Killtrain was a hardcore punk band formed in Nelson, New Zealand, in 1997, known for their raw energy and contribution to the local punk scene. The trio consisted of Jonny Trousers on drums, Nathan Judge on guitar/ vocals, and Aidan McDonald on bass. Jonny Trousers also played in another Nelson band, Johnny Christ, while Killtrain quickly made a name for themselves in the tight-knit Nelson music community.

One of their earliest performances was a standout, opening for Washington, D.C. punk legends Fugazi at the Nelson Arts Centre on June 29, 1997. That same year, Killtrain was featured on The Hairy Armpit Sessions compilation alongside other local punk acts like Natural Hazard, Dead Centre, and Mindset. In October 1997, they brought their “raverage” to Punkfest 1997 at Aro Valley Hall.

In 1998, Killtrain performed at a benefit gig for the New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society, joined by Nelson bands FROMM, Pisstaken Identities, and Anastaisa Strapon. This performance was captured and released on the Death By Dogma compilation in 1999. The band continued to play through 1999 and 2000, including a memorable set at the Grovelling 2000 New Year’s Eve event, one of their final shows.

By 2000, Nathan Judge and Aidan McDonald relocated to Wellington, where they formed the band School Of Meat. Aidan also briefly played bass for Backyard Burial from 2000 to 2001. Later, Aidan returned to Nelson and founded Basura Blanca.

Origin	Nelson
Genre	hardcore, punk
Years Active	1997 – 2001
Associated Acts	School Of Meat, Basura Blanca
Past Members	Aidan McDonald (bass, vocals) Nathan Judge (guitar, vocals) Jonny Trousers (drums)

No Use No More

Releases

Title	Date	Label	Type	Format
On Holiday With Killtrain	?		album	tape
The Hairy Armpit Sessions: A Compilation Of Nelson Sounds	1997	Nelson Community Arts Centre	compilation	CD
Valve No.9: 10kHz Of White Piss	1997	Yellow Bike	compilation	CD
Wrinklestumpskin	1997 Dec	Nelson Community Arts Centre	compilation	CD
Death By Dogma	1999 April	Saint Records	live compilation	CD
End Corporate Domination	2000	Loudmouth Records	compilation	CD
Grovelling 2000!	2001	Rough As Guts	compilation	CD

Timeline

1997, June 29, Nelson Arts Centre

w/ Fugazi

1997, September 6, Thistle Hall

1997, October 24-25, Thistle Hall

1998

1998, August, NZAVS gig

Benefit gig for the NZAVS with Anastasia Strapon, Pistol Grip, FROMM, Pisstaken Identities, Killtrain. Recorded and released as the Death By Dogma compilation.

Killtrain

Releases