{"id":359,"date":"2025-06-28T12:17:41","date_gmt":"2025-06-28T00:17:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/?p=359"},"modified":"2026-04-21T15:30:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T03:30:55","slug":"neoteric-tribesmen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/2025\/06\/neoteric-tribesmen","title":{"rendered":"Neoteric Tribesmen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">Neoteric Tribesmen were a three-piece post-punk band formed in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1981 by James Gilberd (drums), Nigel Elder (guitar, vocals), and Richard Watts (bass, vocals). Emerging from the ashes of their earlier punk outfit, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2025\/04\/condemned-sector\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"171\">Condemned Sector<\/a><\/strong>, the trio shifted gears after the departure of Condemned Sector\u2019s bassist Jenny Whyte in April 1981. Seeking a darker, more sophisticated sound, they adopted the name Neoteric Tribesmen &#8211; \u2018Neoteric\u2019 meaning new-thinking, though occasionally misspelled as \u2018Neurotic\u2019 in gig guides and embraced influences from post-punk pioneers like Gang of Four, Joy Division, The Cure, and The Birthday Party, alongside local acts such as <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2022\/06\/shoes-this-high\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"449\">Shoes This High<\/a>, Toy Love<\/strong>, and <strong>The Gordons<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;autoclose&quot;: false, &quot;accordionItems&quot;: [] }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/accordion\" role=\"group\" class=\"wp-block-accordion is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-1&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-1-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-1\" type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">Read more<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-1\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-1-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">The band\u2019s aesthetic was marked by their unique \u2018Three Tribesmen\u2019 symbol, comprising a circle (James), square (Nigel), and triangle (Richard), representing faith, knowledge, and wisdom. Their first gig took place on July 3, 1981, at Wellington Polytech alongside <strong>The Mockers<\/strong>, a band with shared punk roots. That August, their Clyde Quay school practice room hosted a notable jam session with <strong>The Cure<\/strong>, who were in town for two performances. Neoteric Tribesmen recorded nine tracks at <strong>Sausage Studios<\/strong> in 1981, self-releasing them on<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/1981\/12\/neoteric-tribesmen-neoteric-tribesmen\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"18960\">tape<\/a><\/strong> that December. They followed this with a 7\u201d single, featuring \u201c<strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/1982\/04\/neoteric-tribesmen-safely-get-away-with-it\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"18962\">Safely Get Away With It<\/a><\/em><\/strong>\u201d and \u201c<strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/1982\/04\/neoteric-tribesmen-safely-get-away-with-it\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"18962\">Apathy<\/a><\/em><\/strong>,\u201d recorded at the more upscale <strong>Crescendo Studio<\/strong> in early 1982.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">Despite their musical evolution, the band faced challenges due to the growing violence at gigs, exacerbated by Richard\u2019s association with the local boot-boy scene, which strained their relationship with venue organizers and caused friction within the band, particularly with Nigel. A particularly chaotic performance at the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2022\/06\/last-resort\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1049\">Last Resort<\/a><\/strong> on Courtenay Place, marked by a street fight between skinheads and the Mongrel Mob, underscored these tensions. The band\u2019s final show was on August 14, 1982, at <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2025\/05\/clyde-quay-tavern\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"17653\">The Clyde Quay Tavern<\/a><\/strong>, where a half-full pint glass thrown at Nigel during a cover of The Clash\u2019s \u201c<em>White Riot<\/em>\u201d prompted them to stop playing for good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">After the split, Richard joined <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2022\/06\/flesh-d-vice\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"247\">Flesh D-Vice<\/a><\/strong> in late 1982, contributing bass to their EP <em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/1983\/10\/flesh-d-vice-12-inches-of-hard-flesh\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6830\">12 Inches of Hard Flesh<\/a><\/strong><\/em>. In late 1983, James, Nigel, and Richard reunited briefly as <strong>The Resurrectionists<\/strong>, exploring a punk-funk style. Today, James and Nigel continue to perform together in <strong>Condenser<\/strong>, a band covering early 1980s post-punk, occasionally revisiting songs from Condemned Sector and Neoteric Tribesmen.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\" style=\"font-size:16px\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Origin<\/strong><\/td><td>Wellington<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Genre<\/strong><\/td><td>punk, post-punk<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Years Active<\/strong><\/td><td>1981 &#8211; 1982<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Associated Acts<\/strong><\/td><td>Condemned Sector<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Past Members<\/strong><\/td><td>Nigel Elder (guitar, vocals)<br>James Gilberd (drums)<br>Richard Watts (bass, vocals)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter is-style-rectangular\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"744\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-18957\" data-id=\"18957\" src=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_01-744x1024.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_01-744x1024.jpg 744w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_01-218x300.jpg 218w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_01-768x1057.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_01.jpg 872w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 744px) 100vw, 744px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"407\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-18954\" data-id=\"18954\" src=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_05.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_05.jpg 600w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_05-300x204.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"412\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-18955\" data-id=\"18955\" src=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_06.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_06.jpg 600w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_06-300x206.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"397\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-18952\" data-id=\"18952\" src=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_07.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_07.jpg 600w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_07-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"425\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-18953\" data-id=\"18953\" src=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_08.