The Resurrectionists were a short-lived but sharply defined post-punk/funk outfit from Wellington, active during 1984. Formed by guitarist Nigel Elder and vocalist Michael Musgrove, the lineup expanded to include bassist Richard Watts and drummer James Gilberd, both of whom had previously played with Elder in Neoteric Tribesmen and Condemned Sector. Watts was also the original bassist for Wellington punk band Flesh D-Vice during 1983. The band quickly developed a taut, rhythm-driven sound that sat between post-punk abrasion and funk propulsion. In March 1984, trumpeter Steve Roach joined, adding a brassy edge to the band.

The Resurrectionists made their live debut in 1984 at Rawa House, a small arts collective venue in upper Cuba Street. That year they played a run of notable local shows, including the Rainbow Explosion party at Victoria University alongside For Crying Out Loud and Tin Syndrome, followed by a two night set at The Terminus on the corner of Courtenay Place and Taranaki Street. In July 1984 they entered Victoria University’s Band of the Year competition, marking the high point of their brief original run.

The band played their final gig of the period on 22 September 1984 at the Clyde Quay Tavern. Despite their momentum, the Resurrectionists never made any recordings, leaving their reputation to rest entirely on live performances and word of mouth. After the split, members went on to form or join projects including Danse with a Stranger, Spader Non, and the jazz-leaning Scat Cats and The Corgettes.

In August 1986 the Resurrectionists briefly re-emerged for a one-off concert titled “Closer to the Source” at the Electric Ballroom. The event combined live music with film and featured Urban Dwellers as support. According to bassist Richard Watts, the reunion came about while members were between bands, and the group found their playing noticeably sharpened, even revisiting an old Neoteric Tribesmen song, “Folk Tale of the Sun Man.” Forty years later Nigel and James are still playing together in the post-punk tribute band Condenser.

Origin	Wellington
Genre	post-punk
Years Active	1983 – 1984, 1986
Associated Acts	Neoteric Tribesmen Condemned Sector
Past Members	Richard Watts (bass) James Gilberd (drums) Nigel Elder (guitar) Michael Musgrove (vocals) Steve Roche (trumpet)