Hell Is Other People (band)

The band takes its name from a line in Jean-Paul Sartre’s play Huis Clos, "There’s no need for red-hot pokers. Hell is … other people!" ‘Hell is other people’ is the name of an unsigned sonic rock band based in Wellington, New Zealand. Formed in 1995 by Peter Gray, Steve Le Marquand and Matt Barnes, the band released a short-run EP consisting of five tracks before a temporary break at the end of the year. Songs such as ‘Swedish Exchange Student’ and ‘Linger On’ became instant bnet radio hits and also appeared on various compilation discs including the seminal ‘Infocity Overground’.

The band regrouped in late 1996 without Steve Le Marquand. Craig Terris subsequently joined to play bass but the band struggled to regain the momentum they had in their previous incarnation. They recorded more songs, this time with Marty Squire (D-Super, The Accelerants) in their rehearsal space. Once again the band became favourites on the bnet radio network. Songs from this session were also included on various compilation discs such as NZ OnAir Indie Hit Discs 6 and 8, [[Radio Active 89FM]]'s 21st Anniversary disc and the b-side of Shihad's ‘Yr Head is a Rock’ single.

In November 1999 the band recorded twelve songs at Inca studios with Mike Gibson in an attempt at releasing their first full length studio album but financial difficulties forced the band to put the project on the shelf. Hell is Other People split before the album could be released.

Craig Terris went on to play drums for Melbourne based Wellington band Cassette. After five years off the radar Peter Gray is currently collecting old songs and writing new material with help from Steve Le Marquand. An album is anticipated to be released early 2008. A limited addition retrospective CD of songs recorded over the bands twelve year life span is also in the planning.

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