Voted by journalists at the NZ Listener as New Zealand’s all time greatest band and described by John Campbell as “one of the greatest New Zealand bands of all time” the Clean need little introduction to most local music fans. However, while they are well known and well loved at home, as the below biography illustrates, they are equally appreciated from afar

Brian Turner, Music Director for New York’s WFMU radio, writes about The Clean

What can be said about The Clean? In 1978, they were the seeds of New Zealand punk and the reason for the founding of Flying Nun, one of the greatest record labels that ever existed. They carved out a big sandbox for everyone to play in, and their influence resonated not only in New Zealand but around the world. Not only do bands like Yo La Tengo, Guided By Voices, Sonic Youth, Pavement, and their ilk owe a debt to The Clean, but many of today's young upstarts such as Times New Viking, Eat Skull, and a band from China called Carsick Cars have the Dunedin godfathers deeply etched into their DNA.

I've personally witnessed four or five waves of rediscovery of The Clean in the years since I first heard them in 1986, and the stuff just continues to educate. Homestead's US issue of Compilation in the late '80s and Merge's double-disc Anthology from 2002 both laid out a complete rulebook, and a pretty in-depth one at that. Nevertheless, if someone else compiles them again in 2015, it's going to resonate just as strongly. Simply put, the music of the brothers Kilgour and Bob Scott holds up pretty damn well in 2009 for anyone checking them out for the first or 5,000th time.

What's the sound? It's completely theirs but draws on everything from the psychedelic paste of Barrett/early Floyd to vintage Velvets propulsiveness to almost everything else under the sun. In the case of the live staple "Point That Thing Somewhere Else," here is a song that levitates any room in a way that makes you swear the band just stepped out of Conny Plank's studio in Germany with all the bulldozing power of Hawkwind. Their jubilance at times (the organ-laced "Tally Ho," "Beatnik," "Whatever I Do") makes the Banana Splits sound like Bauhaus while simultaneously exhibiting dark undercurrents, making Bauhaus sound like the Banana Splits. They created both full studio sound and lo-fi recordings before, during, and after the various waves of the 4-track revolution, making both recording modes work with no loss of the band's identity. As far as other influences, you can hear Arthur Lee, Shirley Collins, and the Rolling Stones, among others, but it's never a kind of forced appropriation; while some bands seem to say, "Look at my record collection," in the case of The Clean, it's organic, seamless, and inimitable. Though hardly as prolific as The Fall, another maverick group of originality, The Clean have endured for almost as long while maintaining a completely unique, quality stamp that's often replicated but never quite mastered by anyone but themselves. They're also one of the best (and sometimes loudest) live bands I've had the pleasure of seeing.

The Clean's modern age has seen them splitting time and hemispheres: David has a reputable solo catalogue; Bob has the Bats; and Hamish has been an endearing and enduring fixture in New York City, playing with assorted combos including his own Mad Scene with wife Lisa. The Clean's 2007 three-night stand in NYC was nothing short of a celebration of intersecting fanbases, so this fall's Mister Pop sees them continue the great pop pastiche. Circus ragas ("Moonjumper"), gorgeously hazy sunset anthems ("In the Dreamlife You Need a Rubber Soul"), and the sometimes loose Dada approach to wordsmithery continue right alongside "proper" lyrical forays, and yep, a few Autobahn referential instro moments to boot ("Tensile"). Bob's love of pastoral UK folk has brought some added weight into the overall Clean equation, as does David's Eastern and African guitar jones, though all this has always fit in with and still constitutes the total basis of The Clean sound journey.

Brian Turner WFMU Music Director

Fans of one of New Zealand’s most influential bands - The Clean - are in for a double treat over the next few months. First up on 30th of June 2008, Arch Hill will be releasing a live album called “Mashed” featuring cuts taken from their March 07 New Zealand tour. Several thousand keen cleaners attended these shows and everyone will have their favorite memory. Ours is a toss up between the almost riot-like stage invading conditions at the Leigh Sawmill Café (with David soloing under the grand piano) and the Spinal Tap wig fest at Russell Brown’s aspergers fundraiser. Tough call, but they sounded great. Either way, we can all now enjoy David’s reverberant guitar echoing above the furious and distinctive rhythm section of brother Hamish and bassman Bob. The album was recorded and mixed by the very talented Tex Houston and contains classics like Point That Thing and Anything Could Happen, along with a new song and a surprise cover.

