The Christchurch musician and songwriter's art and sound was at the core of one of the most sustained bodies of quality New Zealand indie music in the early to mid-1980s. A prolific composer, Direen's intellect and energy took in and spun out poetry, film, theatre and literature.
The Bilders – selected discography with group members
Overview and interview with Bill Direen from Reading The Maps blog
Bill Direen selected bibliography
Bill Direen interviewed by Richard Langston, 2020
Bill Direen was, for a short time, a Radio New Zealand DJ in Blenheim called Bill Diamond.
He has published four novels and edited Landfall’s music issue in 2010.
His first four EPs have been reissued as 12-inch EPs on German imprint, Unwucht Records, whose 2011 Krypton Ten compilation of Onset Offset Records acts, featured Direen recordings.
Tony O’Grady
Bill Direen - vocals, guitar, keyboards
Stephen Cogle - bass
Peter Stapleton - drums
Peter Fryer - keyboards
Teresa McQuire
Allen Meek - organ
John Markie - bass
Malcolm Grant - drums
Campbell McLay - bass
Greig Bainbridge - bass, percussion
Karl Holdorf - tombone
Stuart Page - drums
Maryrose Crook - vocals
Jean Brown - vocals
John McDermott - drums
Barry Stockley - bass, vocals
Mike Dooley - drums
Alec Bathgate - guitar
Michael Tan
Andrew Maitai
Brent Cross
Richard Anderton - vocals
Derek Champion - drums
Steve Cournane - drums