No Doggy! share ‘Grubby Buggy Buddies’
Stephen Hart, Anya Henis, Peter Smith and Nigel Wright are No Doggy!, Tāmaki Makaurau’s brand new jangly kids music group.
Named after Henis’ daughter’s preference for cats over dogs, No Doggy!’s members are some of Auckland’s go to sidemen performing in The Brunettes, Roy Irwin Band and P.H.F., while helming projects like N.T. Honey and The Crabbs.
What makes a good kids song? The band replied “Honestly, who knows!!! I think any song that is fun or interesting is pretty universally enjoyed, whether it’s kids or older-beings. We hope that’s where No Doggy! songs land.”
Now signed to Sunreturn, No Doggy! share a new single Grubby Buggy Buddies taken from their upcoming debut album Picnic Lunch. To celebrate the band will throw their own indoor al fresco affair with an album lunch launch at the Freemans Bay Community Centre on August 8. Kicking off at midday and running until 2:30pm, bring along your picnic blanket and check out live performances from No Doggy! & their best friends Thee Golden Geese! Tickets are available now from Undertheradar.co.nz.
STREAM NO DOGGY! – Grubby Buggy Buddies
Artwork by Sophie Watson
Demoed on guitar and then taken to the band who made it sound great, Grubby Buggy Buddies jangles along with strummed bar chords, darting bass notes, Casio keyboard melodies and sing-along choruses. “Teamwork makes the No Doggy! dream work,” jokes Stephen Hart.
“My mum likes to remind me of when I was little and I would often stop (lag behind) examining leaves and bugs. Grubby Buggy Buddies extends on this a bit, to someone who likes adding to their family with bug friends. I love that kids are the best and least judgemental friends. It doesn’t matter if you’re tiny or slimy or shy or grubby. You can be my mate, and you can join my family.”
When asked what her favourite bug could be Stephen responds: “I’m very partial to a snail. Gentle, shy, nice, and slow. I’m pretty sure they’re always smiling. We’re really looking forward to playing the track at some fun shows – followed by walks around the block meeting some new Grubby Buds.”
Grubby Buggy Buddies and Picnic Lunch were recorded live, mixed and mastered at Ukaipō Studios by James Dansey (Āku Hapa, The Sneaks, Spring Break, Thee Golden Geese, Chabs & Milky). Picnic Lunch will be available digitally and on limited edition CD via Sunreturn on July 24th 2026.
Photo Credit: Ngaire Mason
