Coconut Rough were a short-lived New Zealand pop/new wave band formed in 1982.
Despite their 1983 first single, "Sierra Leone", hitting the top five, and the band being named Most Promising Group of the Year at that year's RIANZ Awards they split up in 1984.
History The band was formed in 1982 by lead singer Andrew Snoid, formerly with New Zealand bands the Whizz Kids, Pop Mechanix and Australian-based New Zealand group the Swingers, and guitarist Mark Bell. Bell later joined Snoid in a reformed Pop Mechanix. Other member were bassist Dennis "Choc" Te Whare, keyboardist Stuart Pearce and drummer Paul Hewitt, and later bassist Bones Hillman. They decided on the name "Coconut Rough" based on a type of sweet treat popular in Australia and New Zealand.
The band's biggest hit was also their first single. "Sierra Leone" reached number five in the 1983 New Zealand charts. The song was aided by one of the first New Zealand music videos with special effects. In 2001, Sierra Leone was voted the 94th-best New Zealand song of all time by members of APRA.
They were an opening act for The Police at their Western Springs concert in 1984,"Police file – The Police", kiwirock.co.nz but had folded before the end of that year.
Discography Albums + List of albums, with selected chart positions Title Extended play details Peak chart positions NZ Whistle While You Work (with The Narcs) Released: November 1983 Format: LP, CS Label: CBD (SBP 237 956) Note: Live album 17 Coconut Rough Released: 1984 Format: LP Label: Mushroom (L 38216) —
Singles + List of singles, with selected chart positions Title Year Peak chart positions AlbumNZ"Sierra Leone" charts.org.nz AUSKent, David. Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W. (1993). . "Sierra Leone"1983 5 99Coconut Rough "As Good As It Gets" 28 — "Magic Hour"1984 — — "Leisure Time" — —
Awards Awards Year Category DetailsResult RIANZ 1983 Single of the Year "Sierra Leone" Most Promising Group Best Music Video Greg Rood – "Sierra Leone"
References
External links [ The AMG profile for Coconut Rough] Coconut Rough at thebigcity.co.nz Sierra Leone music video, courtesy NZ On Screen