SMUT was a hardcore anarcho-punk band from Wellington, New Zealand, formed in the early 1990s at the Screaming Asylum flat in Mt. Victoria. The original lineup included Simone Downey and Richard Winder on vocals, Eli Cheeseman on guitar, Chaps on drums, and Zane on bass. Drawing inspiration from bands such as G.B.H., early Corrosion of Conformity, Conflict, and Crass Records acts, SMUT delivered fast, raw punk with a strong political edge.

The band debuted in early 1991 and soon after played the infamous New Plymouth Mushroom Ball alongside Sticky Filth and Das Unter Mensh. Their first album, “Tunnel Vision”, was released in September 1991 at Empire Warehouse in Wellington, after Richard Winder’s departure. In 1992, Zane was replaced by Kieran Hills on bass, who debuted with SMUT at a gig with Schitzofrantics and Septic Noise Grinder. That year, they recorded an eight-song self-titled EP at Yellow Bike Records, released at Thistle Hall. SMUT toured New Zealand’s North and South Islands with Schitzofrantics in December 1992 and played the Cuba Street Carnival in February 1993.

In April 1993, SMUT released the “Liquid Lunch” EP, accompanied by a Pistake comic, and toured Christchurch. Their tracks “Competition Element” and “Was It Good For You” appeared on the “Poison Profits” compilation, supporting New Zealand’s anti-vivisection movement. Eli and Simone were staunch supporters of the NZAVS, along with many other punks at the time, participating in protests and playing benefit gigs for the cause.

In late 1993, Eli, Simone, and Kieran relocated to Sydney, Australia, recruiting Nathan from Savage Cabbage as drummer. Their Australian debut was at the 1994 Sydney Punx Picnic, followed by many gigs with bands like Stalin’s Organ and Oppressed Earth. SMUT contributed to two 1994 compilations: “The Core Sessions” CD and “Keep On Babble On” 7” for Radio Skid Row.

SMUT continued performing in Australia through 1996. In 1997, they returned to New Zealand for the “Better Off Dead Tour” with Australian band H-Block, playing in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, and Palmerston North. This marked their farewell, as SMUT disbanded afterward with members split between Melbourne and Sydney. Kieran Hills later joined Australian punk bands Bastardos, Vae Victis, Dark Horse, and now performs solo as Schkeuditzer Kreuz.

Origin	Wellington
Genre	punk
Years Active	1991 – 1997
Associated Acts	Schitzofrantics, Septic Noise Grinder
Past Members	Simone Downey (vocals) Richard Winder (vocals, 1991) Eli Cheesman (guitar) Zane (bass, 1991) Kieren Hills (bass 1992-97) Chaps (drums 1991-93) Nathan (drums 1994-97)

Releases

Title	Date	Label	Type	Format
Tunnel Vision	1991, Sept 14		album	tape
SMUT	1992, Oct 17		EP	tape
Liquid Lunch	1993, April		EP	tape
Poison Profits	1993, July 23		compilation	tape
The Core Sessions	1994, late	Trans Alien Recordings	compilation	CD/ DL
Keep On Babble On	1995	Last stand	compilation	12″