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_08.jpg 600w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_08-300x213.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"398\" height=\"600\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-18956\" data-id=\"18956\" src=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_09.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_09.jpg 398w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_09-199x300.jpg 199w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 398px) 100vw, 398px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Releases<\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\" style=\"font-size:15px\"><table><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Title<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Date<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Label<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Type<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Format<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Neoteric Tribesmen<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">1981, Dec<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">EP<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">tape<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Safely Get Away With It\/ <br>Apathy<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">1982<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">NT 001<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">single<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">7&#8243;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:42.90481%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><a href=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/neoterictribesmen_cover_02.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/neoterictribesmen_cover_02.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/neoterictribesmen_cover_02.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=751 751w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1000\" data-id=\"14979\" data-link=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2022\/06\/neoteric-tribesmen\/neoterictribesmen_cover_02\" data-url=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/neoterictribesmen_cover_02.jpg\" data-width=\"751\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/neoterictribesmen_cover_02.jpg\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:57.09519%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><a href=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/NT_safelygetaway001.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/NT_safelygetaway001.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/NT_safelygetaway001.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"900\" data-id=\"7824\" data-link=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2022\/06\/neoteric-tribesmen\/nt_safelygetaway001\" data-url=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/NT_safelygetaway001.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/NT_safelygetaway001.jpg\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Neoteric_safely_side1.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Safely Get Away With It<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Timeline<\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1981, July 3, Wellington Polytech<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:36.53819%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1981_07_03_wgtnpolytech.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=524 524w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"720\" data-id=\"13152\" data-link=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2022\/06\/neoteric-tribesmen\/1981_07_03_wgtnpolytech\" data-url=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1981_07_03_wgtnpolytech.jpg\" data-width=\"524\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1981_07_03_wgtnpolytech.jpg\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:63.46181%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_07_03_sciencefiction_02-1024x809.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_07_03_sciencefiction_02-1024x809.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_07_03_sciencefiction_02-1024x809.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1024 1024w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"948\" data-id=\"3178\" data-link=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2022\/06\/neoteric-tribesmen\/1981_07_03_sciencefiction_02\" data-url=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_07_03_sciencefiction_02-1024x809.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_07_03_sciencefiction_02-1024x809.jpg\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1981, July 29, Beware House<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Neoteric Tribesmen, Naked Spots Dance, Smelly Feet, Knives of West Eleven<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:16px\">This was the night of Charles &amp; Diana\u2019s wedding, shown on the big screen at the venue, and also the night of the police baton attack on anti-tour protestors in Molesworth St. Some of the wounded turned up at the gig with their reports.<\/p>\n<cite>Richard Watts<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1981, August 4, Clyde Quay School<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:16px\">*The Cure jam session<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_08_04_thecure_06-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3173\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_08_04_thecure_06-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_08_04_thecure_06-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_08_04_thecure_06-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_08_04_thecure_06-1170x777.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_08_04_thecure_06.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1981, September 25-26, Studio 7<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"765\" src=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1981_09_25_studio7.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18930\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1981_09_25_studio7.jpg 550w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1981_09_25_studio7-216x300.jpg 216w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1981, October 2-3, Rawa House<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"647\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_10_02_rawahouse.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3169\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_10_02_rawahouse.jpg 647w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_10_02_rawahouse-216x300.jpg 216w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 647px) 100vw, 647px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1981, November, Rip It Up<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"753\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-18944\" data-id=\"18944\" src=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/neoterictribesmen_04.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/neoterictribesmen_04.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/neoterictribesmen_04-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/neoterictribesmen_04-1024x643.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/neoterictribesmen_04-768x482.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/neoterictribesmen_04-1170x734.