The 3Ds were the biggest ‘third wave’ Flying Nun band, formed by musicians from earlier FN groups. Starting out in Dunedin in 1988, they recorded three albums and several EPs, the best-known being The Venus Trail (1993). They achieved worldwide critical and commercial success, and toured extensively overseas from 1992–95.

Released in 1992, Hellzapoppin, was the 3Ds first full length album.

Opening with the giddy crunch of “Outer Space”, with its flat-out fun melody, plenty of crazy guitar effects, it sets the tone for an album that is both thrashing and tuneful but never pointlessly macho. Instead, amongst the crash, bang and occasional hysterics, songs like “Ugly Day” and “Swallow” radiate a great, fun vibe. Meanwhile, guest performer Alan Starrett adds a few extra instrumental touches during the course of the record, like viola and kalimba on the clattering “Teacher Is Dead”. Songs like “Leave the Dogs to Play”, with its hollow percussion, heavily treated guitars and vocals, show a band getting more comfortable with studio possibilities, while having a blast with them at the same time.

At the time, the editors of Spin picked Hellzapoppin as the “#1 album you didn't hear” in 1992.

Now available for the first time on vinyl!