Hallelujah Picassos

Misled Convoy remixes collection out, featuring Picassos

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 08:50:00 +0000

Misled Convoy aka Mike Hodgson (also of Pitch Black) did an epic groove mashout on Rewind for our 'Rewind Reversioned' project for Hallelujah Picassos last year. He's included that remix on his latest collection of his remix work, some great spaced out dub vibes on there, take a listen.

He also chopped up and reworked our original music video for Rewind, watch it below:

A brand new HPs remix album ‘Rewind Re-versioned’ out Dec 5

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:41:00 +0000

Rewind Re-versioned by Hallelujah Picassos

Hallelujah Picassos announce a brand new remix album ‘Rewind Re-versioned’. It’s a version excursion, riddim-wise styles.

We are releasing a special remix album with 15 remixes of the same song, all in wildly different flavours. Why? That sounds insane.

Last year was the 30th anniversary of Hallelujah Picassos’ single ‘Rewind’ being released. The song quickly became hugely popular with fans and student radio, and was a highlight of our live sets, sung by our drummer Bobbylon from behind the kit.

We’re doing it to remind everyone what a magnificent singer Bob was. He passed away in 2018 and we want to do this project to honour him and his legacy.

We’re going to include a handful of remixes from a wide range of folks who have been active since the time we released it, along with the original version.

Remixers who are involved include Christoph El Truento, Amamelia, Stinky Jim (Unitone Hifi), Sola Rosa, Daniel Maneto, Surly, Timmy Schumacher, Evan Short (Kiljoy, ex Concord Dawn), Mike Hodgson (Misled Convoy, Pitch Black) Joost Langeveld (Subware), and Rachel D.

‘Rewind Re-versioned’ is coming out December 5, 2025 on a limited run of CDs and cassettes, and digital. All formats come with a booklet with photos and tales of Bobbylon from some of the remixers and friends of the band.

Preorder it on cassette or CD from Flying Out.

We will be having a launch event at Flying Out on Dec 5, from 4pm to 6pm, with DJs and pals to celebrate the release.

Watch the original music video for Rewind, recut to the mighty Christoph El Truento's remix:

All Systems Go - new single coming.

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 05:55:00 +0000

Here is the latest release by Hallelujah Picassos, called All Systems Go. The title has two meanings but is not a double entendre, and sees the band swimming in a cacophony of polyphonic bliss, with a vocal battle chant "All Systems Go".

Slamming and drifting, through a banging riddim, crunchy keyboards that is the latest HP offering to the Euterpe, the muse of music, and for the public on Bandcamp.

We’ve made a music video for the song, shot and edited by band member Drew McCormack in glorious black and white, with animations by Roland Rorschach.

Hallelujah Picassos are part of the awesome lineup of bands playing ‘ToneFest’, returning for the third year at Whammy on Nov 1st, 2025. Starts early with an all ages show from 4pm, followed by 8pm show (R18).

Tone Exchange presents Tone Fest 2025, at Whammy Bar

all ages 4 - 7pm
4.14 Text To Speech
4.45 Steel Wool
5.15 Crying Ivy
5.45 Sprawl
6.15 Snuffer

R18 8pm - midnight
8.15 Hallelujah Picassos
8.45 Oxsun Ox
9.15 O/Pus
9.45 Preacher
10.15 Cootie Cuties
10.45 Grym Rhymney
11.15 New Telepathics

All Systems Go (single) by Hallelujah Picassos

Hallelujah Picassos release new single with a uptempo dancehall feel

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 05:15:00 +0000

Bring The Joy (single) by Hallelujah Picassos

Here is this year's second release by the Picassos, Bring The Joy, out 8 Nov 2024. An uplifting melody evoking hints of Jamaican Dancehall, and a sprinkle of dub dust thrown in, thus the HPs stay adjacent and true, while Roland and the fellow HPs chant back and forth, in parts, throughout.

We’re slowly heading towards another album in the future, with each release. The Dutch word JammerPot is used, meaning ‘complainer; in English, and is a play on words.

Hallelujah Picassos are part of the amazing lineup of bands playing ‘ToneFest’, returning for the second year at Whammy on Nov 16th, 2024. Tickets from UTR.

