Bernie Griffen

aka Bernie Griffen and the Grifters, Bernie Griffen and the Thin Men


The long journey that has seen Bernie Griffen go from choir boy to Pleasure Boy to solo artist has taken many detours. He has been a fisherman on trawlers off the coast of northern Australia, partner in a recording studio, distributor of independent CDs throughout New Zealand, and operated his own label.

Despite many years performing in bands, it wasn’t until Bernie was in his 50s that he became confident with his own material. Some near-death experiences along the way were hurdles that became opportunities.

Bernie Griffen and the Grifters onstage at Bodega, Wellington, May 2013. L to R: Steve Roach, Bernie Griffen, Will Wood, Tony Daunt.
Photo credit: Wendy Collings / Tymar Lighting
Precious Love - at the Waitakere City Library.
Bernie Griffen and Kirsten Warner, 2018.
The Pleasure Boys and production crew, Gisborne, 1984. Back row, L to R: Shane Bollingford (drums), James Maguire (roadie), Peter Allpress (sound), Penny Hall (lights), Johnny Green (manager). Front row, L to R: Scotty Morrow (guitar), Chris Harrison (vocals, guitar), Fred Soar (drums), Bernie Griffen (bass, vocals).
Kirsten Warner and Bernie Griffen.
Bernie Griffen and the Grifters - Dangerous Engines (2012, filmed at the Wine Cellar by Joseph Griffen, edited by Paul Taylor)
Bernie Griffen and the Grifters, with drummer Will Wood and bassist Tony Daunt, Bodega, Wellington, May 2013.
Photo credit: Wendy Collings / Tymar Lighting
Bernie Griffen, Bodega, May 2013
Photo credit: Wendy Collings / Tymar Lighting
The Broadsides, Lisa Crawley and The Bads appear at a Southern Fried Sunday, King's Arms, 26 June 2011; the MC is Bernie Griffen. 
Bernie Griffen.
Photo credit: Wendy Collings / Tymar Lighting
95bFM In Session: Bernie Griffen and the Grifters - South West Gale (Roundhead studios, 2012)
Bernie Griffen in label boss mode with a box of Glen Moffatt CDs and cassettes in Kaitaia, August 1995.
Photo credit: Glen Moffatt collection
Bernie Griffen and Tony Daunt, Bodega, Wellington, May 2013.
Photo credit: Wendy Collings / Tymar Lighting
Bernie Griffen is awarded the Independent Spirit Award at the Taites, 2019
Bernie Griffen serenades daughter Marcella. 
95bFM In Session: Bernie Griffen and the Grifters - Put Your Hand In Mine (Roundhead studios, 2012)
Bernie Griffen & The Thin Men - Burial Ground (2016)
Bernie Griffen and the Thin Men, Doors Wide Open album cover, 2018.
The Pleasure Boys' 1984 single, Crucify.
Bernie Griffen.
Bernie Griffen and The Grifters, Bodega, Wellington, May 2013. L to R: Bernie Griffen, Tony Daunt, Dave Khan.
Photo credit: Wendy Collings / Tymar Lighting
Bernie Griffen with his daughter Marcella.
Bernie Griffen.
Photo credit: Wendy Collings / Tymar Lighting
Hand in Mine - at the Waitakere City Library
Bernie Griffen and The Grifters, Bodega, Wellington, May 2013.
Photo credit: Wendy Collings / Tymar Lighting
Reverse cover of the Pleasure Boys' Crucify single, 1984.
Bernie Griffen in the Pleasure Boys.
Bernie Griffen and the Thin Men, Frieda Margolis, Auckland, 2015. 
Bernie Griffen and the Grifters, Bodega, May 2013. L to R: Steve Roach, Bernie Griffen, Tony Daunt.
Photo credit: Wendy Collings / Tymar Lighting
Gunslingers Ball publicity photo, 2013, featuring members of The Grifters, The Broadsides and Tami Neilson. L to R: Tony Daunt, Bernie Griffen, Will Wood, Dave Khan, Tami Neilson, Steven Shaw, David Ward, Ben Michelson, Steve Roach, Alan Meharry.
The Pleasure Boys - Crucify (1984)
Bernie Griffen and the Thin Men - Salvation (2014)
Bernie Griffen and The Grifters - Everything So Far (2012)
Bernie Griffen and the Thin Men - My Brain Exploded (from the album Doors Wide Open, 2018)
Bernie Griffen and Steve Roach.
Poster for The Pleasure Boys, Globe Tavern, Auckland - 29 March 1984. 
Bernie Griffen and Kirsten Warner, publicity photo for Doors Wide Open, 2018.
Kirsten Warner, Bernie Griffen, Steve Roach.
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Flaming Pearl Records

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