One of Taranaki's best known hard rock bands. STICKY FILTH is one of many local bands who have built up a loyal following of locals. Not only are they famous in the Taranaki region but also have a strong following in the whole of New Zealand as well as overseas in Germany. The band began in New Plymouth in 1986 when guitarist Craig Radford joined forces with the late Colin Long on bass and drummer Dave Hunt. While using a dictionary to look for a band name they came across the word 'Muck' for which the definition was Sticky Filth. The band decided this was the way their music sounded at the time so the name stuck.

STICKY FILTH's early influences were punk bands such as THE BIRTHDAY PARTY and G.B.H. and this can be seen in the band's early recordings. It was this of music that attracted the more heavy locals in New Plymouth including skinheads and other hard rock/punk enthusiasts. In 1990 the bands new drummer Pete Westbury, of THE NOD and BLACKJACK, told the local newspaper "We call our sound high energy rock 'n roll type noise. That's the only way to describe it. We're probably more grungy on stage. We like to create a lot of energy"

In 1987 STICKY FILTH debuted with the cassette 'The Lion And The Witch', released under Ima Hitt records, a local label, run by the band's manger Brian Wafer. The label operated from Wafer's New Plymouth record store of the same name. Shortly after this release Colin Long left the band and was replaced by ex-CASUALTY man Chris Snowdon. STICKY FILTH also featured on the New Plymouth compilation album 'What Is This Place?' also released in 1987 by Ima Hitt. With the band line up now consisting of Radford, Snowdon and Hunt, STICKY FILTH began to write some their Rock n Roll classics.

After winning the "No Ordinary Band Contest' held by popular television show 'Radio With Pictures', STICKY FILTH won prize money and used it to fund production of 'Weep Woman Weep' in 1988. This Mini L.P was recorded in Wellington at Writhe Studios with former THE GORDONS drummer Brent McLaughlin as producer.

In between 'At least Rock 'n' Roll Doesn't Give You Aids' and 'Weep Woman Weep' Chris and Craig swapped roles with Chris moving to guitar and Craig taking up bass. Craig is well known for his interesting bass technique which involves playing a right hand bass left handed and upside down.

'Weep Woman Weep' ran into some heavy criticism due to its cover depicing a naked woman being embraced by a tri-horned satyr, actually a piece of unauthorised Boris Vallejo artwork. The opening chord of the album begins with the opening chord of the HUNTERS AND COLLECTORS song 'Throw Your Arms Around Me'. Because of this the band revieved negative feedback from the local femminist community.

The album was also criticised for its lyrical content as it contained songs dealing with "hate, death, violence, demonology, suicide, necrophilia and Jack The Ripper." In an article about the album one author described it as being "ass grabbing hard rock with hefty dollops of sexist aggro and violent/dark imagery".

None the less this 8 track mini album achieved very good sales gaining critical acclaim in Europe, Australia and North America. A video of the title track was produced for $800 and featured on 'Radio With Pictures'. Tracks from the album were given regular air play on KPFK Los Angeles and there was also a European deal for the release, signed with Gift Of Life Records of Germany.

In 1990, two years after the release of 'Weep Woman Weep', the band released a new LP titled 'Nektar Der Gotter' , German for Nectar Of The Gods . "The album cost about $1600-1700 to record and would have been released a few months earlier that it was, but Chris Snowdon took about six months after I had the records, to finish the cover drawing" said Brian Wafer. This LP was released in both Germany and New Zealand gaining great sales in both countries.

The LP showed a change to a clearly heavier Rock/Metal sound. With guitars sounding coarser than those on 'Weep Woman Weep' yet technically more complex, with lead guitar solos throughout. Dave Hunt left the band in early 1989 but his drumming features on this album. Hunt was replaced with drummer Pete Westbury.

'Nektar Der Gotter' received more attention and acceptance by New Zealand alternative radio than 'Weep Woman Weep' due its lyrics which are tamer in comparison, perhaps showing more maturity in the song writing. The ten tracks cover themes such as rejection, loss and a covert reference to demonology. However the main theme is based around the Roman Empire and can be seen in the liner notes that accompany the album as well as the song 'Sparticus'.

After the band successfully toured Australia in 1991, Pete Westbury left STICKY FILTH and was replaced by Paul Tattersall. After this lineup change the band took a short break before playing gigs again. During the Australian tour the band had played as support to well known bands such as Australian punk band THE HARD ONS.

In 1990 the band had recorded a three track EP called 'Def Thru Misadventure'. These recordings feature Pete Westbury on drums. After experiencing production problems the band finally released 'Def Thru Misadventure' in 1994, four years after it had been recorded. Only 200 copies were ever made of this 7" record which was released on a colorful purple vinyl.

STICKY FILTH's line-up changed yet again in 1995 with Paul Tattersall being replaced by drummer Mark (Boot) Hill, ex-TOXIC AVENGERS, In 1996, the band played all the major New Zealand music festivals including The Nile River Festival in Westport, Strawberry Fields and also the Big Day Out. At the Big Day Out they were the opening act and proved a hard act to follow for SOLID GOLD HELL.

1997 saw the release of a new E.P called 'Witches', a four track CD recorded at Kaponga's Rowan Studios in June 1995. The late Alan Muggeridge was responsible for recording the four songs that feature on the EP. Release dates of this EP were continually delayed as hassles plagued the band. It took until 1996 for it to be mixed and it was not mastered until March of 1997. 'Witches' was released on CD with a first pressing of 500 copies and later a second pressing of the same number. The album was also released on vinyl by Truly Fine Citizen on a six song 10" run of just 100 copies.

The band released 'CD Archives' in 2001, which combines the releases of 'Weep Woman Weep', 'Nektar Der Gotter', and several songs that feature on other New Plymouth compilation CD's. Drummer Boot was responsible for overseeing the long planned release of this album. The album was released through independent distributor Bernie Griffin of Global Roots.

STICKY FILTH took a break until a gig at the Salvation Pub in New Plymouth on Saturday the 23rd of September 2001. The band, now consisted of Craig Radford, Chris Snowdon and Mark, the latter living in Auckland making gigs few and far between.

In October 2007 STICKY FILTH supported MOTÖRHEAD at the New Plymouth TSB Stadium. Craig Radford featured as a solo artist at the G-TARanaki Guitar festival in New Plymouth in July 2007 as support to GILBY CLARKE at Puke Ariki museum.