The band's roots go back to July, 1992, when guitarist/vocalist Jeremy Eade, bassist Mark Silvey, and drummer Andrew Gladstone played their first gig together. Their second gig happened a year later, and by this time the group had added guitarist Debbie Silvey. Two years later, Garageland got a break: opening for the Clean, they met people from the New Zealand label Flying Nun. After signing to Flying Nun, Garageland covered "Dancing Queen" for the label's ABBA tribute, recorded an EP of their own, and went on their first Australian tour. This first EP, Come Back Special (1995), did well in New Zealand, charting in the Top 20.
The band's full-length debut, Last Exit to Garageland, followed a year later and broke into the Top Five on the country's charts. The supporting tour took Garageland to Australia, France, and the U.K. The Auckland-based band moved to England in early 1997, but Debbie Silvey chose to stay behind. Once the group settled in, they met guitarist Andrew Claridge, who promptly joined on. Garageland proceeded to embark on several tours that year, hitting France with DEUS and Placebo, touring England several times with bands including Swell and the Fall, and traveling to North America twice — the first time with Swervedriver and a couple of months later with Tanya Donelly. 1997 also saw the U.K. and U.S. release of Last Exit to Garageland and several European festival appearances by the band.
The group returned to New Zealand for a tour in early 1998, then went to the U.S. yet again, this time on tour with Spacehog and for a slot in the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival lineup. After this, Garageland gigged less (and, according to them, partied more) for several months, not getting around to thinking about their second album until later that year. They did find time to record the single, Feel alright, which featured Velvet Underground legend John Cale on piano who also mixed the song. January, 1999, took the band on a brief Australasian tour as part of the Big Day Out Festival, immediately followed by the recording of their second album, Do What You Want, at the Auckland home studio of former Split Enz member and Crowded House leader, Neil Finn. By this time, Garageland had relocated to New Zealand. Repeating their debut's success, Do What You Want (Flying Nun, 1999) went gold in New Zealand by the time of its U.S. release on the Foodchain label. Garageland's music has been lauded by U.K. music publications including Melody Maker and NME, and U.S. magazines Magnet and CMJ, breaking into the Top 50 of the latter's college radio charts. By 2001, Claridge was replaced with guitarist Sweet Baby Dave Goodison. The band recorded one more album, Scorpio writing, before calling it a day. (From allmusic.com)
Hey! We have just this minute added a new Demo of a new recording we have been playing called 'Little Lost Lamb'. We r excited to play you some new stuff so go go listen! x
Hello Andy and Garageland. We wanted to wish you a merry christmas because you are still one of our favourite band! After "Beelines to Heaven" this is "Christmas in Heaven"...bye bye guys!
Yes-In fact I have a cd somewhere with all the rough mixes on it from that album-Clangs guitar was louder in the mix than the later version.Theres a beautifully appealing melancoly feel and the lyrics are really great. One of your most evocative songs for sure. bests, Joe
Hey! Thanks for the add and welcome in the ultimate pop top friends! We are very glad that you liked "enormous pop" by The Wendy Darlings. The association "suckmypop" is managed by the Wendy Darlings. Don't hesitate visiting the wendys myspace profile.
It is a make or break spot. That is where I find most of my new music. I was watching both shows actually, just chillin. Show problems till 2009, that is a bummer. If you need an excellent support act I would sure be interested ;)
hello guys! We are really extremely glad about your reunion!! that's really the best new of 2008. So what about your new songs? Please tell us about the evolution of your work!! bye bye and thank you for being such a fucking good band.
Hi guys!! I've just read you did a gig!!! That's fantastic!!! Are you about to do shows again? Maybe a new album? That would be the best news for the year 2008!! Keep on popin' guys!!
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