Buy this CD from Arch Hill now

(ARCH HILL PRICES IN US$ - CURRENCY CONVERTER)


Buy this release at Amplifier.co.nz

Buy this release on iTunes

Buy this download from Arch Hill now

(ARCH HILL PRICES IN US$ - CURRENCY CONVERTER)


Buy this release at Amplifier.co.nz

Buy this release on iTunes

Buy this download from Arch Hill now

 

(ARCH HILL PRICES IN US$ - CURRENCY CONVERTER)


Buy this release at Amplifier.co.nz

Buy this release on iTunes

Arch Hill is super pleased to be releasing the album “Mister Pop” by the Clean - in New Zealand and Australia. The album is also released on Merge in the USA and Morr Music in Europe.

Voted by journalists at the NZ Listener as New Zealand’s all time greatest band and described by John Campbell as “one of the greatest New Zealand bands of all time” the Clean need little introduction to most local music fans. However, while they are well known and well loved at home, as the below biography illustrates, they are equally appreciated from afar

Mister Pop was recorded and mixed by Tex Houston in Dunedin except Back in the Day - recorded by Gary Olsen. Mastered by Jeff Lipton in Boston

Brian Turner, Music Director for New York’s WFMU radio, writes about The Clean

What can be said about The Clean? In 1978, they were the seeds of New Zealand punk and the reason for the founding of Flying Nun, one of the greatest record labels that ever existed. They carved out a big sandbox for everyone to play in, and their influence resonated not only in New Zealand but around the world. Not only do bands like Yo La Tengo, Guided By Voices, Sonic Youth, Pavement, and their ilk owe a debt to The Clean, but many of today's young upstarts such as Times New Viking, Eat Skull, and a band from China called Carsick Cars have the Dunedin godfathers deeply etched into their DNA.

I've personally witnessed four or five waves of rediscovery of The Clean in the years since I first heard them in 1986, and the stuff just continues to educate. Homestead's US issue of Compilation in the late '80s and Merge's double-disc Anthology from 2002 both laid out a complete rulebook, and a pretty in-depth one at that. Nevertheless, if someone else compiles them again in 2015, it's going to resonate just as strongly. Simply put, the music of the brothers Kilgour and Bob Scott holds up pretty damn well in 2009 for anyone checking them out for the first or 5,000th time.

What's the sound? It's completely theirs but draws on everything from the psychedelic paste of Barrett/early Floyd to vintage Velvets propulsiveness to almost everything else under the sun. In the case of the live staple "Point That Thing Somewhere Else," here is a song that levitates any room in a way that makes you swear the band just stepped out of Conny Plank's studio in Germany with all the bulldozing power of Hawkwind. Their jubilance at times (the organ-laced "Tally Ho," "Beatnik," "Whatever I Do") makes the Banana Splits sound like Bauhaus while simultaneously exhibiting dark undercurrents, making Bauhaus sound like the Banana Splits. They created both full studio sound and lo-fi recordings before, during, and after the various waves of the 4-track revolution, making both recording modes work with no loss of the band's identity. As far as other influences, you can hear Arthur Lee, Shirley Collins, and the Rolling Stones, among others, but it's never a kind of forced appropriation; while some bands seem to say, "Look at my record collection," in the case of The Clean, it's organic, seamless, and inimitable. Though hardly as prolific as The Fall, another maverick group of originality, The Clean have endured for almost as long while maintaining a completely unique, quality stamp that's often replicated but never quite mastered by anyone but themselves. They're also one of the best (and sometimes loudest) live bands I've had the pleasure of seeing.

