Stebbing Recording Studios

04/12/2024

Rest In Peace Chris Thompson. So very sad to hear of his passing. Just this August gone I recorded this fantastic album for him and shot 3 photos for the cd cover art. Full of humour and thought in the songs, plus wicked acoustic guitar playing - if you can find a copy, buy it ! It's a wonderful listen, ~ SteveMcG

02/10/2024

27/09/2024

Zodiac Heritage Series Volume 33 - Jervois Rd. Sessions.

Digital Album out now on your favourite platform. Please share if you care.

09/09/2024

Thank you ! Last of the Lonely Gods vinyl has been created. Pre-order your copy - link in bio. J. X

12/07/2024

Zodiac Heritage Series Volume 32 - Nature Child

Promo video.

Album available on your favourite digital platform. Please share if you care.

10/07/2024

Some Lou & Simon comedy live from 1963 - and from the newly remastered album "Let's Tour With Lou & Simon"

That's My Weakness Now.

Provided to YouTube by DRMThat's My Weakness Now · Lou & SimonLet's Tour With Lou & Simon℗ ZODIACReleased on: 2023-11-27Composer: Bud GreenLyricist: Bud Gree...

21/03/2024

Zodiac Heritage Series Vol 31 - New Zealand Dixieland.

More fun than a box full of budgies ! Sound on.

Available on all streaming services/

01/01/2024

Jimmy Hill - Hot Shot Willie.
Recorded around 1975 but released late 2023 - a great lil track that's been hidden way too long !

Provided to YouTube by DRMHot Shot Willie · Jimmy HillZodiac Heritage Series Volume 33 - Jervois Rd. Sessions℗ ZODIACReleased on: 2023-10-18Composer: Jimmy H...

20/11/2023

Lipstick Power – Zodiac Heritage Series Volume 30 – Album available digitally.

Featuring Sir Dave Dobbyn's first solo work after being in Th' Dudes, this album is named after his first superb 1981 solo single “Lipstick Power”. Follow up single “Bull By The Horns / Luvaway” is also here, as well as 3 more tracks. He went on to form DD Smash and the intended solo album was never completed.

Also ex Th' Dudes were drummer Bruce Hambling and bassist L*z White who became the backbone of band Broken Dolls. Dave Spillane, Gary Langsford and future Stebbing mastering engineer Simon Lynch completed the lineup. Six tracks of this accomplished outfit appear.

Retro revival rock 'n rollers The Teddy Boys were a hot item in the early 80s and five songs feature from two singles written by Garry Clarke.

Southern Transit were a 4 piece vocal group from South Auckland that Stebbing house producer Rob Aicken paired with an innovative approach to create a very special sound. This is the first release of these tracks.

Rob Aicken is the vital link here between all tracks on this album, and it is a great credit to his immense skills for creating memorable and loveable recorded performances.

Zodiac Heritage Series Volume 30 – Lipstick Power is available now on all streaming services.

09/09/2023

Cimeron – 46 Years - Stories behind the songs.

“Take the Time”

This very approachable song was the b side of the original 45rpm vinyl single, and features a soaring shiny sounding chorus. Music written by Rod and lyrics by his good mate Mark Town-Treweek in 1976.

Pauline explains :

When you look around at the suffering of the world you may ask yourselves “how can I help”…and each of us are gifted with the ways and means to do this…it may simply come down to cooking with love something yummy for someone, or keeping a beautiful garden and sharing the bounty of the vegetables or flowers grown…or it could be something bigger like writing a book or becoming a doctor or therapist of some kind.
We wanted to do it through our music. To bring light into a darkened world. I am sure that we have all at some point in our life wanted a light to shine upon the path and show us the way. This is what music can do…it speaks for us in a way that feeds our soul and brings us back home. It's what this song is all about.

24/08/2023

Cimeron – 46 Years - The Stories behind The Songs.

"I Don’t Need You".

This masterpiece of songwriting form with 4 verses, 2 chorus’, a power theme and an interlude or two joins cohesively to make this killer track.

