Golden Grrrls Music Playlist: Under the Influence

1. Heavenly Pop Hits: The Flying Nun Story
A great TV documentary about Flying Nun records who, along with the more experimental Xpressway records, have defined the sound of New Zealand music over the last 30 or so years. Highlights include Doug Hood's recollections of the early Flying Nun recording process, the 3Ds being rewarded for attempting to steal booze from U2 and Chris Knox being Chris Knox.

 

2. Christchurch City Libraries Poster Archive: 80s Rock Music
Provides a fascinating visual aspect to the music of the bands that were, accurately or not, termed 'the Dunedin Sound.' It's startling how many of these posters seem to directly mirror the music many of these bands were making; simple, immediate and timeless.
See the full poster collection here.

3. David Kilgour – Here Come the Cars
If you've got a passing knowledge of New Zealand music your probably aware of The Clean, they're my favourite band of all time. Formed in 1978 by brothers Hamish and David Kilgour and informed by British Invasion, '60s psych and first wave NZ punk they expanded the parameters of DIY recording, crashed the New Zealand Top 10 and looked totally cool throughout. During one of their many hiatuses David Kilgour recorded this solo record which is now available on vinyl for the first time courtesy of a reissue on De Stijl records. It was a really big influence when we were writing songs for our record.
Order the LP here.

4. Stephen Malkmus Covers The Verlaines
I guess everyone used to say Pavement ripped off The Fall but I've read things where Stephen Malkmus said that they were really trying to capture the Dunedin Sound, this cover was part of a Flying Nun tribute. I'm not sure if it's really great or rubbish but I think its pretty cool.

5. The Story of The Bats' First UK Tour
As well as playing bass in The Clean, Robert Scott plays guitar and sings in The Bats. This blog entry recounts their first trip to the UK and, despite being written 25 years down the line, retains the wide-eyed enthusiasm of a band who are just really excited to be hanging out playing music for people who they don't know in a place they've never been to before. Also includes the pretty bizarre fact that they played two shows in the Hebrides, on Harris and Lewis (nobody seems to know exactly why), and another Scotland-related piece of info, that they recorded half of their first album while on this tour in someone's flat in Glasgow.
Visit The Bats online.