Big Muffin Serious Band
It was started in 1983 by Jim Fulton, Graeme Cairns and Ian Coldham-Fussell when all three were members of a Project Employment Program (PEP) scheme.
These schemes were initiatives instigated by the then National Government to undertake public works and provide vocational experience for the unemployed.
[1] This specific PEP scheme was run by the Hamilton City Council and involved creating performances and art in public spaces and schools.
[8][9][10] At this time, Peter Caldwell replaced the late Coldham-Fussell and with the addition of a 'bottler', who was employed solely to take the hat among the audience but whose role rapidly expanded to include clown-like interpretive go-go dancing, the BMSB achieved a high degree of proficiency and were among New Zealand's top earning buskers.
Upon their return to New Zealand the band reformed as a five piece, with Howell and Matich joining as the other musicians, and Kendall continuing in the role of go-go dancer.
In 1994, after the departure of Howell, the four remaining members undertook a year-long tour of New Zealand schools with their multimedia shadow puppet show, "The Eggplant that ate Otago".
[26][27] In 2009 Cairns, Fulton and Galbraith formed Goulash Archipelago, to play original Eastern European-style ukulele and dance music.
[28] Also in this year the BMSB was involved in a highly successful collaboration[29] with robotic group The Trons and the legendary Hamilton County Bluegrass Band.
This meant that coincidentally for the first time ever all four members and part-time drummer Paul Tregilgas, live in the same small rural community west of Hamilton, Te Pahu, within a 1.5 km radius.
[35] In March 2013, the band featured at the Melbourne Ukulele Festival,[36] performing shows incorporating Melbourne-based ex-Muffins Steve Matich, Naughty See Monkey, and Adam Fulton.
[37] The exhibition of BMSB memorabilia, images and audio-visual material was opened on 31 August with a performance by many ex-members of the band accompanying present members.
