Netherworld Dancing Toys
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Dunedin , New Zealand |
| Products | Music recordings, singles, albums |
Netherworld Dancing Toys, commonly referred to as The NDTs, was a band originating from Dunedin, New Zealand, established in 1982. Their 1985 single "For Today" climbed to number 3 on the New Zealand singles chart.
History
The ensemble came together at the University of Otago, featuring members such as Malcolm Black, Nick Sampson, Graham Cockroft, Brent Alexander, with later additions including Annie Crummer and Kim Willoughby. The initial brass lineup included Otago students like Alistair Perry, Matthew Trbuhovic, and Michael Rillstone, who previously served as NSW Health CIO. The band's name was inspired by the Roxy Music track "Spin Me Round" from their Manifesto album.
They regularly sold out venues in Dunedin including the Captain Cook and Oriental Taverns, gaining a reputation as a favored student dance act. Their musical style combined brassy new soul reminiscent of Dexy's Midnight Runners with elements of Motown and ska. Although the brass section underwent multiple changes, they maintained a unique repertoire of original compositions.
In 1983, they appeared at the Sweetwaters Music Festival, followed by supporting Blam Blam Blam on tour in 1984; a double-sided LP capturing their Mainstreet Auckland performance was released. Their November 1984 release "The Real You"/"Standing in the Rain"/"New Zealand Love Song" was produced by Don McGlashan.
The single "For Today" reached number 3 on the charts in 1985, and the band secured five awards at the New Zealand Music Awards that year. Additionally, Malcolm Black and Nick Sampson received the 1985 APRA Silver Scroll for songwriting excellence with "For Today".
In the early 2000s, "For Today" experienced a resurgence through its use in campaigns by New Zealand Post and road safety advertisements, as well as inclusion on the soundtrack of Sione's Wedding. In 2015, it featured in a Pak n Save commercial marking three decades since the brand's inception.
After his time with the band, Malcolm Black pursued a career as a music industry attorney. Reflecting on the group's dissolution in The Mechanics of Popular Music, he expressed their wish for stability beyond performing. Graham Cockroft went on to become CFO at Contact Energy.[1] Malcolm Black passed away in Auckland on 10 May 2019.
Albums and EPs
| Release Date | Title | Label | Chart Position | Country | Catalog Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albums | ||||||
| 1983 | The Trusted Ones 12 | Flying Nun Records | - | - | NDT 002 | |
| 1984 | The Blam Blam Blam Story/Netherworld Dancing Toys | CBS Records | - | - | ||
| 1984 | The Real You | Virgin Records | - | - | ||
| 1985 | Painted Years | Virgin Records | - | - | ||
| 1989 | Everything Will Be Alright | - | ||||
| 1996 | For Today - The Best Years | Columbia Records | - | - | ||
| EPs | ||||||
| 1983 | Netherworld Dancing Toys 12" | Flying Nun Records | 10 | - | NDT 001 | |
| 1984 | Song And Dance 12" | Flying Nun Records | 33 | - | NDT 002 | |
Notable appearances
Since the 1980s, the band has been featured on various compilations and soundtrack albums, such as:
- 2002 – Nature's Best 2 – "For Today"
- 2004 – Nature's Best DVD – "For Today"
- 2006 – Sione's Wedding OST (Dawn Raid Entertainment) – "For Today"
Singles
| Year | Single | Album | NZ Singles Chart | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | "For Today" | 'Painted Years' | 3 |
- ↑ "Leadership Team - Contact Energy". Retrieved 8 February 2015.