Chapter Two
1: Attempted Reunions
(2000 & '02)
(2000 & '02)
Since leaving Supertrip, Jared would join 2 other bands - Driftwood and Kerfü (pronounced 'curfew'). Driftwood was a mix of punk and nu metal with Christian lyrics. Jared co-founded the band with bassist/vocalist, Darren Roverts (who would later help compose a digital song, "Red Alert", which helped launch Jared's solo project, n-Somnia). The duo would later be joined by guitarist/vocalist, Jared Hatcher. At the same time as Driftwood, Jared joined Kerfü along side of former Pus/Grimace members, Daniel (drums) and Eli (who swapped the bass for a 6-string), who would be accompanied by Warren Constable-Brown (vocals) and Owen [surname unknown] (bass). This group was more focused on metal. However, very little musical activity would take place on rehearsal days for this band, which is why Jared didn't stay long. He would also leave Driftwood around the same time. This was due to moving into his own flat, but having no transport to ship his gear to rehearsals (and having no room at his place to host). So, by September 2000 he was on his own.
During this down time in playing music with live instruments, Jared started to miss Supertrip. Especially since just before he moved out of home, he had a brief encounter with former bandmates, Jonathan and Luke. For one night only, the trio met at Luke's last known address in Christchurch (before moving to the Nelson region) to have a jam session like old times. This was a version of Supertrip that Jared was into as it was more rock-based. It would've been great to have Stephen and Taniela on board, but they had lost contact by this time. Sadly, it would be the case for Luke and Jonathan after that evening also. Luke would eventually move out and get married, while Jonathan went elsewhere.
A couple years later, Jared attended a similar course to the first audio engineering one in 1999. Starting a little late in 2002, he joined the Linwood Urban Music Academy (LUMA) at Linwood College in March only to find that Jonathan was already present. During their time here, Jared made a plan to gather all of the recordings that he and Jonathan had a copy of and put them together in a single release. Along side of this, there were plans to (properly) record all of the 7 songs written by Supertrip between October 1997 and December 1998, plus adding any new original songs they both produced either individually or as a duo. Jared dubbed this release-to-be as "All the Recordings Ever Made and More", which was a title inspired by a DVD release by Swedish band, Roxette.
However, the plans for this release were cut short before they could really begin. According to one of the course's tutors one day, Jonathan had left to pursue a job opportunity in Ashburton.
During this down time in playing music with live instruments, Jared started to miss Supertrip. Especially since just before he moved out of home, he had a brief encounter with former bandmates, Jonathan and Luke. For one night only, the trio met at Luke's last known address in Christchurch (before moving to the Nelson region) to have a jam session like old times. This was a version of Supertrip that Jared was into as it was more rock-based. It would've been great to have Stephen and Taniela on board, but they had lost contact by this time. Sadly, it would be the case for Luke and Jonathan after that evening also. Luke would eventually move out and get married, while Jonathan went elsewhere.
A couple years later, Jared attended a similar course to the first audio engineering one in 1999. Starting a little late in 2002, he joined the Linwood Urban Music Academy (LUMA) at Linwood College in March only to find that Jonathan was already present. During their time here, Jared made a plan to gather all of the recordings that he and Jonathan had a copy of and put them together in a single release. Along side of this, there were plans to (properly) record all of the 7 songs written by Supertrip between October 1997 and December 1998, plus adding any new original songs they both produced either individually or as a duo. Jared dubbed this release-to-be as "All the Recordings Ever Made and More", which was a title inspired by a DVD release by Swedish band, Roxette.
However, the plans for this release were cut short before they could really begin. According to one of the course's tutors one day, Jonathan had left to pursue a job opportunity in Ashburton.
2: The Search for Supertrip
('02-'06)
('02-'06)
The news of Jonathan's departure from the LUMA course wasn't received well by Jared. However, it did inspire him to take part in one of his most ambitious moments in post-Supertrip events - tracking down all of the original band members (Rasjad included) to have one last gig and recording session. Because of the band's recording history being plagued with low-quality results due to limited equipment, it was felt that the band deserved something better. The infamous "Search for Supertrip" began almost immediately after Jonathan's departure in mid-to-late 2002.
Because of the lack of contact details of the former members and any of their social circles outside of Supertrip, Jared had a rough idea of who he thought might be the hardest to find. Oddly enough though, the one he expected to be the most difficult to track down would become the first to show up - Taniela.
At this time, Jared had setup what would be considered an early version of a website for the band using the now defunct MSN Groups. It was here where he would reconnect with Taniela, but not how he'd expect. In the end, Taniela found Jared. As it turned out, Taniela had moved to Queensland, Australia. Regarding possible reunions, this would be a slight setback. But either way, Jared was happy to find him. One down, 4 to go.
The next to be found would be Rasjad. After leaving in November 1998, it turns out he had been rather busy. The results of a lot of online research over the space of a few years led Jared to discover that Rasjad once had a teaching position in music back in Christchurch. Unfortunately, by the time he approached the facility to catch up with him, he had long since moved on. A few years after this, more research revealed that Rasjad had made his way to The Netherlands at one point and got involved with a band called Devotees. Jared would find a way to contact the band directly about how to get in touch with him. After which he did. Two down, 3 to go.
It's not 100% clear who came next in the search as the final 3 would appear roughly around the same time. Luke was probably the first. It was here that Jared learned where he moved to, all thanks to social media and connecting to mutual friends including his wife, Paula. Jonathan crossed paths with Jared at random one day outside of his workplace, which just happened to be across the road from his own. Finally, Stephen made an appearance at Majestic Church (where Jared was attending around this time) as he would be there to see a performance by the Watoto Children's Choir from Uganda. Jared spotted Stephen in the foyer afterwards and made that final re-connection, bringing the end to the "Search for Supertrip".
At last, Jared was in touch with the original Supertrip members for the first time since 1998. Now he would be figuring out what to do next.
Because of the lack of contact details of the former members and any of their social circles outside of Supertrip, Jared had a rough idea of who he thought might be the hardest to find. Oddly enough though, the one he expected to be the most difficult to track down would become the first to show up - Taniela.
At this time, Jared had setup what would be considered an early version of a website for the band using the now defunct MSN Groups. It was here where he would reconnect with Taniela, but not how he'd expect. In the end, Taniela found Jared. As it turned out, Taniela had moved to Queensland, Australia. Regarding possible reunions, this would be a slight setback. But either way, Jared was happy to find him. One down, 4 to go.
The next to be found would be Rasjad. After leaving in November 1998, it turns out he had been rather busy. The results of a lot of online research over the space of a few years led Jared to discover that Rasjad once had a teaching position in music back in Christchurch. Unfortunately, by the time he approached the facility to catch up with him, he had long since moved on. A few years after this, more research revealed that Rasjad had made his way to The Netherlands at one point and got involved with a band called Devotees. Jared would find a way to contact the band directly about how to get in touch with him. After which he did. Two down, 3 to go.
It's not 100% clear who came next in the search as the final 3 would appear roughly around the same time. Luke was probably the first. It was here that Jared learned where he moved to, all thanks to social media and connecting to mutual friends including his wife, Paula. Jonathan crossed paths with Jared at random one day outside of his workplace, which just happened to be across the road from his own. Finally, Stephen made an appearance at Majestic Church (where Jared was attending around this time) as he would be there to see a performance by the Watoto Children's Choir from Uganda. Jared spotted Stephen in the foyer afterwards and made that final re-connection, bringing the end to the "Search for Supertrip".
At last, Jared was in touch with the original Supertrip members for the first time since 1998. Now he would be figuring out what to do next.