Hallelujah Picassos release new single with a wobbly dub vibe

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 06:16:00 +0000

Kiss the smiling electric buddha (single) by Hallelujah Picassos

Kiss The Smiling Electric Buddha is this year's first tune by the HPs and it's a heavy hitter, with a sonic crunch sprinkle.

Building further inroads in the genre adjacent HP mythos that the band writes with their music. Roland continues his esoteric and cryptic mantra, whilst around, behind and Infront, underneath, Peter, Darryn and Drew spin and weave a heavy rhythmic and melodic tapestry of a Stereophonic Alternate Universe.

It draws one in and one is grabbed, drifting with the aural current into the mystic maelstrom thru the HP landscape. Expanding their Oeuvre, song by song.

New single ‘Tax The Rich’ drops ahead of Tone Exchange Fest at Whammy

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 21:30:00 +0000

Tax The Rich by Hallelujah Picassos

Tax The Rich reflects a particular zeitgeist that seems to run through a certain part of the NZ /Aotearoa populace. The lyrics in this case are straightforward on top of pulsing bass, haunted rhythm that flows throughout, and accompanying mesmerising keyboards.

Hallelujah Picassos are now firmly entrenched in their Alt Sound System Ensemble setup and are very comfortable with it. They have left their 90s iteration well behind and this reincarnation, it seems, will be present for a long while to come.

Catch them live at Tone Exchange Fest later this month. It's a celebration of artists who rehearse and record at our collective studio 'Tone Exchange' in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland.

Happening at Whammy Bar and Whammy Backroom on September 23 2023. Bands include King Ketchup, Ripship, Loud Ghost, Nuggiez, Pumice and more. More details at Under The Radar.

New single Jelly Inna Jar

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 06:02:00 +0000

Jelly Inna Jar by Hallelujah Picassos

Hallelujah Picassos are starting their year with the release of a new song 'Jelly Inna Jar' and a few live shows.

‘Jelly Inna Jar’ belongs in the lyrical esoteric field as Picassos’ song 'Peanut Butter', and like the aforementioned is a communal sing-along song.

Hallelujah Picassos will be joining Auckland cult outfit The Pet Rocks, who are reuniting after two decades for two shows as they celebrate the arrival of their unreleased album.

The Pet Rocks are marking 25 years since they completed their unreleased album PR Nightmare (finally seeing the light of day this March thru 1:12 Records).

The Pet Rocks, Hallelujah Picassos, and Warm Leather are playing at Whammy Backroom in Auckland on Friday 31st March and at the Yot Club in Raglan on Saturday 7 April.

Two gigs, two! Count em.

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Sat, 04 Mar 2023 08:11:00 +0000

‘90s postmodern rockers reunite for first NZ shows in 23 years at Auckland’s Whammy Backroom and Raglan’s Yot Club in March / April 2023

The Pet Rocks, the ‘90s era postmodern rock band are returning for their first Aotearoa shows since 2000. The band are reuniting to mark 25 years since the completion of their unreleased album PR Nightmare (Out March 2023 through 1:12 Records).

The band will headline Whammy Bar on Friday 31st March and Raglans Yot Club on Saturday April 8th (Easter Saturday) alongside Tāmaki Makaurau heroes Hallelujah Picassos, Andrew Tolley’s motorik music machine Warm Leather and Dirtbag Dj's

Founding member Nick Kreisler (vocals / guitar) will be joined by ‘90s members Steven Shaw (bass), Kim Martinengo (drums) and Dominic Blaazer (electric piano, synthesizer).

“Guitarist Simon Sampson is the only member we couldn’t pull in. He lives in London these days, so unfortunately, he can’t join us. We have recruited Aaron Wood (Grande Cobra, Los Hories) who is a close friend and will totally bring the guitar heat” Kreisler explained.

New single Brothers and Sisters out, Matariki gig coming....

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 08:45:00 +0000

Brothers and Sisters (there’s more than blood that binds us) by Hallelujah Picassos

Here is the second song to be released this year by alt/indie cult band Hallelujah Picassos, titled "Brothers and Sisters (there’s more than blood that binds us)".

It was inspired by the research of Ralph and Coop of USC Dornsife that shows that all people living now share a common ancestor that only lived about 100-150 generations ago (or 3,400 years).

It's a smoking cauldron of thumping ritual and hypno vox invocation, conjuring and celebrating the brotherhood, the sisterhood, the people hood, in menacing times like these.

