Coconut Rough

Coconut Rough were a short-lived New Zealand pop/new wave band formed in 1982.

Coconut Rough
OriginNew Zealand
GenresPop, new wave
Years active1982–1984
LabelsMushroom Records
Associated actsPop Mechanix, The Swingers, Midnight Oil
Past membersAndrew Snoid
Mark Bell
Dennis "Choc" Te Whare
Stuart Pearce
Paul Hewitt
Bones Hillman

Despite their 1983 first single, "Sierra Leone", hitting the top five, and the band being named Most Promising Group of the Year at that year's RIANZ Awards they split up in 1984.

History

The band was formed in 1982 by lead singer Andrew Snoid, formerly with New Zealand bands the Whizz Kids, Pop Mechanix and Australian-based New Zealand group the Swingers, and guitarist Mark Bell. Bell later joined Snoid in a reformed Pop Mechanix. Other member were bassist Dennis "Choc" Te Whare, keyboardist Stuart Pearce and drummer Paul Hewitt, and later guitarist Bones Hillman. They decided on the name "Coconut Rough" based on a type of sweet treat popular in Australia and New Zealand.

The band's biggest hit was also their first single. "Sierra Leone" reached number five[1] in the 1983 New Zealand pop charts. The song was aided by one of the first New Zealand music videos with special effects.[2] In 2001, Sierra Leone was voted the 94th best New Zealand song of all time by members of APRA.

They were an opening act for the Police at their Western Springs concert in 1984,[3] but had folded before the end of that year.

Discography
Year Single Album Charted Certification
1983 "Sierra Leone / Monkey Puzzle" #5 (NZ)
#99 (AUS)[4]		 -
1983 "As Good As It Gets / Balancing Act" #28 (NZ) -
1983 "Whistle While You Work"

(Split live album with The Narcs)

 - -
1984 "Magic Hour / Passenger Seat" - -
1984 "Leisure Time / Once In A While" - -
1984 "Coconut Rough" - -

Awards
Awards Year Category Details Result
RIANZ[5] 1983 Single of the Year "Sierra Leone" Nominated
Most Promising Group Won
Best Music Video Greg Rood - "Sierra Leone" Nominated

References
  1. "Sierra Leone" charts.org.nz
  2. "Sierra Leone". Music Video. NZ On Screen. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  3. "Police file - The Police", kiwirock.co.nz
  4. Kent, David. Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W. (1993). ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  5. "NZMAs". nzmusicawards.co.nz. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-30.
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