Biography
One of the lesser-known Flying Nun Records releases, young singer-songwriter Nick Smith put out a largely unremembered EP on the label in 1987 after appearing on the ‘Outnumbered by Sheep’ compilation.
He also recorded a preceding EP (with the help of Chris Knox), released on record store Real Groovy Records own imprint back in 1986.
Elsewhere.co.nz covered a young Nick Smith (who went on to have a successful career as a journalist) singing the song ‘Requiem’:
this emotional, searing and almost self-lacerating piece about New Zealand’s rugby obsession . . . and the macho culture it has created.
In a one-take, Smith is unsparing of the tradition but also posits himself attracted to it.
“I was 17,” he laughs today. “I might be a bit different now.”
But it is raw, so the lyrics are reproduced here.
Not an easy listen, but when he cites the play Foreskin’s Lament you can hear Smith in that thoughtful, ambivalent company too.
Nick Smith: Requiem (Elsewhere.co.nz)
Members
- Nick Smith (vocals / guitar)
- Brett Oram (bass)
- Mike Sheils (drums / percussion)
Discography
- Flanker EP (1986, Real Groovy Records, RGR003)
- Skin 12″ EP (1987, Flying Nun Records, FN082)
Links
- Discogs Entry
- Nick Smith: Reqeuiem (Elsewhere.co.nz article)