05-04-01
The article below, and more importantly Weta's break-up, have been confirmed as true (finally) at the official site. Long live Weta.
02-03-01
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?
19-02-01
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28-11-00
In the latest NZ Musician Magazine...:
"Sadly the rumours are true - Weta have broken up. Rumours of the band's split began in December when drummer Clinton ' Bolli' den Heyer and guitarist Gabes Atkinson left the band. Singer Aaron Tokona and his brother, bassist Clinton 'Tookie', were subsequently spotted back in Wellington. Weta then pulled out of the Big Day Out. Manager Steve Betts told Real Groove magazine in December that the band was "on a break" following extensive touring but would not comment about the band to NZM.
The split happened at a forehead-slappingly crucial time for the Wellington band which relocated to Melbourne in 1999. Their debut album, 'Geographica' was due to be released on Warner Music Australia (to whom they are signed) in February. Warner A&R manager Dan Hennessy says there are no plans to release the album in Australia without a band to tour it: "It's disappointing because it's such a great record and they had such great potential but bands break up all the time in this industry." In addition to leavingWarner Australia with a bad taste in its mouth, it also leaves a hole in their pocket. The record company invested heavily into the recording and marketing of the album.
'Geographica' was released here in October with NZ Herald critic Russell Ballie naming it Best Local Release of the Year. NZM certainly say a bright future, putting Weta on the cover of its June/July 2000 issue. Fans and industry pundits alike are puzzled as to why Weta split at such a promising point in their career after five years of slogging away. The rumour mill puts it down to 'personal difference'. There is talk that the Tokona brothers may reform the band with new members."
Aaron is up for Songwriter of the Year at the New Zealand Music Awards
A little, wee bit of 'Calling On' has been included in a TV ad for a Vodafone/Coca Cola promotion
Latest news is that drummer Clinton has left to work on marystaple's EP and has been replaced... but who knows aye? Rumours, rumours, rumours...
NZMUSIC.COM say "Back on deck after the holidays. Mostly good news but topping the bad news list is the rumour that Weta have split. "Damn damn damn!" is all this rock loving chick has to say about that. Aaron and Tookie are apparently back in Welli, Gabe's still in Oz and Clinton is due to work with Marystaple on their EP later in the summer."
'Snapshot' has been included on Kiwi Hit Disc 45.
'Geographica' is NZ Herald's 'Best Album Local'. The article is up in the articles section.
NZMUSIC.COM WETA SHOW
Wooohoooo... a couple of days late due to a bit of Christmas over indulgence, but here it is... grab a beer, tuck into some leftovers, kickback and enjoy the NZMUSIC.COM Weta Show.
It's awesome!
nzmusic.com FEATURE TRIBUTE
Were seeing out the year with a tribute to the band that rocked our world the hardest in 2000. Weta.
We have every Weta video ever made and we will release one a day, every day from now until Sunday (cos theres only 4). Late on Christmas Eve, well put on the site our biggest, longest, and loudest ever feature. With Weta (of course) live at their recent Town Hall gigs and snippets of them cruisin the streets of their home town Wellington. (Sorry Aussie, theyre most definitely ours!).
New pictures up... 'other random photos' on the pictures page.
In the latest Real Groove magazine:
"Weta have pulled out of their main stage appearance at Big Day Out 2001, prompting rumours that they are to split. According to Steve Betts of Australian
management company Aloha, who represents the band, "Officially, Weta have taken a two month break after two and a half years of hectic touring and
recording schedules abroad". The band's future remains unclear..."
Hmmmm...
13-12-00
Aaron features on Powderfinger's "We should be together now" (from the new album, 'Odyssey Number 5') as a backing vocalist.
Last week 'Geographica' returned to the NZ Top 50 album chart at number 46.
Doesn't look like they're playing on the Big Day Out tour, *sob*
Lookie what I found at the Noizyland website:
Weta - none more black (01-06-99)
The photographic artwork on the sleeve of the new Weta EP release titled "Natural Compression" has been pulled as it could be considered to be obscene.
