Formed in 2008, The Outsiders were a Wellington-based melodic punk band that brought together members of Not Quite Right (Dan Burmester guitarist/vocalist, drummer Dave McDonald) and Dunedin band Ritalin (Niam Hegarty guitarist/vocalist, Stuart Young on bass).
The band made their live debut at The Adelaide in July 2008, sharing the stage with The Rocketjocks, Punchbowl, Okasite, and Freddy Fudd Pucker (Stuart’s brother Tom Young). That night also marked the release of their self-titled Outsiders EP, a collection that wore its influences proudly, from Hot Water Music to The Draft, while hinting at the band’s growing individuality. Early reviewers noted the promise in songs like “Sleeper,” which captured a balance of melancholy and melody that would become their hallmark.
The Outsiders quickly became a name to watch, appearing at Punkfest 2008 and embarking on a European tour in August, 2009. The following year saw the release of their first full-length album, The Words Will Write Themselves (2010), a gritty, post-hardcore record with a bluesy undertone. Tracks like “The Other Half,” “Blue Skies,” and “The Weight of Living Large” showcased a mature sound rich in texture and emotion, even as critics noted the band’s tendency toward density over immediacy.
Throughout 2010, The Outsiders shared stages with international heavyweights including Strung Out, Lungs, Strike Anywhere, CKY, Horace Pinker, and Against Me!, while also touring Australia and the United States. Their relentless work ethic continued with another massive U.S. tour in 2011, this time with Freddy Fudd Pucker’s Tom Young filling in for Dan.
In 2012, they released what would be their final record, the Shallow Graves EP, a five-track effort that cemented their reputation for intricate songwriting and emotional depth. Songs like “My Answer” stood out for their buried but infectious hooks, signaling a band still evolving creatively. The Outsiders toured New Zealand and Australia behind the release, recording “My Answer” at STL Audio before releasing it as a single and music video in early 2013.
Their final show came on March 7, 2013, opening for Chicago punk heroes The Lawrence Arms, a fittingly high note to end on. After the split, Stu Young and Niam Hegarty went on to form Laura Palmer, while Dan Burmester relocated to Melbourne and started Dental Plan.
| Origin | Wellington |
| Genre | melodic punk, alternative rock |
| Years Active | 2008 – 2013 |
| Labels | Deadboy Records |
| Associated Acts | Ritalin, Not Quite Right |
| Past Members | Dan Burmester (guitar, vocals) Niam Hegarty (guitar, vocals) Stuart Young (bass, vocals) Dave McDonald (drums) Thomas Young (guitar, vocals) |
Releases
| Title | Date | Label | Type | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Outsiders | 2008, November 1 | DIY | EP | CD/ DL |
| The Words Will Write Themselves | 2010, May 17 | DIY | album | CD/ DL |
| The Outsiders | 2011, September 30 | Underground Communique | EP | CD/ DL |
| Shallow Graves | 2011, October 20 | Anchorless Records Deadboy Records | EP | CD/ DL |
| My Answer | 2013, February 6 | single | DL | |
| Safety By Numbers | 2018, February 19 | single | DL | |
| Demo 2012 | 2021, October 30 | single | DL |
Timeline
2008, July 11, The Outsiders
2008, July 11, The Adelaide
The Rocketjocks, The Outsiders, Punchbowl, Okasite, Freddy Fudd Pucker.
2008, July 12, Home St.
House party at Stu and Niam’s with Punchbowl, In Cahoots.
2008, October 24-26, Punkfest
2008, November 7, Bodega
2008, November 8, The Thirsty Dog
2009
2009, March 6, Hole In The Wall
2009, April 9, Bar Bodega
The Outsiders, Not Quite Right, In Cahoots
2009, April 22 – 25, I Walk The Line tour
The Outsiders tour NZ with I Walk The Line (Finland).
