darbyshire, built a model raft out of twigs and ice block sticks. They launched and filmed the raft in rock pools around Lyall Bay and Island Bay. The live gig action is from the USA as part of the Live at Roundhouse World Tour 2010.

Jetlag said the aim was "to create the solidarity of The Raft song of people keeping the faith and being strong as one."

Catch the Live Chat Replay 18/11/10

Our Live Chat this week was mean. Thanks to everyone for dropping by with your questions and comments. Catch the Live Chat replay on Yahoo!Xtra.

Live Chat Today 18/11/10

Fred Heads around the world join in the FFD Live Chat today between 3-4PM (NZ time). Just go to our special FFD page on Yahoo!Xtra and join in the free conversation. Answering your instant message questions will be Hopepa & Dobie Blaze. We look forward to hearing from you all. Chur.

FFD Live Chatting 17/11/10

Fred Heads, join in FFD Live Chat this Thursday presented by Yahoo!Xtra to the world. Go to our special FFD page on Yahoo!Xtra for the free instant message round table banter happening live this Thursday 18th November between 3-4PM  (NZ time).

FFD Live Chat 16/11/10

Be part of an exclusive FFD Live Chat this Thursday presented by Yahoo!Xtra to the world, asking us questions you've always wanted to ask but never had the chance.

You can pre-book tomorrow (Weds) for the free instant message chat direct via our special FFD page on Yahoo!Xtra or tune in to the same page this Thursday afternoon and join the round-table free flowing banter. There will be a moderator so please keep your questions friendly.

FFD Live Chat Thursday 18th November 3-4PM  - NZ time. (That's 6.00PM Weds 17th in L.A, 2.00AM Thursday in London, 1.00PM Thursday in Sydney).

Superfly WFFD 16/11/10

Special delivery live from Logg Cabin, another exclusive Radio WFFD show hosted by MC Slave. Get down to Vadim's Stevie Mix, Eru Dangerspiel, No Parking zone from FFD, The Roots, Issac Hayes plus Nas & Damien Marley who feature on the bill with us at all four Good Vibrations Festival shows in Aussie next year. Superfly & playing now on Radio FFD.

Gearing Up for The Road to Opononi Tour 15/11/10

We're gearing up for The Road to Opononi Summer Tour around NZ beaches with a little help from our friends.

Yahoo!Xtra is along for the ride launching a special FFD landing page with exclusive video clips, free download of The Raft Remix by Jetlag Jaguar, The Road to Opononi ticket giveaways and an interview with Slave & Chopper dropping the clutch. "Things are tight.. so now it might be time to unravel a little, throw the hand grenade in" MC Slave said.

Groove Guide's revamped street mag features Dr Boondigga in his V8 on the front cover. Their interview with Tony Chang is online at Groove Guide. You can score a FFD prize pack with Rip It Up who has giveaways of The Raft 7" and The Road to Opononi tickets up for grabs this week.

Last Chance to Blag 12/11/10

Last chance to Blag a Ticket before the competition closes this Sunday 14th November. Thanks to everyone who have sent in entries already. We've had 'blaggers' from around the country as well as Turkey, Canada, France, USA & Aussie all hoping to catch Freddy's live on their NZ holiday.
To enter email freddy@fatfreddysdrop.com with the subject line Blag A Ticket and 'blag' in 100 words or less about why you deserve a double pass to a gig on our Road to Opononi Summer Tour of NZ. The five best blags win a double pass to a gig of your choice. (Travel & accommodation not included).

Good Vibrations 11/11/10

It is official, we're on the bill for Good Vibrations Festival, playing Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Perth over two weekends in February 2011. We have the privilege of taking the stage after soul sister Erykah Badu and then handing over to Damien 'Jr. Gong' Marley & Nas who will be performing their collaborative Distant Relatives album. The Freddys are going to be in heaven! Ticket details on Gig Guide.

Aussie Shows Sold Out 10/11/10

We've raised the Sold Out sign on our November headline shows at Enmore, Sydney (2,500 capacity) and Forum, Melbourne (1500 capacity). Thanks to the Aussie whanau for such awesome support. If you missed out on these shows the last chance to catch us in Aussie in 2010 is Shine On Festival where we play Saturday 27th November.

Sunshine Festival Jam 9/11/10

The inaugural Shotover Sunshine Festival in Queenstown is on Waitangi Weekend 2011 and we'll be there beaming the sunshine vibe alongside a heavyweight line up of fellow Kiwi bands. The festival is the vision of Downtown Brown aka Simon Hendl, DJ and co-owner of Subculture Club and we're only too pleased to jump on a plane in February and fly south for a sunshine jam in the Wakatipu Basin. Other players include Shapeshifter, Hollie Smith, Ladi 6 ft Parks & Julian Dyne, Opensouls and the Sunshine Sound System plus international visitor Jstar from the UK. Tickets on Sale now. Check Gig Guide for more details.

Blag A Ticket Competition 4/11/10

Blag A Ticket competition is back giving you the chance to 'blag' a double pass to one of our Road to Opononi Summer Tour gigs.
Email freddy@fatfreddysdrop.com with the subject line Blag A Ticket and 'blag' in 100 words or less about why you deserve a double pass to a summer tour gig for yourself or a loved one. We'll select five of the best 'blags' to win a double pass to a Road to Opononi gig of your choice - The Station Village Complex in Lower Hutt, Butlers Reef Hotel in Oakura, Riwaka Hotel, Waihi Beach Hotel, Coroglen Tavern, Brewers' Field in Mt Maunganui, Mangawhai Tavern or Opononi Hotel.
Blag A Ticket competition ends Sunday 14th November 2010.

Blag A Ticket Inspiration 4/11/10

Our Blag A Ticket competition winner last summer was Chris Boley with a cat in the stash tale. Read on for inspiration then send your Blag A Ticket entry to freddy@fatfreddysdrop.com to win a double pass to a Road to Opononi Summer Tour gig of your choice.

'your not going to believe this but,......

ive got this cat called skinny frederico
ate the 60 bucks i put aside for the gig,..yo!

i foolishly hid it in the cat nip stash
frederico's not so skinny, now he's eaten my cash.

so i have to get in for free,............. one way or another
dodge the doorman or jump the fence with darkness as my cover

and if all else fails,.......i will have to dash
back home, dress up, and sneak in as fulla flash!

choice as'

Shine On Aussie 3/11/10

Countdown is on for last tickets to our shows at Enmore, Sydney and Forum, Melbourne this November. These shows will sell out.
If you're going to Shine On Festival,Pyrenees Ranges please note we're now playing on Saturday 27th November not Sunday as previously advertised.

DJ Vadim In NZ 29/10/10

Kia Ora DJ Vadim who has arrived safely in NZ to spread love, life and beats. Vadim who supported us in Europe with his new band The Electric, is on the decks tonight at Sandwiches, Welli and tomorrow at Fu Bar, Auckland (with support from DJ MU aka Fitchie). He's already blogging about one too many cocktails and coffee. "... here is one thing in common that comes to mind between oz and aotearoa 
apart from beating the shit out of the english rugby and cricket teams 
and that is their ability to make a great coffee unlike that costa 
coffee starbuks crap in the uk."

La Fiesta De Halloween 28/10/10

Mu aka Fitchie is the guest DJ with our bro Slave at La Fiesta De Halloween party this Sunday 31st October at Barrio, 44 Ponsonby Road in Auckland. Gig starts at 3PM, bring the kids and enjoy the music and BBQ and tequila specials. Free admission.

Making HOPE Afrobeat 26/10/10

HOPE for a generation gets an Afrobeat French remix in Making Tracks, a travel show with a twist that invites overseas artists to record cover versions of revered Kiwi songs.

The new series kicks off on C4 this evening in NZ and saving the best for last a cover of HOPE performed by Amadou & Mariam, a Malian duo based in France, features in Episode 8 the series finale.

Making Tracks is fronted by musical maverick & FFD ally Nick D who took a stash of Kiwi tunes to musicians in Argentina, Lebanon, UK, Trinidad, Ukraine, Japan, Ghana and France. The series will broadcast down the line on National Geographic.

HOPE featured on a Radio Active's 21st birthday CD comp in 1998 followed by the more familiar HOPE released on 10" vinyl in 2003. For a taste of the Afrobeat sound coming to HOPE check Amadou & Mariam performing Welcome to Mali at the FIFA World Cup Kick Off Celebration Concert.

Radio WFFD On Fire 20/10/10

Fresh Radio WFFD show from MC Slave playing now on Radio FFD. Recorded at the 'Logg Cabin' in Auckland the new edition is a sunshine inspired mash up ranging from Eru Dangerspiel to The Electric who raised the roof with us in Europe. Radio WFFD - on fire.

Aussie Ticket News 20/10/10

Our shows at Enmore Theatre in Sydney and Forum in Melbourne are close to selling out. Check Gig Guide for links and book now to avoid disappointment in November.

Live Reviews 20/10/10

Upcoming Aussie shows and The Road to Opononi Summer Tour in NZ are the home run of our Live at Roundhouse World Tour so here's a couple of quotes and links from the UK to get you in the mood for Fat Freddy's Drop live & direct.

'... the band sent people away with a sense of fullness, that the concert had fulfilled the promise of greatness - all from that mix of horns, a sonic wall of guitar, the perfect beats, that silken voice, sharp suits, satin shirts and stubbies' Troxy, London review,Joe Hoye, NZ News UK

'... Fat Freddy’s Drop are a band to treasure; refreshingly lacking in pretension, ego or any overwhelming artistic concept. Glasgow could not be happier to have them here, and reassuringly for a band in the midst of an international tour; the seven men on stage look like there’s nowhere else they’d rather be. Simply put; they do it for the love of music' Glasgow ABC review, Jim Bevington, Is This Music, Glasgow

Catch NZ Summer Tour Tickets 18/10/10

Public ticket sales for On The Road to Opononi Summer Tour available now. Catch your tickes from our Gig Guide and we'll see you on the road at Lower Hutt, Oakura, Riwaka, Waihi, Coroglen, Mt Maunganui, Mangawhai or Opononi.

THE ROAD TO OPONONI PRE-SALES 11/10/10

Freddy people pre-sale tickets for The Road To Opononi Summer Tour available now via Ticketmaster simply by entering a special password: freddys

Go to Ticketmaster online, select show of choice and 'Find Tickets' then enter the password freddys and beat the rush for tickets to our NZ summer tour. Pre-sales available until Sunday 17th October.

Jamming with Eru Dangerspiel 8/10/10

We're helping raise the roof with Eru Dangerspiel aka Riki Gooch as part of his 30 piece juggernaut spectacular Great News for the Modern Man tonight at Auckland Town Hall and Saturday night at Wellington Town Hall. The multi-talented multi-instrumentalist was the drummer on our Live at Roundhouse album and we're happy to bring Freddy's horn section and booty moves to the party this weekend. See you there. For more info check LOOP.

The Road to Opononi NZ Tour 7/10/10

In a fortuitous collision between two of our most venerable institutions: the hazy days of summer and Fat Freddy’s Drop live, we are proud to bring you The Road To Opononi Summer Tour Bringing Home the Live at Roundhouse World Tour. Packing trombones, analogue synths, waterskis, tennis rackets and fishing rods, the New Zealand tour kicks off Tuesday 28th December at The Station Village Complex in Lower Hutt, travels to Oakura Butlers Reef Hotel, down south to Riwaka Hotel for New Years Eve and then north again to Waihi Beach Hotel, Coroglen Tavern and Brewers' Field in Mt Maunganui. We've got two shows at Mangawhai Tavern before reaching our final destination Opononi Hotel on Saturday 8th January. Tickets on sale Monday 18th October from Ticketmaster, Amplifier and venues. 
The Road To Opononi Summer Tour Bringing Home the Live at Roundhouse World Tour is presented by The Drop in association with ZM, Yahoo!Xtra and The Groove Guide.

Soulsearching on Radio FFD 1/10/10

Fresh on Radio FFD is special guest show 'SoulSearching with Michael Rutten' recorded during our visit to Cologne and Chiemsee Reggae Festival. 623 Road Trip can be found in the Interview Zone. Fasten seat belts and enjoy the music.

Music Bailout 29/09/10

For people unfamiliar with your music, how would you describe Fat Freddy's full sound?
"It’s usually better for listeners outside of the band to describe the sound, but I’ll give it a try. Soul-reggae, techno, jazz and afro – ska are mashed together, producing a storm of cataclysmic horns, crazy echoes and conscious lyrics."
Tony Chang gives the low down on Fat Freddy's Drop in an interview with William Gastic for Music Bailout, a sweet site for fans of reggae rock, surf rock, dub & Hawaiian surf news.

TrinityRoots Available Here 23/09/10

TrinityRoots music now available in our Merch Tent Music selection. Buy Music is Choice a CD/DVD package ft. a live album and feature music doco plus re-releases of Home, Land and Sea and True.
You can also buy Rio Hunuki-Hemopo solo release Wahine Toa a rare 12" vinyl with beats and production by MU aka Fitchie, and Defamation of Character the immaculately chilled solo album by Tehimana Kerr also know as Jetlag Johnson the guitarist with none other than Fat Freddy's Drop.

Bristol Sounds Session 22/09/10

Listen up to Bristol Sounds UK interview with Fitchie playing now on Radio FFD in the 'Interview Zone'. It's presented by Sam Downie who caught up with us in Bristol during our Live at Roundhouse World Tour. Thanks Sam & Bristol Sounds for sharing the goodness.

Soulsearching with Michael Rutten 20/09/10

Soulsearching with Michael Ruetten caught up with us on tour in Cologne and at Chiemsee Reggae Festival for a new series 'the roadtrip editions'. Between beating traffic jams, hanging backstage and having some laughs and a few drinks Michael recorded a long overdue interview streaming now Soulsearching 623 road trip 1 on Mixcloud.

Choice Music Available 17/09/10

Take a ride through our Merch Tent Music selection and elevate your mind with fresh sounds from our extended family of musicians. We're pleased to recommend three releases from TrinityRoots a Welli band that has just re-united after a five year hiatus - Music is Choice a CD/DVD package ft. a live album and feature music doco, and re-released albums Home, Land and Sea and True both with new bonus tracks. TrinityRoots stars former Freddy's saxman Fulla Flash aka Warren Maxwell and Riki Gooch a guest drummer on our album Live at Roundhouse.
The third TrinityRoots band member is Rio Hunuki-Hemopo who has added his backing vocals to many of our live gigs. Wahine Toa his 12" vinyl release with beats and production by MU aka Fitchie is now available online.
Our other new offering is Defamation of Character the immaculately chilled solo album by Tehimana Kerr also know as Jetlag Johnson the guitarist with none other than Fat Freddy's Drop.

Win Live at Roundhouse from NZ News UK 16/09/10

NZ News UK is giving you the chance to win a copy of Live at Roundhouse. Winners of our epic live album, released across the UK this week will also receive a copy of The Raft 7" vinyl to take the dub deeper. Competition open to all and ends 16th October.
Read NZ News UK review of our recent show at Troxy, London.
Read BBC review of Live at Roundhouse album. 

