Inchworm
Inchworm were one of Hamilton's more successful indie pop/rock bands in the mid to late nineties.
The band formed in 1993 when drummer Rob Talsma (ex-Paisley Tile) joined with Spatula Death's Justin Harris (guitar) and Scott Brodie (bass). The band shared vocal duties, although Justin tended to sing on more songs than the others.
Inchworm burst onto the scene, winning the 1993 Waikato Rock Awards. They turned down the five year deal they won with Hark Records, choosing instead to release recordings independently on their own Dedear label. Their debut EP, "Looper", was released in 1994. The band then contributed the track "1987" to "The Fridge" compilation in 1995. The album "Shiny" was recorded between February 1995 and February 1996, and included re-recorded versions of some of the tracks on Looper. The band’s second album (and final release) was "You Are Only Here", released in 1997. You get to me, from this album, was included on the Green Eggs and Hamilton compilation.
Inchworm were awarded NZ On Air funding for a music video (directed by Greg Page) and self-funded a couple of others. Their videos, including Shine, It Means a Lot to Me, Come out, Come out, wherever you are and Umbrella, all received TV airplay. The band played regularly in Hamilton, and undertook three national tours. They played the Big Day Out music festival in 1996.
In 1999, an article in City Weekend (September 10) reported the band were leaving Hamilton to base themselves in London. However, Justin did not join the other two. In England, Scott and Rob formed a band with Sarah Fergusson (formerly of Tobermorie) called Girlinky.[1]. Girlinky recorded a cover of the Inchworm song Umbrella on their first single, My Huge Head.
Releases
Looper EP, 1994
Shiny CD, 1996
You Are Only Here CD, 1997
Driver appears on the 1993 compilation They came to take us alive
1987 appears on the 1995 compilation The Fridge
Happy Birthday appears on the 1996 compilation In Love With This Town
You get to me appears on the 1997 compilation Green Eggs and Hamilton
Once Again appears on the 2001 compilation Year Zero
