The Idle Idols


Standalone unique in a scene that bred unique, and certainly the most visually adventurous of all the second wave punk bands who gathered around Auckland's punk-central venue Zwines in 1978, The Idle Idols have a deserved place in the era’s folklore beyond their short life span and their early halting musical prowess.

Although they didn’t release a record, a live performance of their song ’Innocent Bitch’ was captured in June 1978 at a Wellington Town Hall show called New Wave Special 78 for an Eyewitness punk special, also featuring The Scavengers, Suburban Reptiles and Rooter (who would morph into The Terrorways), and it was featured on Radio With Pictures.

Shona Bruce and Sandra Jones
Photo credit: Photo by Jay Tidball
Eyewitness punk special 1978 - featuring The Idle Idols (clip 2)
Leonie Batchelor and Paul Gibbs at Zwines
Photo credit: Photo by Fiona Clark
Jamie Jetson
Photo credit: Photo by Jay Tidball
Three members of The Idle Idols upstairs at Zwines watching another band. Paul Gibbs has his hand on the beam (next to his partner Fiona McLeod), Shona Bruce is talking to Kevin Grey (vocalist with The Masochists) and Leonie Batchelor has her back to the camera as she talks with her partner, Street Talk guitarist Mike Caen (obscured).
Photo credit: Photo by Fiona Clark
Paul Gibbs and Shona Bruce
Photo credit: Photo by Jay Tidball
Paul Gibbs and Sandra Jones at Zwines
Photo credit: Photo by Fiona Clark
Shona Bruce
Photo credit: Photo by Fiona Clark
Jamie Jetson and Sandra Jones at Zwines
Photo credit: Photo by Fiona Clark
Jamie Jetson at Zwines
Photo credit: Photo by Fiona Clark
Sandra Jones
Photo credit: Photo by Fiona Clark
Paul Gibbs and Sandra Jones at Zwines
Photo credit: Photo by Jay Tidball
Jamie Jetson
Photo credit: Photo by Fiona Clark
The Idle Idols at Zwines
Photo credit: Photo by Fiona Clark
The Idle Idols at Zwines: Leonie Batchelor, Paul Gibbs, Shona Bruce, Sandra Jones and Jamie Jetson
Photo credit: Photo by Fiona Clark
Leonie Batchelor at Zwines
Photo credit: Photo by Fiona Clark
Eyewitness punk special 1978 - featuring The Idle Idols (clip 1)
Jamie Jetson
Members:

Jamie Jetson - guitar

Leonie Batchelor - bass

Shona Bruce - drums

Sandra Jones - vocals

Paul Gibbs - vocals

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