{"id":64,"date":"2026-08-17T18:47:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T06:47:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/?p=64"},"modified":"2026-08-17T18:47:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T06:47:19","slug":"ambitious-vegetables","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/2026\/08\/ambitious-vegetables","title":{"rendered":"Ambitious Vegetables"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">Ambitious Vegetables was a first-wave punk band formed at Wellington\u2019s Rongotai College by students Chas Mannell (drums), Gordon Costello (guitar), Gary Curtis (bass), and Andrew Fagan (vocals). They were later joined by Peter Henderson on lead guitar , who, at 21, brought a touch of experience to the young lineup. Drawing inspiration from bands like The Damned, Sex Pistols, and Stiff Little Fingers, the Veges delivered fast, energetic performances centered around talented front man Andrew Fagan. The band described their music as\u00a0 &#8220;intelligent punk, new-wave,&#8221; aimed at jolting audiences out of their apathy.<\/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\">Operating out of a basement practice room at Clyde Quay School, shared with fellow punks <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2025\/04\/condemned-sector\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"171\">Condemned Sector<\/a><\/strong>, Ambitious Vegetables quickly made their mark on the capital\u2019s mushrooming punk scene. With schoolmate Howard Levarko stepping in as manager under the name <strong>HL Promotions<\/strong>, the band landed gigs supporting acts like <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2022\/06\/steroids\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"485\">Steroids<\/a>, Toy Love,<\/strong> and <strong>Flight X-7<\/strong>. Their early shows included lunchtime sets at Rongotai and Wellington East Girls College, also gaining wider attention after teaming up with the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2025\/06\/wallsockets\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"605\">Wallsockets<\/a><\/strong> for a landmark punk gig at <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2024\/02\/thistle-hall\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"12295\">Thistle Hall<\/a><\/strong> on <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/1979\/09\/1979-september-29-thistle-hall\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"12150\">September 29, 1979<\/a><\/strong>, followed by the inaugural Cuba Mall Sunday Show the next day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">In February 1980, the AV\u2019s recorded a five-track demo at <strong>Broadcasting House<\/strong> with engineer Tony Burns, capturing their frenetic sound. However, by March, internal tensions over musical direction led to a lineup shift. Andrew Fagan and Gary Curtis departed to pursue a new wave pop oriented project called <strong>The Mockers<\/strong>, leading Gordon Costello to step up as vocalist\/ guitarist and recruiting his brother Murray Costello on bass. The new lineup filmed at Avalon Studios for their track &#8220;<em>Who Needs It<\/em>&#8220;, which aired on late night TV show <em>Radio With Pictures<\/em>. Ambitious Vegetables also ventured beyond Wellington, playing Auckland\u2019s Windsor Castle pub for the <strong>Rock Quest \u201880<\/strong> battle of the bands over Easter weekend &#8211; though a breakdown of their tour van left them arriving in rough shape for the first night\u2019s show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">Back in Wellington, they performed at the newly christened <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2022\/08\/billy-the-club\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5103\">Billy The Club<\/a><\/strong> (Rock Theatre) alongside <strong>Flight X-7<\/strong> in May. However, by August 1980, drummer Chas Mannell left to join <strong>The Mockers<\/strong> (later to become a chart topping pop band) leading the Ambitious Vegetables to disband. The remaining members regrouped to form a new outfit, <strong>The Red<\/strong>, marking the end of the Veges\u2019 brief but fiery contribution to New Zealand\u2019s punk legacy. An addendum to the AV\u2019s story was added 42 years later with the 7\u201d single release of <strong>Who Needs It?\/ Prisoner Of Her Majesty<\/strong> &#8211; a remastered survivor of the Broadcasting House session and a fertile Wellington punk scene for those with a sprig of ambition.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Add To This Post<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\">To contribute info, photos, corrections contact mail@upthepunks.co.nz<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-soundcloud wp-block-embed-soundcloud\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ambitious Vegetables radio interview by mattbeech\" width=\"640\" height=\"400\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" allow=\"autoplay; encrypted-media\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?visual=true&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F549986538&#038;show_artwork=true&#038;maxheight=960&#038;maxwidth=640\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\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>Rongotai College, Wellington<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Genre<\/strong><\/td><td>punk<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Years Active<\/strong><\/td><td>1978-1980<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Associated Acts<\/strong><\/td><td>The Mockers, The Red, <br>Condemned Sector<br>Wallsockets, Skapa<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Past Members<\/strong><\/td><td>Gordon Costello (rhythm guitar) <br>Gary Curtis (bass 1st) <br>Murray Costello (bass 2nd)<br>Andrew Fagan (vocals) <br>Peter Henderson (lead guitar) <br>Chas Mannell (drums)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\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:16px\"><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>Who Needs It?