Not Quite Right were a punk band from Paraparaumu, north of Wellington, New Zealand, active throughout the 2000s. Formed in 2001 by Dave McDonald (drums), Daniel Burmester (guitar, lead vocals), and James Bryant (bass, vocals), the trio quickly made their mark on the local scene, finishing runner-up in the Wellington regional Battle of the Bands final.
Their self-titled debut album arrived in June 2003, featuring 15 tracks recorded while still a three-piece. The record captured the band’s mix of upbeat, melodic punk and angsty, reflective lyrics – songs about girls, mates, and growing up. Tracks like “Not Quite Done Yet” and “Me and Her” also appeared on punk compilations Remedial Class and Punkemon 2, helping the band gain exposure beyond their hometown.
In 2004, guitarist/vocalist “Pudd” joined the lineup, thickening the band’s sound as they became a regular fixture in the Wellington punk circuit. That year saw Not Quite Right sharing stages with local acts such as Sidecar Fury and Rearview Murder, and opening for international punk heavyweights Lagwagon and Auckland’s The Rabble.
By 2005, Not Quite Right were hitting their stride – supporting Sommerset, Strung Out, and Strike Anywhere, and touring the country. They also began recording their follow-up album in Burmester’s bedroom studio, released the next year as Point Of No Return on their DIY imprint Harbour City Records. The album showcased a more mature, muscular sound influenced by Rise Against, Brubeck, and Sommerset, with thoughtful, introspective lyrics set against tight, powerful songwriting.
In 2006, the band supported Against Me! and The Bouncing Souls, and performed at Punkfest in Wellington, before Pudd departed and Not Quite Right returned to their original trio format. Early the next year, they released the EP Our History, Our Future?, praised for its fiery delivery and anthemic choruses on tracks like “Us Against Them” and “Holiday Spirit.” A New Zealand tour with Ritalin followed, including support slots for Strike Anywhere once again.
By 2008, McDonald and Burmester had also formed a new project, The Outsiders, with two ex-members of Ritalin, while continuing to record with Not Quite Right. Their final album, The Ties and Bonds, was completed that year and released on July 10, 2009, with a farewell gig at Happy in Wellington alongside The Outsiders and The Nana Squad.
| Origin | Wellington |
| Genre | punk, melodic hardcore |
| Years Active | 2001 – 2009 |
| Associated Acts | The Outsiders, Sidecar Fury |
| Websites | |
| Past Members | Dave McDonald (drums) Daniel Burmester (guitar, lead vocals) James Bryant (bass, vocals) Paul/ Pudd (guitar, vocals) |
Releases
| Title | Date | Label | Type | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not Quite Right | 2003, June 1 | demo | CD | |
| Remedial Class | 2003 | Stunt Cock Records | compilation | CD |
| Punkemon Vol.2 | 2004 | Smalltime Records | compilation | CD |
| Unearned Income | 2005, Oct 8 | RTT Records | compilation | CD |
| Point Of No Return | 2006 | Harbour City Records | album | CD/ DL |
| Our History, Our Future? | 2007 | Harbour City Records | EP | CD/ DL |
| Down Under (NZ/ Aus Punk Compilation) | 2007 | Harbour City Records HCR2007 | compilation | CD |
| The Ties And Bonds | 2009, July 10 | album | CD/ DL |
Timeline
2002, October 18, Valve
The Offbeats, The Minimals, Not Quite Right
2003
2003, June 1, Not Quite Right
2004
2004, February 28, Valve
with Foamy Ed, Nana Squad
2004, February 30, Valve
with Romeo Must Die
2004, March 26-27, Indigo/ Thistle Hall
2004, August 13, Southern Cross
Friday 13th gig: Inside Abyss, Not Quite Right, Thought Creature, Side Project, Viscera, The K1500 Project, Macuzi 3, Tubuku
2004, August 20, Valve
Tempo 38, Not Quite Right
2004, September 23, Valve
Sidecar Fury, Not Quite Right, Worst Case Scenario
2004, September 30, The Cross
Not Quite Right, Sidecar Fury, The War Within
2004, October 14, Valve
2004, October 29, Indigo
Lagwagon (USA), Not Quite Right, Motorway
