21 Jan 2016

Interview: Viet Cong

10:49 am on 21 January 2016

Music 101's Sam Wicks checks in with Viet Cong ahead of their show at the Kings Arms.

Viet Cong play Auckland's Kings Arms tonight.

Viet Cong play Auckland's Kings Arms tonight. Photo: Supplied

Calgary, Canada art-rock quartet Viet Cong, might not be making music under their chosen name for much longer because of accusations of cultural appropriation. Following what the band described in a statement as “valuable conversations with members of the Vietnamese community about the name”, Viet Cong issued a statement in September saying, “We are not here to cause pain or remind people of atrocities of the past” and promising a new moniker.

Still named ‘Viet Cong’ - for now, at least - the Canadians are coming to the end of a lengthy run of shows. Music 101's Sam Wicks catches up with them in studio before they raise a ruckus in Auckland.