Live at Roundhouse UK Release 15/09/10

Good morning UK this is a special newsflash alerting you to the fact that our Live at Roundhouse album is available now in all good record stores and online shops across the kingdom.

Recorded at the former rail roundhouse in Camden in 2008, the album captures the riffs and rhythms of six tracks - The Camel, The Raft, Flashback, Pull The Catch, The Nod and Shiverman. Epic, hard-playing and easy jamming Live at Roundhouse brings Freddys' party direct to your kitchen, lounge and backyard.

Chopper's 10 Tour Moments + 1 Thank You 15/09/10

Best Gigs: All the 'Ls' - Lowlands Festival, Lisbon & London - were on fire.
Best Venue: A tie between Vega in Copenhagen and The Colesium in Lisbon
Best Dressed crowd: Copenhagen and Ireland (which was impressive give you guys had be standing in a muddy field for 3 days)
Most Up for It Crowd: Lisbon - just unbeleiveable.
Best meal: Grilled Fish from the street BBQs in Portugal... we got schooled on fish prep
Most Random Bus Driver: Derek - who dropped us at the wrong hotel and then missed the ferry to Bestival, all in one day. The man can drive though...
Golf Champion: Chopper Reeds - 3 wins, 1 draw
Poker Shark: Terror-Me-Sue the Tour Manager
Weirdest Injury: Hopepa burning his lips.... on his iron?!
Band-Member-Goes-Gaga: Tie between Hopepa after a night on the tiles in Portugal and Clubba Laing after a day in the Beer Garden in Munich.
Hardest Working Peps On Tour: All the crew - Grass, Dexta, Emma J, Convict Tristan, Terrror-Me-Sue and The Kingi (well.... Kingi punked out of the first gig on tour but we'll let him off on that one, he was looking a little 'peaky'). Nice one y'all.

Chopper's European Tour Diary #8 14/09/10

The last week has been whirlwind so you'll have to forgive me for running things together like this...
In the last week we've played:
Glasgow - Great venue and a super cool crowd, really nice to finally make it here
London - Huge! Played the Troxy in East London to a fantastic crowd - lots of ex-pats of course, but a good international crowd too
Brighton - At the very snug fitting Concorde Rooms on the waterfront... intense set from The Drop, and last show on the tour...
Isel Of Wight - Played to a packed Big Top Tent at a wet & muddy Bestival... a fitting sign off for The Freddys Circus if ever there was one.
Now we're back in London for a day to recover (and shop) before the flight home... can't wait to see the Families and Friends.
Thanks to everyone who came out to support the band - we played to more than 70,000 of you on this trip and we had a great time.
See ya next time.

Fireside Chat 13/09/10

Fitchie and Tony Chang representing Fat Freddy's Drop on Red Bull Music Academy Radio 'Fireside Chat'. Recorded in Cologne during our Live at Roundhouse World Tour.

The Raft Digital Available NOW 13/09/10

The Raft digital is available now. The deep dub digi release features a radio edit, the album version from Dr Boondigga & The Big BW, an instrumental Steppers Dub by Fitchie and a bonus remix by NZ producer Jet Jaguar.

Bristol to Bestival 11/09/10

The roll is on as we play Bristol and Bestival, Isle of Wight this weekend, our final two shows in the Live At Roundhouse Tour of Europe. Wahoo.

Brighton Tonight 10/09/10

Looking forward to playing by the seaside at Concorde2 in Brighton tonight. The gig is SOLD OUT as is our Bristol Academy show on Saturday.
Awesome show at Troxy last night in London thanks to the Freddy's faithful.

Troxy London Tonight 9/09/10

Tonight's the night for our show at Troxy London. Last tickets going fast. We'll be cooking live and direct in the kitchen with DJ Vadim's The Electric Sound Company helping shake that Shiverman loose.

Not Many If Any Tickets Left for Troxy 8/09/10

Not many if any tickets left for our headline showdown at Troxy, London this Thursday 9th September. Get the last Troxy tickets now. As Beatnik blog noted the London show will 'be off the hook...you have to be barmy to miss one of the best live bands in the world'  Support is DJ Vadim with his superb new outfit The Electric Sound Company.

Chopper's European Tour Diary #7 8/09/10

Ah, Ireland... land of loverly smiles and twinkly eyes...

Had a few days of in Dublin, but it was pretty grey and wet so we didn't get to see much more than the hotel room and some cafes. Well, Fitchie got amongst the action by joining a poker tournament with some locals... he did good. Jumped in the bus and motored out to Stradbally Hall for the last day of Electric Picnic. Had the chance to check out Mr Scruff, Cymande, Todd Terje and Horse Meat Disco (mean disco and soul dj sets) before we hit the Electric Arena stage in our now traditional twilight set. It just started raining as we started our show - but a few swigs of cognac and we had ourselves and the crowd warmed up. Another nice gig... with a truly epic intro to Shiverman, a tune that has been workin over time on the tour. By the time we'd finished the set the weather had totally packed in - didn't stop us from checkin out Massive Attack (epic) and Juan Atkins (brutal) before heading for Scotland.

* Saw a headline on page 2 of the NOTW that seemed to sum up the vibe of the punters on the Ireland to Scotland ferry at 7am in the morning "I Grew A Carrot That Looks Like Buzz Lightyear!". Grim ferry then...

Thinking of the Whanau 6/09/10

Whoa - got off the flight from Portugal to Ireland and NZ had gotten all shook up! We feel a L...O...N...G...W...A...Y from home when stuff like this goes down on tour. Thinking of the whanau.
FFD

The Raft 7" 6/09/10

Taking the dub deeper, The Raft single release on 7" is officially on sale today, featuring a Radio Edit on Side A and an instrumental Steppers Dub by Fitchie on Side B.

Chopper's European Tour Diary #6 4/09/10

Just left Troia, Portugal, where we've spent three day resting up before a show in Lisbon. Troia is a crazy place, like the set of Stepford Wives if House & Garden magazine were in charge. Still, there was sun (almost too much), sand (a beach 5 min walk away), sailing (Hopepa), home cooking (everyone), golf (Me, Fitchie and lighting geek Kingi - for the record I cleaned up twice!) and then a fantastic meal in the neighbouring township. The restaurants were all selling basically the same stuff - grilled fish - so we opted for the guy with the most macking BBQ. He did not disappoint - it was a total lesson in proper cooking - get some kick arse fresh fish, apply olive oil an salt liberally and grill over scalding charcoal. AWESOME

After a night dreaming of becoming a sardine chef, we motored into Lisbon for a gig at The Colesium. Man, what a room! And what a crowd! Dukie rose to the occasion and crafted a mean set list full of show biz, hits, fresh flavour and ... it was one of our best shows in the past couple of years... straight up, we all gredd post show...and the crowd were a huge part of that. Can't wait to come back again. OBRIGADO

Chopper's European Tour Diary #5 4/09/10

Man - we have hauled some bottom end along the motorways of Western Europe. After Koln we headed to a couple festivals in France... played a crazy show in Charleville where we followed not one, but two metal bands (show us yer goats)! It was mental... but little by little we warmed them up and in the end a stomping version of Shiverman had them bumpin and jumpin.

Back into the bus we went and woke up in Paris for Rock En Seine - we've played with some big names this trip (Groove Armada, The Specials, Iron Maiden) and we got to add Roxy Music to the list in Paris. Was a great day spent playing table tennis - Fitchie and Chang were the top dogs - and then a killer sunset show infront of 10,000+ people, including a healthy showing of kiwis in the front row. We normally get an hour at festival set so it seems like we're only just getting into our stride when it all ends - but we packed in some great music. Time for some R&R in Portugal now.

Supernatural Electric Surge 3/09/10

Word up, if you wanna catch us at Troxy in London next week buy Tickets now because we are super close to selling out. The show on 9th Sept is the only London show on our Live at Roundhouse World Tour. Over the border in Scotland Tickets still available to catch us at 02 ABC Glasgow on 7th September.

Both shows feature supernatural support from our friends The Electric Sound Company led by DJ Vadim aka Daddy Vad with Chicago's freshest upcoming MC Pugs Atomz, UK sultry soul-stress Sabira Jade and giant English-Jamaican keyboard wizard Ste Keyz. The Electric Sound Company was 'off the chain' supporting us in Cologne and promise to send a power surge through Glasgow and London at our upcoming shows. Visit The Electric Sound Company video channel to preview their electromagnetic energy.

BBC Reviews Live at Roundhouse 2/09/10

Live at Roundhouse London not only captures Fat Freddy’s in their natural element, but also features tracks from 2009’s Dr. Boondigga and The Big BW LP in embryonic form. Except that “embryonic” gives completely the wrong impression, since these tracks are much bigger and fully-fleshed than their recorded incarnations. Full review BBC.

Aussie Triple Dip 1/09/10

It's spring time downunder and a choice time to announce shows for Sydney and Melbourne this November. We're bringing our Live at Roundhouse World Tour and album release celebrations to Enmore Theatre, Sydney on 25th November and Forum Theatre, Melbourne on 26th November. As well as returning to familiar haunts in the big cities mate, our third Aussie show is at the inaugural Shine On Festival, Pyrenees Ranges in Western Victoria. Tickets on sale for Enmore and Forum shows from 15th September. Tickets for Shine on Festival on sale now.

Olá Portugal 1/09/10

It is Olá Portugal this week as we chill after playing to the masses at Festival Rock en Seine (15,000) and Chiemsee Reggae Festival in Bavaria (30,000). Once we have recovered you can catch us at Coliseu,Lisboa this Thursday 2 September and we'll shake that shiverman loose again.

The Raft Lands 30/08/10

We are pleased to announce pre-sales for The Raft single release on 7" vinyl.
The Raft 7" limited edition vinyl pressing features The Raft Radio Edit and The Raft Steppers Dub by DJ Fitchie. Officially on sale Monday 6th September.
The Raft digital release is from Monday 13th September. The MP3 version will feature two bonus tracks The Raft Album Version (from Dr Boondigga & The Big BW) and The Raft Jet Jaguar Remix.

On The Road Snaps 30/08/10

As our Live at Roundhouse World Tour rocks across Europe, Mark Willams aka Slave has been capturing some of the action on and off stage. Check his tour snaps on the Gallery. New shots also courtesy Ironlionphotography from our gig at Music Box in Los Angeles back in June.

Chopper's European Tour Diary #4 28/08/10

Things we "learnt" about Munich

1. It's very green... trees everywhere and a great park called The Englisher Garten (or something like that)
2. There are some HUGE Beer Gardens in the Garten
3. There are HUGE Steins in the Beer Gardens
4. They taste great when consumed alongside some Wurst... or Pork Knuckle
5. If you have too much of any of the above you get "full of wisdom" (er......)
6. When too much wisdom is flowing it hurts your brain and you need help getting home.

Just ask Tony Chang.... ahahahahhahahaaaaaaa!

Chopper's European Tour Diary #3

Just as we suspected... Copenhagen rocked yet again. Such an awesome venure the Vega - you guys should be super proud to have it in your city. We love it, so it was a pity we had to jump on the bus straight after show and drive south again.
 
Next stop was Hamburg - it rekindled the enternal "Are you a Beatles or Stones fan?" discussion - Stones won hands down with Freddy's - might be something to do with the Stones In Exile doco we've all watched on various international flights lately. Another sold out show there though - and one of the best audiences so far. Kind of interesting to see the Reeperbahn in full swing too...
 
Then onto Koln - to yet another amazing venue (NZ owners should get over here and see how it's really done). Have to admit we had to dig deep for this one - three nights not sleeping on the bus will do that to ya. It was HOT too - probably the hottest gig we've done - meaning several costume changes for Joe and one for the rest of us.
 
Now we're in Munich for some R&R before hitting the Alps tomorrow and a run of three festival shows - time to fuel up on some Italian.
 

Good Vibes 26/08/10

Feeling Jah riddim for our next performance at Chiemsee Reggae Summer Festival in Germany on Friday 27th August. On stage at 8.00PM for the meeting of Bavaria and the Carribean, at the base of the Chiemgau Alps.

We've got amazing feedback on our European tour so far. "woouuu..this was really one of the best concerts i´ve ever visited!! topped all my expectations" said Alex after our Cologne gig. 'HAMBURG LOVES YOU FAT FREDDYS DROP!!! THANK YOU FOR THE SOULPOWER MUSIC AND GOOD VIBES' said Joaninha.

Chur to Lars for his Wicked Stylish photos of us on-stage at Lowlands Festival. Check them on the Gallery. We also got a fresh take on The Freddy's Show in Christchurch from Sam at Big Rig Productions. Thanks bro for dropping the old skool jazz flavor shots. And playing now on Radio FFD is Swandri Instrumentals, a fresh mix to freestyle over.

Brighton Sold Out! 24/08/10

Breaking news - our show at Concorde2 - Brighton on Friday 10th September is officially SOLD OUT.
If you're planning on catching us at Troxy - London on 9th September we suggest you book tickets now as sales for this show are ramping up.

Chopper's European Tour Diary #2 23/08/10

Here we are in Copenhagen... but first a wee rewind to the past few days.

Hit the stage for the first time this tour in Belgium at Pukkelpop... it was a late one, closing out the club stage to a great little crowd of hardcore party-goers... plenty of room for people to move and get their groove on. Everyone was pleased to be back in action after a break too... managed to check out Iron Maiden on the main stage before we played which was awesome.

Next day we motored up to Lowlands in Holland. Great festival - huge too... about 100,000 people and some great music. Freddy's straight rocked the dance tent in front of 7000+ and then checked out The Specials go mental. Caught Caribou (from Canada, or there aboooooots) playing some psychedelic disco - wicked.

We've just finished sound check for the gig at the Vega in Copenhagen - hands down one of the very best venues in the world. Can't wait to play.

Live Action 20/08/10

Catch us live at Lowlands Festival, Biddinghuizen this Friday 20th August and Vega, Copenhagen on Sunday 22 August. Special guest at the sold out Vega gig is DJ Vadim. See you there Freddy people. If you're not the gigs then tune into Fat Freddy's Drop TV TV for our recent Red Bull NZ Studio live session featuring new tune Blackbird.

On Stage at Pukklepop 20/08/10

We're smashing it up right now on the Club stage at Pukklepop Festival. Studio Brussel is broadcasting the festival live and worth having a look there to see if you can find us on their audio and video feeds.

Bristol Sold Out! 19/08/10

Our gig at O2 Academy in Bristol on Saturday 11th September 2010 is officially SOLD OUT! Chur Bristol people.
Other options to catch us live in UK neighbourhood are Concorde2 - Brighton, Troxy - London, O2 ABC - Glasgow and at our return to two great festivals, Bestival - Isle of Wight and Electric Picnic Music & Arts Festival - Ireland. Check Gig Guide for more info.

Chopper's European Tour Diary #1 17/08/10

We're off...well actually we're in transit in Hong Kong...eating as many dim sum and dumplings as possible before hitting the plane for the second leg to London. Man long-haul flights bite...though this part looks pretty empty and loads of us have managed to upgrade out of cattle class - thank god.
 