2004, October 30, Valve
Not Quite Right, Rearview Murder, Worst Case Scenario, Sidecar Fury
2004, November 5, Indigo
The Rabble, Tempo 38, Not Quite Right, Cop Car
2004, November 6, The Stomach
The Rabble, Tempo 38, Not Quite Right, Cop Car
2004, December 2, Valve
Ruptus Jack, Tinpot Guru, Not Quite Right
2005
2005, January 8, Valve
Not Quite Right, Worst Case Scenario, Sidecar Fury
2005, February 24, Victoria Uni Hall
Sommerset, Not Quite Right
2005, March 11, Bluenote
2005, March 23, Indigo
Strung Out (USA), Not Quite Right, Sidecar Fury
2005, April 2, Valve
We Dunno, Losing Face, Not Quite Right, Sidecar Fury
2005, April 3, Melling Skatepark, Lower Hutt
The Empire Skate Comp: Mikey Takarangi. Not Quite Right
2005, April 8, Auckland University Quad
Midday show
2005, April 8, Ambassador Bar, AKL
w/ Ruptus Jack, Incursa
2005, April 9, Brewers Bar, Mount Maunganui
w/ Ruptus Jack, AmperZahn
2005, April 12, Indigo
Strike Anywhere (USA), Ritalin, Not Quite Right
2005, April 13, Kings Arms
Strike Anywhere (USA), Ritalin, Not Quite Right
2005, April 14, Papa Jacks Voodoo Lounge
w/ Ritalin, Not OK
2005, April 15, Diggers Bar, Hamilton
w/ Ritalin, Ruptus Jack, Not OK
2005, April 16, Basement Bar, New Plymouth
w/ Ruptus Jack, Not OK
2005, May 6, Valve
w/ Ruptus Jack, No Love Lost
2005, May 7, Flashbacks, L Hutt
w/ Ruptus Jack, Skint, Assorted Sweets
2005, September 9, Valve
Guest Stabs Host, Not Quite Right, Black Chrome, Time Only Passes, First Person Shooter
2005, October 8, Unearned Income compilation
2005, October 8, Valve
Unearned Income release gig: Not Quite Right, Sidecar Fury
2005, December 17, Memorial Hall, Paraparaumu
2006
2006, Point Of No Return
2006, February 9, Kings Arms
Against Me! (USA), Not Quite Right, The Deadbeats
2006, February 10, Indigo
Against Me! (USA), Not Quite Right, Ritalin, Not OK
2006, February 11, Subnine
Not Quite Right, Ritalin, Not OK, Not With You, No Love Lost
2006, March 22/ 24, Refuel/ Bodega
2006, March 30, Indigo
The Go Set, Not Quite Right + more
2006, April 7, Valve
We Dunno, Not Quite Right, Stitchface
2006, April 8, Bodega
Ruptus Jack, Tenpenny Joke, Not Quite Right
2006, May 13, Pinnacle Bar (AKL)
Not Quite Right, Not OK, Onebadweekend, We Dunno
2006, May 23, Arc Cafe
The Disables (Aus), Not Quite Right, Ritalin + more
2006, May 24, Jetset Lounge
The Disables (Aus), Not Quite Right, Illreceived, Not With You
2006, May 25, MuBar
The Disables (Aus), Not Quite Right, Black Chrome, Stitchface
2006, May 26, Valve
The Disables (Aus), Not Quite Right, Black Chrome, Nothing But Trouble
2006, May 27, Pinnacle Bar
The Disables (Aus), Not Quite Right, City Newton Bombers, Not OK
2006, September 16, Valve
Not Quite Right, Okasite, Teabag: The European Hello
2006, September 23, Bodega
Skaladdin, The Offbeats, Not Quite Right
2006, October 13, Bodega
Cobra Khan, Not Quite Right, Damaged
2006, October 20, Punkfest
2006, December 2, Valve
Not Quite Right, Not OK, Onebadweekend, Cathedra, Teabag: The European Hello
2006, Valve
2007
2007, Our History, Our Future?
2007, March 14, Refuel
Strike Anywhere (USA), Ritalin, Not Quite Right, Corporate Trash
2007, March 15, Jetset Lounge
Strike Anywhere (USA), Ritalin, Not Quite Right, Flying Solo
2007, March 16, Bodega
Strike Anywhere (USA), Ritalin, Not Quite Right, OneBadWeekend
2007, March 23, Valve
Okasite, Not Quite Right, Fighting The Shakes
2007, July 28, Bar Bodega
2007, July/ Aug, Valve
2007, August 16, Bar Mode
A Death In The Family (Melb), Not Quite Right, Black Chrome.
2007, August 17, Valve
A Death In The Family (Melb), Strangers, Not Quite Right, Black Chrome, Punchbowl
2007, August 24, Happy
2007, November 17, Down Under: NZ/ AUS Punk Compilation
2008
2008, January 16, Valve
2008, March 22, Thirsty Dog
2008, March 29, Valve
2008, June 28, Valve
Saving Grace, Not Quite Right
2008, October 25, Valve
2008, November 29, Valve
2009
2009, March 6, Hole In The Wall
2009, April 9, Bar Bodega
The Outsiders, Not Quite Right, In Cahoots
2009, July 10, The Ties And Bonds
2009, July 10, Happy
