User:Chrisco747/Iceberg NZ band

Iceberg is a New Zealand band born in the 1970's new article content ...The result of 5 long-time friends with common interests in creative music, coming together to further their desire to create original music. The birthplace, as was common those days, the backyard shed of Paul Coppins, still today the lead vocalist and sometimes guitarist, for Iceberg. Paul (aka “Rem”) comes from a renowned family of musicians and his passion, vocal expertise and on stage presentation, continues to promote the original works of Iceberg today, as only Remmy can do. As background, the other friends there, the day that Iceberg was born, were Grant Hanna, Terry Houpapa, Graham Wilkinson and a bloke who couldn’t then (and still can’t) sing to save himself, Col Dale. These 4 blokes had previously gone right through primary school together, and 20 years later at the time, were then (and still are) great friends some 40 odd years later still. Unbeknownst to this group, Graham (the drummer), had by then acquired a brother in law, Richard Raven, a brilliantly talented lead guitarist (previously with well-known and respected 60’s group The Legends). Richie was renowned for haunting lead breaks that continue, to this day, to emanate from his brilliant fret finger work. Richie eventually assumed, and is still, the singularly, superb lead guitarist for Iceberg. Grant Hanna, at the time was forging a creative career as an artist in the genre of paint and canvas. Today he is respected as one of New Zealand’s foremost artists with paintings in private collections and galleries throughout New Zealand and the world. Unknown to most, Grant’s other “fiddle bow” is as a creative musician and bass player for Iceberg. Grant’s passion for creativity has been the cornerstone on which Iceberg has developed over the last 4 decades, with his passion for writing unique, creative, and original tracks, spurring the rest of the current band to likewise, develop their own creative expertise in song writing. Two of these great boyhood friends, Graham and Terry, eventually parted company with the group thereby necessitating the replacement of drummer and rhythm guitarist respectively. Iceberg’s search for a drummer resulted in the discovery of Chris Otter. This guy offered the group a technically brilliant rhythm section, partnering superbly (then and now) with Grant Hanna’s bass. Not only does Chris have an enviable reputation for superb drumming skills (you should listen to a 7-8 minute live drum solo one day) but his (almost manic) wonderful, belief and passion, for Iceberg’s potential, has driven the band back together again, all these years later. Iceberg, at the time also recruited a great rhythm guitarist from the UK, David Bryant, who eventually left the group and returned to live and further his career in London. Dave has since returned to live in New Zealand and we are proud and pleased to announce that he has recently re-joined Iceberg in his former position as rhythm guitarist. Iceberg, the group were privileged, in 1978, to perform with Australian group Skyhooks at the Nambassa Music Festival, in the world-wide acknowledged beautiful Coromandel Peninsular of New Zealand. Iceberg also that year, appeared on the New Zealand television show “Ready to Roll” with their original number “Close Down” at the behest of Peter Blake the renowned musician and musical director of “Ready to Roll” at the time. Iceberg performing the gig at Nambassa, introduced many thousands of attendees to that superb music festival, to the wonder of original NZ rock music never heard before. It was a balmy, late Saturday afternoon when the natural amphitheatre resounded, to a superb sound system, pumping out this phenomenal NZ bands’ creativity. Iceberg, as a sincere cover tribute to a renowned classical rock track, rounded off with an (extended) encore of Rocky Mountain Way. The “extended” bit refers to it containing the first, public, 7 minute drum solo, by Iceberg’s maestro drummer Chris (Bam Bam) Otter. You should have been there, and if you were, we know you enjoyed it! Later that year, Iceberg’s touring in the wider Waikato region, introduced them to the guys from Mi-Sex and this meeting and their association with their other peers of the time, Hello Sailor & Citizen Band, who likewise were producing and playing brilliant original work, engendered a belief in Iceberg’s own abilities to produce and promote their own original work that continues even today.

Over the intervening period the members of Iceberg have continued with their respective creative careers through various medium and genre. Their continual personal camaraderie, ongoing respect of each other’s creative and technical musical abilities, the brilliant keyboard and musical skills of Kenny Green and the ongoing insistence of “Bam Bam”, has resulted in 2 years of studio work and the subsequent release of their first EP “CCU7”. We trust and know that you will enjoy it! Subsequent to the release of CCU7 a second EP has been released in 2015 entitled “1978”. This 6 track EP contains original tracks originally recorded at Mandrill studios in 1978 that have now been digitally re-mastered and are now also available on various digital media. In the months of October/November 2015 Iceberg have been recording an 11 track LP entitled “Provenance”. This title has been selected in due recognition of the artistic originality that has empowered the group Iceberg since its inception. The original tracks from this album are already being played live by Iceberg for your enjoyment. Please take the time to attend and enjoy the outstanding results of this creative project at a live gig near your place soon. NZ band Iceberg, is a group, grounded with superb technical skills and outstanding vision and creativity. To this day Col Dale is still their business manager.

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