All the Freddies are buzzing about getting back on the road in Europe - even our world weary and jaded techies are in a good mood! First stop is Belgium - only been there once before and it ended in being consigned to bed for 3 days with food poisoning so hopefully it'll be more fun this time.

Tiki Tour Time 16/08/10

We're taking off from Aotearoa NZ today on a big jet plane for our annual summer tiki tour around Europe. Up first are two great festivals - Pukkelpop, Belgium (SOLD OUT) and Lowlands, Netherlands. Our next show at Vega in Copenhagen is SOLD OUT.  From there we head to Hamburg, Cologne, Chemsee, Paris, Lisbon, Ireland, Glasgow, London, Bristol and our tour finale is Bestival, Isle of Wight. Chopper is promising to be the tour diary scribe to keep you in the loop. 

Meantime check our two new tunes, Blackbird and Afreak playing now on Fat Freddy's Drop TV as part of our Red Bull NZ Studio Live Session video six pack.

Weekend Viewing 13/08/10

Check Fat Freddy's Drop TV for a six pack of tunes recorded at the Red Bull NZ Studio Live Session earlier this year. The tracks are Rain a classic from Live at Matterhorn days, Del Fuego from BOATS era, Boondigga and Shiverman from Dr Boondigga & The Big BW and two new songs Blackbird and Afreak.

Joining Freddy's in the studio are guests Daniel Yeabsley on sax and flute and Bella Kalolo & Kemara on BVs. Chur Red Bull NZ for sharing the music.

Chopper's Tour Diary, Ears Rock 9/08/10

So where to start...Seemed to take an age to actually get to Cairns - weird that a "quick" trip up to West West NZ (aka Australia) can take as long as the flight from Windy Wellington to LA but there you go. And we arrived to some super weird mid-Winter heatwave. 30 degrees+ and raining is not winter!
 
Anyhow - after some quick acclimatisation on a golf course that came with warning signs about the crocodiles that lurked beside some holes (Mu beat me by 1 shot yet again) we were ready to hit the stage. Lately we've played some pretty interesting places - a bowling alley in Hawaii - and now in Cairns an old petrol tank (yup....one of thhuge crowose huge circular concrete bunkers). It was actually a great spot for the show - we could see everyone (through the steamy haze) and it sounded great to. Awesome to finally get to the Far North, hopefully next time we can get to the Far Far Far North too. As usual we never have enough time to see much of the area but the crowd was up for it and great fun.
 
Flew south the next morning to hit Splendour In The Grass - which was M.A.S.S.I.V.E! Freddys held down a great 'just after dark / just before everyone gets too muntered' spot and gave the main dance tent a right good going over. To be frank the sound on stage was pants...but thanks to Hopepa (ad his magic pants) we overcame the feed back and (I think) on over a huge crowd...definitely the loudest crowd cheers I've ever heard.
 
Last show in the hectic weekend was at The Coolangata Hotel...again the heat was outrageous (sorry to those that were fainting) but both band and audience just dived head first into the sweat box and partied. The show was poppin' and the crowd rockin' - which was in part due to the killer DJ set our tour manager (and birthday boy) Ajay dropped first up (noo-ice juaan, bro).
 
Man - even typing about it feels exhausting. Next stop Europe - you were warned.

Countdown to Europe 7/08/10

Countdown is on for our summer tour to Europe, kicking off at Pukkelpop in Belgium on 19th August and finishing at Bestival, Isle of Wight on 12th September. Looking forward to catching up with friends and whanau and showing off some new tunes along the way. 

Big chur to our Aussie contingent who helped make the Queensland Weekender such a great experience last weekend.

Warm Up Your Mind 30/07/10

Just landed some sweet live shots from Steve at Ganesh Photography in USA featuring the last of three sell out nights at Independent in San Francisco. Check the shots in the Gallery. Thanks also to Ryan Gibbons and Kelsey Winterkorn who captured more action at Independent, Jill Ettinger for Music Box, L.A shots and Mark Williams for his many bro 'tour' shots.

For your ears listen to the Sunshine Mix a fresh session from Swandri selector streaming now on Radio FFD in the DJ Mash Up zone.

'Cooly' & the Gang 30/07/10

Our show at the Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast on Sunday is SOLD OUT!

Queensland Weekender 29/07/10

After some hibernation at home, we're on the plane today to Australia for the great Queensland Weekender. Our first show at Tanks Art Centre in Cairns on Friday is SOLD OUT.  We play our first ever Spendour in the Grass Festival on Saturday (SOLD OUT) and finish off the weekend escape at Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast on Sunday. Tickets to the 'Cooly' down to the last dozen so get in quick.

Flashback Video Live at Roundhouse 19/07/10

If you're digging LIVE AT ROUNDHOUSE live album, check the video of Flashback from the London concert playing now on FFDTV Feature Video spot.

Brighton Show Announcement 9/07/10

Good news for Brighton folk, we've added a show at Concorde2 on Friday 10th September as part of our Live at Roundhouse World Tour that lands in Europe from early August. A former tea room in the 1800s, Concorde2 is Brighton's premier live music venue in operation since 2000. Tickets on sale now. Check Gig Guide for more links.

Chopper's US Tour Diary : Hightlights & Low Blows 8/07/10

Some Bests...
 
Chicken: Roscoe's in Hollywood is pretty legendary - even if we don't understand eating it with waffles - but hands down some of the best grilled chicken on earth has to come from Cassie's Jawaiian Irie Jerk in Honolulu...an easy winner.
 
Celebrity Record Shopping Experience: Groove Merchant in SF - I picked up one DJ Shadow's had-me-down-but-rare-as disco 45s when he (Mr Shadow) stopped by the shop to trade some records.
 
Golf: Hawaii has the high end courses & Fitchie was unbeatable all tour, right until the final game when I finally prevailed - mind you I had drunk half as much and slept twice as long  the big man the night before.
 
Gigs: A tie between LA @ The Henry Fonda Theatre - great crowd of true music heads (rather than scene-sters) and Avila Beach - we went on in the dark (another band screwed up by turning up way late) but laid down one of the best sets of the our to those that stuck it out.
 
Hosts: Hawaii rules again - The Mana Maoli crew were so generous with their time and local knowledge, Tongan Sam for introducing us to Da Kitchen ("Don't tap out...") and the wonders of deep fried cheese cake, Dan and Amy Santa Cruz for being so chilled.
 
Thing About The Bus: Watching endless World Cup football matches as the Californian desert rolled by - and Gabe the Driver (rough start on the hills of San Fran but superb after that).
 
New Addition To The Tour Party: Ava Baby, Clubber Laing's lovely new daughter, was a sight for sore eyes (too much bus TV).
 
Some Not So Goods...
 
Rugby: No-one cares in the US, so we couldn't find anywhere to watch the ABs June tests.
 
That Parking Warden At Kona Airport: Putting your hand on your gun, calling for back up and threatening jail time is just not cool when arguing about where to unload a van.
 
Fireworks From The Supermarket: Was it Walter the Roady's dubious choices? Or just rubbish product? Actaully Walt bought sparklers that turned out to be incense so lets blame him.

Chopper's US Tour Diary Pt.7 7/07/10

Wow. Three totally different gigs on the three Islands of Oahu, Kona and Maui. First up a raucous night in Honolulu at the Pipeline where we heard what a hype Hawaian crowd is all about, then a laid back gig in a bowling alley on Kona (yup, you heard that right - alongside Fitchie's dubs you could hear balls rolling and pins flying) and then a grand theatre to finish it all off. It was perfect getting back into a (now classic) theatre show, complete with curtain (and neck hair) raising opening salvo (Pull The Catch, Cays Crays etc) and freaky dancefloor work out (Wild Wind & Shiverman) to cap things off.
 
We had a blast on the islands -  too many highs to even start with on this trip, but a big Mahalo to all the crew that looked after us so well... the West Coast and Island states are starting to feel like home.
 
Talking of home, touched down in NZ this morning to rain and a two year-old with Chicken Pox... but so happy to be here. 

Choppers US Tour Diary Pt.6. LA to Hawaii 1/07/10

So after a day of chillin' Santa Monica style, we had an early morning hustling gear and people over the KCRW studios for a quick live to air show. The studio set up was great - you can have a look on the KCRW website for video of the whole show - and we had a good jam, particularly when you consider we have been struggling to find decent coffee over here so the mornings can be a little hazy.

Then back to the hotel  to try and squeeze our luggage shut for the flight to Hawaii. Had to sit through a rubbish movie (Valentines Day) and a documentary about Google (semi interesting) on the flight and arrived to a balmy Waikiki evening. Had an amazing welcome from local Fred-Heads including a freshly made Lei each, a beautifully sung traditional song of welcome, and cold beer and superb jerk chicken waiting for us at the hotel. So far Hawaii is hitting it out of the park!

It is pretty hot and humid here so most of us emerged this morning feeling pretty tired, but then split up for eaither golf, sailing with Capt Rob or an epic road trip around the island. Tomorrow we tuck into promo, sound checking and a late gig. The buzz around the gigs is pretty solid so we should be in for some more fun.

Out for some raw fish now.

Chopper's US Tour Diary Pt.5 1/07/10

Some days it's all a bit like fun, this touring lark...had a day off that consisted of pretty much the quintessential LA experience.

Breakfast: Coffee and a fruit salad with busy 'look at me types' yelling in to their mobile phones
R&R: Golf on one of the countries best public courses - surprisingly cheap too - Mu & I were paired with a shit talking cigar chomping 'entrepreneur' and a laywer. Mu beat me by one - again.
Food: Sushi - so, so good.
Weird conversation: This took place between the waitress at the sushi joint and her pal...
Waitress - "Wow, I haven't seen you in months...you look great!"
Friend - "Yeah, new tits."
Waitress - "Nice."
Friend - "You look amazing too."
Waitress - "Thanks, new mouth and lips."
Nightlife: Hopepa, Slave and I hit Dam Funk's legendary monday night affair "Funkmosphere" in Culver City. As it turned out Mr Funk was elsewhere but his fellow residents were on fire - great music, cool little spot and lots of friendly people.

KCRW Splashdown 30/06/10

Successful splashdown at KCRW in California. You can listen to the live session action on the Morning Becomes Ecletic show via KCRW website. Chur to our long time fans at KCRW for fitting all the crew into the studio. We made it to the higher ground.

LIVE TO AIR KCRW 28/06/10

Catch us this week dropping a live to air session on KCRW in California. We'll be cooking live tunes from (USA) 11.15am Tuesday 29th June. Translated for folks back home, that's an early riser kick off at (NZ) 6.15am this Wednesday 30th June.

We'll be playing on the Morning Becomes Eclectic show hosted by KCRW Music Director, Jason Bentley. KCRW is widely regarded as a 'tastemaker' for new music from around the world. Last year KCRW nu-soul & funk champion Garth Trinidad called us ‘the bugged out love child of Isaac Hayes and Lee Scratch Perry.' Tune in for the results.

Chopper's US Tour Diary Pt.4 28/06/10

How time flies... the past 4 days have seen us play the Henry Fonda in LA (Great crowd who got treated to a proper Freddys theatre show), drive back to San Fran for two more sold out shows at The Independent (Fri night was tthe highlight for me) and then back to LA again to rest up before our live to air on KCRW and then Hawaii. Always great to be in San Fran...most of the boys got some shopping in and we had time to look further afeild for some quality food. Thanks to Tom Thump we got the inside word on some great dim sum and also some fine coffee (finally). Looking forward to some sunshine and a bike ride to Venice Beach later today...but after an all-night bus trip it's time for a shower and some breakfast. Missing the family and friends but heading home soon-ish.

Chopper's US Tour Diary Pt.3 25/06/10

We're back in LA LA Land now after the first of three shows in San Fran...was a freak out for sure.

So far our celeb spotting in the City Of Angles (and I mean that) has been pretty poor - one of the guys from Borat and that's it. We did spot loads of plastic teeth, t**s and tans....especially in our hotel lobby.

Tonight we're at the Henry Fonda Theatre. It's a nice mid size venue, and we've pulled nearly twice as many people to this one compared to our LA debut at the Roxy. It's back into the bus tonight and back to San Fran for some more shows, then back to LA. There's a good reason locals call this a Yo Yo tour, we're getting to know that Highway really, really, really well.

Red Bull NZ Presents 23/06/10

We've got a treat for the ears courtesy of Red Bull NZ. Listen up to our recent Red Bull Studio NZ Live Session playing on Radio WFFD. Originally recorded in Auckland 27/5/2010 this live session features Rain, Blackbird, Del Fuego, Shiverman, and Afrique.

We're having a great time in US on the first leg of our Red Bull NZ Presents LIVE AT ROUNDHOUSE WORLD TOUR. Three sell out shows in San Francisco and a LA show in-between makes for a hectic schedule this week. MC Slave has found time to capture some California 'holiday' snaps that you can check in our Gallery.

Chur Red Bull NZ who rescued our current trip to West Coast and Hawaii. Red Bull NZ offered us funding support at a time that we were considering cancelling the USA tour because without a record label behind us the travel cost is a big bill to cover and it is early days as we invest in the USA market. Grace Boyle from Red Bull NZ said, "Freddys and Red Bull have had a long relationship over the band's career and we're very proud to support Live At Roundhouse tour.  International success always brings the music home to NZ bigger and better."

Chopper's US Tour Diary Pt.2 22/06/10

We've been pretty busy the past few days. After some R&R (golf for Fitchie and I, shopping for pretty much everyone else) and a live gig (Jamie Lidell's live'n'loops show which was killer) we picked up our bus and headed north to Boonville, Sierra Nevada for our first gig.

Great to finally hit the stage after witnessing some legends in action (Ken Boothe, Gregory  Isaacs - both fantastic) and we closed out the main stage with some deep Shiverman styles. Then back on the bus for a trip back down to the other end of the State - got up early from some bus slumber to watch the All Whites !!!!!!??????!!!!!! Hella Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We arrived at the Madonna Inn (words don't describe just how fruity this place is so look here www.madonnainn.com - it's a bit like The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas on mescalin, and then a great little gig on the beach at Avila... they were running way behind so our sunset time slot turned into an after dark event, but the hardcore stayed on and we pulled out a great set... one of the best versions of Afreak so far.

We got the day off today so it's time for the inaugural FFD Pro Am golf tournament - Hopepa looks great, but he'll be rubbish on the course.

California Beach Party 21/06/10

We're in California today for the Avila Beach Summer Solistice Reggae Festival. Future reggae vibes live on the beach with sand in our toes. Doors open noon, all ages, rain or shine. Tickets available at www.vallitix.com.

LIVE ON AIR NOW 20/06/10

We on air now live in USA for about an hour or so via KZYX. Chur.

Trips 19/06/10

Managed to get in some rounds of golf and today the focus is playing live at Sierra Nevada World Music Festival for the first performance of the Red Bull Present LIVE AT ROUNDHOUSE WORLD TOUR. Our debut gigs in Hawaii are the last leg of the USA trip, playing Thursday 1 July 2010 at Pipeline Cafe, Honolulu, Friday 2 July at Kona Bowl, Kailua-Kona and wrapping up Saturday 3 July 2010 Castle Theater, Maui.                               

