MNZ Interview: CoffeeBar Kid Cuts S02 / E09 – Tadpole

It’s been 25 years since Tadpole’s debut album The Buddhafinger exploded onto the New Zealand rock scene, and now, in 2025, the band is back – reformed, recharged, and ready to celebrate. I had a chat with guitarist Chris Yong (the longest remaining member of the band) to talk about the band’s journey from underground gigs to triple-platinum success, the long road back, and what the future holds.

Let’s rewind. Tadpole started in the mid-90’s, right?

Yeah, the band formed around ’94, but I joined in ’99. Those early years were all about finding our sound. It wasn’t until we released Blind that things really started to move. That single got picked up, radio play eventually followed, and suddenly we were climbing the ladder – writing, recording, touring.

Was there a moment when it stopped being a weekend project and became something bigger?

Not really a single moment – it was more a grind. You’re always chasing the next gig, the next song. But once Blind hit and For Me followed, we started getting traction. We had support from newer rock stations like Channel Z (and some smaller independent radio stations), which helped us bypass the mainstream gatekeepers.

Tadpole had a distinctive sound – heavy guitars, DJ elements, and Renée Brennan’s vocals. Was that intentional?

It was organic. Everyone brought something different. Renée came from a classical background, Dean Lawton, our drummer, had funk and hip-hop influences, I was all about crunchy riffs, and our bassist was a funk guy. Kevin (May AKA DJ Kritikl) joined because he’d played with Paul Matthews, our bassist, in a previous band. We were never shy about experimenting – that’s what made Tadpole unique.

The Buddhafinger (released in 2000) was packed with singles. Listening now, it still holds up.

It was wild. We released three singles before the album dropped, then three more after. That kept momentum going. The album stayed top-of-mind and on the charts for 46 weeks. It was a bit of magic in a bottle.

Renée’s voice was so dominant – powerful and unmistakably of the era.

Absolutely. Her voice had a low, rich tone that cut through everything. That was part of our sound. And DJ Kritikl – he’s got this uncanny ability to find the perfect sample. Even now, he’s still doing it live, mixing vinyl and digital scratching.

You toured Australia and even played for troops in East Timor?

Yeah, we did shows with Aussie Indie heroes Killing Heidi across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne. Then the NZ Army flew us to East Timor to perform for peacekeeping troops. That was surreal – landing in a war zone, performing in camos, being treated like guests while they were doing the real work.

After 2006, things went quiet. What happened?

I left in 2003, but the band kept going. By 2006, it had run its course. We’d toured relentlessly, dealt with lineup changes, and burned out. Everyone moved on – families, day jobs, other projects.

So, what sparked the comeback?

Around 2017, someone from (the record and appliance store) JB Hi-Fi asked about stocking The Buddhafinger on vinyl. That got us thinking. Dino (Dean Lawton) found an old contract in his garage, and we realised we could reclaim the rights to our first two albums. That led to The Tadpole Collection – three studio albums plus a fourth of B-sides and rarities. It reignited interest.

And then Devilskin’s management reached out?

Yeah, they asked if we’d consider reforming for a tour. Renée wasn’t keen but gave us her blessing to continue with a guest vocalist. That opened the door. We found Emma Dilemma, who filled the role beautifully for the tour.

And now Lauren Marshall is fronting the band?

Right. We knew Emma couldn’t commit long-term, so we started looking again. Lauren came highly recommended. She’s not a rock singer by trade – more R&B – but her voice has that same low-end power Renée had. It fits. She’s brought a fresh energy to the band.

Your new single George – a Headless Chickens cover – feels like a bridge between old and new Tadpole.

Exactly. We used to play it live back in the day. It’s always been special to us. Re-recording it with Malcolm Welsford – who produced both The Buddhafinger and the original George – was surreal. It’s heavier now, modernized, but still pays tribute.

What’s next?

We’re celebrating The Buddhafinger’s 25th anniversary with a tour and a limited-edition double vinyl. DJ Kritikl re-imagined the track order for a live flow, and the second disc is a bootleg of live recordings from 2000 – banter and all. We’re also working on new music. George was just the start. There’ll be new Tadpole tracks in the set list – and beyond.

Sounds like the new Tadpole is here to stay.

We never thought we’d be doing this again. But the stars aligned. People still care about these songs – some never got to see us live the first time around. Now they can. And we’re just grateful to be part of it.

TADPOLE 25 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOWS OF THE BUDDHAFINGER

Presented in partnership with The Rock and East-West Music & Events

Fri 26 Sept @ The Rock 2000, Spark Arena, Auckland

Sat 25 Oct @ Leigh Sawmill, Leigh

Fri 31 Oct @ Parāoa Brewing Co, Whangaparāoa

Sat 1 Nov @ The Butter Factory, Whangārei

Sun 16 Nov @ The Church, Christchurch

Fri 28 Nov @ Totara St, Mt Maunganui

Sat 29 Nov @ NP Club, New Plymouth