We'll be playing it next Friday June 24 at the amazing 1:12 Records Matariki event at Whammy Bar, which is FREE!

released June 17, 2022

Hallelujah, it’s a glorious new single

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 19:00:00 +0000

Glorious Hallelujah (a Hymn for a Secular Congregation) by Hallelujah Picassos

Alt/indie cult band Hallelujah Picassos are pleased to present their latest addition to their enigmatic oeuvre. It's a composition titled ‘Glorious Hallelujah (a Hymn for a Secular Congregation)’.

This single marks the recording debut for newest member Drew McCormack (The Nuggiez), who has been part of our live show for the past couple of years.

With Hallelujah in their band name and having done a song with the last half of their HPs name (BSPC) aka' Picasso Core', 'Glorious Hallelujah' becomes it's natural companion track, adding further Spiritual Mysticism to HPs mythic chronicles and narrative milieu, showing their aesthetic depth.

Thus we have Roland the Arcane Esoteric Priest, and Harmonic Druids Peter, Darren and Drew enticing the listener to join in and sing along with this work.

This is the first song since their album ‘Voices of Exuberant Hellhounds’ (1:12 Records) from 2019 and the start of the next phase for the band, with more releases scheduled for this year.

Released on Friday March 4th 2022, for Bandcamp Friday.

Find it at https://hallelujahpicassos.bandcamp.com

1:12 xmas party, Picassos on early!

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 07:13:00 +0000

It's been a crazy year... Lets show 2020 who's boss!

14 bands, 2 stages, 1 room! What could go wrong?!

Featuring... Dick Move, Magic Factory, DHDFD's, Warm leather, Tooms, Thee Golden Geese, Sin City, King Ketchup, Hallelujah Picassos, Labretta Suede and the Motel 6, The Cathulus, Memory Foam, Water, X-ray Fiends

Hey Y'all, here's the running list for Fri 18th!
2 stages, 1 room, no gaps!
8pm Hallelujah Picassos
8:20 Sin City
8:40 Thee Golden Geese
9pm Cthulus
9:20 X Ray Fiends
9:40 Warm Leather
10pm King Ketchup
10:20 Tooms
10:40 DHDFD's
11pm Water
11:20 Dick Move
11:40 Memory Foam
12pm Magic Factory
12.20 Labretta Suede and the Motel 6
This is gonna be killa!

Tickets numbers limited to 120 @ $25, from Under The Radar

1:12 PARTY; a compilation of 14 tracks from Auckland’s most exciting DIY bands and artists

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 07:47:00 +0000

Tāmaki Makaurau’s 1:12 Records is proud to introduce their latest vinyl concoction, 1:12 PARTY; a compilation of 14 tracks from Auckland’s most exciting DIY bands and artists.

Originally curated for the [since cancelled] Record Store Day 2020 in April, 1:12 Records asked their current and future/favourite artists to contribute one song for this special project. The compilation features an all-star line-up of Thee Golden Geese, CINDY, The Cavemen, King Kaiju, Labretta Suede and The Motel 6, Na Noise, Vincent H.L, Dick Move, Bloodbags, Tooms, Hallelujah Picassos, Echo Ohs, King Ketchup and Magic Factory. All album artwork was done by Erin Forsyth and the album was pressed locally at Holiday Records.

Available strictly on clear vinyl LP from 20 June, 2020 -- just in time to kick-off your first Level 1 house party. Get it from Flying Out

TRACK LIST:

Side A
1) THEE GOLDEN GEESE - 1:12 Party Emergency
2) CINDY - Goodbye
3) THE CAVEMEN - Satan Is Her Name
4) KING KAIJU - Intoxica
5) LABRETTA SUEDE AND THE MOTEL 6 - In Full
6) NA NOISE - Good Morning Heart
7) VINCENT H.L - Golden Sun

Side B 1) DICK MOVE – Ladies Night
2) BLOODBAGS - Smokin’ It Up
3) TOOMS - Porch Mix
4) HALLELUJAH PICASSOS - Fire Sandpaper dub
5) ECHO OHS – The Moon
6) KING KETCHUP - Doctor Hokota
7) MAGIC FACTORY - Sorry For Your Loss

Voices of Exhuberant Hellhounds by Hallelujah Picassos

New Hallelujah Picassos album out June 14th

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Tue, 14 May 2019 21:58:00 +0000

Following their reissues in 2011/2012, Hallelujah Picassos returned to the live scene, playing a handful of shows with the likes of Drab Doo Riffs, Bloodbags. Loud Ghost, and Labretta Suede and the Motel 6. The band continued onwards, writing some new music. After a series of singles, the fruits of their labours have finally come together on this LP.

