Pop OD was a high-energy three-piece pop-punk band from Wellington, known for their melodic hooks, punk-rock grit, and a lineage that stretches back through some of Aotearoa’s most frenetic underground acts. Formed in 2020, the band brings together guitarist and lead singer Dan Fraser, bassist and backing vocalist Kitt Verhoff, and drummer Ollie Parsons .

Dan and Ollie’s musical partnership began long before Pop OD, they played together in Bonus Donor in 2002-2003 and had been friends since their teenage years at Onslow College. Kitt, originally from Dunedin, arrived with an impressive punk CV of his own, including time in Ritalin and Ayn Rand.

Musically, Pop OD channels the melodic aggression of Hüsker Dü, the raw swagger of The Dwarves, and the garage-punk energy of New Bomb Turks, along with a clear affection for the classic chaos of Crypt Records releases. The band also continues the pop-punk momentum of Dan’s earlier project Phone Sex Robots, while Ollie brought fresh fire from his stint drumming for The Dilfs.

Pop OD hit the stage quickly after forming, debuting in October 2020 at an election-night party at the Newtown Sports Bar, then jumping straight into Otautahi Nevermind the Punkfest only a week later. By year’s end they released their first EP, Cassette One, a tight five-track statement of their sound. Progress over the next two years was slowed by the nationwide Covid-19 lockdowns, but the band kept their momentum alive whenever restrictions eased .

In 2022 they toured the South Island, wrapping up at Dankfest in Dunedin, and in January 2023 they made a short but memorable trip to Melbourne, sharing stages with local acts Gun Laws, Hacker, Sintax, and Reaksi. Their final show to date came in October 2024, opening for US punk veterans Lagwagon. Shortly after, Kitt returned to Dunedin and the band entered hiatus, though rumours persist of a second recording waiting in the wings .

The members have continued their musical paths independently: Dan Fraser now drums in Wellington grindcore outfit Forced Starvation. Kitt Verhoff remains active in the southern scene, playing in Ram Raid and Drudge.

Origin	Wellington, Berhampore
Genre	pop-punk
Years Active	2020 – 2023
Associated Acts	Bonus Donor Phone Sex Robots
Current Members	Dan Fraser (guitar, vocals) Ollie Parsons (drums) Kitt Verhoff (bass, vocals)