Band Bio  
The Business started out quietly in the summer of 2002 practising a bunch of songs in the rehearsal rooms at Whitireia Polytechnic. The founding members were Cam Steel, Jim Perkins, Ants Waigth, Gareth Reddington and Mark Johnston. With enough songs to start gigging by March 2003, their first show was at the Village Inn on the Kapiti coast.

The work load got busier as the word spread of their tight performances and strong musicianship. This eventually grew into a four to five night s a week, playing on the Wellington bar and charter club circuit. This also led to the interest of top Wgtn entertainment promoter David Greer Music to add them to his list of highly sought after corporate entertainers. Tailoring their repertoire around a mix of well known Kiwi anthems, classic rock, 50’s to present dance hits, The Business had truly earned their place among rock gods.

Late in 2005 Gareth Reddington left the band to try his luck playing bass guitar on a cruise ship. A few names were thrown round and good friend and fellow Whitireia student Ants Herring was appointed for bass guitar duties. Since then the band had gone from strength to strength, honing their skills and stage show to cement their reputation as a quality band with highly skilled and experienced musicians.

A huge focus of the band is creating an exciting and high energy show for the audience, playing the right mix of songs, interacting with the crowd and keeping the dance floor pumping.

In 2008 Cam Steel left the band to pursue an original recording project and Dave Clare was invited to join the band after successfully filling in for Cam on many occasions.

Another well received and exciting performer to grace The Business line up is guest vocalist Walter Godfrey. An ex student of Whitireia Walter adds an exciting element to the band.

With Mark Johnston on lead vocal, Ants Waigth and Jim Perkins on guitars and vocals, Dave Clare and Ants Herring on drums and bass, the Business are one of the most popular professional covers bands in Wellington.
Mark (Vocals)
Ants (Guitar)
Jim (Guitar)
Ants (Bass)
Dave (Drums)
Mark Johnston (Vocals)
Born: 1971 - WgtnGrew up in Wellington with 7 older sisters and one younger brother.Outside of the trauma of having seven sisters, I was exposed to many different styles of music during the 70's and 80's (remember the 70's?...) After a career in the motor industry, I decided to retrain and enrolled at Whitireia Polytech in 2000. During the next three years I met a lot of great friends and fellow musicians. In late 2002, I was asked to join The Business and started jamming songs over summer with my snake. We played our first gig at The Village Inn in March 2003.

THE REST IS HISTORY....
Ants Waigth (Guitar)
I Started playing guitar and getting into music at about 11 years old. Blown away by by anyone who could play the guitar - the guys on records, the boy down the street, buskers - I was taken right from the start. I got some lessons and got into reading and the basics. What really took me was chunky rhythms and solos.I was in a band by 13 and we rehearsed two songs a week for about 2 years.I owe everything to that band and the family who's house we rehearsed at. I knew then I would alway enjoy the music buzz. As it turns out, it has served me well because I'm lucky enough to be able to say I earn a living teaching and playing music. The Longest standing gig is "The Business". The other guys in this group are incredible individuals and we are all very close. Not many bands last the test of time. The Business is the greatest band in the world..... Aayye
Jim Perkins (Guitar)
I was born in Paraparaumu Hospital in 1978 - July 24th, to Sue and Ian Perkins my mummy and daddy.Grew up on the streets of Otaki smashing letterboxes and causing mayhem, until I discovered metal and was able to vent the teenage frustrations of puberty and long awaited - and promised by many doctors - growth spurt.But as school ended and the prospect of work loomed menacingly over my head, I turned my attention to the esteemed art of flightless bird embryo technician (chicken farming for the lamens). My exploits were unsurpassed.I even earned the title of "mother plucker" from my collegues, but the job went foul... So I decided to pursue a more intellectual path studying humans at Victoria University, which funnily enough
turned out like the job I had just left - guano. I moved home to Otaki and helped my dad build his business farming the most dangerous vegetable to man - lettuce, but after sustaining an irrepairable sub-hematoma when the parsley went bad I knew I needed to lighten up on the hydro. Once again, music compelled me to turn to the "dark side", and Porirua became my next destination - at Whitireia Polytech. 6 years later, I emerged triumphant and gloated over the spoils of a $30,000 student loan and unemployment.
I looked out over my world and thought to myself - "cool".
Ants Herring (Bass)
Hey baby. my name is Ants. Iam a bass player. I play in this band. I have played in other bands than this one. I went to music school where I met this band. I also lift stuff for other bands that people have heard of. I like pretty guitars. nanu nanu.
Dave Clare (Drums)
After suffering my youth as a J.A.F.A., I moved to Wellington to get my music degree in drum performance - yes can you believe it, you can actually get a degree in drumming! After finishing my degree and realising there are few jobs available for a professional drummer ( surprisingly!) I started my own music school called Kick Start Music Studios which is based in Paraparaumu where I live with my wife and our 3 kids.

As a seasoned performer and as the newest member of The Business I can honestly say this band is one of the best I have played in – it is also one of the most enjoyable ways of supporting a family!