Strawpeople
Strawpeople were formed at 95bFM by Mark Tierney and Paul Casserly in 1990, primarily as a studio band with featured vocalists. Initially signed to Pagan Records, their first single ‘One Good Reason’, a cover of the old Swingers hit, was released the same year but failed to chart. It was followed shortly afterwards by an album Hemisphere.
Further singles ‘Blue’, ‘The Slide’ (a cover of the Tall Dwarfs song), and ‘Love Explodes’ fared little better, although the second album Worldservice charted (No.30) on the strength of student radio play and strong reviews.
Interview with Mark Tierney and Paul Casserly from Strawpeople, 22 April 1994. Directed by Ross Cunningham.
Mark Tierney, Stephanie Tauevihi, Paul Casserly,
Strawpeople with Anthony Ioasa, APRA Silver Scrolls, 1995
Taller Than God
Strawpeople: Mark Tierney, Stephanie Tauevihi, Paul Casserly.
Sweet Disorder
Paul Casserly, Greg Johnson and Mark Tierney during a break recording the Strawpeople at The Lab
Trick With a Knife
Drive, featuring vocals by Bic Runga.
Paul Casserly, Merinia, Mark Tierney, 1990
Paul Casserly
No One Like You
Paul Casserly, Mark Tierney, Stephanie Tauevihi
The Strawpeople album No New Messages was awarded gold sales status.
Paul Casserly and Greg Johnson at The Lab. Both Greg and The Strawpeople have recorded two albums at The Lab.
Under The Milky Way
Strawpeople - 100 Street Transistors, 1997
1991 publicity shot of The Strawpeople
Fiona McDonald, Strawpeople.
The advert for the first double 10-inch Deepgrooves EP
Stamp magazine, July 1990
Fiona McDonald and Paul Casserly
Strawpeople - Broadcast, 1994
Fiona McDonald, Strawpeople.
Mark Tierney and Paul Casserly
Strawpeople - Hemisphere, 1991
Strawpeople - Knucklebones (2023)
A wry hand drawn Chris Knox comment on Strawpeople's cover of the duo's The Slide, 1992
Photo credit:
Revor Reekie collection
Strawpeople - Vicarious
Strawpeople - No New Messages
Paul Casserly
Drive (feat. Bic Runga)
Strawpeople - Vicarious2, 1997
Discography