We are a classic rock covers band from Invercargill, New Zealand, available for private functions and events. If you like Radio Hauraki then you will love us. We also play a lot of modern / alternative songs as well. Let us know if you need a set list or particular songs you like.
Email: looseunit@southernscoot.co.nz Phone: 0274751527 or 0272950445
Band photos here.
Loose Unit time line to date:
June 26th 2010
The Hawaiian Delights social rugby team had their 10 year reunion at the local Gluepot Bar, quite a dark, cold place and unfortunately up 3 flights of stairs !! It did however have a good stage with lighting and power, a great PA system and an excellent manager / sound man in Blair. He set up all the mikes and then did the sound check – what a legend, thanks Blair.
The Hawaiians played Excelsior,the Division 1, Presidents grade competition leader, earlier in the afternoon at the Marist ground in muddy conditions. For a purely “social” team they have gone very well this year and are quite well placed in their grade. They went down to the more “serious” side 14-5 with their try being scored in the last 5 minutes to a large crowd on the sidelines.
The Hawaiian tradition of Bare Belly drinking was the order of the day accompanied by copious shots from the Port flagons. With the threat of forcible shirt removal I wisely chose the option to “grin and bare it” until it got a bit cold with the doors being left open for ventilation and thus the new tradition of Bare Belly Bass Playing may have to be enacted by other bands that play at the HD soirees.
General rough housing and the like with the odd friendly scuffle and a few hand prints on bare backs kept the band and onlookers amused. But like all HD affairs no one was hurt and the atmosphere was good. That did change however when the traditional BBQ was fired up inside, staff assured us the ventilation was on, but a quick clean did the trick with a score of meat patties being consumed along with some oysters.
There were moments of trousers round ankles, full nudity – Stick being the worst offender, something of a surprise to some of the attending guests, but it was all done in the best possible taste.
Logan Edwards (aka sausage fingers) was recognized as the driving force of the HD unit with an extremely classy sausage garland and gift voucher being presented by Mikey.
Some of the boys got up and we jammed out a Hunters and Collectors song “Throw your arms around me” which really went off and got the rest of the boys all up dancing and singing – thankfully all fully dressed ! We also jammed out a Sublime song, good fun all round. There was mention of the “Sauce Boys” making a rare appearance but apparently their agent wasn’t able to be contacted in time.
We got a few beers and oysters for playing, saw some things we hope never to see again, but it was all good and we went into town for a few more drinks after.
Loose Unit were the usual suspects with guests – Chris (drums), Ritchie (guitar) and Logan (guitar)
March 20th 2010
Our 3rd gig at the ”Workies”. Rob brought along some of his new monitors and the rest of his PA equipment. We recently have started playing as a four piece as Phil is playing in another band but got him back for a set with all the harmonica songs we do – cheers Phil. Unfortuneately this has meant some singing duties for me, something that hopefully will get better with practice.
One of the workies regulars had an unusual sense of rhythm punctuated with hand claps at initially intermittant intervals, which soon turned into a rather annoying constant off time accompanyment.
It was the worst case of clap I’ve ever heard…
It was very hot and another workies regular dancer, after giving another patron a ride home, returned to the gig with a fan – no, not one of Brendon’s groupies, but a fan which we set up at the front of the stage to cool the band down a bit – what a legend !
Loose Unit were : Dave Skerrett – Drums, Jim Carroll – Bass, Rob Mason – Guitar and Vocals, Brendon Mason – Guitar and Vocals
AUGUST 29th 2009
Another gig at the ”Workies” this time up on the new stage. Rob brought along some of his new lights. The “2 moons possum” was the funniest thing of the night. We got some more good feedback from this one and decided to make some changes to our set list. Brendon’s groupies showed up and danced a storm.
Loose Unit were the usual suspects.
