Taos was a Waiheke band active and well-known around the island from the end of 2002 to the beginning of 2005. Taos was notable and unique in that the four members (Davey, Billy Fluid, Chris and Antt) improvised (or "freestyled") all of the bands music on the spot, reacting to each others changes in musical style, key, rhythm etc and thus supporting each other musically in a way that often kept audiences mesmerised. A crucial element of this audience-engagement was the frequent incorporation of lyrical content making direct reference to what was happening around them as they were playing, as well as to topical local events of the moment, courtesy Billy Fluid's freestyled vocals.
In the winter of 2004, Taos bundled themselves and all their band gear into a white panel-van along with tour-manager Sammy, and embarked on a tour of New Zealand, playing 14 gigs in 28 days from Hamilton to Invercargill. They returned with a net profit of around $10, which, considering all expenses incurred - petrol, food, accomodation for five (and whatever other expenses are incurred when you cram five guys into a van for a month) - was considered by at least the band themselves to have been quite successful. It is worth noting however, that the amount should have been $40 - but $30 seemed to have somehow disappeared along the way. (Whether this was by foul play, accidental misplacement, or the errant accounting records kept by Antt will perhaps forever be shrouded in mystery.)
Taos disbanded in early 2005 following the departure of Antt and Billy Fluid. Davey and Chris later resurrected the Taos franchise in Christchurch where they are still performing at the time of this writing (September 2008).
To find out more about the current Christchurch-based incarnation of Taos (aka Taos Dub), visit their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/taosfreestyle