Shortlived was a high-energy thrashcore punk band from Wellington, New Zealand, formed in 2007. The lineup featured Sam Thurston (vocals), Dan Fraser (drums), Sarsha Leigh-Douglas (bass), and James Quick (guitar). Known for their frenetic, fast-paced sound, they emerged from a vibrant Wellington punk scene where all members were deeply involved, playing in multiple bands like Scab and Coexister, organising festivals, publishing zines, and releasing music on DIY labels.

Kicking off with a garage gig in Palmerston North, Shortlived quickly made their mark with a Wellington show in May 2007 at O.S.9 alongside bands like Smashin’ Off and Tentacles of Destruction. Their momentum grew with an October 2007 tour to Auckland and Hamilton with Australian bandCrux, culminating in a Punkfest performance on Labour Weekend. That December, they opened for Sydney’s Vae Victis alongside Scab and Coexister.

In April 2008, Shortlived and Scab toured Australia, followed by a house show at Colville St, Newtown, before a brief hiatus as members traveled overseas. Reuniting in August, they played Sharkfest, opened for USA/Japan band Conquest for Death, and hit Punkfest again. In January 2009, they released their self-titled 12” album with 14 blistering tracks and toured New Zealand to promote it. By April, both Shortlived and Scab announced their final Wellington shows at The Adelaide, where Sam and Sarsha debuted their new band, Rogernomix.

In June 2009, Shortlived embarked on a European tour, playing squats and dive bars, accompanied by their 8-track Mindrot EP. After the tour, drummer Dan stayed in Europe to travel, effectively ending the band. However, Shortlived reunited for a one-off performance at Punkfest 2010, cementing their legacy as a cornerstone of Wellington’s DIY shoeless punk scene.

Origin	Wellington
Genre	thrashcore
Years Active	2007 – 2010
Labels	Always Never Fun
Associated Acts	Scab Coexister Rogernomix
Past Members	Dan Fraser (drums) Sarsha Leigh-Douglas (bass) James Quick (guitar) Sam Thurston (vocals)

Releases

Title	Date	Label	Type	Format
Four Ways Split	2007	Langt Ner	compilation	tape
Demos	2009			tape, CD, 7″
Mindrot	2009, June 14	Idoneum Bello, Always Never Fun	EP	7″
Shortlived	2009, Jan	Always Never Fun	album	12″

<a href="https://shortlivednz.bandcamp.com/album/s-t-lp">S/T LP by Shortlived</a>

Timeline

2007, May 5, OS9

2007, June 1, No Way Out Records

2007, June/ July, K Road

2007, July 27, Sharkfest

2007, October 12-13, AKL/ HAM

2007, October 12, 193a Symonds St

2007, October 19-21, Punkfest

Photo: Roger Grauwmeijer

2007, December 8, Underground Arts

2008

2008, April, Australian tour with Scab

April 11 The Lansdowne (SYD) w/ Vae Victis, Deathcage
April 12 Maggotville w/ Scum System Kill, The Focus, Do Not Resuscitate
April 16 Newcastle
April 18 Brisbane, above Rosies
April 19 Brisbane, Slaughterhouse?
April 25, Footscray, Scab, ABC Weapons
April 26, w/ Useless Children, Insurgents, Straitjacket Nation, Tear Gas, Walrora, The Kill, Schifosi
May 1, Adelaide
May 2 Melbourne, The Arthouse w/ Super Fun Happy Slide, Pisschrist, Deathcage, Cut Sick