I Am You are 3 members from Timaru and one from Christchurch, A chance meeting in Christchurch brought together three musicians. With drums, guitar and bass the final ingredient was added upon the return of a friend from Australia. Armed with his unique and energetic stage presence I Am You are ready to be released upon an unsuspecting public.Although it is common knowledge amongst the city’s live music loving population, it does need to be said that Christchurch’s live music scene is sadly not what it used to be.
The days of being able to wander into any venue, at any time of the evening and see a fantastic band, making unique music, seem to be on hiatus, and those bands making original tunes are pushed into obscure locations a very expensive taxi ride away.
This was true for my first encounter of ‘I Am You’. I’d heard of them, but I hadn’t heard them (that old chestnut). I’d seen their posters around town, (which if you’re a fan of psychedelics are well worth a geez) and knew the bands they played with.
When I finally did get the chance to see them, however, I was in complete awe.
They played to a room of five people as if it were packed full of thousands, not a single fraction of their energy turned down, not a single member seeming to give a toss that their only onlookers were a couple of half pissed, hairy midgets. But the sound was the real deal As if ‘Led Zeppelin’ and ‘The Doors’ were hanging out listening to ‘King Crimson’ records, waiting for ‘Black Sabbath’ to arrive.
Since then I’ve managed to see ‘I Am You’ play many more times, most recently with another amazing Christchurch band – ‘The Laon’ (Check them out NOW) while raising funds to compete in the battle of the bands finals in Auckland, but have since taken a break to work on their debut self-titled E.P.
Recorded at The Death Mill, Timaru by Ben ‘Dip’ Smith, with artwork by Anthony ‘Mouse‘ Light and featuring Steven Gill (Guitar), Matt Woodall (Vocals), Ashley Perry (Drums) and Chris Kerr (Bass) it’s about time the public got a taste of the bands groove-rock, and is sure to make an impact on the local scene and the public alike.
The ‘I Am You‘ E.P Can be purchased digitally from iamyourock.bandcamp.com and from the bands’ live shows.
Tracks include;
- ‘Tell me no lies’,
- ‘What I is’,
- ‘Truth between lies’,
- ‘Double Slit’ and
- ‘Fail to prevail’.
I Am You EP Release shows
Saturday 1st February
Churchills Live | Christchurch
www.facebook.com/events/244952392339201
Friday 14 February
Barkode | Timaru
www.facebook.com/events/217864911726174