Otis Mace


Otis Mace – Guitar Ace – has played with a staggering array of New Zealand and international musicians. He spent eight years touring Europe, made eventful jaunts to Canada and the US, and opened for acts as diverse as Billy Bragg, The Violent Femmes, Screaming Blue Messiahs and D.O.A. For over 40 years his love of writing and gigging and his joy in collaborating with fellow creatives has never waned.

Mace’s songs are smart, irreverent, and darkly comic takes on life in Aotearoa. He adds a dose of storytelling to draw listeners into a slightly disconcerting world, describing his music as “whimsical ballads, blistering pop gems and melodramatic reptilian lounge folk.”

Reviews of the Membranes, with Otis Mace, David Eggleton, and Gavin Buxton - 1984-85
Photo credit: Otis Mace Collection
Otis Mace and Terry Moore recording Otis' Little Critters EP, 1986
Otis Mace performs Kinder Surprise (2019)
Otis Mace in Hackney, London, 1998
Photo credit: Otis Mace Collection
Otis Mace opening for Don McGlashan, Powerstation, Auckland - Guy Fawke's Night, 2022
Otis Mace - Quick (Jayrem compilation CD, 1996). Among the songs are She Makes Me Feel Better Than Townes Van Zandt, Pumpkins Are Actually Rocks, and Thunderbirds Are Go. 
Poster for a gig at Leigh Sawmill, 18 February 2023, featuring The Otis Mace Combo, The Murder Chord, and Will Saunders. 
Photo credit: Otis Mace Collection
Otis Mace and Rex Reason - Mecca (1981)
Otis Mace on tour with the Miltown Stowaways c. 1982 - a soundcheck for a gig at Miranda Hot Springs
Photo credit: Otis Mace Collection
A busy period in the early 90s for the Temple Bar, 486 Queen St, Auckland, with Shaft, Otis Mace, Mark Roach, Alex Anderson, Billy TK Jr, Standing Naked, Spargo, and Russell Self all doing one-night stands. 
Photo credit: Otis Mace Collection
Otis Mace performing in Catalonia, Spain, 2012
Photo credit: Otis Mace Collection
Otis Mace performs solo at Sweetwaters, January 1980
Photo credit: Otis Mace Collection
Otis Mace and Rex Reason - Mecca (Ripper 7" single, 1981)
Inside Information Cabaret with Otis Mace (left), Don McGlashan (second from left) and, on the far right, Richard Von Sturmer. 
Photo credit: Otis Mace Collection
Otis Mace and Rex Reason - back of picture sleeve of Mecca (Ripper 7" single, 1981)
Otis Mace performs Higher Ground (June 2015)
Otis Mace with the Zombies, Sweetwaters, 1981
Photo credit: Otis Mace Collection
Otis Mace Guitar Ace (1984)
Otis Mace and the Psychic Pet Healers - Effort Money and Time (1987)
Otis Mace - Bird In Bush Road (Powertool CD, 2007)
Otis Mace takes a seat, Dedwood Terrace, St Mary's Bay, Auckland, 1981
Photo credit: Otis Mace Collection
Otis Mace performing in New York at Saatchi headquarters
Photo credit: Otis Mace Collection
Otis Mace - Jabber and Hoot (self-released cassette, 1991). 'Declaration' was produced by Chris Knox.
The Otis Mace Combo, 2022
Photo credit: Otis Mace Collection
Otis Mace prepares for a gig at Area 10, Peckham, London, 2002
Photo credit: Otis Mace Collection
Otis Mace and Rex Reason - Mecca (Ripper 7" single, 1981). A cover of a Gene Pitney song, the single was arranged by Don McGlashan. 
Promo for a 1990 Orientation tour by Otis Mace and Arthur Baysting
Photo credit: Otis Mace Collection

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