Here then is proudly presented Voices of Exuberant Hellhounds, another chapter in the gospel of Hallelujah Picassos, building their own mythology.

Songs are inspired by Hymns, Psalms, Chants and Mantras with a secular perspective slant and inspiration from certain styles, woven into a twisted narrative with one constant: Rorschach’s melancholic vocals.

We have tunes about the Peasants from a Bruegel painting, the sculptures of Xavier Messerschmitt, immigration, and bankers.

The album is another example of Interpretive Expressionistic Variationism and should be seen as body of work with dramatically interconnected songs - the aim is to show the album as whole body of work rather than individual songs, with a continuity and a common denominator. Even though they sound different, they are tied together to create a narrative.

The album features the last recordings from the band’s drummer Bobbylon, who passed away in May 2018. The album is dedicated to him.

The band will be playing electronic versions of the album at the release party at Whammy Bar on June 14th. Albums, t-shirts and other items will be available for sale.

The album comes with a free digital download that includes 4 extra bonus tracks.

Released on June 14 2019, on 1:12 Records on vinyl, digital via Loopy Fruit at https://hallelujahpicassos.bandcamp.com/

Preorder available from Flying Out.

Written and produced by Hallelujah Picassos, recorded and engineered by Darryn Harkness at Tone Exchange. Salvadore engineered by Darryn Harkness and mixed by John Pain. Mastered by Angus McNaughton at Auralux. Cover art by John Pain, Roland Rorschach.

TRACK LISTING

1 Cracked salvation
2 Salvadore (miles away from you)
3 Hang all bankers / Dirty suits
4 Ghandi (Father of the nation)
5 Black spade Picasso core (community mix)
6 Happy smile (naive in joy)
7 Gimme heat (musings of an autocrat)
8 Bullet chant
9 Welcome mat for a Stranger
10 Fire sandpaper face
11 Voices of One

New vinyl single out Sept 21

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 08:27:00 +0000

Voices Of One (single edit) by Hallelujah Picassos

We have a brand new single out this Friday Sept 21, called Voices Of One, paired with Black Spade Picasso Core, on splendid black vinyl thru 1:12 Records.

Thematically both songs revolve around community. Voice Of One is built around the idea of the individual being stronger with a community versus being lost in a community. This is an example of what the band means with interpretive impressionistic variationism.

Black Spade Picasso Core revisits one of the band’s classic numbers in a contemporary version. It features one of the last vocal performances by Bobbylon.

The cover features artwork designed by the band. They also individually screenprinted every single cover. It’s a limited run of 300 copies.

We're having a launch event on Saturday Sept 22 at Flying Out record store on Pitt St, Auckland - band members Peter Mac, Johnny P and Darryn H will be DJing, singles will be available, come Hang out with Hallelujah Picassos. 2pm-5pm.

The single is a taster of the upcoming new album from Hallelujah Picassos. Cheers.

Bobbylon

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 08:59:00 +0000

Our Beloved, Dearest Friend and Band member Bobbylon passed away on 25th May.

The service will be on Wednesday 6th June at the Mt Eden War Memorial Hall 487-489 Dominion rd at 2 pm. Bobbylon's Wake will be at Whammy Bar 6th Of June from 4pm after the service.

New single Fire Sandpaper Face out!

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 18:00:00 +0000

Fire Sandpaper Face by Hallelujah Picassos

Here's a brand new single from us, loud and proud! Out March 9 2018. Enjoy!

"Hallelujah Picassos drop their latest sonic gem, Fire Sandpaper Face, a roaring snarling monster of a tune. It’s a short, sharp shock with guitars. One minute thirty and we out. No messing round.

The song is inspired by the sculpture of Franz Xaver Messerschmidt, all contorted faces and pained expressions.

