Gerald Dwyer remembered (1996)

L-R: Gerald Dwyer with Jon Toogood (Shihad), 1995 BDO.
Photo: Murray Cammick / Audioculture

Gerald Dwyer - A tribute

By Anna Glowacz, Real Groove, March 1996, p14

No room for morbidity or industry recognition here – Gerald was a friend, mentor, co-conspirator, and major inspiration – a constant reminder of how to direct rather than divert creative energy and not rest on any imagined laurels waiting for the world to happen for you. Hard work is the only currency and success measured in terms of your last record, gig or personal encounter.

The first pub gig I ever went to was Flesh D-Vice and the Glass at Wellington’s Terminus with punks and skins mingled together and throwing each other down the stairwell in the middle of the dance floor. I missed a few Flesh D-Vice gigs after that and would be upfront most times, soaking up the dripping vibes of horror rock ‘n’ roll unlike any other band in existence – then or now.Smoke machines, pigs, heads, hanging, and dripping over the stage – always total atmosphere. Gerald was always seeking out the soundtracks that made sense within the daily toil. New music was always the topic of the day when we talked.

When Gerald asked me to become part of the Wild, Wild Rock Show on Radio Active, I jumped at the chance. We alternate Big Black Flags, Zombies, and Slayers, Kreators, Venom Vod and the rankest material we could get our hands on. The one show we did together, we doubled up on a good dozen of the albums - hard-core music junkies ultimately think alike.

Working at Jayrem, often sleeving piles, and piles of Flesh D-Vice records, I would vocalise my support and air my opinions as to why the label should stick with the band despite growing recording costs. FDV were worth something. It’s the band that inspired me to do a fan – suBmission, now long gone. And a band that was way ahead of its time in terms of 10” collectors’ vinyl and cover art by Robert Williams… and the rest.

I often had Gerald up about the misogyny and lyrics and the artwork choices. It all became clearer. You could see it in Gerald‘s dark eyes – a deeper, far reaching understanding. Excellent one on one communication, intelligence, insight. When it was time to stop FDV, it was time to stop. Move on, next project.

If strong individuality (and a quiet smouldering power) had a patent. Gerald would have it. He was single minded in his desire to see Shihad succeed – he put in the hours and never gave up on that overseas deal (while posting over the doors of wolves). All too often I had to ring back or Gerald would ring me, true to his word.

The things that scare other people didn’t scare Gerald. I went overseas, he went overseas (and more than once), but we always kept in touch, meeting for lunch now and then, exchanging info on the street. Gerald being an hour late for lunch was usual though I was always glad to see him more than pissed off – it was always worth it.

I nearly worked side-by-side with Gerald with the flyers – lack of a driver's licence put paid to the idea, and Gerald‘s version, more obvious now, that I wouldn’t be long in Wellington. He was right.

Gerald always knew what he wanted for himself and what he envisioned for others and could get a cross, often intangibly. The man who gave up coffee, and any number of other vices, who single-handedly fed the underground community of psychoalcoholics anonymous, and friend who will be sadly missed. 

Gerald Dwyer

(Rip It Up, Issue 222, February 1996, Page 6, uncredited)

Gerald Dwyer (35), manager of Wellington bands Shihad and Head Like A Hole, was found dead in his Auckland motel room when band members returned from performing at the Big Day Out on January 19. Shihad who were to fly to Australia the following day, cancelled their tickets to stay for the funeral.

The service took place at Maraeroa Marae, Porirua on Wednesday Jan 24. After the burial guests returned to the marae and were invited to join the hosts on acoustic guitar, with highlights including Jon Toogood's 'Ace of Spades' singalong. Later that evening Shihad flew to Auckland to leave early the next morning for Sydney, where they, rejoined the Big Day Out tour for.the Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth shows. 

Gerald was also owner of Wellington's Sticky Fingers postering business, and was formerly the singer in 80s hardcore band Flesh D-Vice. As manager, he successfully arranged European releases and tours for both Shihad and Head Like A Hole, and an American release and tours for Shihad. Gerald also assumed the executive producer role in the recording of the Head Like A Hole and Shihad albums, providing the Wildside label with the backbone of its roster. His innovative ideas included band ownership of master tapes and working from a base in New Zealand. 

Gerald was an enthusiastic supporter of Wellington music, and often took new support bands on national tours with his bands, exposing to New Zealand bands such as Steak, Funkmutha, Short, and Jawload. 

Tom Larkin, Shihad's drummer said, "We lost a really good friend and a great manager.'' 

Thomas Riesbeck, Head of A&R at Noise Records, Germany, who was in Auckland at the time of Gerald's death, wrote these words of tribute for RipltUp. "G-man was much more rock 'n' roll than anybody else I know or have known, but his rock 'n'roll attitude did not prevent him from doing a serious job and he was always doing it full-on. The way he worked was like a director giving the films in his mind a life. He was much more like a father to his kids, Head Like A Hole and Shihad, than just a manager. 

"To me, working with Gerald was sometimes pretty difficult because he became my dearest friend in a very short time, and sometimes I had to sort out clashing interests, for me representing the record company and him representing the bands. G-man managed to arrange everything, even for when his flaming soul was extinguished. His will was to die in his boots, which he did with all the people he loved around him. He made it his big day out. This country and the music business all over the world have lost a very unique character."