Vocalist Hilary Hunt (who was also an early manager of The Screaming Meemees) had discovered Rowan Shedden whilst the latter was playing with another North Shore band, The Killjoys, and suggested the two create a band to play original material rather than covers.
The Ainsworths were representative of the sound of this so-called invasion – short, sharp guitar (and often Hammond Organ) dominated power-pop that had one foot in the 1960s beat boom and another in the post-1977 punk era, including the latest ska flavours. Mostly, it was a movement that didn’t take themselves too seriously and had moved beyond the nihilism of the 1977 generation.
The band found regular gigs at the many North Shore parties and the thriving suburban hall circuit, before heading over the bridge where they drew increasing crowds at XS, Liberty Stage and further afield.
The Ainsworths original line-up was eight strong with Adam Holt (guitar, then bass), Phil Jackson (drums), Carol Speedy (keyboards), Sue Speedy (backing vocals), Dave Donahue (bass) and Bruce Leyland (sax). Slowly the last four drifted away (although Leyland features on ‘Danger Man’) and a core of Hunt, Shedden, Holt and Jackons were left by the beginning of 1981.
Aided by Hunt’s organisational drive (he was a key figure in the North Shore scene) the band found regular gigs at the many North Shore parties and the thriving suburban hall circuit, before heading over the bridge where they drew increasing crowds at XS, Liberty Stage and further afield, often with The Screaming Meemees and The Newmatics.
‘Dangerman’ was one of a quartet of demos recorded at Harlequin Studio in November 1980, with Steve Kennedy on the desk engineering and producing. Selected for Class of '81, it was one of four tracks sent out to media as a sampler. The Ainsworths played as part of the Class of '81 show at Mainstreet in March and their set was both broadcast live and recorded for possible future release by Propeller, although it remains unreleased.
However, another track from the 1980 Harlequin sessions, ‘Coin’ was released in April as one side of a double A-sided single, with The Regulators, another North Shore band, on the other. Unfortunately the pressing plant put the labels the wrong way round on the record, although it’s doubtful that their North Shore following cared particularly as the pressing soon sold out, once again supported by Radio B airplay.
The band split soon after, with Shedden forming The Dabs. Adam Holt played live with The Screaming Meemees before joining goth-rockers Sons In Jeopardy in 1982. He is now the managing director of Universal Music New Zealand. Hilary Hunt left the music industry, moving on to a successful career in finance, whilst Phil Jackson's whereabouts is not known. ‘Danger Man’ and the previously unreleased Rowan Shedden penned ‘Show Me’ are showcased on this profile.
