POPPY DUST

Wellington band Poppy Dust are all about spreading the love, even if their stage show includes a murderous theme.

The six-piece band won the national Battle of the Bands competition last month, with a 15-minute Cluedo-themed set.

''We're stoked, absolutely stoked,'' band member Stacey Neale says.

Lead singer Waylon Edwards dressed as Mrs White in a straight jacket and was ''shot'' by bass player Paul Simpson's guitar.

Edwards says he is not surprised at the band's success. ''Of course, we're happy but not surprised. We went there to win.''

Poppy Dust, formed in November last year, describe their music as ''a synthesis of pop, musical theatre, rock, funk and soul''.

Their first single, Jellybeans, due to be released late this year, came runner-up at the International Peace Song Competition.

Edwards, who writes the band's songs, says they're all about love in one form or another whether it's lust, romantic love, jealousy or grief.

Neale says they're also about eradicating racism, homophobia and other prejudices. ''The message is you're loved, no matter what in a vibrant catchy way.''

Edwards says that, because the band is relatively new, some in the music industry do not give them credit.

Singer and guitar player Martin Brown says the band didn't need much time to get started. ''We're all experienced musicians, so everything came together quite quickly.''

With a keyboard player, a drummer, a bass player and three vocalists two of whom are tenors they admit they're not ''the usual'' band. All have roots in musical theatre and list Queen, Led Zeppelin and Buffy the Vampire Slayer as influences. They will spend the next five months working on their debut album, Love Drug.

Poppy Dust have already made a name for themselves, playing on the roof of Kirkcaldie & Stains to a large crowd last week.

''People were blown away, they just really loved the sound. It's not like anything else,'' Neale says. - Dominion Post