Glad to Gladiate

The Tombolas were a funky, soul-infused band belonging to the Eelman Record label, a collective of Wellington-based musicians and artists who were active in the 1980s. Members Stephen Jessup and John McDougall later formed Holidaymakers, and topped the Kiwi charts in 1988 with a cover of Bill Withers' 'We Could Be Sweet Lovers'. 'Glad to Gladiate' is a playful latin funk number, and the video is equally relaxed; band members go off road on a jaunt along Wellington's rugged coastline, clambering up hills, unfurling a band banner on Makara beach and performing their own 'stunts' at sunset.

After The Tombolas broke up, John McDougall and I formed a band with the clear intention of recording a hit single. And we did. It was number one for six weeks in 1988 ... it made people realise we can make really good pop music with great videos in New Zealand.

– Ex Tombolas member Stephen Jessup on topping the Kiwi charts with Holidaymakers' 'Sweet Lovers', The Wellingtonian, 25 November 2013