Shumway was a short-lived emo-punk band from Wellington, New Zealand, active in 2003. The group played only a handful of gigs before dramatically imploding during their final performance at the infamous “Tropicana Night” gig held at Thistle Hall on November 14, 2003.
The band featured Dan Fraser on guitar and vocals. Dan brought experience from previous projects including Deaf Terrorists and Bonus Donor, and at the time was also drumming in the hardcore band The Deadline. Sharing vocal duties was Dan Jeffreys, with Jason Gascoigne on drums (previously of Sheriff Lobo from 2001–2002, as well as Floorpie and The Minimals), and a bassist named Tim.
Shumway made their live debut on July 18, 2003, at Valve, performing alongside Dirk Drent and New Ending. At that show, they self-released a 5-song EP titled Jeffrey Dahmer and Greg – a deliberately absurd and darkly humorous title that juxtaposed the name of the notorious 1990s serial killer with the wholesome, vanilla romance of the sitcom Dahmer and Greg.
Despite the promising (if chaotic) start, the band’s run ended abruptly amid the on-stage collapse at Thistle Hall later that year.
In the aftermath:
- Jason Gascoigne continued drumming in several Wellington bands, including stepping into The Deadline after Dan Fraser left, as well as Damaged, Strangers, Gravel Pit, and Standover.
- Dan Fraser remained active in the local scene, going on to play in numerous other Wellington groups such as Shortlived, Scab, Dial, Sleeping Dogs, Phone Sex Robots, Pop OD, Bonecruncher, and Forced Starvation.
| Origin | Wellington |
| Genre | emo-punk |
| Years Active | 2003 |
| AKA | These Mortal Coils |
| Associated Acts | Bonus Donor Floorpie Sheriff Lobo |
| Past Members | Dan Fraser (guitar, vocals) Jason Gascoigne (drums) Dan Jeffreys (vocals) Tim (bass) |
| Title | Date | Label | Type | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffery Dahmer and Greg | 2003, July 18 | EP | CD |
Timeline
2003, July 18, Valve
Dirk Drent/ Losing Face split EP release gig with Shumway, New Ending
* Shumway’s first gig, also released their debut 5 song EP
2003, August 1, Valve
School of Meat, The Deadline, Shumway
2003, November 14, Thistle Hall
2003, December 12, Valve
New Way Home, The Valley Five, Shumway
