Shihad. A name that echoes through the streets of Wellington, reverberates across Aotearoa, and sends shivers down the spines of rock fans everywhere. They are more than a band—they are a force, a legend, a piece of New Zealand’s musical soul. And tonight, as they take the stage at Homegrown for one final electrifying performance, we celebrate their legacy.
The Beginning: A Dream from the Coast
Shihad was born from the backstreets of Wellington in the late 1980s, a group of local lads hungry for sound, energy, and something bigger than themselves. Jon Toogood (vocals, guitar), Tom Larkin (drums), Phil Knight (guitar), and Karl Kippenberger (bass) formed what would become one of the most enduring rock acts in New Zealand history. Fuelled by a love of hard-hitting riffs and a passion for performance, they set their sights on the world.
From First Gig to First Record
Their early days saw them grinding through the underground scene, playing anywhere and everywhere they could. Their first gig was raw, loud, and unforgettable—a glimpse of what was to come. The band quickly gained a reputation for their high-energy performances, leading to their debut EP Devolve in 1990. It wasn’t long before they exploded onto the scene with their first full album, Churn (1993), a brutal, industrial-infused record that put them on the map.
The Rise & Reign
As the years rolled on, Shihad only grew stronger. Their albums Killjoy (1995), The General Electric (1999), and Pacifier (2002) solidified their place as one of the greatest rock bands to ever emerge from Aotearoa. They toured globally, played alongside the biggest names in rock, and built a loyal fanbase that stretched across continents.
Powering those albums are iconic songs like Run, The General Electric, La La Land, Pacifier, My Mind’s Sedate, and instant classic Home Again, a signature anthem not just for Shihad, but for all Kiwis abroad.
But through it all, they remained true to their roots. Wellington was always home, and their Kiwi fans were always the heart of their journey.
The Final Curtain
After decades of headbanging, mosh pits, and anthems that defined generations, Shihad is stepping off the stage for the last time tonight at Homegrown. The waterfront will shake with their final set, the sky will light up with one last roar of their sound, and thousands of fans will raise their hands in a bittersweet goodbye.
Shihad Loud Forever: The Final Tour
Forged in the fires of 1988’s thrash metal scene, Wellington’s Shihad quickly evolved into one of Aotearoa’s most beloved bands.
Nine of Shihad’s ten studio albums powered into the New Zealand Music Charts Top 10, with six (The General Electric (1999), Beautiful Machine (2008), Ignite (2010), FVEY (2014), and Old Gods (2021)) hitting the top spot, a feat unrivalled by any other local act.
Along with these soaring highs, Shihad experienced heavy lows—the tragic loss of their first manager Gerald Dwyer in 1996, battles with drug abuse and alcoholism, and the 2001 name change to Pacifier after the 9/11 attacks complicated their U.S. ambitions. But through every trial, Shihad persevered with sheer power and purpose.
Their live performances became the stuff of legend, from the iconic free gig at Auckland’s Aotea Square in 2005 to festival domination at Big Day Out, Rhythm and Alps, and tours with metal royalty like Faith No More, Black Sabbath, Motorhead, and AC/DC.
Now, the band has made the difficult decision to conclude their journey. With increasing commitments outside the band and an unwillingness to give Shihad anything less than 100%, they are bowing out on their own terms.
But Shihad’s story isn’t quite over yet. The upcoming Loud Forever tour offers one last chance for both the band and their fans to celebrate together, culminating in their Wellington show on March 15, 2025.
“We need to pay homage to the legacy of this band and also to the people that have supported us,” Toogood says. “We’re gonna fucking hit it!”
Never a sweeter farewell. Never a greater band.
Thank you, Shihad. You’ll always be the last from the coast with the most.