The musical equivalent of a brick through a butcher shop window.
One Less Customer (for the Butcher) was an anarcho-punk band formed in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1986. Known for their staunch opposition to animal exploitation, Their music and ethos were deeply rooted in the anarcho-punk movement, blending political activism with hardcore punk which saw Simon Cottle, who also produced the long-running anarchist zine Anti-System, being added as vocalist in 1987.
The band played their debut gig in December 1986 at the Rock Against Concrete show at Railway Hall, playing all original material, and sharing the stage with Compos Mentis and Five Year Mission. Throughout 1987, they were active in Wellington’s vibrant punk scene, performing alongside local acts like Flesh D-Vice, Manson Family, Microwave Babies, and T.A.B. at venues such as the Cricketers Arms and Railway Hall.
On February 6, 1988, One Less Customer performed at Lady of the Rosary in Waiwhetu, Lower Hutt, marking one of their final shows before disbanding shortly as guitarist/ vocalist Andy moved to Napier. The band briefly reunited for a one-off performance in August 1988 at a party in Aro Valley Hall, offering fans a final taste of their vege sausage.
| Origin | Wellington |
| Genre | anarcho-punk |
| Years Active | 1986-1988 |
| Associated Acts | Compos Mentis, Avil Retards, Nazgul |
| Past Members | Andy (guitar, vocals, drums) Adam (drums, guitar) Alan (bass) Simon Cottle (vocals) |
Timeline
1986, December 5, Railway Hall
1987
1987, January 24, Rongotai
with Acid Reign, Compos Mentis
1987, February 25/ 26, The Cricketers Arms
1987, November 22, The Cricketers Arms
1987, December 6, Railway Hall
1987, December 18, Railway Hall
1987, December 20?, Railway Hall
One Less Customer, Number Nine, Wazzo Ghoti, Nazgul
1988
1988, January 9, Simon Cottle’s House
Microwave Babies, Nazgul, One Less Customer, Acid Reign, Avil Retards, Wazzo Ghoti
1988, January 10, Cricketers/ Steinie Club
Axemen, Surgical Brain Implant (another $Fog City enterprise), One Less Customer
1988, February 3,4, The Clarendon
This gig was cancelled by management for allegedly “attracting the wrong sort of audience”. (see Anti-System 12)
1988, February 6, Lady Of The Rosary
1988, August 27, Aro Valley Hall
“Cactus Ball”: One Less Customer play a reunion gig with Naughty Amoebas (DUN), One Less Customer (reunion gig), The Wart, Onaweta
