New Zealand Musiceum: South

The 'South' section tends to be dominated by one record label-Flying Nun of course, and it is the case here. Once again, I have concentrated on singles and related memorabilia rather than albums

THE 3D's

Dunedin band from the Flying Nun label. All members first name started with D (Dominic, Denise and David-plus an extra David who joined later!). Thus the name. Two EPs were released, "Fish Tales" and "Swarthy Songs for Swabs" (both of which also formed the basis of an album). This single, released only as a 7 inch, was the only one lifted from the second full album "Hellzapoppin'" (1992). Wonderful cover design by band guitarist David Mitchell

The second album (1993) entitled "The Venus Trail" produced 2 singles. "Beautiful Things" was released as a 7 inch and CD single

The second single was "Hey Seuss" which was also released as a 7 inch (awesome clear vinyl disc) and CD single

The CD single had the same front and back cover. I have also seen both CD singles from this album as a special two CD set in a double jewel case, but I'm not sure whether this was an official release

In 1994 the "Caterwauling" EP was released as a CD single only

In 1996 the third full album appeared "Strange New from the Angels". It produced one single "Dust" which was released as a 7 inch and CD single (digipak cover)

Back and front cover of CD single

Inside cover and disc

THE BATS

Another Flying Nun label act formed in 1982, and still active today. 3 EPs ("By night", "And here is music from the fireside" and "Made up in blue" (2 different covers! The European one is very hard to find), were released before the mighty first album "Daddy's Highway" (1987). The only single taken from it was "Block of Wood", which came in its own neat little cover. A 4th EP, "4 songs" was released in 1988

"The Law of Things" (1990) was the second album, and one single was taken from it. "Smoking her wings" was released as a 7 inch single only

"Fear of God" (1991) was the third album, and two singles were taken from it this time. "The Black and the Blue" was released as a 7 inch single and CD single (for the first time)

"Boogey Man" was released as a CD single only

The fourth album was called "Silverbeet" (1993), and one single was lifted from it, released as a digipak cover CD single only

In 1994 a stand alone EP was released as a 7 inch single and CD single

In between the fourth and fifth album, an EP was released (1994) called "Spill the Beans". It was released as a CD and 7 inch single

CD inner sleeve

CD disc

The fifth album was called "Couchmaster" (1995), and one single was lifted from it, released as a jewel case CD single only

After "Couchmaster" there have been 3 further albums, "At the National Grid" (2005-CD and cool European released orange vinyl), The Guilty Office" (2008-CD only) and "Free all the Monsters" (2011-CD and vinyl)

Special 4 track 'live' 7 inch single (1993)

Stand alone single (2009)

Notable compilations have included "Completely Bats" (1995) and "Thousands of Tiny Luminous Spheres" (2010), both CD only releases

BORED GAMES

THE DOUBLE HAPPYS

STRAITJACKET FITS

Bored Games was the first real band that Shayne Carter was involved with. They released one EP titled "Who Killed Colonel Mustard"

1983 The DoubleHappys were formed, which went on to become Straitjacket Fits. The DoubleHappys released one 7 inch single, and two 12 inch EP's

7 inch front and back cover

Inside cover

Also released was "Cut it out" vinyl EP

(images are available from "Discogs", a user built music website)

"How much time left please?" vinyl EP

and in 1992, a compilation CD titled "Nerves"

So, Straitjacket Fits formed in 1986/87. The first 4 track EP titled "Life in one chord" was released in 1987, followed by the first album "Hail" in 1988. The only single taken from it was the title track, and it was released as a 7 inch and 12 inch single

"Sparkle that shines" a song which originally appeared on the "Life in one chord" EP, was also included in the international release of "Hail", and released as a 7 inch single in a very nice sleeve

The second album "Melt" produced 2 singles

"Bad note for a heart" was the first one, and came out as a 7 inch, 12 inch and CD single

CD single

The second single was "Down in Splendour", and was released as a 2-disc 7 inch single in nice gatefold sleeve, and a rather rare video single. 2nd guitarist Andrew Brough wrote it and sang lead vocals

Inside sleeve

Video single (rather battered copy unfortunately)

The third album "Blow" produced three singles, all released as digipak CD singles only

"Done" CD single

"Cat inna can" CD single

"If I were you" CD single

With the split of Straitjacket Fits, former member/songwriter/guitarist Andrew Brough formed his own band Bike. They put out one album, "Take in the sun", which produced two singles

"Save my life" came out as a 7 inch single only

2nd single "Circus Kids" came out as a CD single only

Shayne Carter's current music entity has produced five albums and some interesting little singles

7 inch single (non album) 1995

Promotional sticker from around that time

CD single from 1996 (non album once more). Also came out as a very desirable 7 inch single (anyone got a copy?)

CD single taken from the "I believe you are a star" album 2001

The only other physical single release was the CD single "Getting what you give" from the 2003 album "You've got to here the music".

THE CHILLS

Early 7 inch vinyl singles, featuring lovely Martin Phillipps autographs and doodles!

From the first genuine studio album (not a compilation), the only 7 inch single taken from it

And a promotional disc, that came free with the album

The second album "Submarine bells" produced 2 singles, released in all formats (7 inch, 12 inch, CD single and cassette single). The album also came out on green vinyl

Inner gatefold

The third studio album "Soft bomb" produced 2 more singles. No vinyl this time, just CD singles and cassette singles, although the album was released on vinyl (including a great blue vinyl version)

Phillipps then released what was basically a solo album called "Sunburnt". Two singles were taken from it, released in 7 inch vinyl and CD single formats

Promotional postcard

THE CLEAN

I must admit I don't have a lot of stuff from this iconic band. They actually didn't release a lot of singles, opting instead for EP's and albums, with listings and images fairly freely available around the web. Having said that, who could forget the singles they did release, like the anthems "Tally Ho", "Beatnik" and "Point that thing somewhere else". To my knowledge, only Tally Ho came out as a vinyl 7 inch single, and yes, it is just about impossible to find now. An offshoot band "The Great Unwashed" also released a cool double 7 inch single. The one that came out in the plastic sleeve, splattered with red, black and white paint. Unfortunately, the plastic reacted to the vinyl, so most discs got badly stained. Singer David Kilgour embarked on a fruitful solo career also

Stand alone single released in 1994 by US record label "Dark Beloved Cloud"

Stand alone single, released around the time of the "Sugarmouth" album

Cool cassette single from the first album "Here comes the cars"

JEAN PAUL SATRE EXPERIENCE

Christchurch based band, who released a couple of albums and EP's and these mighty singles...

2 covers

The following singles are all taken from the CD and cassette only album "Bleeding Star"

Stand alone single which came out in 1991. Released as a 7 inch, cassette (?) and CD single

THE STEREO BUS

A member of JPSE, Dave Yetton, formed this group, which was again Christchurch based. Two albums came out. Below is the only single taken from the first album (self titled), and was a CD only release. Dave also went solo

The second album "Brand New" produced two singles, again CD only format

SUPERETTE

Another member of JPSE and another Dave, Dave Mulcahy, formed another offshoot band, which produced one fine album "Tiger" and two great singles, which were released as CD singles and 7 inch singles (love the blue vinyl)

VERLAINES

Not a lot needs to be said about the following singles, although the Sneaky Feelings one, "Be my friend" came out with various slight alterations in the picture cover, which gave it a unique 'do it yourself' feel, because quite probably, it was actually hand printed by the band