This tune follows on from their single late last year Happy Smile (Naive In Joy), and the EP Bullet That Breaks The Key, and is the next step in the journey towards a new album for the ensemble, due out later this year.

Fire Sandpaper Face was recorded at Tone Exchange, engineered by Darryn Patterson Harkness, and written and produced by Hallelujah Picassos. Mastered by Angus McNaughton at Auralux. Released on Loopy Fruit Recordings, 2018. Cat no PCORP009."

New Telepathics drop well fruity album

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 08:33:00 +0000

The End Of War by New Telepathics
Our Hallelujah Picassos bandmate Darryn Harkness has been working away on a brand new album by his outfit New Telepathics (in addition to playing in Loud Ghost and the HPs - busy chap!).

The album is called The End Of War. He says the album is "a powerhouse of punk ethics and intense groove, drawing upon the avant-garde, electronica, soul, dub, afrobeat..." In other words, it's well fruity!

New Telepathics are playing live in Tauranga at the Woodcock Festival on February 17 and at Splore on February 24.

They've been described as "a vigorous synthesis of some of abiding influences: the cosmic vision and sound of Sun Ra's Arkestra, a touch of Afrobeat and James Brown funk-goes-rap, left-leaning politics...

"With a large band of guests (singer Sandy Mill,saxophonists Jeff Henderson and Nick Atkinson among them) and African vocalists Nuel Nonso and Phodiso handling the chantdown rap, influences from waiata, Congotronics, dub and more, this has a roiling energy..."

New single for summer, out Dec 5

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 07:41:00 +0000

<a href="http://hallelujahpicassos.bandcamp.com/track/happy-smile-naive-in-joy">Happy Smile (Naive In Joy) by Hallelujah Picassos</a>

Press release - New Hallelujah Picassos single sweetens up your summer

The Picassos return from their studio hibernation with a brand new ditty, just in time for summer. Happy Smile (Naive In Joy) is a gentle, lilting, guitar and keys take on alt/indie pop.

The song is inspired by The Peasant Dance, a work by the Dutch painter Bruegel. In this case, the Picassos are minstrels and troubadours meandering thru the landscape of the painting.

This tune follows on from their most recent EP release, Bullet That Breaks The Key, and single Dirty Suits, and is the latest step in the journey towards a new album for the ensemble, due out next year.

Happy Smile was recorded at Tone Exchange, engineered by Darryn Patterson Harkness, and written and produced by Hallelujah Picassos. Mastered by Angus McNaughton at Auralux. Released on Loopy Fruit Recordings, 2017. Cat no PCORP008.
Released via digital on December 5, 2017

New Picassos single out Dec 9!

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 07:09:00 +0000

Dirty suits by Hallelujah Picassos

Hallelujah Picassos are back with a ripping new single, Dirty Suits. Having spent a bunch of time in the studio this past year, the Picassos return with a song that’s a companion piece to Hang All Bankers off their last recording, The Bullet That Breaks The Key EP.

Originally written by the band’s singer Roland Rorschach with Darryn Harkness (current Picassos bass player) and first performed with Darryn’s band New Telepathics, here the Picassos reinvent the song, breathing new life into its twisted soul. The song follows themes from the EP, talking about money, politics and corruption.

Out December 9, 2016 on digital thru Bandcamp. Watch the video below.

Dirty Suits was recorded and produced by Darryn Harkness and Hallelujah Picassos at the Institute for Telepathic Research. Mastered by Angus McNaughton at Auralux. Cover art image/video directed & edited by John Pain.

New video, single, coming

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 19:50:00 +0000

We've been busy in the studio, and have finished a new single, coming soon. We shot a video for it last week, time to suit up!

New from Pains People

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Mon, 30 May 2016 07:53:00 +0000

Callosum's Table by painspeople

"Two new tracks mark the end of painspeople's time in Malaysia; Callossum's Table and shadness. The rest of the tracks are archival and were recorded between 2004 and 2012 in Auckland - New Zealand, and Batam - Indonesia."

Pains People newie

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Mon, 11 May 2015 08:27:00 +0000

LIGHT IT AND RUN by painspeople

Some cool new music from our man Johnny Pain, have a listen

Picassos at Whammy Bar April 25

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Sun, 03 May 2015 08:07:00 +0000

pics via Sarah Ellis, Cheese On Toast. Thanks to everyone who came down, it was a fun night!

