Bitter Defeat are a lo-fi band, which began as a solo recording project by Rob Shirlow. They took their name from a song by Brisbane band Kitchen's Floor, who played in Hamilton in July 2016. The initial recording by Bitter Defeat, called Superior Avoidance Tactics, appeared on BandCamp in June 2016. Subsequent songs appeared on the website sporadically, with Better released in January 2017 and Hummer in July 2017.
A live band was initiated in early 2018, which went through several line-up changes before settling on Shirlow (vocals), Julian White (also of The Scones, Kitchenette; bass), Sam Brockelsby (ex-Ancient Tapes, Elephant Facelift; guitar), Ben Manning (guitar), Ian Duggan (ex-Spatula Death; casiotone) and Kathryn Thompson (drums).
Their debut performance was on 17 August 2018, supporting Landlords and Auckland band Swallow the Rat at Nivara Lounge. The recordings from the gig were released on BandCamp on 19 August as Live Beneath a Gravel Streak. The following week, the band played Circle Jerk 2018 at The Meteor.
Published Articles
- Bitter Defeat Interview, Hamilton Underground Press, 20 August 2017 [1]