Record - 'Swear it's true' by The Mockers | Collections Online - Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

item details

NameRecord - 'Swear it's true' by The Mockers

ProductionReaction; 1980s

Classificationlong-playing records, record covers

Materialsvinyl, cardboard

Materials Summaryvinyl record in cardboard sleeve

DimensionsOverall: 310mm (width), 310mm (height)

Registration NumberGH023179

Credit linePurchased 2012

Overview

This is significant as an example of the first recording by an important and successful New Zealand pop music group. While the group appeared to be 'punk' or 'new wave' in its attire and attitude, it wrote and performed infectious and innocuous pop music that was influenced by British music of the early to mid-1980s.

The Mockers was a group that had its beginnings in 1979, when flamboyant Wellingtonian Andrew Fagan formed 'The Ambitious Vegetables', which was influenced by British popular culture and music.

It had a very high profile (for a local pop group) with Andrew Fagan winning Top Male Vocalist of the Year in the 1985 RIANZ Awards. Fagan became a pop celebrity, partly because of his theatrical style of dressing. The group appeared on local music shows such as Radio with Pictures and Shazam. Its biggest hit was 'Forever Tuesday Morning' and is number 75 on APRA's Top 100 NZ songs.