Avil Retards were a hardcore punk band from Wellington’s northern suburbs that were a part of Wellington’s second punk wave in the 1980’s. Active from 1987-88 the band was formed by Jared Bryant and Andrew “ the Juve” Johnston after they left their previous outfit, Acid Reign, in mid-1986. The duo recruited bassist Paul Redican and vocalist Steve Rundlett into the lineup and cribbed their name from an anti-allergy medication they found amusing.

Drawing inspiration from US hardcore punk bands like Black Flag, Agnostic Front, Circle Jerks, and Cro-Mags, they channeled their influences into a blistering, fast-paced sound that echoed other young punk acts in Wellington of this era such as Acid Reign, Microwave Babies, Manson Family and One Less Customer.

Avil Retards made their first live performance on December 31, 1987, at the Barrytown Hall on the South Island’s West Coast. A “New Years Eve Rage” with Mainland punks Vermin, Genocide Factor and Brain Damage and the legendary Mindfuckers.

The night ended a bit violently with a sort of fight breaking out between bikers and punks. I had seen the bikers arrive earlier with a keg precariously strapped to the back of one of the hogs and park up. Apparently some punks knocked the keg off in the car park and the bikers went apeshit. I was moshing and heard the commotion so went towards the front door. It was smoky and dimly lit in the hall. A biker came in through the haze spinning around with arms outstretched like a windmill, one hand fisted the other gripping his helmet, punks scattering in all directions. It all happened very fast and I got punched in the jaw.

Jared Bryant

In 1988 the Avil Retards recorded two tracks (Need For Speed and No Way) for a planned second volume of the Gerald Dwyer produced Harder The Edge… The Rocka The Roll compilation. Unfortunately this project eventuated and the band reached its terminus on February 20 at Ear-Ache 88, a raucous event at Railway Hall featuring Manson Family, T.A.B, Microwave Babies, Number Nine, Wazzo Ghoti and Sub-Dominants. Shortly after this, drummer Jared Bryant moved to Auckland, bringing the band’s brief but fiery run to an end.

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Origin	Onslow College
Genre	punk, hardcore
Years Active	1987-1988
Associated Acts	Acid Reign, Microwave Babies, Nazgul
Past Members	Jared Bryant (drums) Andy Hope (guitar) Andrew Johnston (guitar) Paul Redican (bass) Steve Rundlett (vocals)