Hans Pucket. Photo: Hans Pucket
The four piece local band Hans Pucket has been rehearsing at Whammy Bar on K'Rd in Auckland ahead of kicking off their much anticipated New Zealand tour on Friday.
Made up of twin brothers Oliver and Callum Devlin, John Nott and Callum Passels, they are back from their performances at SXSW in Austin, Texas earlier this year.
"We saw lots of great music but I think a highlight for me was just knowing how great the quality of bands are in New Zealand," said Callum Devlin.
Their American stop was bittersweet though.
They were supposed to be supporting popular Kiwi band The Beths but American immigration officials had other ideas and denied them the visas they needed.
"Unfortunately we did not impress them enough with our international reputation," said the band wryly.
The group would love to go back but are determined to actually get their visas next time as it was costly to apply.
"I don't think it's too embarrassing to say that a priority of this tour is to make some money because we've spent a lot in the last year."
It's been a busy period for the band. They were nominated for a 2023 Taite Music Prize and won Favourite Group at the Student Radio Network Awards.
So what can fans expect to hear at their shows?
Definitely tracks off the second album No Drama which came out late last year.
"You can expect some very faithful adaptions and some interesting new takes on songs from the record as well," said the band.
Hans Pucket at Whammy Bar Photo: Charlotte Ryan
There will also be songs from Hans Pucket's first full-length album Eczema as well as completely new tracks off their new album, which they have been recording.
But apart from seeing Hans Pucket on the road, you'll also be able to catch them on the sea, specifically on the Interislander going across the Cook Strait.
Oliver said the band would be playing on the 8am Interislander from Wellington to Picton and on the 3pm on the way back.
"The plan is on the way down we're going to do karaoke."
The band said they just don't have enough songs to fill the hour and a half trip so last time they performed on the Interislander, they resorted to banter.
Hans Pucket has 13 shows lined up for this tour, with their last show on 12 August in Wellington.
