Strangers were a post-hardcore band from Wellington, New Zealand, formed in 2007 by Rhydian Thomas (vocals), Kalem O’Brien (bass), Jason Gascoigne (drums), James Murray (guitar), and Matt Schibli (guitar). Emerging from the ashes of their metalcore outfit Guest Stabs Host, Strangers carved out a raw, intense sound influenced by international acts like Cursed, Converge, Neurosis, and Modern Life is War, while sharing the local scene with bands such as The Wrongmen, DIAL, Akaname and Neon Bastard, which also featured Kalem and Rich.

The band debuted with their 2006 demo Holding, a four-song recording praised for its direct, unpolished energy. These tracks were later refined for their 2007 album Weight, recorded at STL Studio with engineer Troy Kelly, which featured ten songs blending ferocity and emotional depth. In 2008, Strangers released the heavier, more experimental Night Minutes 7”, showcasing a bolder, less accessible direction. That same year, they embarked on a frenetic Australian tour, playing cities like Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne alongside bands like Schifosi and Teargas. A highlight was their performance at a Lygon Street warehouse in Melbourne, considered by Rhydian as the band’s finest moment.

In 2009, with James Murray departing after a disastrous gig at Happy, Ben Ward (Old Loaves) stepped in on guitar for the recording of their final EP, Children. Released in March 2010, the five-song EP was recorded at Garrett Street in Wellington and is regarded by Rhydian as their strongest work. However, with band members pulled in different directions, Children saw minimal promotion, with only 50 physical copies distributed in a modest package containing a CDR, lyric broadsides, and a breakup letter. Strangers opened for Converge at Bar Bodega on March 13, 2010, and played their final show later that month at a Garrett Street house party.

Jason Gascoigne later played in Gravel Pit and Standover, Rhydian Thomas formed Body Lyre, and Ben Ward continued with Old Loaves.

Origin	Wellington
Genre	hardcore, post-hardcore
Years Active	2007 – 2010
Labels	Action Man Records
Associated Acts	Guest Stabs Host, DIAL, Akaname, Neon Bastard, The Body Lyre
Past Members	Kalem O’Brien (bass) Jason Gascoigne (drums) Rhydian Thomas (vocals) James Murray (guitar 2007 – 2009) Michael Schibli (guitar 2007) Rich Burns (guitar 2008 – ) Ben Ward (2009 – 2010)