
Robert – Robert The Record LP
The history of ROBERT begins long before the band took its name, as they previously performed and recorded under the name ?FOG. Members were inconsistent too, but such was the nature of The Red House, a key place for underground music and art in Auckland, NZ and the center of the band’s fluid collective/conglomerate known as ?FOG CITY ENTERPRISES.?FOG began in 1984 when Roger Allen of RIOT 111 met Lindsay McKay of THE LAUGHING CRIPPLES one night at the now demolished Aurora Tavern. Inspired by a shared sense of humor, the two formed an infectious, heavy rhythm section. On guitar was Tim Ord, who informed their noisy, groove-laden sound. Their approach was fundamentally anarchic, anti-success, and as antagonistic as it was playful.After briefly touring as a three-piece, Sam Swan (formerly of LIFE IN THE FRIDGE EXISTS) joined in on vocals. Sam emigrated to Auckland after traversing Wellington’s vaguely nihilistic, psychedelic-influenced early punk scene and became central to ?FOG’s arty,