Never! The four track EP is produced by Tom Shihad and is scheduled for a July release. What images could cause upstanding folk like Active 89FM
Programmer, Andy Mitchell to say. "It's a sad, dodgy Weta fantasy." Corr. Clinton Weta told un-chart-ed this week that the images were taken by
photographer Jono Rottman in old farmer's quarters in the Wairarapa. Clinton says the image is arresting. "Some people consider it to be a little risque
or just wired.", he says. The offending material? A very sexy woman dressed in black and a fully grown man wearing pink nappies with a matching hat,
who happens to be tied to an old bed frame. Phowar. The EP features the song "Let it Go", the video for which was directed by NZ Music award winning
director Reuben Sutherland. Weta are catching a 4am flight on their way to Melbourne this Monday where they plan to establish a solid career as working
musicians. They play goodbyeee gigs at Wellington's Valve bar and venue this Saturday the 5th and an all ages Sunday Sermon the following evening.
Hmmm.....
And also - Gabe (and also Jon and Tom from Shihad) does backing vocals with others in a Living End track off the new album...?
And can anyone confirm or deny that Weta are playing at the Masonic, in Devonport, on the 29th of December with those Betchadupa fellas??
New photos up (thanks Casey* - you rock!). Also go to the Triple J website and vote for their hottest 100... the Weta lads have not just one song, but two up for the running! Woohoo!
26-11-00
Looks like 'Snapshot' has been released to radio... so ring up and request it!!!
25-11-00
Last gig of the tour in NZ occuring as I type. After that, the band are taking a well deserved 2 months of to do whatever the hell they please. Choice.
Few reviews up from the Shihad gigs. Go check 'em out.
22-11-00
Isn't the date cool? Anyways... the ChCh gig has sold out - all tickets gone. Woohoo, it's gonna rock. See all you other ChCh folk there on Fri!
And.... rumours re a flying - Weta breaking up? But do not fear - I'm told they're just that - RUMOURS... *phew*
20-11-00
Photos from the Welly instore up.
19-11-00
Weta have made it into NZ Girlfriend magazine... how about that? Along with a little wee poster so you can stick them on your wall and admire their beauty... coz they're pin-up boys now don't you know. I'll get the article up shortly.
17-11-00
Second Auckland show announced today. Also instore signing thing - Details on gigs page...
'Calling On' included on Channel Z's first compilation CD. More info: Channel Z
16-11-00
'Geographica' now at number 15... awesome stuff. And I do believe Weta appeared on What Now last Monday, or something... if anyone has all of itemail me please!
All the bands doing an instore in ChCh, check the gigs page...
9-11-00
Updated gigs page. 'Geographica' still at 34 on NZ charts... tour kicks off today!
7-11-00
Friday's gig in Wellington has sold out. Another gig to make up for this has been announced - Sunday 12 November, Town Hall. 7pm. Tickets are on sale now.
Sounds page now up... so if you don't know what Weta do...
a) Where have you been?
b) You can now find out
1-11-00
'Geographica' now at number 34 on the NZ album charts...
28-10-00
So, Weta have appeared in an issue of NZ's 'Woman's Day' magazine... if you wanna check it out, go ask ya mum's if they have the October 9 2000 issue... sorry, I don't have it. Found it at the haidressers..... hmm...
26-10-00
'Geographica' is now at number 29 on the NZ albums charts, moving down one place.
24-10-00
More photos up - the band at an instore signing thingee... thanks very much to Megan who gave me the proof sheet.
23-10-00
2 old-ish Herald articles, a Herald review, a CDstar review, and a few pictrues up.
I just heard that Weta will be playing the Big Day Out... fingers crossed that this is true.
21-10-00
New article up. May have another couple up tonight, and also a picture if you're lucky...
19-10-00
Addition + change to the NZ tour...
18-10-00
'Geographica' at number 12 on the NZ Album charts last week, and this week at number 28. All you kiwis go buy it!!!!!!!!
13-10-00
New review up...
07-10-00
New gig in Melbourne up. Those articles are also up, so make sure you check them out 'cause they're rather interesting...
05-10-00
Weta feature in the latest Pavement and Tearaway magazines... probably have them up, um, sometime...
