By Jennifer Scott, NZ Musician, Vol. 9, No. 6 June/July 2001
More styles than a fashion week catwalk is what you will find listening to this Auckland five-piece. The members' musical histories encompass R&B, hip hop, jazz, reggae and even a bit of opera - combining in The Mercenaries' songs to make something unique.
Singer/guitarist Steve Tofa studied performing arts and opera singing and in the mid-'90s toured the USA with the Pacific Island performance group, Pride of the Pacific. Drummer/percussionist Paul Burnell is a School of Audio Engineering graduate and former production manager for Auckland radio station 531 PI, where he engineered demos for Phil Fuemana of Urban Pacifika.
He also toured Europe with Tim and Milan from Pluto and his playing encompasses jazz, rock, hip-hop and latin beats. Nas Kama (Rhodes keyboard/percussion) is also a SAE graduate, worked at 531 PI and played bass for Coelacanth. He taught himself to play the Rhodes and is also exploring blending traditional Pacific Island and contemporary percussion instruments into songs.
Turntablist Sam Leauanae is an accomplished flute and piano player and has completed a certificate in audio engineering. Bassist Aaron Thompson - the newest mercenary - has been playing since he was 15, firstly in Wanganui band Loup Garou and then Wellington's Marabu, an afro-funk band with French vocals. In Auckland he was part of Her Majesty's Minstrels. He has also studied sound production, event production, live sound, lighting and tour management.
All of these experiences and influences come together on the band's six-track EP, the beautifully presented 'Sunday Cleanup' (available on mp3.net.nz). Nas says experimenting with a variety of styles is essential to the band's sound and crucial to musicians' development. "It's like when a rugby team trains, they don't just play rugby, they do weights and practise different skills. It's important for musicians to try other styles and from those experiences develop something unique."
Early indications are that The Mercenaries' sound may have cross-over appeal. b.net stations have picked up You Will Pay and Mai FM - and its new record label Mai Music - have taken a shine to Beautiful Face and Forget It. The band has a single-by-single deal with Mai Music and hope the singles and EP will attract record company interest for an album later this year.
The band is also building a live profile around Auckland and Nas says the immediate future will be spent refining their live show and their stage presence. Live-to-airs on radio and a spot on TV's Good Morning show also help in making The Mercenaries definitely one to watch.
Turntablist Sam Leauanae is an accomplished flute and piano player and has completed a certificate in audio engineering. Bassist Aaron Thompson - the newest mercenary - has been playing since he was 15, firstly in Wanganui band Loup Garou and then Wellington's Marabu, an afro-funk band with French vocals. In Auckland he was part of Her Majesty's Minstrels. He has also studied sound production, event production, live sound, lighting and tour management.
All of these experiences and influences come together on the band's six-track EP, the beautifully presented 'Sunday Cleanup' (available on mp3.net.nz). Nas says experimenting with a variety of styles is essential to the band's sound and crucial to musicians' development. "It's like when a rugby team trains, they don't just play rugby, they do weights and practise different skills. It's important for musicians to try other styles and from those experiences develop something unique."
Early indications are that The Mercenaries' sound may have cross-over appeal. b.net stations have picked up You Will Pay and Mai FM - and its new record label Mai Music - have taken a shine to Beautiful Face and Forget It. The band has a single-by-single deal with Mai Music and hope the singles and EP will attract record company interest for an album later this year.
The band is also building a live profile around Auckland and Nas says the immediate future will be spent refining their live show and their stage presence. Live-to-airs on radio and a spot on TV's Good Morning show also help in making The Mercenaries definitely one to watch.
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