\/ Prisoner of Her Majesty<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">2022<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">In Search Of Fuzzz<\/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<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"807\" src=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ambitiousvegetables_whoneedsit_02.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10191\" style=\"width:500px;height:404px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ambitiousvegetables_whoneedsit_02.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ambitiousvegetables_whoneedsit_02-300x242.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ambitiousvegetables_whoneedsit_02-768x620.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Links<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.murraycostello.online\/ambitious-vegetables.html\">Murray Costello<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 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\/JP0Yg_vq_zY?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<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Timeline<\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1979, September 29, Thistle Hall<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"590\" height=\"900\" src=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1979_09_29_thistlehall.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-731\" style=\"object-fit:contain\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1979_09_29_thistlehall.jpg 590w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1979_09_29_thistlehall-197x300.jpg 197w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1979, September 30+, Cuba Mall<\/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\"><a href=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/1979_09_30_cubamall_07-1024x424.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/1979_09_30_cubamall_07-1024x424.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/1979_09_30_cubamall_07-1024x424.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/1979_09_30_cubamall_07-1024x424.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1024 1024w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"497\" data-id=\"5094\" data-link=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2022\/06\/ambitious-vegetables\/1979_09_30_cubamall_07\" data-url=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/1979_09_30_cubamall_07-1024x424.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/1979_09_30_cubamall_07-1024x424.jpg\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:100.00000%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><a href=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1979_09_30_cubamall_08-1024x835.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1979_09_30_cubamall_08-1024x835.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1979_09_30_cubamall_08-1024x835.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1979_09_30_cubamall_08-1024x835.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1024 1024w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"979\" data-id=\"5095\" data-link=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/2022\/06\/ambitious-vegetables\/1979_09_30_cubamall_08\" data-url=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1979_09_30_cubamall_08-1024x835.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1979_09_30_cubamall_08-1024x835.jpg\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1979, November 2, Thistle Hall<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1979, December, Last Resort<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/paperspast.natlib.govt.nz\/periodicals\/RIU19791201.2.13\">Rip It Up, Issue 29, 1 December 1979, Page 6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1980<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1980, February 10, Broadcasting House<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">Ambitious Vegetables record five tracks with Tony Burns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1980, February, Oriental Bay extravaganza<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"font-size:15px\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:16px\">Somebody done somebody wrong dept&nbsp;<strong>Ambitious<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Vegetables<\/strong>&nbsp;have been complaining long and loud about the scratching of themselves and the Steroids from the Radio Windy Oriental Bay extravaganza. It seems they were replaced by the Kevin O\u2019Brien Band and are accusing Windy\u2019s Phil O\u2019Brien of nepotism. (Mr O&#8217;Brien was out of town-and thus unable to comment on the accusations.) The Veges stocks are rising. Negotiations are in progress for out of town gigs at Mainstreet, Hillcrest and Hillsborough and tapes of four songs are being hawked around radio stations.<\/p>\n<cite><a href=\"https:\/\/paperspast.natlib.govt.nz\/periodicals\/RIU19800301.2.9\">Rip It Up, Issue 32, 1 March 1980, Page 4<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1980, February 21-24, Last Resort<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">Steroids, Ambitious Vegetables<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1980, February 28-29, March 1-2, Last Resort<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">w\/ Flight X7<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1980, March, In Touch<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"859\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1980_03_intouch_AV.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15078\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1980_03_intouch_AV.jpg 859w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1980_03_intouch_AV-258x300.jpg 258w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/1980_03_intouch_AV-768x894.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 859px) 100vw, 859px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1980, March 11, Victoria University Student Union Hall<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">Steroids, Ambitious Vegetables<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1980, April 5\/ 7, Windsor Castle<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"967\" src=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_04_05_windsorcastle-1024x967.