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
Recorded in a typically DIY fashion and released straight to cassette in 1989, this rucous live album features a stellar band line-up. Bob Scott was joined by future 3D Dave Saunders (just arrived in Dunedin), Australian guitarist / vocalist Ken Stewart, former-Chill Alan Haig on the drums, and billed as a special guest on organ; Peter Gutteridge - just prior to the release of his incredible solo album 'Pure'.
#mrbignose
In 1995 The 3Ds guitarist and vocalist Dave Saunders got together with well-known drummer Alan Haig to record a 3-song single for Flying Nun Records under the name Spacious - all 3 songs were eventually re-recorded by The 3Ds for their final album 'Strange News from the Angels'.
#nzmusic #spacious #the3ds
'A sort of holiday' was a one-off 7" single on Fkying Nun records from the mysterious Rik Starrr - an alias for Edmund Cake, yet to find his fame in the much vaunted Bressa Creeting Cake.
#nzmusic #rikstarrr #flyingnunrecords #edmundcake #bressacreetingcake
The key group of New Zealand underground legend Peter Gutteridge (despite being a founding member of BOTH the Clean and the Chills). Snapper made driving, droning guitars-infused with synths post-punk throughout the 1980s and 1990s before Gutteridge disappeared from the public eye.
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.