Chopper's World Tour Diary Pt.1 16/06/10

We leaving on a jet plane today for touch down USA and the beginning of our Red Bull Presents LIVE AT ROUNDHOUSE WORLD TOUR. Drum roll, and welcome back Chopper's Tour Diary...

Hell, this has to be one of the best 'night before the tour' nights ever. A great sun soaked day in Auckland, most of my bags packed, managed to pull off a fantastic meal - slow roasted pork belly with truffle potatoes, snow peas with basil (both from my garden that I've been working on with Sal, my 2&1/2 yo) and rocket and beetroot salad (also from the garden), a bottle or two of tasty Central Otago pinot and then the All Whites manage to grab a point drawing 1-1 with Slovakia at the WC. And to make it even better Australia got pummelled 4-zip by Germany... and out tour manager is from across the ditch...oh, poor you AJ... it's 2 am but ahahahahahahahahhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

LIVE AT ROUNDHOUSE 14/06/10

LIVE AT ROUNDHOUSE is officially on sale today, in-store in New Zealand and online to the world in our Merch Tent. This is Fat Freddy's Drop live & direct, documenting an epic night of music at London's legendary Roundhouse in December 2008. The tracks are The Camel, The Raft, Flashback, Pull The Catch, The Nod and Shiverman. MC Slave celebrates the occasion with a special ROUNDHOUSE WORLD TOUR session playing now on Radio WFFD.

Tour News 10/06/10

We're pleased to announce a third show at Independent in San Francisco on 22 June. Our other two shows at Independent have SOLD  OUT.
Stink buzz is that we've had to cancel our show at 4th & B in San Diego.
Across the ditch in Australia, we've announced two new gigs for our Queensland Weekender, playing at Tanks Art Centre, Cairns on 30th July and The Coolangatta Hotel Gold Coast on 1st August. We'll be performing at Splendour in the Grass festival in Woodford the same weekend but that event SOLD OUT.

The Raft Live at Roundhouse Video 8/06/10

Adding to the buzz for this weeks release of LIVE AT ROUNDHOUSE we've loaded a monster video of one of the tracks, The Raft in full glory at the old rail roundhouse in Camden London. The Raft Live at Roundhouse video is playing now as the Feature Video on FFDTV.
LIVE AT ROUNDHOUSE album is in-store in New Zealand from 14 June 2010 and available to order online as a CD or MP3 in our Merch Tent Music selection.

California Dreaming 7/06/10

We've smashed The Freddy's Show around NZ. Thanks to everyone for the great support and singing!  Our sights are now set on adventures across the seven seas. Next stop California.

Dunedin Tonight 6/06/10

The Freddy's Show end of tour finale is at The Regent in Dunedin tonight. Door sales available. Show stars 8PM sharp. Chur.

Chch & Dunedin Showdown 4/06/10

The Freddy's Show in Christchurch tonight is officially SOLD OUT. Tickets still up for grabs for The Freddy's Show at The Regent in Dunedin on Sunday night. Not too far to drive if you're from Chch and keen to catch the spectacular live experience. Otherwise you can opt for our new album LIVE AT ROUNDHOUSE on CD & MP3 for your listening pleasure. LIVE AT ROUNDHOUSE pre-sales available NOW.

LIVE AT ROUNDHOUSE Release 2/06/10

We're very proud to announce the release of LIVE AT ROUNDHOUSE documenting an epic night of music at London's legendary Roundhouse in December 2008. Captured at the second of two luminous nights at the converted rail roundhouse in Camden, the album is a six-track ride featuring The Camel, The Raft, Flashback, Pull The Catch, The Nod and Shiverman. Pre-sales for LIVE AT ROUNDHOUSE on CD and MP3 available NOW!

Get Chch Tix Now 2/06/10

The Freddy's Show in Christchurch this Friday is almost sold out. If you're keen to join us at Isaac Theatre Royal be snappy about getting a ticket. We love you Christchurch, thanks for the support.

Best Roots Video 1/06/10

Thanks to everyone who voted for us at the Juice TV Music Awards. Your votes scored Pull The Catch the Best Roots Video award last night in Auckland. We had one of those sneaky pre-recorded 'thank you' videos beamed in 'cos we were actually jamming at Nelson's Theatre Royal on the Southern leg of The Freddy's Show tour. One more uplifting jam again tonight in Nelson and then we hit Christchurch and Dunedin. Choice.

Southern Bros 31/05/10

We've hit the South Island with The Freddy's Show and will be playing tonight and tomorrow at the Theatre Royal in Nelson, after a few rounds of golf. Officially we're the first act to grace the stage as part of a grand re-opening of the historic Nelson venue that has been getting a facelift for the last five years. Next up we're playing Christchurch and Dunedin. Auckland gig review on Stuff is a good taste of what to expect.

Loving Auckland, see you again tonight 29/05/10

We're loving Auckland. Digging the sunshine here while stormy weather rages back home in Wellington and we had an awesome time raising the roof at Bruce Mason Centre last night with The Freddy's Show. Giving a stuff is stuff.co.nz with their take on our theatrical extravaganza. We'll be back on stage at Bruce Mason Centre again this evening. Tickets still available including door sales. Then we're jetting to Nelson to play at the grand re-opening of the Theatre Roya this Monday and Tuesday.

Hello Auckland 28/05/10

We're setting up at Bruce Mason Centre for tonight's sold out Freddy's Show. Tickets still available for second show tomorrow night including door sales. Shows start 8PM sharp.

Live Session Today 27/05/10

Fat Freddy's Drop Live Session today from Red Bull Studio. One hour special from 3.30Pm, streaming online and on-air across the bNet network. We'll be jammed in the little studio like sardines ah bro but it'll be grouse.
The Freddy's Show live at Bruce Mason Centre tomorrow (Sold Out) and Saturday night (tickets available) for the full mood enhanced Freddy's experience.

Blag a Ticket to The Freddy's Show in Dunedin 26/05/10

Hopepa is in Dunedin today on checking out the gothic South ahead of The Freddy's Show at The Regent in June. 
He's battling the stormy weather armed with some Freddy's sunshine, playing a DJ set on Radio One this afternoon at 3-4pm and dropping a DJ set at Bath Street tonight from 11.30pm. If you're keen to blag a ticket to The Regent show, be one of the first five people to hand over your name & email address to DJ Hopepa. The first five win a single pass for The Freddy's Show on Sunday 6th June at The Regent Theatre, Dunedin.
PS. we won't be using anyone's personal contact info for spams or scams.

Live to Air 24/05/10

Catch us this Thursday dropping a special live session at Red Bull Studio, broadcasting live across the 'bNet' network airwaves (95bfm, Radio Active, Radio One, Radio Control and RDU) from 3.30PM NZ time. Red Bull is giving Freddy's wings to fly to USA for our upcoming West Coast and Hawaii shows, so we're returning the favor with a rare live session at their Auckland HQ.
The Freddy's Show theatre tour has officially got the roll on and we'll be playing Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna this weekend. Tickets still up for grabs for Saturday show.

Mood Enhanced Freddy's 22/05/10

Round 2 of The Freddy's Show is at the Opera House tonight. Tickets still available. Show starts 8pm sharp (like our suits)
Massive thanks to everyone who was there last night raising the roof on our mood enhanced Freddy's experience. Chur to the bros who pulled up outside the venue and jumped outta their car to collect a 'contraband' copy of Live at The Roundhouse, our upcoming release we had dropped among Merch table goodies. The other hot item was our first run of FFD robot tee shirts for babies. Too sweet.

Soulful Sound Check 21/05/10

Check our Gallery snaps of our soulful sound check for The Freddy's Show at the Opera House. See you there tonight and tomorrow for the enhanced Freddy's experience. Special guests include Dan Yeabsley on sax and Kemara and Bella on BV's. Sweet.

The Freddy's Show Alert 20/05/10

We're setting up at the Opera House today in preparation for the debut of The Freddy's Show this Friday and Saturday night in Wellington.  Good seats still up for grabs for the second night.
Tickets are available for our Saturday show next week at the Bruce Mason Centre in Auckland but our Friday show went in a flash and is officially Sold Out. South Island people we'll keep you posted.
Musically, we'll be dropping tunes from Live at the Matterhorn days to the future and beyound. Chur.

The Freddy's Show Down Under 17/05/10

Nearly time to turn on the lights for The Freddy's Show at a theatre near you. We'll be turning up the music at the Opera House in Wellington this weekend followed by Auckland, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin. Meantime, MU aka Fitchie has been walking the golf course and talking the talk with Mr Grant Smithies. Did someone say birdie?

Aloha Hawaii 12/05/10

Get ready for a Freddy's luau because we're coming to Hawaii this July.  Our first ever-live shows in Hawaii will be at Pipeline Cafe, Honolulu, Lahaina Civic Centre, Maui and Kona Bowl, Kailua-Kona.
In celebration of the occasion, MC Slave brings us a fresh edition of Radio WFFD, online now for your listening pleasure.

Fitchie Fireside 11/05/09

Fitchie hit the road recently to talk up The Freddy's Show NZ theatre tour, and work on his golf handicap. One of the interviews including a video landed on Stuff.

FFD Live At Amoeba, USA 10/05/10

With our return to West Coast, USA confirmed, it's a good time to re-visit the last tour there.  Check us when we hit Amoeba Music in San Francisco for a Live-In-Store last November.

The Raft Winner 6/05/10

We're pleased to announce that artwork by Paul Walsh will be gracing the front cover of The Raft 7" release.
 
"My mum's gonna be so proud!" Paul said.
 
The Auckland, NZ based freelance artist explained that his winning design was influenced directly by woodgrain patterns - specifically, the patterns in the coffee table that he draws on.  
 
Many thanks again to everyone from around the globe who sent in awesome graphics, the youngest of whom was 9-year old Taeao Mann.  To view Paul's winning design for The Raft in full and a selection of other entries check our Gallery. Stay tuned for The Raft 7" release date.

Vote for Freddy's 5/05/10

Vote for Freddy's in the Juice TV Music Awards 2010 and help us win Best Roots Video for Pull The Catch and Best Group Video for Boondigga. Vote Now. Thanks.
Want to watch the videos - check us on FFDTV.

Extra Shows Welli & Akld 4/05/10

By popular demand we're pleased to announce two extra shows for Wellington and Auckland as part of The Freddy’s Show At a Theatre Near You tour of New Zealand.  We'll be raising the curtain and stepping into the spotlight for a second show in Wellington at The Opera House on Saturday 22 May and Auckland at Bruce Mason Centre on Saturday 29^th May. Tickets on sale now.  Great chance to grab choice seats for the big occasion.

Splendid News 30/04/10

If you're in Australia and a bit sad about missing our New Zealand, USA and Europe tours, we've like to suggest you get along to Slendour in the Grass in Queensland to catch us live.  Yes we're playing at the 10th anniversary of the annual festival of arts and music at Belongii, Woodford on Sunday 31st July. See you there.

On the Horizon 23/04/10

Thanks again to everyone who sent in cover art for The Raft. They're all so cool we're having trouble picking a winner! Soon as we have a cover decision, then we got a dope 7" release to share.  Also making decisions about a 'live' album release. Stay tuned.

Tune in WFFD 19/04/10

Tune in to Radio WFFD for a California vibe special from MC Slave. Exclusive FFD beats in the mix.

Deutsche Date 14/04/10

We're pleased to announce three shows in Germany as part of our European Summer Tour 2010.  Catch us at the Reggae Summer festival in Chiemsee, Live Music Hall in Cologne and Grosse Freiheit 36 in Hamburg this August. Details on Gig Guide.

Mo' Gigs West Coast, USA 14/04/10

Make some noise 'Fred Heads' on the West Coast, USA because we've got more gigs for you in June 2010.  Following confirmation that we're playing Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, we're now pleased to announce shows at the Avila Beach Music Festival in California, 4th & B, West Coast Hall of Fame in San Diego and The Music Box @ Henry Fonda Theater in LA. Our West Coast tour finale will be a return to the Independent in San Francisco for two nights. More details on our Gig Guide.

Europe Tour Announcement 10/04/10

We're pleased to announce more European summer tour dates for August and September 2010.  Catch us at Pukkelpop in Belgium, Lowlands Festival in The Netherlands, Vega in Denmark, Festival Rock en Seine in France, Coliseum in Portugal and Electric Picnic in Ireland. Check Gig Guide for more details and ticket links. See you there.

Sierra Nevada 9/04/10

Catch us at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in California on Saturday 19th June. The conscious roots and music festival has been running for 17 years at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds in Boonville.  More overseas tour announcements to follow. Stay tuned.

The Freddy's Show on Sale + New WFFD 8/04/10

News alert, public bookings for The Freddy's Show tour of swish NZ theatres officially on sale today.  Chur.
MC Slave is in party mode with a new episode of Radio WFFD recorded at Freddy's HQ in Lyall Bay, Welli. Tune in on Radio FFD.

The Freddy's Show Tickets Tomorrow 7/04/10

Tickets for The Freddy's Show available tomorrow, Thursday 8th April.  Join us in May and June on our musical mayhem tour across New Zealand - WELLINGTON at The Opera House, AUCKLAND at Bruce Mason Centre, NELSON at the grand re-opening of the Theatre Royal, CHRISTCHURCH at Isaac Theatre Royal and DUNEDIN at The Regent Theatre. Ticket links on Gig Guide.

The Lowdown 6/04/10

Public Bookings for The Freddy's Show officially on sale this Thursday 8th April.  Book your ticket to experience Freddy's swish theatrical extravaganza in Wellington, Auckland, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin.
The Raft cover artwork close off is today, Tuesday 6th April.

Join The Freddy's Show 1/04/10

Pre-sales for The Freddy's Show Live in 3D At a Theatre Near You end midnight Friday 2nd April. Public Bookings for the NZ theatrical extravaganza tour officially on sale from Thursday 8th April. 
And remember the deadline for submitting a design for The Raft cover artwork is this Tuesday 6th April.

Cover Artwork Required 30/03/10

Fat Freddy's Drop is looking for a design to grace the front cover of our upcoming 7" release, The Raft. If you can translate the journey of The Raft into an epic design, this is the job for you. Submit your design for The Raft front cover now. The successful design will be selected by Fat Freddy's Drop.

Artwork Requirement: The Raft front cover
Design specification: 7" x 7" (17.78 cm x 17.78 cm)
File specification: PDF
Open: All Ages, Worldwide
Fee: NZD$500.00
Submit to: freddy@fatfreddysdrop.com (subject line, Cover Artwork)
Deadline: Tuesday 6th April 2010

Get Pre-Sale Tickets to The Freddy's Show 30/03/10

Pre-sale tickets for The Freddy's Show Live in 3D are available from today until Easter Friday.  To catch our theatrical extravaganza in Wellington, Auckland, Nelson, Christchurch or Dunedin hop over to our Gig Guide for Pre-sale links. Public bookings on sale from Thursday 8th April.