MAY 30th 2009
We got asked to play at the “Workies” and one of the committee members, Peter, came down to our shed to hear us play and see if we were alright. Brendon our big man with the big voice was working late so we didn’t know what to play. Anyway we rattled off April Sun in Cuba and he seemed happy with that so the gig was ours. We did the usual “tell all your friends and rellies we’re playing at the workies” and Rob even rustled up some cool posters – very professional. Unfortuneatly some of our friends couldn’t get into the club, as they were too intoxicated after a big day on the juice, not mentioning any names Al… The gig went well and we got some good feedback with offers of other gigs so all in all – not bad. My mum even came along to see what was going on.
Loose Unit were the usual suspects.
MARCH 9th 2009
Dave’s 40th at the Appleby Tavern.
What a great venue with a large stage with lights, plenty of seating, no stairs, good facilities and no clean up.
We were lucky to have the services of 3 drummers for the night – Peter White, a local man from The Keepers on the stool first, then Neil Carpenter an old mate from way back, now based in Dunedin,then our “40 year old.” Dave’s cousins, Joanne and Kelly and their friend Carol got up and did the 4 Non Blondes classic “What’s going On ?” which really went off and was great fun because we had never played it before. An excellent evening had by all. Cheers to Karen and all the helpers for the supper.
Loose Unit were : Peter White, Neil Carpenter, Dave Skerrett – Drums, Jim Carroll – Bass, Rob Mason – Guitar and Vocals, Brendon Mason – Guitar and Vocals, Phil Grace – Guitar, Harmonica and Vocals.
Some of the ladies had Hot Legs
FEBRUARY 14th 2009
Phil’s son, Brendon “lets get jacked up and make some bad decisions !” had his 21st at a local Rugby Club. It was possibly the best crowd we’ve had to date and as the night went on the crowd drank more and really got into it. There were some pretty full but happy enough punters as well as some “don’t stagger over by our PA with your jug again fella”. Brendon and Rob started the night off with an acoustic set that went down really well. Broken glass, food fights, general rowdiness, good speeches and supper, a chilli bin full of Heinekens for the band – what more do you need ?
Loose Unit were the usual suspects.
NOVEMBER 14th 2008
We played a private function at the Cabbage Tree in Otatara. We were a little bit concerned about how loud we were going to be at the venue, but we all turned right down and it turned out all good. The manager was well organised and helpful and put on a few beers for the band at the end of the night which was excellent.
Loose Unit were the usual suspects.
SEPTEMBER 27th 2008
Our second gig at the Globe Hotel in Riverton. Our first was for one of the Friday Night jam sessions they had there. We had a change of personnel with Steve moving to Australia so Brendon joined the band on Guitar and vocals as the newest unit. We had the services of our regular drummer – Dave, for this gig. Phil brought a new PA and a covered trailer the week before and after a team effort of carpeting our new rig, we were good to go. This was our first 4 set gig with a few new songs. Not a huge crowd but a hens night of women dressed up as the flinstones showed up to keep us all amused.
Loose Unit were : Dave Skerrett – Drums, Jim Carroll – Bass, Rob Mason – Guitar and Vocals, Brendon Mason – Guitar and Vocals, Phil Grace – Guitar, Harmonica and Vocals.
We had a Message in a Bottle - probably Heineken.
JUNE 21st 2008
We got asked to play at the Riverton RSA, with some other local bands as a fundraiser for the Riverton Coastguard and the RSA. This was our 2nd gig as Loose Unit. We were lucky enough to get another drummer for the night as Dave couldn’t make it so Trefor Jones was our man at the back for the night and was well up to the job.
The band list for the night was: Rob McCall, Paul and Amy, Flax Boys, Riviera, Loose Unit and The Detonators. The night was a roaring success – well organised, good bands, excellent sound / light systems and engineers and great crowd, We had a ball.
Loose Unit were : Trefor Jones – Drums, Jim Carroll – Bass, Rob Mason – Guitar and Vocals, Steve Holland – Guitar and Vocals, Phil Grace – Guitar, Harmonica and Vocals.
We did Alright Now