Tadpole (band)

Tadpole was a New Zealand rock band from Auckland led by female vocalist Renée Brennan. The band formed in June 1994 and broke apart in late 2006 after numerous changes to the line-up. They reformed in March 2024 to tour.

Before 2000
Before the band's formation and 1999, Tadpole went through many line-up changes. At one point, the members were all female except one. Vocalist Renée Brennan and drummer/manager Dean Lawton were stable members of the band since the late 1990s.

During that time, the singles "Blind" (radio release only, 1998), "For Me" (single release, 1999), and "Backdoor" (also a single release, 1999), were released.

In regards to the song "Backdoor", the band stated "[it] was about our struggle thus far to make it in the New Zealand music industry and the initial frustration of trying to get our music played on radio, TV, or anywhere really. The 'backdoor' part came about because we felt we were never going to be accepted by the student radio stations, we'd just have to come in through the back door somehow. And yes, for those who want to know, the metaphor of anal sex is intended. I liken our struggle to getting buggered over, and over, and over again. In a very loving and tongue-in-cheek way."

2000–2002
Their debut album The Buddhafinger, was released in New Zealand in 2000 and proved to be a hit, debuting at #2 on the Official New Zealand Top 40 Albums Chart. The 2000 line-up officially consisted of Renée Brennan (vocals), Dean Lawton (drums), Chris Yong (guitar), Paul Matthews (bass), and Kevin May AKA DJ Kritikl (turntablism). The latter would leave the lineup late in 2000, and the band reverted to a four-piece.

In January 2002, Paul Matthews left to concentrate on work with another New Zealand band, Stylus. After a few months of speculation, his place was taken by Hamilton bass player Shannon Brown, previously from the band Mama Said.

August 2002 came the follow-up album, The Medusa which was also a top 10 hit. In contrast with The Buddhafinger, The Medusa had "a much darker, at times menacing sound".

2003–2006
February 2003 brought significant upheaval to the band. Citing musical differences, both guitarist Chris Yong and bassist Shannon Brown left. They would join other bands, Redline and 48May respectively.

For months after Tadpole played sporadically with temporary guitar/bass parts, before settling on two new members, Henry Penny, and Ollie Gordon. This line-up had a lower level of activity during 2004–2005, playing four to five gigs at a time, rather than whole tours.

Tadpole toured several times in New Zealand and played gigs all around the world. In February 2005, their third album Tadpole was recorded; however, it took a year and a half for its release. During that time, the singles "Too Hard" and "Yesterday" were released to New Zealand radio and video stations.

Split
In June 2006, the band announced it was breaking up after a final Auckland concert and the release of their self-titled album Tadpole.

In November 2022 The Tadpole Collection (1994-2006) was released. This was a four-disc set collating their three released albums as well as a new album called Remains of the Day which contained B-sides and other unreleased tracks.

2024 Reformation
On 21 March 2024 it was announced that Tadpole had reformed and would tour with Devilskin on their 10th anniversary tour. Original singer, Renée Brennan, was not interested in reforming for a tour and was replaced by Emma Dilemma. Joining Dilemma and Chris Yong is Dino Lawton on drums, Shannon Brown on bass, and DJ Kritikl on the turntables.