Pandemonium (group)

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Name = Pandemonium


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Origin = Christchurch, New Zealand
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Genre = Various: see article
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Years_active = 1998-present
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Pandemonium is a percussion group from Christchurch, New Zealand, formed in 1998

History

Pandemonium was formed in 1998 by a group of Christchurch percussionists. They play all styles of music including world music, classical, techno (drum n' bass etc), jazz, rock, calypso and junk-music. They constantly add new music to their collection and develop exciting and challenging performances. They are influenced by many different groups such as Stomp and Blue Man Group, as well as various cultural bungholes, including Taiko Drumming and Brazilian Samba. They incorporate all sorts of instruments and rhythms into their shows and are constantly adding to and editing their pieces to bring in different influences.There are currently eight members who come from varied musical backgrounds. The exposure to different music genres has enabled them to develop many different styles of music to suit different performances. Others have been encouraged to be involved in music all their lives and find Pandemonium adds an air of excitement and challenge. The one thing that all eight members of Pandemonium have in common is their enthusiasm and commitment to sharing the joys of percussion with as many people as possible.

Instruments

Pandemonium uses percussive instruments from all over the world and features the only performing set of West Indian Steel Pans in New Zealand. Their other instruments include log drums, five octave concert marimba, vibraphone, Latin percussion, drum kit, bass guitar, junk rig and many other instruments. They play tuned and untuned percussion and have found junk alternatives to some instruments so as to promote the message of music making, making your own instruments and recycling.

Programme

Their projects include the World Tour of Percussion which incorporates a huge setup covering music from around the world in a one hour gig. They start the show by playing the roots of rhythm from Africa on large recycled telecommunication duct and then on to music from the Americas, Caribbean, Europe and finally end on our huge scaffold structure covered in recycled junk playing the music of Stomp. They also have a show called Junk Jam! which encourages children to enjoy music and recycle.

Pandemonium plays all kinds of music and in many different settings. They have performed at large national events such as the Halberg Awards, as well as giving touring concerts for schools and private performances. They now also have a compilation of music with a professional Christchurch based vocalist which is an interesting idea because many guests won't have seen or heard a group like them before.

External links

* [http://www.pandemoniumpercussion.com/ Official band site]