Pauline on lyrics :

This is a song about the roles women are conditioned to when its a ‘mans’ world. Women have been expected to play the role of the obedient precious female who sacrifices herself to take care of her man and the children, while the man is out in the world doing his thing. He thinks he’s sacrificing himself by working hard and feeding his family, thus he is entitled to spend money on himself and have his outlets.

Around about the 70’s and 80’s women started to question their role as a wife and mother. This song is about the beginning of that revolution which is still going on today. From a woman’s perspective she starts questioning her role in society, recognising that she is sacrificing herself to the point of saying enough is enough…I am a person too. However the man is bewildered about this as well because he’s also a victim of social expectations…

Nowadays males themselves question what it means to be a man and what exactly is his role in the greater scheme of things, as a husband, partner and family man, especially since this has changed so much over the years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpwRxj2ubVE

https://open.spotify.com/track/288ircXBBaufMaWc8Ge849?si=49c8db147bbb40e1

23/08/2023

In 1978 Golden Harvest had a hugely well loved hit with "I Need Your Love" and also made this killer video.

Check out the outfits and lead guitarist Kevin Kaukau playing with his teeth - a signature move.

The album is currently available on vinyl once more - in stores now !

21/08/2023

Cimeron – 46 years - The Stories Behind The Songs.
Its So Easy ( to be kind ).

This gem has an easy strumming approach with an ethereal feeling, a pleasant vibe and a lovely human message. It was also the original single released in 1978.

Pauline extends : “Some people you meet in life don’t have good intentions, they may be very mean spirited, downright rude or even aggressive. We’ve had people smash our band gear and do other spiteful things,…the tall poppy syndrome… So we wrote this song in response to this way of being in the world. We all can do something to bring Peace into the world, to make it a better place, even if its to give a friendly smile or say something kind to a stranger or even offer help to someone in need. So basically this song is asking you to keep your focus on being kind and not take on other people’s negativity."

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/0YeEs0pUHuWaDCD3XPx078...

Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVh27vOIvf4

18/08/2023

The Inbetweens - Debut album from 1976 - re-released 2023 on re-mastered vinyl with brand new artwork. Their history beautifully documented on Audioculture.
https://www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/the-inbetweens

16/08/2023

Thank you to Graham Reid for a great review of Cimeron's album 46 Years.

We've heard about famous “lost” or unreleased albums – you know, those things Neil Young keeps finding in his archive – but more rare is the release of an album that never was. Like Cimeron's 46 Years which is the debut album from an Auckland band which never completed an album in its lifesp...

14/08/2023

Cimeron – 46 Years - The Stories behind the Songs.

“The Waiting Game”

A guitar lead gem of an aptly named song, Rod and Pauline were not to know when they wrote it, but it would take 46 years to release “The Waiting Game”.

Pauline enlightens :

When it came to recording and getting our music out, we were put on hold a lot. Most of you know how very hurtful it is when you put your heart and soul into something and it gets knocked back for various reasons, but not necessarily to do with the quality of your work. In our case, it was a sign of the times in 70s New Zealand. Bands were really taking off…it was an exciting time for young musicians - like most young people - s*x, drugs and rock'n roll were certainly an attractive world to be part of. But it had its downfall…and when trouble did come from it we all got punished you could say… when some members from other bands collapsed on stage from overdoses and others died… New Zealand record companies and recording studios got very nervous. It was still a very conservative era.

Furthermore, NZ record companies and producers had a hard time competing for local broadcast time with their USA and European counterparts.

These are the major reasons this work has taken 46 years to be birthed into the world. The lyrics express the excitement of the time…tapping in to the creative source of the universe and experiencing the magic of writing and creating new songs… at the same time the frustration of being put on hold…of your work not getting recognised. Then how one tries to console themselves. Most people can probably relate to when you get knocked back in life, many times - you begin to question life itself. So the life question is…Is there something greater out there controlling the whole thing? …and there is. We learn so much from these experiences.

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42ZE-xcTCTM

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/3g9VClZlWRioVZOUt4VLRd?si=e95758b42c5e4436