The Clean's modern age has seen them splitting time and hemispheres: David has a reputable solo catalogue; Bob has the Bats; and Hamish has been an endearing and enduring fixture in New York City, playing with assorted combos including his own Mad Scene with wife Lisa. The Clean's 2007 three-night stand in NYC was nothing short of a celebration of intersecting fanbases, so this fall's Mister Pop sees them continue the great pop pastiche. Circus ragas ("Moonjumper"), gorgeously hazy sunset anthems ("In the Dreamlife You Need a Rubber Soul"), and the sometimes loose Dada approach to wordsmithery continue right alongside "proper" lyrical forays, and yep, a few Autobahn referential instro moments to boot ("Tensile"). Bob's love of pastoral UK folk has brought some added weight into the overall Clean equation, as does David's Eastern and African guitar jones, though all this has always fit in with and still constitutes the total basis of The Clean sound journey.

Brian Turner WFMU Music Director

 

Look out! It's the Clean! Releasing their first studio album in 8 years (Arch Hill released their live album Mashed last year) called Mister Pop.

Out in New Zealand on Arch Hill on the 7th of September - the day after on Merge in the USA and Morr Music in Europe!

And for those of you who can't wait visit Pitchfork here for a free download of the single "In the Dreamlife You Need a Rubber Soul"

And as you also know from previous newsletters, the Clean released their live album "Mashed" at the start of July. People have been saying good things, like Graham Reid at www.elsewhere.co.nz who writes..."Magic at high volume -- and the version of Point That Thing here is a complex narrative in sound"

You can see a live video from the Mashed Tour of The Clean performing Fish here ...

And there aren't too far of finishing that new studio album

Fans of one of New Zealand’s most influential bands – The Clean - are in for a double treat over the next few months. First up on 30th of June 2008, Arch Hill will be releasing a live album called “Mashed” featuring cuts taken from their March 07 New Zealand tour. Several thousand keen cleaners attended these shows and everyone will have their favorite memory. Ours is a toss up between the almost riot-like stage invading conditions at the Leigh Sawmill Café (with David soloing under the grand piano) and the Spinal Tap wig fest at Russel Brown’s asperger’s fundraiser. Tough call – but they sounded great. Either way, we can all now enjoy David’s reverberant guitar echoing above the furious and distinctive rhythm section of brother Hamish and bassman Bob. The album was recorded and mixed by the very talented Tex Houston and contains classics like Point That Thing and Anything Could Happen, along with a new song and a surprise cover.

And speaking of new songs, you can also expect a new studio album from the Clean soon also on Arch Hill. This was recorded in New York - where Hamish lives and the band recently played a series of sold out shows – and Dunedin when the band reunited to play at The Big Day out earlier this year.

And in David Kilgour solo news, he will be playing in Los Angeles on the 28th August as part of the Dont Knock The Rock Film & Music Festival where the Kilgour documentary Far Off Town is screening followed by a performance by David and a talk by co-director Bridget Sutherland. Extra California gigs may be added.

David Kilgour will also be playing a solo set opening for Samuel Flynn Scott and the BOP on the 20th of July at the Backstage in Dunedin

 

David Kilgour News from Australia and Beyond
David Kilgour and the Heavy Eights have just returned from a sold out Australian tour with Yo La Tengo, as well as playing a number of their own sideshows along the way. The album The Far Now was released with an Australasian Bonus disc over there (and here) on Arch Hill/Remote Control – and it seemed to be getting the good word, so to speak – the Impress went as far as saying “Widely acknowledged as one of the best songwriters of our generation, The Far Now shows how well honed his craft is....true genius” Good to know the Australians share the views on NZ reviewers such as Russell Baillie in the NZ Herald and Lindsay Davis at the Dominion Post – both of whom gave The Far Now five star reviews.

Every Night during the Yo La Tengo encore set David joined them on stage to play a different Clean song (‘Point That Thing’, ‘Getting Older’ and’ Anything Could Happen’), which gives him a head-start on the rehearsals for The Clean tour...which starts THIS FRIDAY in Wellington, with a rare live support from Luke Buda and Band.

