Gig Review: Powder Chutes @ Underworld Tavern, Wellington – 22/05/2025

I arrived for the last song of Danny Rascal and the crowd was pumping. Word on the street was that Danny Rascal (pictured above) was so darn good, the speaker set on fire! Blowing up an amp is definitely a great feat.

Underworld Tavern is ready for the next act, The Splinters who did a quick sound check with the Bunnings theme song. Their set starts hard as they came out playing How To Survive A Night In Manchester with punchy guitars. It is their first ever gig in Welly and it’s time to make sure we remember them.

Martyr Matters is up next and we’re told even though it’s not relevant anymore they don’t care. It is giving massive Sex Pistol vibes, lots of speaking not singing and super punk! Surprisingly, they then  give us a Billie Eilish cover, Bad Guy, and the way it is sung makes it sound very sexy.

The crowd were loving The Splinters; they were jumping around having fun to Unfuckingbelievable. Time for some audience sing-alongs as we are asked to sing the words “Diesel Sucking Mindset” along to the song of the same name which is from their Slank EP. This provides some hilarity as people are singing fucking not sucking. It is a good little song. 

Yodelling is promised in their cover of Violent Femme’s Blister In The Sun and we are asked to dance along. Frontman Gus Klingender and the audience get low, then jump up. With his sunnies worn inside Gus oozes charisma and swagger! He is the type of frontman we’d see frequently in the 80’s but is a rarity today! I don’t hear why, but Gus declares that we hate David Seymour before playing Stale and Pale. The Splinters have played such an awesome set, but alas it is time for the last song Fickle Creatures which is super funky, as the crowd formed a mini dance pit! There is an absolutely insane fast ending with epic drums and guitars! Watch this space because these guys are destined for big stages that can hold their energy and make them shine.

The crowd thickens as Wanaka lads Powder Chutes get on stage and get straight into it with their cover of Shapeshifter’s Dutchies which is fast and loud. There are some hardcore guitars and drums throughout the song, demonstrating some sweet riffs which are so satisfying! My gosh, Henry has some power vocals! Dutchies reminds me of Heavy metal of the 70’s/80’s with the soul piercing howls. From the get go I am transfixed and I have not heard an intro song as monumental as this anthem in forever. The song says it best with “Welcome to the ride!”

An actor from the music video for the song Vendetta Max is here, so we shouted out for him before Powder Chutes play Vendetta. The vocals are definitely better from nearer the back of the venue, the front is quite a shrill combination of all the instruments and vocals (maybe I’m just getting old haha). One of the guitarists is rocking out on one of the side tables and everyone is loving it.

Take It Or Leave It has epic drums and echoes and a guitar solo. The crowd gets low then rocks the heck out going crazy when they get back up. Throughout the set Henry demonstrates his great range, so many different singing styles and nails them all. This guitarist loves to move around and is now dancing in the crowd during a song. Such rockstars. 

Scalpel is heavy and loud and now for the final song Straights. Powder Chutes want us bouncing off the walls so once again the crowd are going insane. Oh what’s that? Chants of ‘one more song’ break out and Powder Chutes have one more song for us, to cheers and applause from Underworld Tavern.

I have enjoyed the whole experience that is the Powder Chutes but they definitely need a bigger venue for the powerhouse they are, especially for Henry’s voice. But nonetheless they absolutely smashed it and I am left wanting to see them perform again and again.

Photo Credit: Andy Russell for Muzic.NZ
Powder Chutes Photo Gallery
The Splinters Photo Gallery
Danny Rascal Photo Gallery