Radio Waves 26/03/10

MC Slave presents a dazzling new episode of Radio WFFD celebrating our Aotearoa NZ tour announcements. Tracks include a remix of Big BW from Christian, a brand new release from The Yoots and there’s a nod of respect to the late Charlie Gillett.

Radio New Zealand has also paid tribute to Charlie Gillett, digging through their archives of Gillett gems and recording an interview with Toby Laing aka Tony Chang on his recollections about the world music champion.

NZ Tour Live in 3D 25/03/10

Aotearoa New Zealand - itʼs time to play the music, itʼs time to light the light, itʼs time to meet Fat Freddyʼs Drop on The Freddyʼs Show coming soon this May and June. Itʼs time to put on make up, itʼs time to dress up right, itʼs time to get things started on the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational...this is what we call The Freddyʼs Show, Live in 3D At a Theatre Near You.

New Zealandʼs original marauders are raising the curtain and stepping into the spotlight for a run of live theatrical extravaganzas, playing WELLINGTON at The Opera House, AUCKLAND at Bruce Mason Centre, NELSON at the grand re-opening of the Theatre Royal, CHRISTCHURCH at Isaac Theatre Royal and DUNEDIN at The Regent Theatre. Check Gig Guide for dates.

Gigs on the Horizon 24/03/10

Are you ready people for more live shows - stay tuned for special announcements.

Nod to Charlie Gillett 22/03/10

Nightline & Fat Freddy's Drop pay tribute to world music pioneer Charlie Gillett. Full clip of Ray Ray In Session with Charlie Gillett on FFDTV.

World Music Loses a Champion 19/03/10

We're sad to hear the news that World music pioneer and broadcaster Charlie Gillett has died in London after a long illness.

A long time champion of our music since the days of the epic Hope release, we were lucky enough to record a live session with Gillett for his World on 3 show at the BBC in December 2009.  That session (including Ray Ray the Feature Video on FFDTV) was one of the last before the DJ, presenter, author and  'gentleman' who helped coin the phrase 'world music’ retired from radio in January due a disease of the autoimmune system that he had contracted.

Our condolences go out to the Gillett whanau and to the music world mourning the loss of a legend. Chur Mr Gillett.

HOPE Review by Charlie Gillett 19/03/10

'Fat Freddy’s Drop is a reggae-style group from New Zealand, whose 10” single has sat unplayed on my floor for months. Finally checking it out, I discovered an extraordinary epic, which moves from being a gentle lament supported by muted trumpet, into a more intense section with honking tenor sax, before floating away into space. At nearly ten minutes, I think this is the longest track I have ever played on the radio. A listener called to say it was the most remarkable thing he had heard in a long time'. Charlie Gillet (BBC LDN) 2003

Pipped by the Bunnies 16/03/10

News from the USA, Fat Freddys Drop TV got pipped by Echo & The Bunnymen for Best Music website at the 13th Annual SXSW Web Awards.  Check out all the winners at SXSW Interactive.

Chill TIme Before The Blues 8/03/10

It's chill time post our Black Barn extravaganza and Auckland university gig over the weekend. Next showdown is the  epic Byron Bay BluesFest in 23 days and counting. Stay tuned sunshine people.

Black Barn Showdown 6/03/10

Limited tickets for our Black Barn Vineyards showdown are available from Black Barn or try you're luck with gate sales from 2.00PM on Sunday 7th March.  Bring the sunshine people!

WFFD Back & Bad 5/03/10

WFFD featuring MC Slave is back and bad.  Tune in for the mad love props on the latest episode.

BOATS Sails To USA 5/03/10

Step out of the rush in the USA and discover Based On A True Story, our skanking debut studio album that unleashed Freddys voodoo on the world. Originally available as an import in the USA, BOATS is now available on CD and vinyl as a domestic release.  Get diggin' in your local record stores or look online for a copy.

Since dropping in Aotearoa NZ back in 2005,  BOATS has achieved x8 Platinum sales locally, and made history as the biggest selling independent release on these shores. And we're still doing it for the love of music.

The ten tracks on BOATS that have stood the test of time are: 1. Ernie | 2. Cay’s Crays | 3. This Room | 4. Ray Ray | 5. Dark Days | 6. Flashback | 7. Roady | 8. Wandering Eye | 9. Del Fuego | 10. Hope

Chopper's Tour Diary: Holy Thermometer, Beatman!!! 2/03/10

Wow, what a weekend! It had it all really - like good Thai...some sweet, some spicy, some tangy and some hot. OK, so it was more than just some hot...it was all the hot we could handle. Perth hasn't had any rain for about 100 days - and what it lacks in rain it makes up for in pure, unfiltered, blister inducing sun. We from rainy ol' NZ to 42C....mental. And it barely made it below 35C the whole trip. It meant we spent A LOT of time in the pool, or near the pool sipping cocktails. A tough life for sure.
 
Actually the trip got off to a crazy start when Clubba Laing (our erstwhile trumpet man) was called back to NZ for some important bizo...he literally got off one plane, got the call, and had to climb straight back onboard an outbound flight. More on that later I'm sure, but suffice to say our gigs this weekend were dedicated to Clubba and his whanau.
 
Hopepa and I did think about shining a light into the sky in the hope that some masked super-hero horn player might see the come to our rescue, but in the end we held it down with just the two of us - and I think we did Clubba proud.
 
Much like the Capped Crusader, the Freddys tend to do our best work as night descends - when the moon is up and the temperature down a few degrees, when the light gets magical and marauders from midnight and beyond start to unravel slowly but surely to the music. And so it was at The Fremantle Arts Centre last weekend.... a great venue, a switched on crowd, a beautiful night and a slamming gig. We also had the mighty mighty Gilles Peterson in support - a true legend of the musical underground for more than 20 years. Gilles was one of the first DJs to pick up on Midnight Marauders when it first dropped, so it was an honour to share the stage with him in a proper gig and his mix of classic latin, afro and soul alongside the freshest joints had the crowd whipped to a frenzy by the time we hit the stage.
 
Not going to spend too much time talking about our set, other than to say it was full of twists and turns, and we had a blast. We celebrated DJ Fitchie's birthday with a giant sing-a-long and plenty of whisky after the show.
 
The next night we hit Busstleton for Womubu Festival with the incredible Antibalas Afrobeat Orch. These guys rule. Plain and simple - you just gotta check 'em out. For all those in WGTN, they're playing as part of the International Arts Fest on Mar 9th... A DEF MUST SEE. While Womubu was one of the smaller festivals we've played, it was also one of the best in terms of atmosphere and location - again I urge you to get to Old Broadwater Farm one day and support these guys - they're onto something special and it deserves to be successful and grow.
 
Was great to drop some reworked FFD classics on the crowd, and I gotta say the WA crowd totally get where we're coming from. Can't wait to come back.

Live 1/03/10

We smashed our two Western Australian gigs over the weekend.  Check the evidence on our Gallery for pix by Angela King of the Perth show featuring Gilles Peterson and a few choice snaps of some locals in the mix too.  All eyes are now on Auckland AUSM Orientation show this Friday and the Black Barn experience on Sunday.  Black Barn showdown with support from Ladi6, Little Bushman and The Turnaround promises to be a very special occasion to witness. Tickets still available. Check Gig Guide.

Gidday Perth 26/02/10

Word is limited tickets available for our gigs in the Perth area this weekend.  Catch us at Freemantle Arts Centre on Saturday with special guest Gilles Peterson or at the Womubu Concert at Busselton on Sunday.

FFDTV Finalist for SXSW Web Award 25/02/10

We're pleased to announce Fat Freddy's Drop TV is a finalist for Best Music Site in the 13th annual SXSW Web Awards presented by Adobe.  FFDTV web designer Resn is also up for Best Music site for fellow Kiwi band Shapeshifter.  Winner to be announced 14th March at the Hilton Austin Downtown.

UK Gig Newsflash 23/02/10

Glasgow people are you ready for Freddy 'cos we’ve just added you to our European Summer Festival Tour 2010.  Tickets for the show at the ABC, Glasgow on 7th September on sale now. Tickets are also available now for our other summer gigs at Troxy, London on Thursday 9th September and the Bristol Academy on Saturday 11th September.  Check Gig Guide for links.

Weekend With Freddy's 22/02/10

We're pleased to start announcing our European Summer Festival Tour 2010.  Catch us at Troxy, London on Thursday 9th September, Bristol Academy on Saturday 11th September or at Bestival, Isle of Wight on Sunday 12th of September.  

Troxy and Bristol Academy tickets on sale real soon.  Keep tuned with more announcements to come.

The Black Barn Experience 19/02/10

Have you got your tickets yet for our return to Black Barn in Hawke's Bay?  This year it's a family affair at Black Barn Vineyards with special guests Ladi6, Little Bushman featuring cuzzy Warren Maxwell (formally known as Fulla Flash) and The Turnaround from Auckland. Hope you can join us on 7th March for the Black Barn and Freddy's experience. Check Gig Guide for ticket links. This show will sell out people. Chur.

Catch Mu on LiveCloud Talk Today 17/02/10

Catch Fitchie aka DJ MU chatting on LiveCloud VIP-Talk series today - Thursday 17th Feb - at 4.00PM (NZ time).  Check the link and send in your own questions for the maestro.

Ray Ray, In Session, World on 3 15/02/10

Bringing back an old song, the recording of Ray Ray, Fat Freddy's Drop, In Session hosted by Charlie Gillett, World on 3 can be viewed now on FFDTV. 

The session at Maida Vale studio in London happened on the final leg of the Dr Boondigga Album Shakedown Tour. It broadcast on December 2009 and was one of Gillett's last shows before retiring from World on 3 in January 2010. Roger Wright, Controller BBC Radio 3 said "Charlie has been suffering with ill-health and this has sadly resulted in him deciding to leave World on 3. Radio 3 has always valued Charlie’s immense knowledge and passion for world music which has been much enjoyed by listeners."

Respect Charlie Gillett from Fat Freddy's Drop whanau.

Chopper's Rippon Re-boot 12/02/10

Well, once again the weather gods and all the crew at Rippon-central turned on the Southern charm for the bi-annual shindig on the hill. The crew hit town a few days ahead of time with families and friends in tow and spent our time soaking up the sun and a tasty rum & apple juice number that Fitchie created. Even managed to fit in a round of golf on the morning of the show, and I thought I might be in with a shot at beating Fitchie for the first time when he turned up packing a few golf clubs and a lot of Havana Club... no such luck though, being the true Bro-fessional he is, his hangover was gone after a few holes and he took it out by one shot. ONE SHOT!!! Oh, the pain of defeat.
 
Up the hill the punters were gettting baked - in all senses. And anyway, what's with the weather down there? Not satisfied with having all the water, mountains and lakes worth a dam on lock down - you've pinched all the sunshine too.
 
I don't know what I can say about the music - other than it was all bloody top notch. Electric Wire Hustle went way wonky and slayed it, the Mint Chicks were awesome as per usual, Reno managed to wrangle a few cats and delivered a perfect afternoon set with Pacific Heights - dope sound too from our boy Dexta. Then the heavy, heavy rythm section of Black Seeds set it up the evening fun - then Whisky Gooch lead a band of fools into Dangerspiel places and Fulla Flash got trippy with The Bushies (you get to check them with us at Black Barn too!).
 
FFD took the stage hyped and happy, and dug straight into Shiverman - which was massive thanks to a jumped up crowd. Boondigga was warmly received yet again - we love that you love this cause we love it too.  It was totally awesome having P Diggs onboard for a killer version of Roadie too. Thanks so much for the support and for saving some energy for us, it must have been a huge day. And then we disappeared into the night... and the next day too.... and then the mountains disappeared into some fog and I got stuck cause my plane didn't want to take off. Thanks to Nick @ Rippon, Lynn C and her amazing crew and Johnny Man for the hospo - the pizzas ruled.

PS: Check our Gallery for Pat Shepherd pix of the action.

Rippin' Up Rippon 10/02/10

Check the hot pics on our Gallery as we rip up Rippon Open Air Festival 2010 down in Wanaka last weekend.  The sunshine and music blazed as an Aotearoa super-star line up took to the stage at Rippon Vineyards.  The action was snapped by Pat Shepherd from Exposures Lifestyle Magazine, a bone fide super-star photographer with a big heart whose most recent work is the Good Karma project that involved travelling to Burma to collaborate with refugee children.

Punk'd 10/02/10

Assigning genres to Freddy's mash up music is an obsession around the world and this week we add 'underground punk rock' to the list.  Marcia from London reggae dub band The Skints says that the band appeared on the Punk Show with Mike Davies, BBC1 and 'under the influence' picked Ernie as one of their favourite tracks.  To find out why, you've got the next six days to listen on BBC 1.

Direct Aid: Haiti Fundraising Concert 3/02/10

Good music for a good cause - Hopepa, Tony Chang and Dobie Blaze will be representing at Direct Aid: Haiti Fundraising Concert as part of The Yoots band to support the rebuild of the Pye Poudre Cultural Centre in Haiti.  Local muso Lucien Johnson worked there for three months last year, collaborating with a collective of musician and actors who run the meeting place for young people.  The centre was destroyed in the recent quakes and two of the actors Lucien worked with were tragically killed and some of the kids lost their parents. Other bands playing for the love are Harbour City Electric, Orchestra of Spheres and Lucien Johnson himself. Come and show your love for the cause. Pye Poudre.

Keep The Faith 27/01/10

People are you ready for another sneaky edition of Radio WFFD.  Tune in now and check out what's cooking with MC Slave, from the old skool to the nu including brand new Submariner remix of Julian Dyne ft Mara TK and The Raft from our In Session recording with Charlie Gillett at Maida Vale studio, BBC.

Freddy's Goodies 7/01/10

Straight off the wire, MC Slave dropping his first Radio WFFD show for 2010.  To tune in, click and pop the player on Radio FFD.  While you're there check the 'Interview Zone' featuring recent Freddy's korero on American radio and a gem from the past 'On The Couch' a two-part feature by The Jewel School recorded in 2005 on the cusp of the release of Based On A True Story. 

Speaking of classics, we've also dug through the video vaults and found our first Press Kit from 2003 and the golden HOPE music video shot and directed by Marcel Allen at SPLORE in 2002. For viewing at your leisure, check Fat Freddy's Drop TV.

Chopper's Tour Rap 5/01/10

It's A Tour (w)Rap.... almost
 
Where were we....? Oh that's right... NYE in Riwaka. Huge turn out from the most northern of the southern whanau - 2000 happy shiny people in a paddock under a beautiful clear sky, what more could we ask for. After some heavyweight club-style jams from the band (Shiverman and Ray Ray's Revenge in particular), El Slavo presided over the count down to the Twenty Tens in his truely inimitable way - hats off to you for the send off. Then into the new year we sailed, with the crowd taking up lead vocals on Roady and Wandering Eye. Brilliant way to start what should be a great year - fingers crossed.
 
Then we headed north to the beautiful Mangawhai Heads for the last stop on this magical mystery tour. Great crowds again - so thanks for the support - and we got treated to some spectacular sunsets too.
 
