Flesh D-Vice, a pivotal Wellington punk rock band, formed in 1982 with Gerald Dwyer (vocals), Eugene Pope (guitar), Brent Jenkins (drums), and Richard Watts (bass), later replaced by Dwayne Yule in 1983. Known for their raw, hard-edged rock ‘n’ roll, the band rejected post-punk’s musical progression, instead embracing a fast, primal sound inspired by b-grade horror films and twilight zone sci-fi. Their lyrics and imagery reflected these themes, blending dark humour with tales of rejection and despair.

At their mid-1980s peak, Flesh D-Vice built a strong following, particularly within Wellington’s boot boy scene, which sometimes sparked violence at gigs. They toured extensively, including the New Zealand Death Rock Tour (1984) and the Summertime Blues Tour (1985), performing at local venues like Clyde Quay Tavern and the Terminus. Their discography includes two albums – Some Blood Stained Morning (1984) and Secrets of the Estranged (1985)—three EPs, including 12 Inches of Hard Flesh (1983) and Hamburger 2: The Nite She Returned (1988), and singles like “Flaming Soul” and a cover of Joy Division’s “Transmission.” Their music, marked by Eugene Pope’s dynamic guitar work and Gerald Dwyer’s intense vocals, earned praise for its originality and energy, with standout tracks like “Desolation Dogs” and “Strange Television.”

Gerald Dwyer, a driving force in Wellington’s underground scene, organised seminal events like the 1983 Underground Emerges and Golden Showers shows, boosting New Zealand’s punk movement. The band faced criticism from some for their misogynistic and violent lyrics but was lauded by others for their commitment to raw rock ‘n’ roll. The band slowed in the late 1980s as members traveled overseas, with lineup changes in 1987 including J.P. de Radd of TAB on drums and Andy Craig, formerly of early 1980’s band Steroids on bass.

They released their final EP, All My Sins (Remembered), in 1990. Tragedy struck in 1996 when Gerald Dwyer died of a drug overdose while managing bands like Shihad and Head Like A Hole. Flesh D-Vice briefly reformed in 1998 with Steve Andrews, of Vas Deferens, on vocals and later as a three-piece in 2000 with Eugene taking vocal duties. This lineup kept the flaming soul of Flesh D-Vice burning for another decade with a standout performance at Thistle Hall for the Up The Punks 2012 exhibition.

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Origin	Wellington
Genre	punk, hard rock
Years Active	1983 – 2013?
Labels	Jayrem, Spizz Records
Associated Acts	Manson Family Vas Deferens Sub Dominants
Past Members	Gerald Dwyer (vocals 1983-1995) Steve Andrews (vocals 1998-?) Eugene Pope (guitar 1983 – 2013) Brent Jenkins (drums 1983 -2013) J P de Radd (drums 1987 – 1994) Richard Watts (bass 1983) Dwayne Yule (bass 1983-2013) Andy Craig (bass 1987- 1994)

Releases

Title	Date	Label	Type	Format
12 Inches Of Hard Flesh	1983, Oct 31	Jayrem Records Hardedge Records	EP	12″
Some Blood Stained Morning	1984, Nov	Jayrem Records	album	12″
Capitol Kaos	1983, Nov	Jayrem Records	compilation	12″
Flaming Soul	1985	Hardedge Records	single	7″
Secrets Of The Estranged	1985, Nov-Dec	Jayrem Records	album	12″
Transmission	1986, April	Hardedge Records	single	7″
The Harder The Edge…The Rocka The Roll	1987, Aug	Hardedge Records	compilation	12″
Hamburger II: The Nite She Returned	1988	Jayrem Records Hardedge Records	EP	12″
Celebrate The Sonic Arts	1989	Ima Hitt	compilation	12″
All My Sins (Remembered)	1990, March 23	Spizz Records	EP	10″
Spoilers/ Stranger In Town	1993, April	Spizz Records		7″ lathe
Live Bootleg	1992, April	Spizz Records		8″ lathe
Flaming Soul	2002	Jayrem	compilation	2xCD
If It’s Too Loud…You’re Too Old	2003		live compilation	CD
Wear You To The Ball/ Chang Mae		Spizz Records	split	7″

Timeline

1983, March 15, Rawa House

Flesh D-Vice. Hear! See! Scream! Rawa House, Upper Cuba Street, Tues 15th, 7.30

1983, April 2, Golden Showers

1983, May 20, Mt. Roskill Municipal Hall

The Resurrection Punk Show presents “Punk will Play”: No Tag, Flesh D-Vice, Zyklon B, Local Chaos, Vicious Circle

1983, Broadcasting House

Flesh D-Vice record “12 Inches of Hard Flesh” at Broadcasting House

1983, July 8, Rock Theatre

Flesh D-Vice, Aftershock, Barbaric Bunnies, Yelliman

1983, October 15, venue?

1983, October 22, Rock Theatre

1983, October 29, venue?

1983, October 31, 12 Inches Of Hard Flesh

1983, November, Capitol Kaos

*RIU, Oct 1983

1984

1984, March, Broadcasting House

Flesh D-Vice recording Some Bloodstained Morning

1984, May 5, Star and Garter

Flesh D-Vice, No Idea

1984, May 6, Harbour Terrace (DUN)

1984, May 18-19, The Pulse

“New Zealand death rock tour; the return of Flesh D-Vice” (Natlib ref)

1984, July 22, Cricketers Steinie Bar

FDV with Tyrant (Natlib ref)

1984, August 9-11, The Sheaf

Flesh D-Vice +

1984, November, Some Blood Stained Morning

1984, December 20-22, 24, Star & Garter (CHCH)

1985

1985, April, Broadcasting House

Flesh D-Vice record Transmission at Studio 2

1985, May 3/4, The Pulse

“I’ve heard music you people wouldn’t believe!” Poster shows a horned devil glowing at night over four inset photographs of members of the group. (Natlib ref)