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/neoterictribesmen_04-350x220.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"633\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-18948\" data-id=\"18948\" src=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_03.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_03.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_03-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_03-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_03-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/neoterictribesmen_03-1170x617.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1981, December 12, Masterton Community Hall<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe incident with the Masterton Black Power was when we played at a community hall in Masterton. We had borrowed The Mockers tour bus, an old ambulance, and I think Andrew Fagan was acting as our roadie. We also had our usual group of fans following us up from Wellington. There had been some incident in town and the local Black Power turned up in force at the hall. I don\u2019t think we have ever packed up our band gear after a gig so quickly\u201d<br><\/p>\n<cite>Richard Watts<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1981, December 13, Masterton Showgrounds<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"670\" src=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1981_12_12_masterton_02-1024x670.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3166\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1981_12_12_masterton_02-1024x670.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1981_12_12_masterton_02-300x196.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1981_12_12_masterton_02-768x502.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1981_12_12_masterton_02-1170x765.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1981_12_12_masterton_02.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"513\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_12_12_masterton_01-513x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3165\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_12_12_masterton_01-513x1024.jpg 513w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_12_12_masterton_01-150x300.jpg 150w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/1981_12_12_masterton_01.jpg 601w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 513px) 100vw, 513px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1981, December 23, Aro Valley Hall<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">*Skeptics replaced Cumulus Haemorrage <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"460\" height=\"720\" src=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1981_12_23_arohall.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12764\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1981_12_23_arohall.jpg 460w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1981_12_23_arohall-192x300.jpg 192w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 460px) 100vw, 460px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1982<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1982, February 10-11, The Terminus<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:100.00000%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/1982_02_10_terminus_01-1024x436.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/1982_02_10_terminus_01-1024x436.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/1982_02_10_terminus_01-1024x436.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1024 1024w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"511\" data-id=\"12728\" data-link=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2024\/06\/the-terminus\/1982_02_10_terminus_01\" data-url=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/1982_02_10_terminus_01-1024x436.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/1982_02_10_terminus_01-1024x436.jpg\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:100.00000%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/1982_02_10_terminus_02-709x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/1982_02_10_terminus_02-709x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=709 709w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1200\" data-id=\"12729\" data-link=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2024\/06\/the-terminus\/1982_02_10_terminus_02\" data-url=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/1982_02_10_terminus_02-709x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"831\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/1982_02_10_terminus_02-709x1024.jpg\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1982, March, Massey University<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:16px\">with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2022\/06\/riot-111\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"401\">Riot 111<\/a><\/strong>.  \u201cWe stayed on campus and at one point I remember walking back to our accommodation and being caught by a large group of students wearing togas (they had been to a toga party). I think they would have lynched us if they hadn\u2019t recognised the student we were with.\u201d<br><\/p>\n<cite>Richard Watts<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1982, April 5-6, The Terminus<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">Neoteric Tribesmen, Organised Chaos<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1982, August 14, Clyde Quay Tavern<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"396\" height=\"547\" src=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/1982_08_14_clydequay.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8993\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/1982_08_14_clydequay.jpg 396w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/1982_08_14_clydequay-217x300.jpg 217w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2013<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:15px\">2013, December 27, SFBH<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">In December, 2013, members of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2022\/06\/condemned-sector\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"171\">Condemned Sector<\/a><\/strong> and <strong>Neoteric Tribesmen<\/strong> reformed for a one-off gig in Wellington. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/atsbw75jH-4?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/z25Tyefn6fo?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Neoteric Tribesmen were a three-piece post-punk band formed in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1981 by James Gilberd (drums), Nigel Elder (guitar, vocals), and Richard Watts<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":360,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[138,139,128],"class_list":["post-359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bands","tag-james-gilberd","tag-nigel-elder","tag-richard-watts","two-columns"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pe2JUk-5N","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/neoterictribesmen_02.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/359","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=359"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/359\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23902,"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/359\/revisions\/23902"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=359"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=359"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}