Propeller/Semi Lemon Kola

An Auckland band that formed as Semi Lemon Cola morphing to Semi-Lemon Kola in 1990 and lasting to 1999 after a name change to Propeller about 1996. The Semi-Lemon Cola spelling seemed to have been used on early promotional material (and the 1995 NZ On Air funded clip of "Otherwise") but only Semi Lemon Kola on any releases.

They released two albums, "Extended Pleasure of Reality" and "Propeller", as well as several singles and two EP's. A CD entitled "Refrain EP" of out-takes was realeased in 1998.

The "Before Heaven" EP is now available for download from bandcamp. Hopefully more to come....

My first introduction to the band was well after they had dispersed to the winds (mostly to Australia actually) when I fell across the Propeller CD. It's great, though hard to stereotype - power pop, alternative, even hard rock and pop, could all be applied. Well made, slightly quirky, catchy, and really enjoyable. As a bonus it includes a number of the earlier standout tracks.

 

Line-Up:

• Matt Brown (Rhythm Guitar - Propeller)
• Tosh Graham (Vocals)
• Deryck Hunt (Drums)
• Gareth Price (Lead Guitar)
• Robert Young (Bass Guitar)

Singles:

1. 12 Shades of Blue/Telegram Sham (1993)
2. Otherwise/Henry XXL (1995)
3. Play Dumb (1997)

"Extended Pleasure of Reality" Cassette (as Semi Lemon Kola) (1991):

Side 1
1. Extended Pleasure Of Reality
2. Fallen
3. You
4. Goodbye Opposite
5. Chelsea

Side 2
1. 30 Seconds Of Pure Pleasure
2. Velvet Touch
3. Mythological Mayhem
4. Heritage Gap
5. Where Do We Go

 

 

"Extended Pleasure Of Reality" squared image for use on personal audio devices.

 

"David's Mistake" EP Cassette (as Semi Lemon Kola) (1993):

Side 1
1. Happy day
2. Soh

Side 2
1. David's Mistake
2. Terror firma

 

 

"David's Mistake" EP squared image for use on personal audio devices.

 

"Before Heaven" EP (as Semi Lemon Kola) (1994):

1. Before Heaven
2. Marvellous
3. White
4. Downside

 

 

"Propeller" CD (1997):

1. Horza Borza
2. O.K. Then
3. Play Dumb
4. Suva Yacht Club
5. 80's Rock Song
6. Propeller
7. Refrain
8. Trapdoor
9. Half Of Two
10. Before Heaven
11. Otherwise
12. Henry XXL

 

"Refrain EP" (1998):

1. Refrain
2. Refrain (Steel Ruler Mix)
3. Before Heaven (Science Fiction Mix)
4. Are Friends Electric?
5. Bottled Blonde
6. DNA
7. Icon
8. Intermission
9. Horzabora (Black Sheep Mix)
10. O Trapdoor (Hildegard Mix)
11. Suva Yacht Club
12. Tomorrow Night

 

 

©2010-2016 Richard and Margot