Special mention to Billy & Di who so graciously opened up their home for us - it was the perfect pre/post gig spot. Also to the crew/drivers/tech teams who made it all happen so smoothly and also Brent & Helen for hooking us up in the first place. Extra special mention to Dan Yeabsley. Some of you more observant / less drunk pople would have noticd we were without Clubba Laing for a few gigs and Dan stepped in to fill those mighty boat shoes superbly. Extra extra spcial mention to the Mangawhai Butchers who managed to unearth and entire shoulder of pork for Dobie and Em to cook - was tres tasty.
 
See you in Parihaka on Friday....
 
And did you see the line up for Black Barn on Mar 7th!!!! FFD & Special Friends are set to shake the Hawkes Bay once more.
 
Doin' it for the love of music.

Grouse Line Up At Black Barn 4/01/10

Rolling into 2010 and we're pleased to announce a grouse show at Black Barn Vineyards on Sunday 7th March playing alongside our cuzzies Little Bushman led by Warren Maxwell aka Fulla Flash, Ladi 6 & The Turnaround.  It's a grouse line up for Freddys return to the outdoor amphitheatre in Hawke's Bay and all we need now is the sunshine to join the party.  Last year we played at Black Barn as rain pelted down and stalwart locals in gumboots and wetsuits helped keep up the spirits. Tickets On Sale Now from Black Barn Vineyards.

Chopper's Tour Report 31/12/09

After a good blow out in Europe it's always nice to hit the road in your own backyard - especially in full summer. And after the obligatory Xmas overindulgencs it was always going to be interesting to see what unfolded on Dec 27th at The Mount - would Hopepa have his Jelly Roll back in action? Would Fitchie remember the freaky breakdown section in that new afro joint? Would Chopper make it to the gig at all? Well, yes. Everything was poppin as you'd expect. And the crowd? Yup, The Mount knows how to party. And Coroglen knows how to PARTY... and Waihi... knows how to PAAAAAAR-TAY. Hats off to all the folks who saw out 09 in the Nth Island with us - definitely some of the best (and loudest) singing we've heard from NZ crowds.
 
The only off part of coro-christmas has been the weather - where's all that lovely sunshine gone, eh? The occasional spot of rain hasn't stopped us from hitting the golf courses though - something we'll continue with up north too.... and we've unearthed a new talent in the process. As well as straight killing it on BVs for this trip, Kemera has the makings of a serious golf addict. If you're wondering who he is, then get along to the next few gigs - our show starts with Kemera, his guitar and some dope tunes. Catch you in Riwaka for NYE and then Mangawhai on the 2nd and 3rd.
 
We're on our way.

BEST BLAG WINNERS 23/12/09

We're pleased to announce five lucky winners for our Best Blag Summer Shakedown competition - drum roll - scoring some Freddy's soul for the Xmas stocking are:
1    Chris Boley.
2    Barbara Kinley
3    Hemi Takimoana
4    Noel Woods
5    Aroha
Each of the winners receives a double pass to a show of their choice on The Summer Shakedown tour hitting The Mount, Coroglen, Waihi Beach, Riwaka and Mangawhai.  Thanks everyone who entered - the judging was tough 'cos you're all great blaggers!

Read 3 Top Blags 23/12/09

1/ Chris Boley
'your not going to believe this but,......

ive got this cat called skinny frederico
ate the 60 bucks i put aside for the gig,..yo!

i foolishly hid it in the cat nip stash
frederico's not so skinny, now he's eaten my cash.

so i have to get in for free,............. one way or another
dodge the doorman or jump the fence with darkness as my cover

and if all else fails,.......i will have to dash
back home, dress up, and sneak in as fulla flash!

choice as'

2/ Barbara Kinley
'PLEASE pick my fantastic partner marlon fitzpatrick to win your competition! He works very hard out in all kinds of weather as a bill sticker, putting up posters all over auckland of upcoming events - and i KNOW he's done some of your guys ones before.  It would be fantastic for him to actually attend one of these for a change instead of just advertising them for everyone else.  Thanks.'

3/ Hemi Takimoana
'Dear Fat Freddys Drop,

I would like to submit Tina Tamatea & her girls into a free pass to BLAG all expenses paid.

Tina is a solo mum with 3 girls. She works 7 days a week to make ends meet. She does have a support group of family and freinds but I feel she is well deserved to have a holiday. People whom know her adore her cos she has an open personality which is full of LIFE IS GOOD. That attitude is what I think deserves goodness.

Yip you could say Im a fan of hers as well as fat freddys drop.

I aint gonna palava over it any more because you have to meet the lady to understand as words dont do justice.'

Kind regards
Hemi Takimoana

How To Buy A Summer Shakedown 22/12/09

If you're considering buying a Summer Shakedown ticket or three for The Mount, Coroglen, Waihi Beach, Riwaka or Mangawhai, tickets are available from Ticketmaster or from the venue.  Everyman Records in Nelson have also got tickets for our NYE show at Riwaka down South. There will be Summer Shakedown door sales at each venue on the day/night of the show unless sold out prior.  Word is Coroglen will be the first to sell out.
The Summer Shakedown – soak up a day of sand, surf and kai moana, add a drop of Freddy's live voodoo and it'll be such a perfect day.

Discover Freddy's 'Afreak' 22/12/09

Discover our freshest tune 'Afreak', a reworked Ray Ray, The Raft and more playing exclusively on Charlie Gillett's World on 3, BBC.  The tracks, captured at Maida Vale, London, featured in Gillett's world music programme last weekend and are available now on BBC iPlayer for the next four days. Tony Chang takes to the mic to give some insight into the music & Dr Boondigga.

Best Blag Update 21/12/09

Judging is underway for our Best Blag competition.  Winners for The Summer Shakedown Tour tickets will be announced in time for Xmas cheer.  Thanks to everyone who sent in their Best Blag stories. Stay tuned.

Win Autographed Vinyls 21/12/09

Our good friends Amplifier are running a sizzling Summer Shakedown Tour competition with two autographed prizes up for grabs - Dr Boondigga & The Big BW 12" vinyl and Based On A True Story 12" vinyl. Competition is open to all Amplifier users worldwide (if you've ever signed up to shop on our Merch Tent that includes you). Please login to Amplifier to enter.  Winners will be announced 15th January 2010.

In other Amplifier news, we've topped a few of their top seller charts in 2009 including top selling MP3 - Pull The Catch and 5th place-getter for Joe Dukie & DJ Fitchie - Midnight Marauders and top selling Digital Bundle (Album/EP), CD and Vinyl for Dr Boondigga And The Big BW. Live at The Matterhorn CD, Fantastic Voyages DVD and 12" singles The Camel and Roady also featured among the top ten sellers. Chur people for the finger clicking goodness.

Freaky Freddy's 19/12/09

Did you catch freaky fresh Freddy's track 'Afreak' on Charlie Gillett's World on 3, BBC?  'Afreak' or 'Afrique' is a track that was jammed on the Album Shakedown Tour to USA and Europe and this version from our In Session recording at Maida Vale, London was the first recording of what is essentially a work in development.  Experience a taste of things to come including a reworked version of Ray Ray when the just played live broadcast is made available on BBC Player.  We'll let you know.

Last Chance To Blag 18/12/09

This is it folks, last chance to enter our Best Blag comp and score a freebie to a Summer Shakedown show. Send us your best story about why your 'loved one' deserves a ticket to our Summer Shakedown Tour. Three winners will receive entry to a Summer Shakedown show of your choice - The Mount, Coroglen, Waihi Beach, Riwaka or Mangawhai.
To enter email Freddy
OR
Drop a comment on our Facebook page Fat-Freddys-Drop
Best Blag entry word count limited to 100 words. Accommodation and Travel not included. Competition closes today - Friday 18 December 2009.

Shakedown Aussie 2010 16/12/09

Our first show dates are landing for Australia in 2010.  We're playing Freemantle Arts Centre and Old Broadwater Farm, Wombu Concert (both in February) and at the Byron Bay BluesFest 21st Anniversary in April.  More details and links on our Gig Guide.

Blag Comp Heating Up 15/12/09

Our Best Blag competition to score a freebie to a Summer Shakedown show is heating up.  You've got till this Friday to enter your best blag story about why your 'loved one' deserves a ticket to our Summer Shakedown Tour. Three winners will receive entry to a Summer Shakedown show of your choice - The Mount, Coroglen, Waihi Beach, Riwaka or Mangawhai.
To enter email Freddy
OR
Drop a comment on our Facebook page Fat-Freddys-Drop
Best Blag entry word count limited to 100 words. Accommodation and Travel not included. Competition closes: Friday 18 December 2009.

Radio NewsFlash 15/12/09

Kia Ora and welcome to another exciting episode of Radio WFFD with host MC Slave who has included some Xmas treats in the mix with thanks to the likes of Tubbs. While we're on the radio tip, we're pleased to be streaming 'The World' Interview on Radio FFD featuring reporter  Corey Takahashi catching up with Hopepa and Fitchie at The Roxy in LA. The World is a co-production from PRI, the BBC and WGBH. Don't forget to tune in this week to our studio session on World on 3 with Charlie Gillett.  Recorded in London after the Album Shakedown Tour, the studio session is broadcasting 18th December 2009 at 23:15-01:00 (UK time) on BBC Radio.

BLAG A SUMMER SHAKEDOWN 11/12/09

Ever blagged your way into a gig without paying the door charges? Well here's your chance to score a freebie to our Summer Shakedown Tour Aotearoa NZ.
Enter the 'Best Blag' competition by dropping us the best story about why your 'loved one' deserves a ticket to our Summer Shakedown Tour.  We'll select three of the Best Blag stories and the winners will receive entry to a Summer Shakedown show of your choice - The Mount, Coroglen, Waihi Beach, Riwaka or Mangawhai.  That's one ticket for you and the other as the best Christmas pressie you can give.
To enter email Freddy
OR
Drop a comment on our Facebook page Fat-Freddys-Drop
Best Blag entry word count limited to 100 words. Accommodation and Travel not included. Competition closes: Friday 18 December 2009.

Dr Boondigga Tops iTunes NZ 10/12/09

News to hand. iTunes REWIND 2009 has named Dr Boondigga & The Big BW iTunes 'Best New Zealand Album', iTunes NZ 'Highest Selling Album' and iTunes NZ 'Best NZ Hip Hop/Rap Album'.

World of Music Album of The Year 7/12/09

World music pioneer Charlie Gillett has chosen his seven best albums of 2009 on his BBC show World of Music and joining the selection from Africa, Europe and Brazil is our very own Dr Boondigga & The Big BW. Gillett plays The Raft in the World of Music track mix that you can catch streaming on the BBC this week. If you're in Aotearoa, NZ listen to Charlie Gillett's World of Music on-air with Radio New Zealand National this Tuesday 8th December after the 2300 news.

Gillett has already named Dr Boondigga & The Big BW 'Record of the Month October 2009' and awarded the album Four Stars in his Guardian review.  On the horizon is our studio session recorded in London on the last day of the Album Shakedown tour and playing on BBC Radio 3 with Charlie Gillett on 18th December.

Radio WFFD Back on Deck 7/12/09

MC Slave has returned from wandering with Freddy's around the globe to deliver a new show for Radio WFFD. Tune in now.

Chopper's Tour Epilogue: The Ballard Of Matty King (and Dex too) 4/12/09

Hell, I forgot to mention Matty King in the tour 'thank you' list. What an oversight... especailly as he was responsible for the sight'n'light display at each show. Top work the whole way - though we were close to losing him in Amsterdam. And after "giving it a nudge" after the final night in Madtown had a 40hr trip back to Sydney via LA and Auckland in time to put on a show for Tiki T. Poor little b*****d. Spare a thought for Dex too - who was his travel buddy on that sick little adventure - I pity the border security in Oz.

Chopper's Tour Diary: Entry Seven 'It's A Wrap' 4/12/09

You'll have to excuse me on this one... the past few days have flown by an getting any time to log the comings and goings on the tour bus have been scant.
Got to say, the Paris gig was great... the Bataclan is a top venue and the Parisien contingent showed up in force - another Sell Out show! The band has been dipping deep into the dub on this trip and Fitchie has discovered some new tricks - that Ol' Dog has been leading us on some merry voyages into the sound spectrum.
We eurostared over to blighty and hit the MASSIVE Hammersmith Apollo on a very cold Monday - thanks for turnout one and all.
And then up to Manchester - the last show of the tour and also Jetlags Birthday. As you'd expect he tore it up - Dr Boondigga never knew what hit em. Not did Dj Fitchie or Chopper - who both got hit with a bout of severe food poisoning literally minutes before we hit the stage. Despite this we delivered the heaviness for one of our favourite crowds in Europe - and whilst Chopper and Fitchie headed back to the hotel post show, the rest of the band and crew hit the bar to raise one or two in honour of the tour and Mr Birthday Boy.
At the airport now... looking forward to some sun, surf, seafood and - most importantly - our loved ones.
Thanks to everyone who turned up to listen, and to everyone who helped on the road - especially Rich, Dex, Walt, Ema, Jen and Club Ahhhhhjay.
See you soon.

BOATS VINYL RETURNS 1/12/09

Take note audiophiles Based On A True Story double gatefold 12" vinyl is back.  Buy/Collect Now from our Merch Tent.

Chopper's Tour Diary: Entry Six 29/11/09

So Berlin passed ina flash - 24 hours in a city is never long enough - especially one that doubles as our home away from home on trips to Europe.  Played at Astra with 2000 fans packed in and behind us from the start.  Freddys have been dropping some new tunes on this trip with 'Afreak' becoming a firm favourite - Prince meets Kuti meets Chic - you can't go wrong.  Tonight we're in Paris and then the UK beacons - beyond that we can almost smell the pohutakawa flowers and fish 'n' chips on the beach.

Fred Head Shouts Outs 29/11/09

The shout outs from our USA Album Shakedown tour continue to land including these emails to Freddy:

F@$#@king awesome. From: Robert Pearson

Just had the great fortune to check out your show at the Roxy in Hollywood. Having been to NZ a couple of times now,(totally love it there) my wife and I jumped at the chance to come from Vancouver, BC and see you guys in LA. We got the last tickets available and you made it worthwhile. Cheers to you guys, it was an awesome show! We are fans already, but you can add two more FredHeads to your growing list anyway. You've got it goin' ON! From: Ken and Mitsue, Vancouver, BC
 
I am compelled to express my gratitude to FFD for trekking over to the US, and especially for making it to San Francisco!! The shows were INCREDIBLE. I'm so sad that all the Freddy's fellas are gone and the shows are over - after all of that anticipation.  Please come back soon!  LOVE the new album, too!! From: Gabby

Just wanted to let you know that we flew to San Fran to catch the show last Thursday and it was CHOICE! Thanks for making the effort!!! From: Stephanie

Help Us Win HANGTIME AWARD 27/11/09

We’ve been nominated  for the HANGTIME AWARDS BEST ALBUM for Dr Boondigga & The Big BW.  Vote now and help us win the competition run by Radio Grenouille in France.  We’re currently sitting second equal in the voting stakes.  You’ve got until 15/1/2010 to help Freddys and Dr Boondigga win the HANGTIME AWARDS BEST ALBUM.  Chur.

