“well crafted songs performed with a wholehearted fearlessness that took the listener on a journey into another realm.

I felt musically nourished for the first time in ages.” - Siaosi.

Growing up in Matamata in the 1970’s, Darryl was inspired by a number of key adults/teachers - and his mate Kev - to sing and play guitar from the age of 9. Lead roles in school productions of Oliver and South Pacific added fuel to the fire - and he and Kev and a couple of other mates formed high school band Second Thoughts in 1980.

Second Thoughts played the Aerial Railway stage at Sweetwaters in 1982 and were rated as a highlight by an Aussie music journo. Leaving Matamata for Hamilton in 1983, Darryl picked up singing duties in Zero Hour and Stainless Steal, before forming nerd icons Joe 90 in 1985 (with Kev). Joe 90 soon captured industry attention and were signed to EMI in 1986 for their single Walls Surrounding Me.

A brief stint in Sydney in 1987 was followed by solo gigs and guest spots with Waikato rockers Fury and a heap of unrememberable gigs with The Pink Love Torpedos. Then from 1989 to 1993, Whisperscream toured the North Island incessantly, cleaning up Band Contests in Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Auckland. Their 1992 album Vampire Cafe was recorded and produced by AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd at his Mountain Studio - and they even got to play a gig in LA (thanks to one of those band contests).

A move to Tauranga in 1993 found Darryl playing more solo shows before teaming up with Man Bites Dog. Making the move to Gisborne in 1998, he found himself fronting wedding favourites Starfish, followed by The Charles Ash Orchestra and Kings of Kaiaua.