Biography

Opshop emerged as one of the most popular New Zealand rock acts of its generation with its breakthrough 2004 single "No Ordinary Thing." So named for the Kiwi moniker for thrift stores, the group formed in Auckland in 2002: frontman Jason Kerrison was playing a solo residency in a downtown backpackers' bar when he invited longtime friend Tim Skedden to sit in on guitar, and another mutual friend, drummer Bobby Kennedy, soon signed on to play drums. Guitarist Matt Treacy and bassist Ian Munro completed the original Opshop lineup, which initially performed as GST. During the winter of 2003, the group competed in Project NZM, an unsigned artist showcase sponsored by radio outlet ZM, and upon winning the contest recorded their debut single, "Saturated," which ZM immediately added to its playlist. Opshop signed to the fledgling Siren Records imprint to record its 2004 debut LP, You Are Here. Its fourth single, "No Ordinary Thing," featuring Christian pop star Brooke Fraser on piano, vaulted the quintet to national renown, earning massive airplay and appearing on a slew of compilations including Now That's What I Call Music 16, Lazy Sunday 5, and State of the Nation: Fresh New Zealand Rock. Skedden and Munro both exited Opshop in the wake of "No Ordinary Thing," and following the addition of bassist Clint Harris, the streamlined four-piece began work on its sophomore effort, 2007's Second Hand Planet. The album quickly ascended to the number three spot on the New Zealand charts, galvanized by the lead single "Maybe." ~ Jason Ankeny