Chopper's Tour Diary: Entry Five 27/11/09

Yesterday was a good day...in the wee small hours DJ Fitchie dealt some serious damage to the pocketbooks of several European businessmen at the local casino.  No one slept very well after the flight from the US, so had an impromptu breakfast meeting over plates of ham, smoked salmon, pancakes etc at the breakfast table - we dealt to the buffet big time.  Later in the day Chopper tracked down a beautiful replacement Baritone (Check FFDTV for an update soon).  Then we had a great dinner out at Trouw (Thanks James) followed by cocktails and city views...and beaucoup fun in the automated photo booth at the bar.

Amsterdam has been fun - the boys have spent many an hour lurking in some of the city's record stores, cafes and shoe shops.  We've managed to lose track of lighting guru, Matt "Easy Times' King, though.  Thankfully Slave has volunteered to 'search every coffee shop in the area; one by one if need be, until we find him.  We can't leave a colleague in peril.  How selfless.

Today we're in prep mode for a sold out gig at Amsterdam's legendary Paradiso - tickets were snapped up weeks ago and are swapping hand for big bucks on eBay.  Should be a killer.

More from the road soon.  Next stop Berlin.

FFDTV Wins Accolade 25/11/09

Fat Freddy's Drop TV scored Best Music Site at the recent Pixel Awards.  From thousands of entries worldwide just 20 winners were selected and Wellington based interactive agency Resn took home an unprecedented five awards including Best Music Site for FFDTV.  Triple Chur.

The Electric Cooking With Freddys 24/11/09

Brand new group 'The Electric' ft DJ Vadim will be cooking in the kitchen at our Album Shakedown shows in Paris, London and Manchester. The Electric lineup features Pugs Atoms, Sabira Jade, Lil' Ste and 'Daddy Vad' aka DJ Vadim.
"It's a soul tronica boom bap cosmic galactic funk from the heart! Pugs is from Chicago and a sparring partner to Kanye West, Sabira is from UK and is a soul slanger killing people softly with vocal diamonds. Lil' Ste is from Jamaica and is a wizard on the keyboards. He has played with John Legend, Michael Jackson, Estelle, Beverly Knight, Chipmunk...Daddy Vad - well I'm on the mpc!!!" said DJ Vadim.
Get to our shows early people and catch the beautiful music from 'The Electric'. Paris show is Sold Out! and London and Manchester shows selling fast so get yer tickets now (and not from a scalper). DJ Vadim is also playing the respective after parties cos he dont' sleep.

Chopper's Tour Diary: Entry Four 24/11/09

Saw an awful lot of freeway yesterday - 6 lanes both ways and concrete out to the horizon - as part of our round trip to San Diego to play the World Beat Centre. Another great night - and like all three gigs on the West Coast, it had it's own vibe going on.  Really cool to play to a stone cold sober crowd - yup, NO liquor license. Once again the locals treated us so well, we've been totally overwhelmed by the support here so to everyone who has stepped up to show us some love this past week, a huge thank you.
Today has all been about soaking up some sunshine in Santa Monica - and Jerk Chicken (Cha Cha Chicken rules) - and washing.  Sad to see out US leg come to a close so soon, but we had a blast.  Back soon!
PS - No joy replacing the Baritone...fingers crossed for Europe.
Schmokeanapancake

GREAT SHOW AT ROXYYYY!!!!!!!! 23/11/09

We've been getting heaps of choice feedback about our shows in USA including these emails to Freddy regards the shakedown at The Roxy in LA...

GREAT GREAT GREAT SHOW AT THE ROXY!!!!!!!!YOU GUYS ROOCKKKKKKK!!!! WE LOVE YOU HERE!!! From: Jaime Scholnick

SERIOUSLY.....last nite @ the roxy in LA was absolutely incredible!!! everyone there was totally BLOWN away...california LOVES you guys...you need to come back again and again and again...PLEASE!!!! but...most importantly...BIG Thank yous for coming and doing what you do which is just so very beautiful and moving...it was one of the best nites ever!!! From: jane xxx

Just caught your set at the Roxy last night and it was fantastic! You guys rocked the house! Thanks for all of your great music. The new album's great, keep up the great work! I'm definitely on board for the next album/tour. Can't wait! Thanks again! From: Michael Adorno

Tell the boys thank you...for their beautiful music, soulful groove & positive energy. Thanks for the mini US tour...Safe travels through Europe.  From: Kristen

Massive thanks to everyone for catching us on the Album Shakedown USA - we'll be back.

Chopper's Tour Diary: Entry Three ft Trailer Accident 21/11/09

So we played The Independent last night.  The Fred Heads came out in force and were an amazing audience, dropping lyrics loud and proud with Dukie.  Special thanks to the staff at The Independent, Amoeba Records in Haight, The Marigold Pub, Grove Merchant Records and especially to DJ Tom Thump who dropped a killer set before we hit the stage.  Was great to finall hit the stage on the West Coast properly and classics old and new got a thorough workout.
Then we jumped in the bus and hit the freeway south to LA.  All going well until the trailer full of gear parted ways with the bus full of people at 100kph on a six-land road full of trucks.  End result was a 2am roadside search for our missing instruments etc. To be honest words won’t do this little twist justice check Slave’s movie on Fat Freddy's Drop TV (Feature Video) for the full rundown.
PS – does anyone know where I can get hold of a baritone sax that doesn’t look like a pancake.

Freddys Jam Beyond Bob 21/11/09

We're on fire - performed our first headline show in USA at The Independent and interest from local media has been fantastic. Like this email from Jim Welte from Jambase in California who touched base with us down the phone line last month.  He said 'Wanted to say thanks for connecting me with Mu and Dallas last month for the interviews... The show last night here in San Francisco was phenomenal.'
Check the Jambase story now.

Chopper’s Tour Diary: Entry Two 20/11/09

Arrived in San Fran and found the hotel absolutely deserted.  Freddy's had scattered far and wide across the city... Hopepa, Fitchie and Blaze had got their 'Sex and The City' on and hit the Macy's One Day Sale - it was a '5 bagger' for Ho.  Not to be outdone I hit the legendary record haunt Groove Merchant which is handily located 5 mins from the hotel.  I managed not to blow all my food money at once and later on Sugar 2 Tone caught up with me.  Yes! Managed to beat him to punch again!

In-store performance at Amoeba Records was great - hats off to Dave and all the staff there for making us feel so welcome.  And a huge shout out the couple hundred people who came on down - was great seeing people dancing right across the store and in-between rows of CDs, DVDs and records.  Most who showed up didn't have tickets for the show tonight at The Independent, and we've had an endless string of requests to come back again.  We also met folks from as far away as New York who had crossed the country for these shows...just amazing to get that support.  And being in San Fran we've coined a name for these hardcore fans - The Fred Heads.

Maranui Celebration 20/11/09

Back on the home beach in Lyall Bay there were celebration drinks last night for Maranui Surf Club and Cafe.  One of our fav haunts was under threat following a devastating fire but after some vocal pitching and support worldwide the heritage building on the beach is being gifted back to the club to rebuild.  Woohoo. There'll be some fund raising and plenty of hard graft before the building is open and The Camel is back grooving by the sea but meantime thanks to everyone who took note of the call to support the cause.

The Roxy SOLD OUT! 19/11/09

Our show at The Roxy in LA is officially SOLD OUT!  San Francisco show is already gone daddy gone so last chance to catch us in California will be The World Beat Centre in San Diego. 

Chopper's Tour Diary: Entry One 19/11/09

Off we go! After some last minute stress over US visas etc, the rest of the Freddy's slipped out of the country a few days ago.  I wonder if they made it in one piece?  I'm flying solo tonight (Wed 18th) and half expect to find Jelag and 2 Tone wandering slowling in circles (like a pair of Polar Bears at the zoo) in Customes Limbo-lnad when I touch down in San Fran.  Either that or everyone made it through good and proper and they're now going nuts in the trainers stores.  Hell. I wonder if they've left any records for me at Amoeba.  Damn, I knew I was cutting it close.  Nevermind, despite throwing my back out so bad I had to stop off at the doctors on the way to the airport, I'm kinda looking forward to the flight... I just picked up the latest James Ellory novel (perfect pre-US reading) and the aforementioned back injury helped score me a free upgrade... Woohoo! See you State-side.

Album Shakedown On The Road 18/11/09

We're on the road folks with an in-store at Amoeba today in San Francisco our first touchdown in USA.  Our show at The Independent the following night is sold out so next option is grabbing last tickets to our gigs in San Diego or LA.  Then we're winging our way to Europe where Amsterdam, Berlin and Paris are already sold out.  London and Manchester tickets still available to catch us. Chur.

Powerstation Pix 18/11/09

Just loaded pix from The Powerstation shows to our Gallery.  Thanks Yuichi Ikeda and Sam Baker aka samgirlphotography for the pix.  Shot!

San Francisco In-Store! 13/11/09

San Francisco you're invited to our in-store performance at Amoeba Music Store this Wednesday November 18th.  If you missed out on tickets to the sold out show at The Independent this is your opportunity to experience Freddy's voodoo live and grab a copy of Dr Boondigga & The Big BW.  See you 6.00PM at Amoeba,1855 Haight St, San Francisco. FREE For All.

California Soul 13/11/09

Broadcasting now is a California soul special from original 'Cisco kid MC Slave on Radio WFFD.  We're touching down in person real soon. Brilliant.

Listening Party Spinner 11/11/09

Speaking of USA - spinner.com is featuring Dr Boondigga and The Big BW on their new releases Listening Party which means you can stream the full album for the next week. Chur.

Dr Boondigga Strikes USA 11/11/09

Big week for us in USA as Dr Boondigga & The BIG BW was officially released in-store on November 10th 2009.  Thanks to everyone in the land of stars and stripes who had already discovered 'Freddy's'.  We've got the likes of rock paper scissors on the case to drum up more interest for our renegade soul voodoo from a distant planet. Some of the early review scores include:

"With a silk-smooth tenor, oven-hot horns, and a rhythm section that teeters on the edge of the pocket, it's a tripped-out electro-soul heaven." - Sound Bleed

"Stripped-down rhythms, rich harmonies, and sparse horns create a chilled vibe perfect for beach or party." - Sound Roots

"With soul vocals, over dub step beats, and reggae chords, Fat Freddy's Drop is entirely fresh and addictive." - SF Critic Music Blog

For more USA flavor check us on rock paper scissors.

Halloween Shakedown Shots 10/11/09

Check our Halloween Shakedown at The Front Room featuring now on the Gallery. Dancing with skeleton shots courtesy of Pat Shepherd one of our finest photographers in Aotearoa NZ and editor of Exposure Lifestyles mag.  Chur Paddy.

Summer Shakedown 9/11/09

You can catch our Aotearoa NZ Summer Shakedown tickets now via Ticketmaster or Amplifier and be in to swim with sizzling sun, sand, surf and soul.

Sydney Hot Shots 9/11/09

Check our Gallery for shots of our recent visit to Sydney courtesy of photographer and former paratrooper Chris McKeen.  Kiwi born Chris snapped the Sunday show at The Forum as well as Dobie Blaze and Freddys Paua Wonton cook up hosted by Inertia our record distributor.  His response to the mean as cook up invite was 'Um. Time required to come up with an answer: 0.0041 secs. Time required to frantically rearrange my schedule on Tuesday to accommodate this request: 2.37 minutes. Hell yes'.  Chur Chris & MSO.

More fab live action shots from likes of Pat Shepherd in Welli on the way soon.

Berlin Sold Out! 7/11/09

Our show at Astra in Berlin this November is officially sold out!  Promoter Daniel Best confirmed the news overnight.  Chur to Berlin people for the love.  You can still catch us on the Album Shakedown Tour across Europe in Paris, London and Manchester.  Amsterdam sold out though and expect the others to follow.

POWERSTATION SOLD OUT! 6/11/09

It is true people that both shows at The Powerstation this weekend are sold out!  For those lucky punters going along shake that Shiverman loose. If you missed out on tickets this time catch us on The Summer Shakedown Tour.  Chur.

Audacious Trippin! 5/11/09

We've received word of an audacious trip by Jared a longtime Base FM listener who hails from Hamilton, Montana, USA.

Jared who discovered Base FM while living in Hawaii said 'my lady and I are really stoked for Fat Freddy's Drop finally making it to the States.  We got tickets to all three shows. Road Trippin! Should be about a 2000-4000mi depending on the path. Heading to the coast near Seattle. Then along the coast for the shows...  Aloha, Jared.'

Too much Jared, we're pretty impressed and Chopper Reedz says we must we add more incentive by offering you a signed T shirt (or something similar) as a reward.  Hit us up on your first stop at the Merch Tent.  Chur

WFFD CALIFORNIA LOVE SPESH!!!! 4/11/09

Good morning, good evening check the latest WFFD radio show broadcasting now on Radio FFD.  This week MC Slave is mixing up a California and Amoeba in-store love spesh, Aotearoa NZ Summer Shakedown announcee and funky music vibes - DJ Vadim Big BW remix, Shiverman live and more. GOOD SHIT!

EXTRA TICKETS FOR POWERSTATION 3/11/09

We're pleased to announce we have a handful of extra tickets being released for The Powerstation gigs in Auckland this weekend.  If you've missed out get in quick -  there are an extra 60 tickets for Friday night and 50 tickets for Saturday available right now from Ticketmaster.

Shout out to everyone who attended our Album Shakedown show at The Front Room last Saturday. As Fitchie said "we smashed it again".

Exclusive Summer Shakedown Pre-Sales 30/10/09

Word up - we've got exclusive Summer Shakedown ticket pre-sales online from Ticketmaster & Amplifier this Thursday 5th November 2009.  General sales kick off Monday 9th November 2009. Chur.

Aotearoa Summer Shakedown 29/10/09

We're pleased to announce The Summer Shakedown Tour bringing our music home to choice Kiwi holiday hot spots this December and January.  Once again escaping the clutches of Dr Boondigga & The Big BW robot we're on the road to Mt Maunganui, Coroglen and Waihi Beach in late December, Riwaka at the top of the South Island for New Years Eve and finish up with a two-night finale in Mangawhai in early January.  We hope you like this Flashback newsflash.  Tumeke eh!

Album Shakedown Selling Fast 29/10/09

The SOLD OUT! sign is up for this weekends Halloween special at The Front Room in Wellington, Amsterdam and San Francisco. Next in the sell out line will be the Friday night fever show at The Powerstation in Auckland while our debut show at The Roxy in L.A is close to the wire.  Thanks to everyone who has purchased tickets to date.  Sweet As!

Support Maranui & The Camel 22/10/09

As Lyall Bay's International Ambassadors we're appealing to folk around the world and in Wellington especially to support the restoration of Maranui Surf Life Saving Club's iconic building.  The building which is home to our beloved Maranui Surf Club Cafe, a favourite kai and coffee haunt by the seaside, was sadly gutted by fire recently. We're now kicking sand the way of Wellington City Council to ensure the historic building is restored and not demolished for a 'Super Building'.  The Maranui Camel was the star of 'The Camel' single cover artwork and music video and a photo of Maranui and Lyall Bay beach featured on BOATS.  The Camel survived the fire and is being restored - now we need help to get Maranui back to full glory.  Sign the ePetition now.

