John
The early 1980s saw an explosion of new bands nationwide as post-punk took hold. Some became established and are still written and talked about today, while others flared brightly but briefly then disappeared as quickly – seemingly forever. One of the latter was the Auckland four-piece John.
David Pinker was the brother of The Features' drummer James Pinker, and fronted John. His fellow 18-year-old band mates, Jock Lawrie (drums), Mark Staufer (bass) and Graeme Harris (guitar) shared an enthusiasm for the mutant disco of Public Image and more angular sounds of Wire and Gang of Four, with their lyrics exploring sexuality, gender and identity issues.
Mark Stauffer and David Pinker, John, State Theatre, Symonds Street, 1981
Photo credit:
Jock Lawrie Collection
Jock Lawrie, Chris Knox and David Pinker, venue unknown, 1981
Photo credit:
Photo By Cushla Dillon
John's David Pinker and Green Eggs & Ham's John Kuypers and Nick Hanson at Progressive Studios, 1981
Photo credit:
Photo By Cushla Dillon
Graeme Harris, State Theatre, Symonds Street, 1981
Photo credit:
Jock Lawrie Collection
David Pinker, 1981
Photo credit:
Photo By Cushla Dillon
David Pinker, State Theatre, Symonds Street, 1981
Photo credit:
Jock Lawrie Collection
David Pinker, State Theatre, Symonds Street, 1981
Photo credit:
Jock Lawrie Collection
John's David Pinker and Jock Lawrie at Progressive Studios, 1981
Photo credit:
Photo By Cushla Dillon
Jock Lawrie, State Theatre, Symonds Street, 1981
Photo credit:
Jock Lawrie Collection
Links:
Members:
Jock Lawrie - drums
David Pinker - vocals
Mark Staufer - bass
Graeme Harris - guitar
Trivia:
Mark Staufer would go on to become a major FM radio personality in the 1980s as one of The Top Marks. He's now a well known US based author and screenwriter.