BAND BIO - Chris Parfitt

Chris started playing as a Bass guitarist in youth Club and Church Hall Pop Bands around Auckland. Later he joined the successful ‘High Revving tongues’ who became winners of the first Battle of the Bands and made several TV appearances on the C’Mon show and Gold Disc shows and toured NZ with top acts of the day such as Larry’s Rebels, John Farnham. The Formulya & The La De Das. It was at this time that they had their first hit, one of Chris’ original songs ‘Tropic of Capricorn’ which went to No. 4 in Auckland.
Zodiac Records Chief, Eldred Stebbing became their recording Manager and mentor, and with the luxury of plenty of after hours studio time, put down their first Album. As winners of the Battle of the Bands, they went to Sydney playing on the ‘Achille Lauro’ Cruise ship and after arriving in Sydney and getting a resident gig at the ‘Astra’ on Bondi Beach and playing at some of the ‘Millers’ Hotels, became resident at ‘The Whisky a Go Go’ playing six nights a week, as well as making appearances on TV shows and promoting their ‘Tropic of Capricorn’ Album. After 8 months the Band had to return to NZ as ‘Rain & Tears’ was at No. 1, for which they won the Gold Disc Award for that year. The Tongues released 7 singles and 2 Albums for Zodiac/Phillips, and appeared at Redwood Park Festival with Robin Gibb.

Chris returned to the more active circuit in Australia performing at many clubs and shows, playing either Bass or guitar for other Artists and also teaching these instruments. He also did Recording Studio and TV work. During this time he also sold instruments at Harry Landis Music shop and later Venue Music.

Returning to Auckland in 1988 he formed a popular 60’s-90’s Band ‘The Housemovers’ performing at Hotels and Clubs such as The Gluepot, Java Jive’ Pan Pacific Hotel and Regent Hotel. This lasted 10 years during which time he designed and built his own home and recording Studio. This finally allowed him to record his own backing tracks, playing all instruments himself, Guitar, Keyboard, Bass & Drums.

As well as free-lancing for other Bands, he performs Solo allowing him to play a wide range of styles such as Latin, Jazz, instrumentals, Reggae, Blues and Classics.

In 2007 he joined the regular gigging ‘Blue Collar Band’ and has fitted in with the other 3 experienced Musicians - all from the same era and with similar musical tastes.