The history of ROBERT begins long before the band took its name, as they previously performed and recorded under the name ?FOG. Members were inconsistent too, but such was the nature of The Red House, a key place for underground music and art in Auckland, NZ and the center of the band’s fluid collective/conglomerate known as ?FOG CITY ENTERPRISES.

?FOG began in 1984 when Roger Allen of RIOT 111 met Lindsay McKay of THE LAUGHING CRIPPLES one night at the now demolished Aurora Tavern. Inspired by a shared sense of humor, the two formed an infectious, heavy rhythm section. On guitar was Tim Ord, who informed their noisy, groove-laden sound. Their approach was fundamentally anarchic, anti-success, and as antagonistic as it was playful.

After briefly touring as a three-piece, Sam Swan (formerly of LIFE IN THE FRIDGE EXISTS) joined in on vocals. Sam emigrated to Auckland after traversing Wellington’s vaguely nihilistic, psychedelic-influenced early punk scene and became central to ?FOG’s arty, confrontational character. One night at Auckland's Mainstreet Cabaret, she scared a group of violent skinheads away by “hatching” an Easter egg on stage, utilizing fake blood as a prop. Another night, an onstage experiment with fire-breathing caused her to catch her own face on fire (she eventually made a full recovery). Her vocal style was cutting, with lyrics ranging from absurdist to sociopolitically critical.

When the time came to record, Blaise Oarsman and Peter Henneveld joined on guitar, with poet David Eggleton, painter Paul Linaker, and bassist Lindsay Fog also on vocals.

After the release of their 7” EP in 1985 (reissued by Bunkerpop) and a national tour, ?FOG changed their name to ROBERT. Thanks to a modest grant from the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council of New Zealand, they were able to record a full-length LP and in 1986 they self-released ROBERT THE RECORD.

This 40th anniversary reissue includes a 16-page full color booklet of photos and an interview conducted by Stuart Page (THE AXEMEN) with band members Roger Fogorelli and Lindsay Fog. Plus, a reprint of the bonus questionnaire that was included in the original release.