In the mid 1970s the founding members of Herbs – Toni Fonoti, Spencer Fusimalohi and Fred Faleauto – were playing in a band called Backyard. They asked Dilworth Karaka to join, and considered renaming themselves Pacific Herbs, before settling on Herbs. Other early members of the band included Dave Pou, Phil Toms and John Berkley, who designed the band’s distinctive logo.
On December 7, 1984, Herbs played the opening set in a free concert in Aotea Square that deteriorated into the Queen Street Riot. The Thank God It’s Over concert marked the end of the school year and also featured the Mockers and headliners DD Smash on the bill. Police shut the concert down during DD Smash’s set and thousands of concert-goers poured into Queen Street, smashing property and looting, causing an eventual $6 million worth of damage.
Dilworth Karaka
Phil Toms
Spencer Fusimalohi
John Berkley
Fred Faleauto
Maurice Watene
Tama Lundon
Jack Allen
Carl Perkins
Thom Nepia
Gordon Joll
Grant Pukeroa
Kristen Hapi
Juanito Muzzio