Gutter Black

“Lying in the gutter
I cut the cord from my mother
She pat me on the head and say
Go to sea boy, get to sea man.

She comin' to my house
Trouble trouble trouble
Go to sea boy, get to sea man

My luck in the gutter black
I guess I'm running back
To you 
You in my brain; you in my heart”

Gutter Black – Hello Sailor

I feel it necessary to take a look back at the bands which were this New Zealand Music Month. A lot of time and energy in May is spent discovering new talent, but the month is also a cause for celebrating all eras of New Zealand music. I must pay tribute today to one of those leading figures of New Zealand rock Dave McArtney of Hello Sailor who sadly passed away earlier this year.

Hello Sailor were an iconic band for New Zealand and I feel they had a series of firsts for our music industry. Their self-titled album was the first NZ made record to be certified gold and it became a gateway for rock bands to come. They toured the country with their music but failed to take it overseas, the unfortunate fate for many New Zealand acts. And they made a 21^st century comeback in two ways: firstly when Gutter Black became the theme song for Outrageous Fortune, and secondly with the release of their 2006 album When Your Lights Are Out, and more recently 2012 album Surrey Crescent Moon. Hello Sailor proved a band never reaches the end until the end of one of its members with a memorable 22 year career coming to an end in April.

Dave McArtney’s contribution to New Zealand music was more than fronting Hello Sailor and we remember him fondly for giving back New Zealand’s emerging talent. He taught at Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand for a number of years before his death and, prior to this, had roles in directing and composing music for New Zealand media productions. Dave was an important part of New Zealand music and I think the tribute which flowed from social media sites from the public are testament to that.

Of course, McArtney is only one figure who achieved greatly in New Zealand music. I bet you could name another five off the top of your head (dead or alive) and their successes and contributions. I feel now is a great time to pull out their old tracks and have a listen for what could be the first time in years. It’s New Zealand Music Month and we are celebrating success of musicians not only from today and tomorrow, but across generations of New Zealanders alike.