Synth pop tribute band Automatic 80s will keep the vibe going in The Edge Public Village. We talk to vocalist Justin Maclaren.

You’re obviously all big fans of ‘80s music – what’s the attraction? This is the music of our youth so it therefore holds significant nostalgic importance for us personally. Secondly, this is the decade when many musicians departed from guitar-driven music and started experimenting with synthesizers, many with a lack of knowledge of how to play keyboards. This produced an era punctuated with huge pop hits featuring simple but memorable synth riffs that we find very enjoyable to play, and audiences love to dance and sing along to these ‘80s anthems.

You recreate that whole time with your lighting and backdrops – what’s the trick there? Throughout the history of this band, which originally formed in Christchurch in 1985 as Amez Amez, we have always maintained a high production level including costuming, in the belief that this is not simply a covers band going about their business but rather a show. The way the performance looks is every bit as important as the musicianship in contributing to the success we have experienced.

Any of the new wave of synth pop bands that you really like? Yes – Friendly Fires, Mesh, Wolfsheim, Ladytron and MGMT, although these would be considered underground. Not really a fan of the current wave of commercial pop.

Any new Kiwi artists that have caught your attention? The Naked and Famous.

Tell us about your first gig together? The original lineup of this band used to drive around Ōtautahi Christchurch during the mid 1980s looking for parties. We would have all the band gear in a van and just set up and play, uninvited. Sometimes to a great reception, on other occasions not so much. It was always fun though.

Do you have a pre- and/or post-show ritual? We usually have a little singalong out the back, jump around in order to warm up physically, and wish each other the best for the performance. This includes the production team and management, who are of course a critical part of what we do as a team and what we have achieved.

Who are your musical heroes? Depeche Mode, Muse, Fleetwood Mac, The Comsat Angels, Talk Talk, INXS, OMD, The Fixx.

Outside of the Automatic 80s you have your own musical careers – what’s been going on for each of you there? Automatic 80s bassist Clint Harris is part of The Feelers’ lineup and a member of Opshop. He continues to perform with both these bands and has a summer tour coming up with The Feelers. Opshop will be supporting John Farnham in late November, which Clint is very excited about. Automatic 80s drummer Jayden Lee is part of Auckland’s successful indie band Alae, who have recently signed a deal with LA record label Anti-Gravity Records. Automatic 80s vocalists and songwriters Pearl Runga and Justin Maclaren, along with Auckland musician and composer Simon Finnel, will perform for the first time as The Broken. Automatic 80s guitarist Ryan Wood is a sought-after session player and continually performs as guitarist and bassist with a variety of bands around Auckland’s busy venues.

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