Steve Abel & The Chrysalids, described by the New Zealand Herald as a “kiwi supergroup,” has a potent alternative and pop pedigree.  With members drawing their lineage from the likes of Bressa Creeting Cake and the Brunettes though to the quirky synth pop of Goodshirt and present day incarnations Pluto and Goldenhorse.  Abel’s influence, with his elegiac ballads and rolling 6/8 rhythms, defines this rich collaboration as completely unique.  

The core members of The Chrysalids (and the live line-up) are: Geoff Maddock, (Goldenhorse and Bressa Creeting Cake): electric guitar.  Maddock’s distinctive voice can also be heard backing-up on tracks such as Ghost of God and Haven.  Gareth Thomas (Goodshirt): plays accordion like an ambient synthesizer, and the roomy piano in Hospice for Destitute Lovers and Crushed Ants. Pluto's front man Milan Borich (Bic Runga’s band) plays drums with fantastic feel and his Pluto band-mate Mike Hall (Brunettes, Dimmer) deftly intones on the double bass and they all sing.

The acclaimed debut album Little Death, was captured, mixed and produced by London-based engineer Nick Abbott at Montage Studios in Grey Lynn, Auckland. Most tracks had only vocal harmonies added after the initial takes. Kirsten Morell (Goldenhorse) is just one of the other familiar voices and names featured on Little Death, lending her presence to the heart-rending Duet (Lonely I Be), the stomping Ghost of God and the title track.  Abel was described as “an extraordinarily good song writer,” when Little Death was named Alternatui Album of the Year in 2006.        

Steve Abel & The Chrysalids released their second album FLAX HAPPY on 22 May 2008. Mostly Recorded by Dunedin engineer Dale Cotton at Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios but Aucklander Jol Mullholland and Wellingtonion Lee Prebble captured some tracks.  The new album includes two superb new songs with the sweet voiced Texan Jolie Holland, one of which (Cinders of the Sun) achieved number 1 on the 95 Bfm charts. The Dominion Post described FLAX HAPPY as "Sublime," and Cheeseontoast.co.nz said, "Wonderful. Actually, beyond wonderful!"

Geoff Maddock: electric guitar, backing voice

Geoff Maddock is a musical mensa who plays electric guitar and does back up singing in Steve Abel & The Chrysalids.

Maddock (nee Creeting) began his illustrious career as one third of Bressa Creeting Cake who are New Zealand’s best ever alternative pop/rock band. While the rest of the world was being terrorised by the post grunge hell of mid 90’s rock, Bressa Creeting Cake were making haunting, exquisite, ironic and facile pop of the highest genius. Maddock is reputed to be largely responsible for penning the likes of Greasy Grandma, Palm Singing and Anger Burger among many others. Get the seminal alt album Bressa Creeting Cake (1997).

Maddock next delved into the “true” pop world with the hugely successful Goldenhorse with whom he still plays. A collaboration that began with Kirsten Morrell in the dusty confines of the Cake Tin studio (where Geoff met Abel circa 1998) blossomed into the finest “cross over” pop/rock band of the last decade. Maybe Tomorrow, Fish and Dark Forest are some of his best songs. Goldenhorse’s first two albums achieved double platinum sales and their third album "Reporter" was released in late 2007.

As a guitarist Maddock has an extraordinary melodic sense. His playing is vital, utterly distinct and ever present yet can still seem understated. His chords, phrases and riffs augment Steve Abel’s songs in a way that makes them essential to the form of the piece. When moved, he can hit a genuinely searing lead break as witnessed in Sweetheart and Sally.

It is no surprise Geoff has been sought out to play live, in the studio and compose scores and arrangements for Neil and Tim Finn, Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga, Daniel Beddingfield, Brook Fraser and numerous other top New Zealand musicians. He also composed the entire orchestral scores to accompany the lauded Goldenhorse performances in 2005 and 2006 with the Auckland Philharmonia and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestras.

Perhaps a little wearied by the lime of pop stardom Maddock, now based between London and Auckland, has recently embarked on the more rudimentary home studio side-project the Psychics http://www.myspace.com/dayafterdream. Check out the joyous track "Ride" and the perfect "I Hate Summer".

Having first put a bass line on the unreleased version of Abel’s song Sally recorded by Ed McWilliams (aka Cake) with Gabriel White in 1998, Geoff began playing live with Steve Abel more regularly in around 2001. He played guitar on and lent his distinctive voice to backing the brilliant Abel debut Little Death and is central to the musical sound of the 2008 sophomore album FLAX HAPPY.

“I love playing in the Steve Abel band. It is among the most creatively satisfying work I do. Steve is a great artist who will return to us a wealth of beauty.” – Geoff Maddock 2007.

Milan Borich: Drums, backing voice

Milan Borich races cars – fast carts. He is the genius mind behind Pluto. He plays guitar and sings and writes songs in Pluto who produce multi-platinum albums. He has lightening reaction times which makes him the perfect drummer in a band without planned song ends, but he plays slow, quiet and solid like a resting pulse. He does the best fills in the world and he likes his cymbals dead, and his snare sounds like a rebel marching drum with the skin slacked off, the wires busted and a few holes shot in it. He used to play drums for Bic Runga, he jams with Geoff in the Pissy Rats, has the sweetest singing voice, works in his home studio on new stuff, plays cymbals for the Musical Monkey Band, dresses fine, has a gold tooth like his heart, is married to Kate Elliot.