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9496\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_04_05_windsorcastle-1024x967.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_04_05_windsorcastle-300x283.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_04_05_windsorcastle-768x725.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_04_05_windsorcastle-1170x1105.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_04_05_windsorcastle.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1980, May 1, Rip It Up<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"font-size:15px\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:16px\">The Rock Theatre is indeed, as rumoured last month, under new management. Billy The Club is the new name and opening the club are Newz (May 14 &amp; 15) and Flight X-7 with Ambitious Vegetables (May 16 &amp; 17).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">Noteworthy also is that over the last few months, the Thistle Ballroom in Cuba Street has evolved into the Capital\u2019s punk HQ, with the Spies and Shoes This High performing.&nbsp;<strong>Ambitious<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Vegetables<\/strong>&nbsp;also performed there recently after their northern excursion. They have done a clip for Radio With Pictures and still intend to release a single in the near future.<\/p>\n<cite><a href=\"https:\/\/paperspast.natlib.govt.nz\/periodicals\/RIU19800501.2.9\">Rip It Up, Issue 34, 1 May 1980, Page 4<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1980, May 16-17, Billy The Club<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_05_16_billytheclub_02-1024x658.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9498\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_05_16_billytheclub_02-1024x658.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_05_16_billytheclub_02-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_05_16_billytheclub_02-768x493.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_05_16_billytheclub_02-1170x752.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_05_16_billytheclub_02.jpg 1401w\" 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=\"1024\" height=\"772\" src=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_05_16_billytheclub_03-1024x772.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9501\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_05_16_billytheclub_03-1024x772.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_05_16_billytheclub_03-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_05_16_billytheclub_03-768x579.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_05_16_billytheclub_03-1170x882.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/1980_05_16_billytheclub_03.jpg 1194w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1980, August 1, Rip It Up<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">Andrew Fagan has left Ambitious Vegetables, now playing in The Mockers. Other members in The Red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/paperspast.natlib.govt.nz\/periodicals\/RIU19800801.2.9\">Rip It Up, Issue 37, 1 August 1980, Page 4<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">1981<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1981, November 1, Rip It Up<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"font-size:15px\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:17px\">One of the most inspired band names in recent times must surely have been the&nbsp;<strong>Ambitious<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Vegetables.<\/strong>&nbsp;The Veges were a bunch of young Wellingtonians who because of their age did not get the chance to play and develop the way they deserved. But that was in the good old days. Now, the ex-Veges, Andrew Fagan, Gary Curtis and Charlie Mannell, are with Dale Monaghan, and called the Mockers.<\/p>\n<cite><a href=\"https:\/\/paperspast.natlib.govt.nz\/periodicals\/RIU19811101.2.11\">Rip It Up, Issue 52, 1 November 1981, Page 6<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2006<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2006, Do It To Me<\/h5>\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\/T2BGzalPpMA?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<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">2022<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2022, September 15, <em>Who Needs It?\/ Prisoner Of Her Majesty<\/em><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:15px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.undertheradar.co.nz\/news\/20004\/Interview-Ambitious-Vegetables---Two-Song-EP-Release\">https:\/\/www.undertheradar.co.nz\/news\/20004\/Interview-Ambitious-Vegetables&#8212;Two-Song-EP-Release<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1012\" height=\"1000\" src=\"http:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ambitiousvegetables_whoneedsit_01.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10189\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ambitiousvegetables_whoneedsit_01.jpg 1012w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ambitiousvegetables_whoneedsit_01-300x296.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ambitiousvegetables_whoneedsit_01-768x759.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1012px) 100vw, 1012px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ambitious Vegetables was a first-wave punk band formed at Wellington\u2019s Rongotai College by students Chas Mannell (drums), Gordon Costello (guitar), Gary Curtis (bass), and Andrew<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":65,"comment_status":"open","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":[],"class_list":["post-64","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bands","two-columns"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pe2JUk-12","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ambitiousvegetables_01.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64","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=64"}],"version-history":[{"count":61,"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24635,"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64\/revisions\/24635"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/65"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}