Skeptics - Sheen of Gold

Experimental noise band the Skeptics are best known for their 1987 single 'AFFCO' (named after a meat processing company) and its controversial video. For devoted fans, the band's mix of what Flying Nun founder Roger Shepherd calls "chopped up bits of sound" with vocalist David D'Ath's enigmatic lyrics makes the Skeptics one of New Zealand's most fascinating bands. Simon Ogston's feature-length documentary explores the band's Palmerston North origins, and interviews band members and collaborators. The presence of D'Ath looms large; his untimely death at age 26 ended the Skeptics' singular musical journey. 

It's kind of like life's struggle. I think that's what we try to get in each song, is that struggle, because it's the struggle that defines you at the end of the day...it's how you struggle that defines you. And I think our music has always been a bit like that.

– Skeptics guitarist John Halvorsen on what made the band's music distinctive

Key Cast & Crew

Chris Knox

Subject

Nick Roughan

Subject, Sound Mix

Stuart Page

Subject, Additional Camera

Jason Pengelly

Editor

Jed Town

Subject

Simon Ogston

Director, Cinematographer, Producer