Yep The Freaks have been doing double shifts in the soul kitchen cooking up new meaty flavours twice a week in the lab; our latest being ‘The Lament of Paris’ a story of lust and dangerous not-so-unrequited love. When I first performed it (sans Meat) @Poetry Live I was asked ‘who the lucky girl was?’ Helen of Troy was my reply.. I’m thinking that maybe she’s a bit cougar for me by a few centuries and of course I’ve never been to Paris but the city was named after a man who fell in love with the wrong girl. Starting wars and all that just for a sweet smile and a wink, what was he thinking?? well this is my take on that and trust me, I know that ol’ chestnut of a feeling like the back of my (OMG WTF is That!) hand.

So ‘Paris’ started out as a lovely surf-rock tale of sweet unfetted love and sounded that way initially.. til about the 3rd practice session and post it’s performance debut at The Masonic in Devonport. and then The Freaks got their hands on it… lets just say Paris has got a little obsessional delusional on it shall we.. after my initial ‘what the F@#k have you done to my love song’ It started to grow on me. (like a tumor?)

What I can say is the new version is nailed and ready to be performed at The Freaky Meat – Karen HUNTER 3 gig on This Sat (26th June 10) night at the Juice Bar, Parnell.

This will be an awesome double up with us playing with the fantastic karenHUNTER3 and it’s FREE damnit so if you don’t come down for that then you don’t deserve any ‘puddin if ye don’t eat yer meat’ (weird Pink Floyd Ref.)

Hunter is a long-time Freak friend but we haven’t played with Karen since she jumped up on stage at The Odeon Lounge (god was the 04?)

Here’s what some other peeps say about her:

For those who know Káren’s music, no introduction is necessary, for those who don’t, think Michelle Shocked, Rickie Lee Jones, or even Sarah Jones of  “your revolution will not happen between these thighs” fame. Think melodic jazz infused female vocals, and stripped back accompaniment that is more country than folk. Think snare shuffles and guitars that meander, most of all think of story telling lyrics introduced by unstrained singing. Amplifier.co.nz

…her delivery is cool and illuminating. That she can switch from a dirty jazz-blues rhythm section arrangement to a simple guitar-picking delivery to spoken word reveals Hunter as a major New Zealand talent. From every turn, Rubble is one rough-cut gem of an album. Waikato Times

…..a cracked jazz balladeer; backed by hipster-jazz and creating a creepy mood for hushed spoken-word pieces and lazy bar-room blues, it is as if Hunter has unlocked her inner Rickie Lee Jones, tending also to touch on the spirit of Tom Waits … Rubble is a class act of an album – do your best to check it out. Dominion Post

Karen Hunter is a “ridiculously accomplished guitar-playing, singing, songwriting Aucklander whose performances are pithy, compassionate and insightful Metro magazine

A full bountiful voice matched with a wild sensitive spirit. Pavement magazine

Anyways if you want more goodies on K you should check out her site www.karenhunter.com

well we are gonna burn up our set a bit, there will be some jazzy grooves but don’t be surprised if it all gets a little freaky in there as well.

Doors open at 6pm with the live dope dropping at 9

Here’s the FB Link if ya want more of the dope on that but i think i well covered that ok.

National Poetry day will have The Freaks headed south side down to Welly for our first ever mini tour. we’re excited, are you Wellington?