The D4 return to see-off legendary Auckland tavern
There’s an edgy full circle feeling to the return of The D4.
The Kiwi rock band’s last gig was at Auckland’s Kings Arm Tavern more than a decade ago.
On February 22, the group would return for a sold out gig to see-off the legendary venue in Newton.
‘‘It completely informed everything we did. We rehearsed around the corner, played shows and grew up with the venue as it changed,’’ The D4’s Jimmy Christmas said.
‘‘There was some real memorable nights for us. We felt quite emotionally attached to that venue.’’
The vocalist and guitarist had reformation conversations with Dion Lunadon in late 2017 and The Kings Arm closing down was a big part of the group’s reunion.
‘‘When we started talking about it, it felt pretty good,’’ Christmas said.
The band were offered a gig at the Auckland City Limits (ACL) in March which anchored the band’s return, he said.
The D4 burst onto the music
‘‘It's sounding pretty hot. I think we're going to be in good shape. ’’
scene in the late 1990s and performed at Big Day Out, SXSW Music Festival in Texas and the David Letterman Show.
After hundreds of shows around the globe, and two albums, the group parted ways in 2006.
The reunited group would have Lunadon, Christmas, Beaver Pooley and Jake Harding.
Christmas, a South Head resident in northwest Auckland, would also take the group locally to the Kaipara Tavern in Helensville.
‘‘We wanted to play just as much as possible in the run into ACL and I’m really attached to this environment and community up there. Bring it to Helensville.
‘‘It’s going to be pretty wild. I’ve had some good nights there with other bands.’’
The D4 had its first rehearsal for more than 10 years on February 9.
‘‘It’s sounding pretty hot. I think we’re going to be in good shape.
‘‘We want to be hotter than when we left off. Take it up another level.’’
‘‘From the first chord of the first song it felt pretty good. There’s a lot of muscle memory there ... so it naturally slipped into the groove.’’
The D4 would play at the Kaipara Tavern, Helensville on March 2 at 8pm. R18.
Go to undertheradar.co.nz for tickets.