04-10-00
'Geographica' has moved up a place to number 8 in the NZ album charts
03-10-00
Well, I was at the online music store, CDnow, and thought I'd randomly look up Weta to see if they were listed yet.. and voila! There they were - just so you know, you can now import the 'Calling On' single through CDnow... righto
The band have arrived back in Melbourne.
wetarock.com is kinda up and running. Way to get in is through the Shihad way... ~click here~
30-09-00
Many photos up now. Check them out. Photos from the gig at the Classic appear in the latest Real Groove, along with an excellent review. (Photos are on my pictures page)
Shihad, Weta, Fur Patrol tour confirmed!!!!! Go to Gigs page for more details...
28-09-00
Weta are winding up their NZ visit in Queenstown right now... their 3 showcase performances went off. Absolutely stunning.
Photos from the Christchurch performance could very well be up in the next couple of days.
Congrats are in order - 'Geographica' debuted at no.9 on the NZ album charts!
Also - Weta feature in an article about NZer's leaving the country (especially for Aussie). Will have it up soon.
22-09-00
Don't you hate it when your comp's down and you can't use it...? Well anyways. If you're in Christchurch, head down to Echo High Street for copies of Geographica being signed by the band.
Weta will be appearing on Ice As tomorrow night. And at the Rockquest finals in Auckland... at probably the same time.. he he. The marvels of Pre-recording stuff for TV.
Great review in 'The Press' today - 4 and a 1/2 stars. Also an article... will put it up one day.
Also been good reviews from people who have been to the showcase gigs... may get a couple for you's...
If your at high school in NZ - check out this month's 'Student Decision' magazine for an article on Weta - my site's listed as the one to check out! Except they put it was by Tookie...? Weird...
15-09-00
It's out, it's out, it's finally hit shelves in NZ record stores... run along now, dear, and get yourself a copy...
Weta appearing on TV2 program Space tonight.
14-09-00
I totally don't know about the release date of Geographica anymore... Grant Hislop (or Warner Music NZ) says that it should be insotres tomorrow, but stores are giving me all sorts of confused information - today I got from a Sounds here in Christchurch, that it wouldn't be released until the 28th! What's going on.....?
Also - Weta are doing an insotre at Sounds Megastore in Auckland on the 22nd of Sep - Check it out.
2 new reviews on Geographic up on the reviews page.
13-09-00
Guess what I just read..." the release of 'Geographica' sees Weta return to New Zealand for a brief whirlwind promotional tour, with a promised full live tour with label mates Shihad before the year's end!!!" Oh my gosh... how cool is that?!?!?
Weta are on the Rock this Saturday from 6pm... and on Friday Channel Z from the same time.
10-09-00
Weta feature in the latest Rip It Up and Real Groove magazines. Will be up on the articles page sometime...
On The Rock (NZ radio station) Weta will be appearing with the Greenman, Betchadupa, and Growler on Saturday... playing songs live in the studio from Geographica, check it out. Not sure what time yet - will get back on that one...
07-09-00
Weta will be on the 'Coleman Sessions' on Channel Z Friday 15th Sep. Keep listening to win tickets to the 3 Weta showcase gigs + signed copies of the album.
04-09-00
Weta playing in Auck, Welly, + Chch this month. Check the gigs page for more info. Interview with Aaron on Channel Z this morning. Will transcribe what I got.
01-09-00
Weta debuted on the NZ singles chart at number 43 last week, and are at number 37 this week.
2 new gigs in the gig guide.
26-08-00
I've been asked to put up that 'Geographica' will be released in New Zealand in September this year, and in Australia in February 2001...
Interview done not to long ago is now up on the articles page, as well as an article from NZ Musician Magazine.
24-08-00
Updated gigs page.
Album out September 14th in NZ - not 21st
14-08-00
"Calling On' in stores... go buy it now!!!!! It's very lovely - 2 versions of the song, and 2 other songs...
13-08-00
Today on Squeeze you may have seen Francesca reading out e-mails from Mr. Clinton den Heyer... then followed by the brilliant video to "Calling On".
I'm told that the single to that song is to be released in Aussie tomorrow. Go out and get it if you're there!
Also - in NZ the album will be release September 21st, with gigs in the main centres (auck, Welly + Chch). How exciting!
10-08-00
For the latest news (10-08-00) from Weta personally, click HERE.