The Chills, led by Martin Phillips, were a seminal New Zealand band central to the Dunedin Sound. Formed in 1980. Despite struggles, including the death of drummer Martyn Bull and Phillips’ drug dependency and health issues, they continued producing acclaimed albums until Phillips’ unexpected passing in 2024.
#thechills #martinphillips #nzmusic
Gisborne-based chirpy synth-pop 4-piece featuring the vocals of future comedian / television personality Jackie Clarke and F Star Records’ Martin Kirk. Thanks to an association with Doug Hood (who engineered their recording) the group put out an obscure 12″ single on Flying Nun Records, before disbanding.
#MarchingOrders #NZMusic
Formed in late 1980, The Verlaines is Graeme Downes’ long-standing song-writing vehicle, and one-hell of a brilliant, literate band at that. With the classic early 1980’s line-up of Downes on guitar and vocals, Alan Haig on drums and Jane Dodd on bass, the Verlaines released excellent singles such as ’10 O’Clock In The Afternoon’ from the EP of the same name, and of course their signature tune ‘Death And The Maiden’, which stands as one of the true kiwi classics.
#nzmusic #theverlaines
Vibraslaps were an all female post-punky outfit best known for an EP put out on Flying Nun Records in 1985, and for (briefly) being at the forefront of New Zealand’s lesbian feminist music scene during the turbulent mid 1980s.
#nzmusic #vibraslaps
Marie and the Atom were an experimental pop group created as a performance and song-writing vehicle for Gill Civil. The group released 3 boundary-pushing EPs in the mid 1980’s and are best remembered for their song ‘Isol’.
#nzmusic #marieandtheatom
Jangly drum-machine propelled indie pop from Christchurch multi-instrumentalist and member of The Jumblies Peter Arnold, who put out an EP (also with Claire Timings) on Flying Nun Records in 1986.
#nzmusic #peterarnold
Arclife Records was an excellent ‘home-grown’ independent label formed by the Arclife Trust, an arts organization that formed out of the Arc Cafe in central Dunedin.
The label had a strong, tight-knit community of local Dunedin groups on its roster – many of whom had moved on from the by-then Auckland based Flying Nun Records.
#nzmusic #arcliferecords
Wellington-based funky pop rock group from the mid 1980. Formed by Gavin McLean and Jeff Thorpe after the demise of their previous group The List. Percussionist Dean Hutton (and production from Ian Morris) gave them a distinct sound on their first replace ‘In Stone In Steel’.
Well-known drummer Caroline Easther later joined the group, however the group only lasted a couple years, without attaining any commercial success. They recorded an album that went unreleased.
#nzmusic #circusblockfour
Eclectic Auckland group with a revolving line-up based around the song-writing talents of David Graham. Their music has pushed and pulled in various different directions over the years, from punky rock’n’roll to encompass full horn sections and strings, to stripped back indie-rock line-ups. Their songs just explode with melody, crazy lyrics and noisy enthusiasm.
#nzmusic #therainydays
Lanky was a short-lived group formed by former Jean-Paul Sartre Experience singer-songwriter Jim Laing. The group put out an album on the then-fledgling Arch Hill Recordings label in 2000 before disappearing, with Laing’s backing band all going on to David Kilgour’s Heavy Eights.
#nzmusic #lanky
The Alpaca Brothers were a short lived noisy post-punk band from Dunedin formed by Bruce Blucher and Nick Wilkinson in 1984, with a young Steve Cournane soon joining as drummer. The group disbanded after releasing a single EP for Flying Nun, but miraculously resurfaced recently (after a 36 year absence) with a new album.
#nzmusic #alpacabrothers
Flashback to my 2002 review of The Clean’s ‘Anthology’ (2002, Flying Nun Records, FN468, a double CD monster packed to the brim with material from The Clean’s early and mid-period releases.
#nzmusic #theclean #anthology #flyingnun
Phantom Forth was a post-punk trio from Auckland who released an EP on Flying Nun in 1984 – their sound was influenced by excellent Scottish group Young Marble Giants. Formed by Paul Luker who went on to form side-project This is Heaven and the DIY cassette label Industrial Tapes.
#nzmusic #phantomforth
The Orange was a Dunedin trio formed by Andrew Brough in 1984. They recorded an EP for Flying Nun Records filled with melodic, 1960’s influenced pop before Brough
#nzmusic #theorange
Flying Nun Records EP from Auckland musician Chris McKibbin – featuring contributions from Hallelujah Picassos Robert Pauling (aka Bobbylon) and Peter McLennan, under the name The Bagmen. The Picassos Tony de Raad was also an early member.
#nzmusic #leeharvey #leeharveyandthebagmen