Fantails were a three-piece punk band from Te Whanganui-a-Tara/ Wellington. Formed in 2010 as a two-piece featuring Sarsha Leigh-Douglas on guitar and vocals and Charlie Camp on drums they added Anna Stoval on bass in mid-2011. Sarsha and Anna both grew up in Tairawhiti/ Gisborne and ended up living at Newtown’s Turret House, which served as the Fantails HQ for five years. Fantails became a staple in Wellington’s punk community, playing shows supporting social and animal welfare causes alongside bands like The Dilfs, The Methadonnas and Dead Vicious.

Known for their poppy, melodic sound, Fantails music was informed from a feminist and te ao Māori perspective, tackling themes of colonisation, government power, consumerism and animal rights. Their debut album was recorded at Scumbag College, pre-Anna joining, with Sarsha covering both guitar and bass. Released in September 2011, Shake Your Tail Feather, features nine tracks of politically focussed punk rock with melodic poppy edge.

In 2012, they released the Matariki Mayhem EP, featuring four re-recorded tracks from their debut plus three new songs. Originally available on tape and download, a limited edition release on 7” acetate was also produced by Epic Sweep Records. Their self-titled 7” EP featuring six new tracks followed in November 2014.

Fantails toured New Zealand’s South Island with Freak Magnet (also featuring Sarsha) and Pramcakes in 2013 and that November, they made a short trip to Australia playing with Sydney band Canine. Outside of Fantails, Sarsha also produced the zine Mind Lint, ran Pantaloon Party Press distro and was bass player in D-beat punk band Rogernomix. Fantails played their final show on August 29, 2015 in Dunedin at Onslaught 11.

Origin	Turret House, Newtown
Genre	punk
Years Active	2010 – 2015
Labels	Epic Sweep Pantaloon Party
Associated Acts	Punchbowl Rogernomix Freak Magnet Bonecruncher
Past Members	Sarsha Leigh-Douglas (guitar, vocals) Anna Stoval (bass, b-vocals) Charlie Camp (drums)