Shihad

Shihad are a rock band formed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1988. The band consists of founders Tom Larkin (drums, backing vocals, samplers), Phil Knight (lead guitar, synthesiser, backing vocals) and Jon Toogood (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), who were joined by Karl Kippenberger (bass guitar, backing vocals) in 1991. The band were known as Pacifier between 2002 and 2004.

Six of Shihad's studio albums have peaked at number one–The General Electric (October 1999), Pacifier (September 2002), Beautiful Machine (April 2008), Ignite (September 2010), FVEY (August 2014) and Old Gods (October 2021). They share the honour for most number-one records for any New Zealand artist with Hayley Westenra. As of 2014 Shihad had the most Top 40 New Zealand chart singles for any local artist, with 25; three of these reached the top ten. The singles "Home Again", "Pacifier", and "Bitter" are listed at No. 30, 60 and 83, respectively, in the Nature's Best compilation, an official collection of New Zealand's top 100 songs.

Latest Articles

News / Music

Shihad Merch Burnt In Melbourne Airport Fire

"Having your merch burn to the ground at Melbourne Airport en route to NZ is a new energy..."

News / Music

Shihad Add Additional Full Album Shows To Final Tour

With Shihad saying goodbye, they're giving fans a final chance to hear some classic albums played in full.

Features / Opinion

OPINION: The Five Stages Of Grief In Saying Farewell To Shihad

Longtime radio broadcaster Costa Zouliou bids farewell to one of the great rock bands of our time, Shihad.

News / Music

Shihad Announce 2025 Farewell Tour

"We've lived the life that so many musicians would give their right arm for."

News / Music

Are Shihad Hinting At A Farewell Tour?

Shihad fans are worried after the band shared a post stating that they'll be "LOUD FOREVER" from 1988 to 2025.

News / Music

Shihad Singer Jon Toogood Reveals Australian Tour Dates, Debut Solo Album

Toogood will release his debut solo record, 'Last Of The Lonely Gods', in October.

News / Music

Melbourne’s Iconic Sing Sing Studios To Shut: 'Unique & Vibrant Music History Is Disappearing'

"It’s hard to believe that these places, that were the absolute beating heart of Melbourne and Australia’s vital music industry, are now just relegated to fading memories."

News / Music