If you took the hubble telescope and searched into the great vastness of the universe, you could with great clarity (when the telescope is working) witness events that occurred eons ago. Somewhere between there and here, in that ever expanding field of space, the Red Hot Chili Peppers still have some bite to their sound.

I could go on a bit of a ramble about the progression from bombastic, youthful fire to modest, middle-aged mumurs, but I'll spare you. I will say that sometimes it's great when a band breaks up.

Supergroove, New Zealands's version of the Chili Peppers, within a span of about three years made two EPs and two albums and then went there separate ways. Their three initial releases were a patois of rock, funk, hip-hop, and soul. They were the southern hemisphere's version of the Chili Peppers, with a more endearing cast and arguably better songwriting. After their first album, there was a rift in the band between the main songwriter and Che Ness, the more talented of the two vocalists. Ness ended up leaving the band, and brought the hip-hop, funk, and soul with him, beginning his own solo hip-hop/r&b career. The second album was a disappointing grunge/new-wave navel-gazer. Then the band kindly paid the bill and got the hell out of dodge before serving up another clunker, further angering fans. In their case, it was better to burn out than fade away.

The posted song, You Gotta Know, is the quintessential Supergroove track. It pumped life into parties (and still does) all across Aotearoa with its staccato horn bleats, funk riffs, swerving lyrics, and shoutable chorus. It's about 15 years old, but you'd never notice from listening.

Sometimes newer isn't better.

Supergroove are, of course, doing a reunion thing right now. They haven't been writing any new music, but they've been touring on and off since the end of 2007.