The Days of Lore

A Street Chant shout out

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011 | musiX | No Comments

It’s no secret that TDoL is an unabashed New Zealandophile. Give me meat pies, the 3Ds and Lemon & Paeroa and I’m a happy camper (more car camper than roughing-it camper). Give me Barbara Manning’s In New Zealand and I’m an even happier car camper.

So when I receive e-mails with the subject line “New Zealand band … ” I pay attention. Sometimes it doesn’t pay off, but when it does, it’s great—Mint Chicks, Surf City, Liam Finn, to name a few. I recently found “New Zealand’s Street Chant” among the inbox clutter, a bratty, melodic trio that cranks out fast and furious noise. Even if the songs absolutely reeked, I’d like these young Kiwis for their unruly, fuck-all attitude alone—there’s a genuineness to this power trio.

Fronted by guitarist Emily Littler and bassist Billie Rogers, Street Chant (formerly know as Mean Street) brought drummer Alex Brown to the fold, and released their debut LP Means last year in NZ. Available this week in the States on Auckland label Arch Hill Recordings, Means is an unrelenting nod to the ’90s that allows no time to catch yr breath (see/hear “Yr Philosophy”/”Less Chat, More Sewing”). The band has opened for Dead Weather and the aforementioned 3Ds, and I presume they’ll be clogging more than inboxes very soon. Take that as you will.

“Less Chat, More Sewing” - Street Chant

“The Fatigues” - Street Chant

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Tags: Arch Hill Recordings, Means, New Zealand, Street Chant

Surf City kill

Friday, December 10th, 2010 | musiX | No Comments

I went to New Zealand for two weeks in 2007—a wonderful blur of camping with locals, Steinlagers, fishing, Monteith’s, good friends, a wedding, Steinlagers, a trio of Germans and, of course, talking about NZ music with whomever was game (while drinking Steinlagers).

New Zealand’s importance to indie rock can’t be measured, even if the output of good bands has waned in recent years (though, TDoL can never get enough of the Mint Chicks). Auckland’s Surf City don’t necessarily break new ground, but rather stay true to the sounds that preceded them, made by like-minded Kiwi forefathers The Clean and The Chills. That’s a good thing. Warm, fuzzy guitars never go out of style. Neither do dark, pop hooks. And Surf City (formerly Kill Surf City) ably delivers on both.

Of course, none of that would matter if the songs themselves weren’t any good. But on their debut full-length Kudos (released not on Flying Nun, but rather Fire Records) Surf City make a good racket while going beyond three-minute pop songs (dip your toe into the eight-minute “Icy Lake”). But since you’re here, and I happen to like three-minute pop songs, you get the title track and “Crazy Rulers of the World.” Needless to say this six minutes of guitar pop pairs well with a Steinlager.

“Kudos” - Surf City

“Crazy Rulers of the World” - Surf City

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Tags: Kudos, New Zealand, Steinlager, Surf City, The Chills, the Clean

The Mint Chicks: It’s them, not me

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 | musiX, pdX | No Comments

I was going to go with the headline “Chicks with dicks,” but thought that would be sophomoric and tasteless … and I don’t need people thinking I am either of those. Continuing with my fascination with male bands with female names (The Girls, Women), I give you The Mint Chicks.

I was actually in New Zealand around the same time The Mint Chicks made the big move to Portland … I thought they might be avoiding me. The Auckland trio came to the States in January despite their hugeness back home, where they’ve won every award possible for their 2006 Flying Nun release Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! (re-released in the U.S. in September).

Brothers Kody and Ruban Nielson (vocals, keys; guitar respectively) and drummer Paul Roper are putting the finishing touches on their next record Screens, and announced this week that it should be out in February 2009. A few of the new songs including “Life Will Get Better Some Day” and “2010″ are available on the band’s MySpace.

I’ve seen the band use “troublegum” to describe their sound. It couldn’t be more accurate. The Mint Chicks take rock from the last four decades—including ’60s bubble gum, ’70s punk and new wave—and lets it loose with the nervous energy of an abused Chihuahua. When I listen in to them in the car sometimes I bob along with a goofy grin on my face, sometimes I just want to ram the bad driver in front of me … maybe it’s just me.

The Mint Chicks will play a handful of dates leading up to the release of Screens, including this Thursday at Portland’s Rotture. Check ‘em out. You might catch them hanging from the lighting rigs, or attacking the stage with a chainsaw (OK, it’s not just me). Maybe I should title this “Minters make splinters.” Perhaps not.

Mint Chicks dates (all Portland):

11/20 at Rotture with Bret Vogel
12/12 at Someday Lounge with Blue Horns
12/19 at Crystal Ballroom with the Presidents of the United States of America
1/3 at the Doug Fir with Lookbook and The Prids

“Life Will Get Better Some Day” - The Mint Chicks (Screens, 2009)

Video for “Walking Off a Cliff Again” off of Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!

Tags: "2010", "Life Will Get Better Some Day", Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!, Flying Nun Records, New Zealand, Screens, The Girls, The Mint Chicks, Women