Hollywoodfun Downstairs was a high-octane noise-punk band from Wellington, New Zealand. Originally formed in London in 2008 by guitarist and vocalist Kurt Williams, the band relocated to New Zealand when Williams returned to Wellington in 2011. There, he assembled a new lineup featuring Grant Gall on bass and Joe Wright on drums. Drawing inspiration from chaotic international acts like Refused, Future of the Left, and The Blood Brothers, as well as local heroes such as Hamilton’s This Night Creeps, HFD delivered a frenetic, “spazzed out” style of noize punk. Their sound was defined by jagged, stop-start riffs, percussive mayhem, madcap vocals, and unexpected pop hooks that cut through the noise.
The band released two full-length albums during their run:
- The Mancunian Swing (2013) — Issued by Leeds, UK label Muzai. The debut captured the “good and the grim” of urban excess, with standout tracks like the anthemic “Is The City?”, the psychedelic robot-rock of “Colours of Soho”, and “Fuzzy”.
- Reactions (2015) – initially issued as a download and cassette, with a vinyl edition following in 2016 via Press Gang Records. The album was praised as a “dazzling display of hyper-kinetic instrumental prowess, with jagged-edged riffs, percussive insanity, and madcap vocals all sweetened by mesmerizing pop hooks” (Craig Hayes, Six Noises Blog).
- Tetris (2017) – released on vinyl and CD by Polish label Antena Krzyku. This release showcased the band’s “trashy noise pop punk” approach, blending face-slapping dissonance, tension, and brutal beauty. Reviewers noted its “jaw-dropping” energy, comparing it to fellow New Zealand acts Die! Die! Die! and early The Mint Chicks. Standout tracks included “Hungarian Tremors” and “Your Medium.”
HFD were relentless live performers, touring extensively across Europe with 23 shows in 2015 and a massive 60-date run between March and May 2016, before hitting the summer festival circuit in July.In 2018, following a shift in musical direction toward a heavier black metal sound, the band renamed themselves Tuscoma. Hollywoodfun Downstairs left behind a short but explosive legacy as one of New Zealand’s most intense and uncompromising noise-punk acts, a whirlwind of agitation, anxiety, and raw sonic assault wrapped in catchy, anarchic hooks.
| Origin | London, Wellington |
| Genre | noise-punk |
| Years Active | 2008 – 2018 |
| Labels | Antena Krzyku Muzai Records Press Gang Records |
| Associated Acts | Tuscoma |
| Past Members | Grant Gall (bass) Joe Wright (drums) Timothy Ramshakles (drums 2011-2013) Kurt Williams (guitar, vocals) |
| Web |
Releases
| Title | Date | Label | Type | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok Hilton | 2012, Oct 26 | single | DL | |
| Colours of Soho | 2013, May 31 | single | DL | |
| The Mancunian Swing | 2013, Aug 23 | Muzai Records | LP | DL |
| 216 | 2014, Nov 10 | single | CD/ DL | |
| Reactions | 2015, April 23 | Press Gang Records | LP | 12″/ tape/ DL |
| Tetris | 2017, Feb 3 | Antena Krzyku | LP | 12″, CD, DL |
Timeline
2011, December 3, Bar Bodega
2012
2012, October 26: Bangkok Hilton
2013
2013, May 31: Colours of Soho
2013, August 23: The Mancunian Swing
2013, Aug 28 – Sept 28, The Mancunian Swing tour
2013, December 18, SFBH
2014
2014, March 11-16, SXSW, Austin, Texas
2014, May 2, Valhalla
2014, November 10, 216
2015
2015, April 23: Reactions
2015, November 19, Magasin4 (Brussels)
Le Butcherettes, Hollywoodfun Downstairs, Drip Dry Man & The Beat Revolver
2016
2016, February 18, SFBH
2016, March 19, Biddy Mulligans
2016, February 20, Woodcock 2016
2016, March 18, Hamtown Smakdown
2016, August 17-20, North Island Tour
2016, December 10, Valhalla
2017
2017, February 13: Tetris
2018
2018, March 15-24: Tour with Qui (USA)
Thursday 15th March, Churchills, Christchurch
Friday 16th March, Musician’s Club, Invercargill
Saturday 17th March, The Crown, Dunedin
Wednesday 21st March, San Fran, Wellington
Thursday 22nd March, Lucky Bar, Whanganui
Friday 23rd March, Wine Cellar, Auckland
Saturday 24th March, Arcade Bar, Mt. Maunganui
