Soundtrack to your studies - 1993

This was the first year that Orientation provided a run of free events - in past years, students either had to buy an “Orientation Card” to get in free or just received a discount at O-week gigs. The Uni Cafe had a full run of shows - Head Like A Hole supported by Freak Power; Jan Hellreigel supported by Fatal Jelly Space; and JPSE supported by The Able Tasmans.

The 3ds played in the Rec Centre (with the Mutton Birds) and the band were riding high at that time. They were asked to support U2 at Western Springs, but one of their friends was caught stealing alcohol from U2’s dressing room and the promoter threatened not to pay them. Luckily Bono heard about what had happened and sent them a bottle of wine, as well as getting the promoter to pay them twice the agreed amount.

The previous year, The 3ds also supported Nirvana at the Logan Campbell Centre (along with Second Child) for their only New Zealand show - tickets were only $25.

The other bands that played the Uni Cafe later in the year gave an indication of the indie rock that was popular at the time. Flying Nun stalwarts The Bats appeared, along with grunge act The Nixons (who would later find success as Eye TV). Semi Lemon Kola (aka Propeller) also had a gig at the venue and they were part of a run of bands whose members were regulars around the bFM offices - the other notable name being Thorazine Shuffle.

New Zealand was still a year away from the Big Day Out starting on our shores so local punters had to make do with two smaller scale events. For those with more of a pop leaning, there was multi-day festival Strawberry Fields which had Australian group Frente, Andrew Fagan, and Moana & the Moa Hunters. Whereas rock fans found a more appetising line-up at Mountain Rock, headlined by Shihad, Push Push, Shona Laing, and The Mutton Birds.

What was pumping on your stereo while you were on campus? Suggest songs to add to our 1990s playlist, and you could win $100 Flying Out voucher.