Gherkin Raucous Taking Its Final Shot

Gherkin Raucous, the popular, comically minded local hard-rock band, is playing its farewell show Saturday at Night Moves in Huntington Beach. Drummer Miles Gillett’s decision to return to his native New Zealand (where the El Grupo Sexo alumnus will continue to pursue a career as a rock drummer) will spell the end of the band.

Gillett says there is one chance for an 11th-hour change of plan: If a record deal emerges before his departure early next year, he will stick with Gherkin Raucous. The band’s best shot figured to be Thursday night, when it was scheduled to open for Living Colour at the Whiskey in Hollywood, before an audience that included music industry figures.

“We’re going to give it a last shot at impressing some people in the crowd and turning some heads,” Gillett said earlier this week. Gherkin Raucous comes off an impressive, typically wild set last Thursday at Bogart’s, opening for Social Distortion.

Gillett, who moved to California 15 years ago, says that during a vacation in New Zealand recently, “I realized that’s where my roots are and the life style I’d like to live.” What’s more, Australia and New Zealand are now recognized as lands of opportunity for aspiring rockers.