The Clean - Compilation (Flying Nun Records)

It is criminal how underrated and unknown The Clean are. In my honest opinion this is THE BEST band to ever come out of that little island known as New Zealand. But still, if you ask 99% of people from NZ if they know of The Clean or even the legendary Flying Nun Record label, they will look at you with a blank and confused stare. But alas, I too am also guilty of not ever hearing of these guys - until last year when a bunch of americans put me onto them. I felt ashamed that something so great has been at our doorstep this entire time.

Wikipedia describes The Clean as an influential Indie rock band that formed in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1978. Led through a number of early rotating line-ups by brothers Hamish and David Kilgour, the band settled down to their well-known and current line-up with bassist Robert Scott. Early incarnations of The Clean included Peter Gutteridge on bass (who wrote "Point That Thing") and Doug Hood on vocals (who later worked with Toy Loveand founded the "Looney Tours" touring company). The Clean forged a distinctive and quirky sound that relied heavily on organ melodies and simple, Ramones-style chord progressions.

Basically when a bands sound or influences are described as being of 80's New Zealand indie style, then they are inadvertently citing Flying Nun records and/or their "biggest" band: The Clean. Many of the bands/artists that I listen to and write about today are in some ways influenced by Flying Nun. One well known fan was the late Jay Reatard who's solo records (especially watch me fall)are heavily influenced by the NZ label.

So where to start? Well this compilation album of the Clean is the perfect entry point. It contains most of the hits by the band during brief tenure including probably the bands most famous song Anything Could Happen - watch the video here:

After you got yourself fully acquainted with the brilliance that is The Clean, then move onto other bands of the Flying Nun Roster. I will no doubt be occasionally dropping some posts on them in the not too distant future.

Billy Two.mp3

Tally Ho.mp3

Beatnik.mp3

DOWNLOAD HERE