Exciting WFFD 22/10/09

Listen to Radio WFFD for another exciting episode with MC Slave complete with house rules, smooth grooves and special greetings and love to our people in Australia who ripped it up over the weekend.  Thanks also to Inertia peeps in Sydney who hosted Dobie Blaze and Freddy's for a Kiss Da Cook paua wonton throw down. We'll have photos featuring Aussie action real soon.

Party In The Sydney Kitchen 18/10/09

Hey Sydney thanks for the party in the kitchen at The Forum last night.  What an amazing chorus you continue to be with the sing-along flavor turning up the heat on the likes of The Nod, Shiverman, Boondigga and Ernie.  One more bad-ho jelly roll to shake loose tonight at The Forum.

Album Shakedown Tour Kicks Off 17/10/09

Our Album Shakedown Tour officially kicked off in Australia with a spectacular sell out show in Melbourne last night and two sell out shows to go in Sydney.  Freddy extras from Welli got the nod through Customs early this morning with a special delivery of paua destined for a Dobie Blaze cook up next week with the good folk at Inertia our Austrlaian distributor.  Big thanks to Ari and Nathan for the pick up in their silver 1965 Cadillac Coupe deVille.

Wellington and Auckland shows are next and then it is shakedown time for Europe and USA - snap those tickets up now.

Red Carpet & Best Roots 14/10/09

Check our red carpet action at the NZ Music Awards 2009 & scooping the Best Aotearoa Roots Album Award for Dr Boondigga & The Big BW on Fat Freddy's Drop TV Feature Video.

HIP DROP DJ Set @ Khuja 13/10/09

HIP DROP returns: Freddy's DJ set featuring DJ Fitchie, MC Slave & Chopper Reeds dropping the science all night long at Khuja in Auckland on Friday 23rd October 2009.  Free b4 midnight.

Mean Maori Mean 13/10/09

Keepin it local styles - an interview featuring Jetlag Johnson and Dobie Blaze dropped recently on Ma Tatou on Maori TV.  You can check their korero online at Ma Tatou .  Chur to Lanita & the crew - mean Maori mean.

Hot WFFD Drop Ft Vadim Remix 12/10/09

Tune in now to Radio WFFD ‘cos MC Slave is on fire. The latest session features special guest DJ Phaze in the mix, Oz hype and Cali hype from Slave aka the ‘Cisco kid’ plus an exclusive Freddy’s remix from DJ Vadim featuring Yarah Brava.  Tumeke people.

Best Roots 9/10/09

We’ve snapped up a Tui for Aotearoa Roots Album at the NZ Music Awards with ‘Dr Boondigga & The Big BW’ to add to the Best Producer award picked up last month.  Congrats to the other winners including Ladi6 who scored a Tui for Best Urban / Hip Hop Album with ‘Time Is Not Much’ and Ladyhawke who swooped in and bagged a total of six Tui awards.

Boondigga Double Platinum 5/10/09

We're pleased to announce Dr Boondigga & The Big BW has passed Double Platinum sales in Aotearoa NZ.  Rythmethod our local distributor says the 30,000 mark was passed with Physical stock (CD and Vinyl) shipped out from RM HQ of over x26,500 and Digital sales of around x3,700. Too much people.  Chur.

Gillett Digs Dr Boondigga 5/10/09

'Warning: of the nine tracks here, only two run for less than six minutes, and both of them stretch way past five. You had better be of a patient disposition, and the album may well have been designed on the assumption that you would be listening under the influence of something to help you relax.'

And that is just the opening of a review of Dr Boondigga & The Big BW by Charlie Gillett in The Observer this past weekend. Gillett first dug Freddy's with the release of Hope on 10" vinyl back in 2003 but he wasn't a fan of Based On A True Story.  With Dr Boondigga & The Big BW he's awarded 4/5 stars so it seems we've won him back.

'So how come this leopard is prepared to change his spots? Partly, it is down to the beguiling vocal tone of lead singer Dallas Tamaira, which often brings to mind the sublime voice of Aaron Neville on the Neville Brothers' masterwork, Yellow Moon. But that doesn't explain everything because there are times when Dallas takes a back seat and leaves the musicians to carry the weight, notably on the epic Shiverman which could have easily slipped onto the soundtrack of Trainspotting alongside Born Slippy by Underworld.'

Thanks Tamara for the tip off.

Fresh Nod On WFFD 3/10/09

MC Slave has cooked up a fresh WFFD session live from the campfire.  Get into it.
Little note - voting for the NZ Music Awards People's Choice closes 4th October.

Top Cat 2/10/09

Dr Boondigga & The Big BW is holding the #1 spot on the Independent Music New Zealand Top 20 Album charts and has now notched up a total of 18 weeks at the top spot. Sitting at #18 on the charts is Based On A True Story.  Sweet.  
On the official NZ Music Charts the Platinum selling Dr Boondigga has been bouncing around the top twenty spots and is this week at #12.  Dr Boondigga originally hit the charts at #1 for five weeks straight.  Chur Freddy whanau for the aroha.

Dr Boondigga Korero 29/09/09

Listen to Freddy's word on Dr Boondigga & The Big BW broadcasting now on Radio WFFD.  Chur

Making Our Way To San Francisco 28/09/09

We're stoked to announce a gig at the Independent in San Francisco on 19th November as part of our Album Shakedown tour. The support from locals in California has been awesome; we've had emails and hook ups that have been invaluable in making this gig happen.  Our other confirmed gigs in USA are The Roxy in L.A and World Beat Centre in San Diego.  See you there!

Sorry we can't make it to the likes of Hermosa Beach, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz or Seattle this time - thanks for the offers, but we are aiming to make a return to California in 2010 so we'll keep working towards that.

San Diego Venue Change 24/09/09

Hi Freddy people in USA

We've got a change of venue for our San Diego Album Shakedown - now playing World Beat Centre on 21st November 2009. The Roxy in L.A is still on the cards for 20th November however Hermosa Beach has slipped off the USA tiki tour schedule. Stay tuned for more thrilling updates.

Good For You Radio WFFD 24/09/09

MC Slave is in the house with Radio WFFD broadcasting from Auckland City exclusively on Radio FFD. Right on!  Special greetz to regular WFFD witness Sista One Love.

Vinyl Good Times + Welli Ticket Comp 18/09/09

Greetings and thanks to everyone who joined us for the Dr Boondigga & The Big BW vinyl in-store signing at Slow Boat Records.  Check the action on our Gallery where we've just uploaded photos by Harry A'Court from Inject.  Chur bro and chur to Jeremy and the crew at Slow Boat for making it all happen.

We've left a little stash of tickets at Slow Boat for you to win to the Album Shakedown gig in Wellington 31st October.  Purchase any Freddy's vinyl or cd from Slow Boat and go in the draw for a double pass ticket.  Winners will be announced Friday 23rd October.

Second Shakedown for Powerstation 21/09/09

We're pleased to announce a second show at The Powerstation in Auckland as part of the Album Shakedown Tour - tickets on sale now for Friday 6th November. The original show on Saturday 7th November is pretty much Sold Out.  Too much Aukalani!

Amsterdam Shakedown Confirmed 14/09/09

We're pleased to add Amsterdam to the Album Shakedown Tour.  We'll be playing Paradiso on 26th November.  Tickets on sale soon.

Wellington In-Store Signing 14/09/09

Freddy’s invites you to our Vinyl Release exclusive in-store signing at Slow Boat Records, Wellington this Thursday lunchtime. Head on down to the vinyl junkie heartland on Cuba Street between 12.00PM and 1.00PM Thursday 17th September and pick up a copy of Dr Boondigga & The Big BW vinyl LP and we’ll be there to add a tag or two.

Heavyweight Vinyl & WFFD 14/09/09

Dr Boondigga & The Big BW double gatefold vinyl is today officially in-stores worldwide and online from our Merch Tent.   For all those who took the opportunity to pre-order check your post boxes now and if you haven't - shake that shiverman loose and reward yourself a copy.

MC Slave has dropped us a new Radio WFFD show to celebrate the occasion and he's keeping us on our dancing toes with some fresh Album Shakedown tour news.

Dr's Orders 10/09/09

We're pleased to announce that Dr Boondigga & The Big BW double gatefold vinyl has landed in Lyall Bay NZ.  Available next week in-stores worldwide and online from our Merch Tent.  Tumeke.  Get in fast, limited stock of a collectable wonder.

Album Shakedown Ticket News 10/09/09

Tickets for our Wellington show at The Front Room are available right now from Real Groovy Records and they'll be online next week from amplifier.co.nz.

Ticketmaster is running a special members only pre-sale for The Powerstation from Monday 14th September.  Available to the general public from Weds 16th September from Ticketmaster as well as Real Groovy and amplifier.co.nz.

Over the waves, tickets are on sale now for Melbourne, Sydney, Berlin, Paris, London and Manchester shows. Tickets for L.A and San Diego on sale soon.

Boondigga Video Live 7/09/09

Kia Ora, our nu music video Boondigga is live & cooking on Fat Freddy's Drop TV in a worldwide exclusive premiere.  Check out the Feature Video on Freddys TV and we'll be back with more details. Chur.

Mash It Up 5/09/09

We're cooking with gas on the Mash Up DJ guest playlist on Radio FFD.  Check some fresh audio mixes from Christopher Tubbs Heads Down Radio podcast, Mikki Dee  aka Sir Mix-a-lot with Sweet Soundz 9, Turnaround Turnstyles 3 by Manuel Bundy, Cian and Submariner, and a freak mix from Kava. Chur to the bro selectors.

Gig Action Expansion 4/09/09

Freddy's USA rumble is on folks with Canes in San Diego scoring a gig this November to add to the recently announced shakedown at The Roxy in L.A. Back on home turf and looking to 2010 we've got a couple of sweet summer festival drops - Parihaka Peace Festival in Taranaki and Rippon Festival down in Wanaka. Check Gig Guide for more details.

Shakedown Europe & L.A 3/09/09

Freddy's is pleased to announce gigs for Berlin, Paris and London this November plus the very choice news that we're stopping off in L.A for our debut USA showdown.  Check Gig Guide for dates.  Tickets on Sale real soon.

Vote for Freddy's 3/09/09

Hi Freddy's people

Shameless vote hustling - we'd love for you to help us win the coveted People's Choice Award at the 44th annual NZ Music Awards.

There are three ways to cast your votes:

TXT  - txt ARTISTS NAME to 787
PXT – Pxt your face with your name in the subject or text space to 787.
ONLINE – go to vmusic to register to vote and view our homebaked “Campaign video”

Everyone who votes goes in the draw to win a “VIP experience” at the VNZMA’s including the chance to present the award to the winner on the night in front of thousands.

WHO CAN ENTER?  Anyone can vote via TXT | Vodafone customers can vote via PXT | You must be registered on vmusic.co.nz to vote online | You must be 18 years of age or older to win the prize.

Voting has commenced and will close at 5pm on 4th October 2009.
We appreciate your choice support

Chur
Freddy

Statue Bro? 2/09/09

Fat Freddy's Drop picked up Best Producer for Dr Boondigga and the Big BW at the 2009 New Zealand Music Awards 'technical gongs' ceremony held earlier this evening in Aukalani city.  Chur for the nod.

The other news from the soiree, we've picked up four nominations for Album of The Year, Best Group, Best Aotearoa Roots Album and People's Choice Award to be announced at the 44th annual music awards main event in October - the same awards Freddy's won in 2005 for Based On A True Story.

Commiserations to our bro Otis ‘flying tables’ Frizzell who was nominated for Best Album Cover and to Fitchie nominated for Best Engineer in the just run technical awards categories.  You’re forever champions.

WFFD + Boondigga Breakthrough 1/09/09

Just landed, another exciting installment of Radio WFFD from MC Slave.

Tune in and catch the number one sound worldwide including an MPC championship track from vibe master Dobie Blaze and the good good news about the just finished Boondigga music video.

Starring Fat Freddy’s Drop VS the evil Dr Boondigga, the video was directed by Mark Williams aka MC Slave. Get it. Our fresh as Boondigga music video will premiere on Fat Freddy’s Drop TV.  Date TBC.

AOTEAROA ALBUM SHAKEDOWN 26/08/09

Whether missing in action or abducted we’ll never know, but Freddy's is set to return to the stage for two shows only in Wellington and Auckland.

Fitchie at Freddy’s mission control says to expect tracks from Dr Boondigga & The Big BW, some FFD classics and would you believe - new experiments direct from Freddy’s beat kitchen.

For a taste of Freddy’s jamming ‘Shiverman’ the trance thriller on Dr Boondigga & The Big BW, check Fat Freddy's Drop TV to view our exclusive and epic 17 minute clip filmed live at The Roundhouse, London in late 2008.

Aussie Tour 18/08/09

Hi Aussie people

We're pleased to confirm Fat Freddy’s Drop are taking to the stage in Melbourne and Sydney this October.  Tickets On Sale 19/8/09. Check Gig Guide for more details.

Did You Know? 13/08/09

"FFD is the bugged out love child of Isaac Hayes and Lee Scratch Perry."
Garth Trinidad KCRW Los Angeles, U.S

"Soul music of the finest kind."
Graham Reid - Elsewhere Auckland, N.Z

Dr Boondigga & The Big BW is available from our Merch Tent and in-store NZ and Australia. Across the seven seas, Dr Boondigga has reached Czech, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Norway, Netherlands and UK. Hitting USA late September.

Heavyweight double Gatefold vinyl is out of the lab and the test pressing from Berlin got the nod. Pre-orders are rolling, release date is near. Stay tuned.

Record Store people around the world you're welcome to apply to become a FFD Dealer now.  Authorized FFD wholesale export dealers score a One Gram Freight & Shipping deal until end of August. Chur.

Flash As 10/08/09

We've scored nominations for Dr Boondigga & The Big BW in all three technical award categories of this year's New Zealand Music Awards.

Artist Otis Frizzell got the nod for Best Album Cover, Fitchie for Best Engineer and Fat Freddy's Drop for Best Producer. Winners to be announced on September 2 when the finalists for the main music awards will be revealed.

Chur to the chur

Fat Freddy's Drop TV LIVE 11/08/09

Resn has flicked the switch and Fat Freddy's Drop TV is LIVE.

Check our bountiful collection of True Stories, Music Video and Kiss Da Cook foodeos.  The debut Feature is an epic 17 minute clip of Shiverman Live at The Roundhouse, London. Visitors to Fat Freddy's Drop TV can customize your own Playlist and send to your mate. Choice.

We've also been gathering a choice collection of photos for our Gallery slideshows. The photos on this page are a small taster. Black and white shots from WOMAD by Jenny Raoult and the Big BW Tour 2008 by Nell Winton aka Sanellie.

Frozzen Presentamos a Freddy 8/08/09

We've been making friends in Spain with Jorge and Domingo at Frozzen Magazine - Crushed Stuff online. Loving the spread they've done on Freddy's in Issue 2.  Too much Frozzen.