Tour dates for The Clean...starting THIS WEEK.
Friday 16th March - San Francisco Bath House – Wellington – with LUKE BUDA and Band
Saturday 17th March - The Studio – Auckland – With Voom
Sunday 18th of March - Leigh Sawmill Cafe – Leigh – With Chris Knox and A Nothing
Wednesday 21st of March - Penguin Club – Oamaru – With Bill Direen
Friday 23rd of March - Heritage Festival - Dunedin
Saturday 24th March - Jetset Lounge – Christchurch – with Minisnap
Sunday 25th March - Harbourlight – Lyttleton – with The Undercurrents
Tickets on sale nationally from Ticketmaster.co.nz, Real Groovy stores.

Mystery Girl is pleased to announce a New Zealand tour by local music legends...

The Clean

The Clean's pre-eminent place in New Zealand music history comes down to two factors - their unchallengeable position as The Band That Started It All 25 and a bit years ago, and the group's absolute dedication to free-flowing chemistry and musical experimentation in the pursuit of creating incredible records and live shows.

The importance of the former and the influence of the latter over a huge stream of musicians in New Zealand and around the world ever since cannot be under-estimated.

The Clean have toured New Zealand and the world intermittently since their formation 25 and a bit years ago, influencing influential bands such as Pavement, Yo La Tengo, Lampchop and more. They were also the band that kick started the Flying Nun record label – who have also just celebrated their 25th birthday.

The Clean made their debut live performance with the Enemy in 1978 and their first recordings in 1981. These included the single “Tally Ho” which as folklore would have it was recorded for a total of $60, and their first EP Boodle Boodle Boodle – which went top five in the NZ charts. From the outset Hamish Kilgour played drums, David Kilgour picked up the guitar and various other folk passed through. After the first two years or so Robert Scott joined on bass. Hamish, David and Robert all wrote songs and they all sang. Memorable early tracks include "Billy Two", "Anything Could Happen", "Beatnik" and "Getting Older", "Point That Thing" and instrumentals "Fish" and "At The Bottom".

The Clean had broken up around 1983 with David particularly tired of the pressure of their relative success. The band wasn't back together again until they met up and played a show in London in the late 'eighties.

That London reunion show led to a New Zealand tour and then The Clean's first world tour. Back in London in 1989, they recorded their first full-length album for UK label Rough Trade and Flying Nun back home. Vehicle was made in three days and engineered by Alan Moulder (later to become one of the top producers of the alternative era, recording the Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails and My Bloody Valentine).

In 1994 the Clean released Modern Rock and in 1996 Unknown Country, which saw organ and other keyboards adding to the grooves, as The Clean mixed bouncing pop tunes with continued experimentation. In 1997 a Clean Tribute album called “God Save the Clean” was released featuring international artists such as Guided by Voices, Barbra Manning & Calexico and Pavement, as well as locals contributions ranging from Gray Bartlett to HDU. The Clean released yet another great album in 2001 entitled Getaway and a US tour was interrupted in New York by the 9/11 disaster. In 2002 a double Anthology CD was released by Flying Nun in New Zealand and Merge in the US.

In between these various Clean activities, Robert Scott started The Bats, David and Hamish Kilgour played in the Great Unwashed with The Clean's original bassist, Peter Gutteridge, and Hamish headed to New York (where he still resides) with Bailterspace. David recorded and released five solo albums, and is about to release his sixth “The Far Now” in New Zealand and Australia on Arch Hill Recordings/Remote Control and the US on Merge.

It is five years since their last tour of New Zealand, so these are shows not to be missed by any fan of the band or the sound

Wellington – Friday 16th March – San Francisco Bath House
Auckland – Saturday 17th March – The Studio
Leigh – Sunday 18th of March - Leigh Sawmill Cafe
Oamaru – Wednesday 21st of March - Penguin Club
Dunedin – Friday 23rd of March - Heritage Festival
Christchurch – Saturday 24th March - Jetset Lounge
Lyttleton – Sunday 25th March - Harbourlight

Tickets on sale nationally from 29th January at Ticketmaster.co.nz, Real Groovy stores