2009, July 10, Happy
2009, August, Europe/ UK tour
2009, November 27, Hole In The Wall
2009, December
2010
2010, January 15, Mighty Mighty
2010, February 10, Bar Bodega
The Offbeats, The Outsiders, Nana Squad
2010, March 26, Dux de Lux
2010, May 14, The Words Will Write Themselves
2010, May 14, Bodega
2010, May 21, Void
w/ Dick Dynamite and The Doppelgangers, The Sheriffs and more
2010, May 22, Whammy Bar
w/ Dick Dynamite and The Doppelgangers, Rackets and Ghost Echoes
2010, May 28, The Factory
2010, May 29, Poverty Bay Club
w/ Rocket Jocks and The Nervous Surgeons
2010, June 5, Murphy’s Law, Waikanae
2010, June 10, Mighty Mighty
2010, June 12, The White Hart
2010, June 22, Refuel
2010, June 23, Revolver
2010, June 24, The Bedford
w/ Strung Out
2010, June 25, SFBH
w/ Strung Out
2010, June 26, Kings Arms
w/ Strung Out
2010, July 15, The Factory
Lungs (SYD), The Outsiders, Ricky Bobby, Black Lick, Cervix
2010, July 16, Medusa
2010, July 17, Kings Arms
2010, July 24, Bodega
2010, August 6, Bar Bodega
2020, August 20, Bar Medusa
2010, August 26-September 4, Australian tour
2010, October 1, SFBH
Against Me! replacement show: The Outsiders, Jellyweez, Freddy Fuddpucker, The Strikes, Black Lick
2010, October 2, SFBH
2010, October 15, Happy
2010, October 28 – November 16, USA tour
2010, December 10, ASB Showgrounds
2011
2011, January 27, Happy
2011, February 12, Smash Palace
2011, February 25, Medusa
2011, February 26, Whammy Bar
2011, March 4, The Royal
2011, May 14, Bar Bodega
2011, May 15, Backstage
2011, May 20, Medusa
2011, May 21, Central School Hall, Palmy
2011, May 27, Mt. Eden Scout Hall
2011, May 28, Void
2011, July 2, The Annandale Hotel
2011, July 27, Mighty Mighty
2011, September 2, Central Normal School
AA gig with The Nerines, Us As A Robot, 52 Thief
2011, September 3, Bodega
w/ Old Loaves, Black Lick
2011, September 17, AKL, The Basement
w/ The Murderchord, Bad
2011, September 30, The Outsiders
First EP re-released
2011, September – October, USA Tour
- 9/23 Clarion, Pennsylvania @ 15 Shady w/ Freddy Fuddpucker and Shady Ave
- 9/24 @ Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania @ 222 Ormsby w/ Freddy Fuddpucker and Shady Ave
- 9/26 @ Lansing, Michigan @ Macs Bar w/ Freddy Fuddpucker and Ouch My Arse
- 9/27 @ Grand Rapids, Michigan @ Division Avenue Arts Collective w/ Freddy Fuddpucker and More
- 9/28 @ Bloomington, Indiana @ Bears Place w/ Freddyfuddpucker, The Just and The Scraps
- 9/29 @ Madison, Wisconsin @ The Frequency w/ Cobra Skulls and Nothington
- 9/30 @ Chicago, illonois @ Beat Kitchen w/ Cobra Skulls and Nothington – (RED SCARE FEST)
- 10/1 @ Cincinnati, Ohio @ Plant Kickflip w/ Freddy Fuddpucker, Dead North and more
- 10/2 @ Coudersport, Pennsylvania @ Hotel Crittenden w/ FreddyFuddpucker and Alleghany Hellbenders
- 10/4 @ Breaksman Coffeeshop, Stroudsburg Pennsylvania, acoustic show w/ F Fuddpucker
- 10/5 Hartford, Connecticut, Whitney Street
- 10/6 @ Lowell, Massachusetts @ The Ant Cellar w/ The Fake Boys, Freddy Fuddpucker, Wolves and the Radio and More
- 10/7 @ Boston, Massachusetts @ This is what we talk about when we talk about us w/ The Fake Boys, FreddyFuddpucker, Wolves and the Radio, The Scamps
- 10/8 @ Rochester, New York @ Montys Krown w/ The Emersons and Freddy Fuddpucker
- 10/9 @ Oswego, New York @ Raven Pub with Freddy Fuddpucker, Bridge Under Fire, J Rod
- 10/13 @ Wilmington, Delaware @ Mains Man w/ Freddy Fudd Pucker & The Headies
- 10/14 @ Brooklyn, New York @ Trash Bar w/ The Sharp Lads, The McGunks and More
- 10/15 @ Atlantic City, New Jersey @The Boneyard w/ Freddy Fudd Pucker, Eat This Mckinley, Life without a Jacket & more
- 10/16 @ Manhatten, New York @ Webster Hall w/ Cobra Skulls and Nothington
- 10/17 @ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- 10/18 @ Richmond, Virginia @ The Cellar Door
- 10/19 @ Norfolk, Virginia @ VTBA
- 10/20 @ Greenville, North Carolina
- 10/21 @ Durham, North Carolina @ Motorco w/ Cobra Skulls and Nothington
- 10/22 @ Durham, North Carolina, house show w/ Freddy Fudd Pucker, Almost People
- 10/23 @ Greenville, North Carolina
- 10/24 @ Knoxville, Tennessee
- 10/25 @ Atlanta, Georgia @ Gravity Pub
- 10/26 @ Jacksonville, Florida @ Burro Bar
- 10/27 @ Gainesville Florida
- 10/29 @ Fest, Gainesville, Florida @ The Laboratory 2.10pm
2011, November 13, Luigi’s
2011, November 18, Bar Medusa
Dimestore Skanks, The Outsiders fundraiser?
2011, December 7, Meow
w/ Fantails
2012
2012, January 13, SFBH
2012, January 25, Mighty Mighty
2012, March 3, Medusa
2012, March, Shallow Graves
2012, March 8, Zeal, West Auckland
2012, March 9, Whammy Bar
w/ Prowler, Shitripper, Bad
2012, March 10, Basement Bar, New Plymouth
2012, March 16, Badcave, P-North
2012, March 17, Bodega
2012, March 25, Stuff article
“Outsiders Put In Hard Yards”
2012, June 8, Valhalla
w/ Killing Bear, View From Space, Dimestore Skanks
2012, June 22-30, Australia tour
2012, August 8, SFBH
2012, August 24-27, STL Audio
2012, August 31, Medusa
2012, September 12, Old Bar
2012, September 13, Melbourne, The Weekender
2012, September 16, Liberty Hotel, Melbourne
2012, November, Wellington
2012, November 22-24
2012, December 12, SFBH
2013
2013, February 4, SFBH
2013, February 6, My Answer
2013, February 20, Scumbag College
recording
2013, March 6, Bodega
2013, March 7, Kings Arms
Outsiders play their last gig.
