Jules Barnett

aka A bLUNT jESTER


Jules Barnett was bound for a life in music. Born on 23 January 1970, he spent his early childhood with his mother aboard the bus on the the Australian tour of BLERTA (Bruno Lawrence’s Electric Revelation and Travelling Apparition) – the collective of creatives who, in their time together, released three albums and two movies as well as other successful artistic pursuits.

Bruno Lawrence taught him to play the drums, an instrument that would be a mainstay in Barnett’s life. Just as articles about his favourite band KISS aided his learning to read, as a kid, Jules would practise the drums on cardboard boxes to their songs.

Jules Barnett, 95bFM Summer Series, Albert Park, Auckland 1996
Second Child, 1990: Chris van de Geer, Damien Binder, Barbara Morgan and Jules Barnett.
Jules Barnett
Photo credit: Paul Taylor
Chris Familton, Antony McDonald, Josh Hetherington and Jules Barnett
Jules Barnett at the bNet NZ Music Awards in 2002
Jules Barnett and Aaron Carson
Second Child, 1989: Barbara Morgan, Chris van de Geer, Jules Barnett, Damien Binder.
Second Child, 1991-1992. Clockwise from top left: Damien Binder, Jules Barnett, Theo Jackson, Chris van de Geer.
Jules Barnett at 10 years old drumming in KISS makeup
Thorazine Shuffle – Secret You Hide live at The Hollywood Avondale, Auckland (2018)
Thorazine Shuffle, Albert Park, Auckland in the late 1990s at a 95bFM Summer Series - Antony McDonald, Josh Hetherington, Aaron Carson and Jules Barnett
Freak Power performing Angels in Albert Park, Auckland, New Zealand (1990)
From Jules Barnett's scrapbook.
On the roof of De Brett's Hotel in Auckland: Antony McDonald, Jules Barnett, Chris Familton and Josh Hetherington
Jules Barnett recording in York Street Studios
Freak Power supporting Mudhoney live at the Powerstation, Auckland (1990)
Bruno Lawrence and Jules Barnett at Auckland's Cook Street Market on Jules' birthday, 1985.
Darcy Clay's band (Bob Kerrigan and Joel Tobeck plus Jules Barnett) and Emily Littler (Streetchant) performing All I Gotta Do live at Real Groovy, Auckland (2015)
A reunion of the Thorazine Shuffle trio - Aaron Carson, Josh Hetherington and Jules Barnett
Jules Barnett's AAA pass collection which included Nirvana's Nevermind tour (1992), Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fugazi, Silver Scroll Awards (1999), Supergroove, Big Day Out (1995), Silverchair, The Cramps and Mudhoney.
Second Child line-up 1991-92: Chris van de Geer, Theo Jackson, Damien Binder (at-front), Jules Barnett.
Thorazine Shuffle - More Than Anyone official video (2000)
Thorazine Shuffle as a trio - Jules Barnett, Aaron Carson and Josh Hetherington
Jules Barnett on the BLERTA bus, 1974.
Celebrating the life of Jules Barnett (December 13, 2024)
Thorazine Shuffle reunion line-up, Auckland, November 2018: Chris Familton, Steve Simpson (ex-Pash, Exponents), Josh Hetherington, Jules Barnett.
Photo credit: Chris Familton collection
Thorazine Shuffle - Emperor's New Clothes official video (1999)
Second Child with Jules Barnett opening for The Rollins Band at The Gluepot, Auckland, 1990.
Murray Hood, Josh Hetherington, Jules Barnett and Antony McDonald
Jules Barnett with Renee Jones and Wallace Chapman.
Photo credit: 95bFM archives
Thorazine Shuffle - An Affair official video (1996)
Thorazine Shuffle - Harry official video (1996)
Jules Barnett at the 2009 Thorazine Shuffle reunion, 95bFM's bStreet at Auckland's Britomart
Photo credit: Photo by Gareth Shute
Josh Hetherington and Jules Barnett onstage for the Thorazine Shuffle reunion at a private party, Hollywood Cinema, Avondale, Auckland, November 3, 2018.
Photo credit: Some Bizarre Monkey
Jules Barnett at the Thorazine Shuffle reunion at Hollywood Avondale in Auckland, 2018.
Jules Barnett in 1990
Jules Barnett at the NZ Film Awards in 2012
Thorazine Shuffle (clockwise): Antony McDonald, Jules Barnett, Murray Hood, Josh Hetherington, late 1996
Jules Barnett at bFM in 1994
Second Child: Damien Binder (top), Chris van de Geer (middle left), Jules Barnett (middle right) and Barbara Morgan (front).

Funded by

Partners with