Blenheim rockers impress star

International rock star Marty Casey may have been in town on Saturday night, but it was four likely Marlborough lads who stole the show.

Casey was the fans' favourite and runner-up in the 2005 United States reality television show Rock Star INXS, and local group Remastered joined forces with him at the Loft Shapeshifters on Saturday night to play the sixth show of his Making it Happen tour in aid of charity Canteen.

Casey is the frontman for LA Guns, and Remastered won the chance to play with him after a competition among Blenheim bands.

At sound check, Casey was so impressed with the local band that he increased the number of songs they were performing together from two to four, but as it panned out the group ended up playing nine songs with him.

"I'm really amazed just sitting in with a band with no rehearsals they have it so down and they're so good. It's exciting.

"They're just damn good musicians. I'm impressed with their musicianship and they're very cool guys."

Casey performed with another collective to sing one song at his Christchurch gig, but had not performed with any other groups to the extent he did with Remastered. Remastered lead singer Tom Knowles said the band members found the experience amazing.

"We just hope to have more bands like Marty through town and other opportunities for young upper-and-comers to strut their stuff."

It was clear Casey wasn't in New Zealand to make money for himself, and the skinny white rocker said doing the tour in aid of Canteen made the tour that much special.

For the charity's sake, the number of people who supported the gig was disappointing, but the small crowd in attendance was vocal.

Casey told stories behind each track he played, and also took requests shouted to him from the crowd. People were even buying him beers to get their request played first.

He played plenty of the covers that made him famous on Rock Star INXS, including Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit, and Lives I Alone, as well as a sprinkling of new and old Love Hammers tracks. However, the highlight of the evening was the joint rendition of his track, Trees, with Remastered.

Diehard Marty Casey fans in the crowd belted out the lyrics, and despite the poor numbers in attendance, the Loft was rocking.

Before the show, a relaxed and very down-to-earth Casey said he had been captivated by the scenery in the South Island. The trip down the Kaikoura Coast was a highlight.

"That was beautiful. It makes for a quick drive because you're busy staring out into the ocean. I like that it's two-lane roads, it's not a like a traditional American highway."

Casey had also heard plenty about Marlborough wines back home in America and was looking forward to trying a few different ones while in town.

"I think I'm going to enjoy that."

After a gig in Nelson last night Casey was going to spend two days in the Marlborough Sounds before heading north to complete his 10-date tour of New Zealand.

- The Marlborough Express