One Love: The Very Best Of Aotearoa Reggae, out now, feat Hallelujah Picassos!

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 02:35:00 +0000

This cool new compilation aims to pull together a cross section of our nation's affinity with reggae, going back to the influence felt from Bob Marley's historic 1979 concert here.

You get early local pioneers Herbs (a great early cut, Dragons and Demons, later sampled by Che Fu, who also appears here), Aotearoa, and Dread Beat and Blood, thru to 90s acts like Upper Hutt Posse, DLT and the Mighty Asterix (who came up with the Twelve Tribes of Israel band and also appears on the Unitone Hifi track, a hugely underrated voice on the local reggae scene), Salmonella Dub and my own band Hallelujah Picassos, and contemporary acts like Fat Freddys Drop, the Black Seeds, Cornerstone Roots, 1814, Kora and many more.

The compilation is out now on 2 x CD/digital on iTunes, Amplifier etc

TRACK LISTING:
CD1:
1. The Black Seeds – So True
2. Fat Freddy’s Drop – Roady (feat. Ladi6 & P Digsss)
3. Katchafire – Get Away
4. Salmonella Dub – Problems
5. Herbs – Dragons & Demons
6. Sons Of Zion – Good Love
7. Cornerstone Roots – Is It Real?
8. Upper Hutt Posse – Ragga Girl
9. Soljah – Message
10. House Of Shem – Thinking About You
11. David Grace & Injustice – Rua Kenana
12. Tomorrow People – Take It Away
13. 1814 – Jah Rastafari
14. The Twelve Tribes Of Israel Band NZ – Tribulation Soldier
15. Three Houses Down – She’s My Woman feat. Spawnbreezie
16. Paua – Crazy Bout You
17. Unitone Hifi feat. The Mighty Asterix – Guiding Star

CD2:
1. Six60 – Don’t Forget Your Roots
2. Kora – Politician
3. Che-Fu – Fade Away
4. Tiki Taane – Faded
5. Dread Beat And Blood – I Unity
6. Rhombus – Clav Dub
7. DLT feat. The Mighty Asterix – One Love
8. Hallelujah Picassos – Rewind
9. Tahuna Breaks – Empower Me
10. Unity Pacific – From Street To Sky
11. dDub – Comfort
12. Aotearoa – Sweet Child
13. Knights Of The Dub Table – Small
14. Sweet & Irie – Sunshine Reggae
15. Southside Of Bombay – All Across The World
16. Brownhill – My Girl
17. Aotearoa Reggae All Stars – Sensitive To A Smile

New EP reviews...

noreply@blogger.com (Peter McLennan) — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 08:45:00 +0000

Praise Be NZ Listener Sept 27 2014 Review by Jim Pinckney

"It's generally not good news when bands reform. The motivations are invariably financial or related to ego reinflation, and the results can sour the sweetest musical memories.

Fortunately that isn't the case with Auckland's Hallelujah Picassos, whose cross code adventures confused, delighted and occasionally appalled audiences from the late 80s to the mid 90s.

New EP Bullet That Breaks The Key shows they've lost none of their barricade manning fire. As ever, they remain the magnificent exception that proves the rule."

AND one more, from Australia.....

HALLELUJAH PICASSOS -Bullet That Breaks the Key EP (Independent) 4 Stars

By John O’Brien, news.co.au

"Of all the band reunions in recent years, this is one of the most welcome. Hallelujah Picassos’ fusion of ska, dub, hip-hop, punk and pop was one of the most refreshing sounds to come out of the Land of the Long White Cloud and they left fans fanging for more when they disbanded nearly 20 years ago after just a handful of albums and EPs.

In the past few years they’ve resurfaced with a best-of collection and EP of rarities and now this four-track EP. Technically there are only two new tracks, but it’s a good cross-section of their eclectic style, from the tropical melody and harmonies ofSalvadore (Miles Away From You) to the repetitious rant of Hang All Bankers, to the hypnotic dub remakes of Cracked Salvation (based on 1992’s Crack Dub) andSalvadore Dub Asylum vs. Pains People Remix.

It might be but a taster of things to come but it’s great to hear them back in the game. An underappreciated part of New Zealand’s indie scene, they deserve wider attention this second time round."