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
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
Dribbling Darts was Matthew Bainnsters post-Sneaky Feelings song-writing vehicle from 1989-1993. Known for their catchy singlecand silly video ‘Hey Judith’.
#nzmusic #dribblingdarts #sneakyfeelings #flyingn
Jangly indie-rock 4 piece from early 1980’s Christchurch. During their life they put out a well-received 7″ single on Flying Nun before going their separate ways. Failsafe Records released a retrospective compilation of their recordings in 2021.
The pop outgrowth of Ex-Christchurch song-writer Dave Yetton (Ex Jean-Paul Sartre Experience), who’s backing band has included a couple generations of well-known kiwi performers, including Pluto’s rhythm section at one point.
Biography Early Flying Nun Records band who’s sole (commercial) release was a split EP with 8 Living Legs that had major production issues (the Australian printing press accidentally dropped the first song! – as documented in Matthew Bannisters’ Positively George… Read More »Flak
Biography Former bass-player for Sneaky Feelings, released an album under his own name in the early 90’s. Discography Personal Disorganiser [1991, Failsafe Records, SAFE013] Links
Biography Christchurch 5 piece (from the mid to late 80’s) originally started life as a 4 piece with Blair Parkes, Campbell Taylor, Easther McNaughton and Brett Lupton. Lupton was later replaced by Bert Aldridge and the band also acquired Stephen… Read More »All Fall Down
Biography Approximate time period – 1982 – 1983, Alien were comprised of John Kelcher (Sneaky Feelings), Tucker, and Nick Hall. They were particularly of interest because of their moody melody tinged music, and reasonably outstanding in their song writing. The… Read More »Alien
Biography The Stones were an anarchic, anything goes rock band – in Matthew Bannisters’ Positively George Street novel on the Dunedin scene, Bannister recalls Wayne Elsey (The Stones brilliant singer / guitarist) exclaiming in disgust that Sneaky Feelings think about… Read More »The Stones
The independent label that put New Zealand Music on the map. From Roger Shephard’s formation of the label in 1980 through to now, Flying Nun has been a mark of creative, quirky, inventive music with a distinct kiwi flavor.
The Sneakies were a young and naive pop band discovering the world of music from a distinctly dunedin perspective. In original member Matthew Bannisters’ Positively George Street book, which describes their experience and neglectance to accept the ‘Dunedin Sound’ that… Read More »Sneaky Feelings