Hamilton barely measures a sonic blip on the radar when it comes to the official self-congratulatory festivities of New Zealand Music Month. But since 2005, local musicians and their supporters have taken it upon themselves to come together for an annual rogue celebration facetiously titled Hamilton Circle Jerk. The fourth annual Circle Jerk features a whopping fifteen local acts, performing short sets covering Hamilton band’s material as well as playing a track of their own.

The event showcases a mish-mash of styles and acts, from long-time staples of the music scene to relative newcomers. Jangly genre-bending song smiths The Shrugs, legendary ukulele based folk entertainers Big Muffin Serious Band, as well as talent-laden rockers Rumpus Room, play alongside fresher faces including frantic noise merchants Damsels and The Sheriffs, plus the supremely gifted avant hip-hop artist One Fat Man amongst many others.

Such an all encompassing event does lend itself to allowing for tenuous links – Ex-Hamiltonian Thom Burton’s (Yokel Ono) current project Wilberforces are on the bill, as is the former Sneaky Feelings lead-singer and recent resident to Hamilton, Matthew Bannister. But as one of this years coordinator’s Richard Swainson mentions ‘the some what tongue in cheek name would indicate that neither organisers nor musicians are taking themselves too seriously - The Circle Jerk is really about showcasing a wide array of styles and performers.”

Amongst other musical groupings are resurgent pop outfit Dynamo Go, iconclastic noisesmiths Ministry of Hypocrisy, event founder Mark Tupuhi and rock ‘n rollers Johnny Fist and the Supple Wrists. Two electronic based solo acts, DJ Handbrake and Doteyes will be making their debut, along with self-styled super group The Stevie Ray, Cream, Hendrix, Snoop Dogg Experience, which promises to deliver anything but what their extensive title suggests.

Local radio is also playing a large part in the event, with interviews from featured bands and event organisers on Community Radio Hamilton 106.7 FM, plus the Circle Jerk Extravaganza on the eve of the event, playing highlights from previous year’s shows on Contact 88.1 FM.