| FAILSAFE RECORDS CATALOGUE |
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EVASIVE
ACTION |
Imminent
Impact
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086CD
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Evasive
action rose from the
ashes of Desperate Measures
and Unauthorised. Merging
the street level punk
of the measures with
the abrasive energy of
Unauthorised the band
landed in post punk territory,
somewhere inbetween.
Inspired by the dark
edges of the likes of
Killing Joke they hit
a hard alternative sound
that distanced them from
straight hedonistic punk.
Groove based tracks like "Live
for Fun" push the
envelope, and the band
also revisit harder versions
of some of their previous
bands classics.
Pulse-poundingly remastered,
even Failsafe had forgotten
how good some of these
songs sound.
http://www.myspace.com/evasiveactionnz
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THE
ALPHA STATE |
Lines
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101CD
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Alpha
Cast's singer Michael
McLeod takes his songwriting
to the next level and
morphs into The Alpha
State, a delicious alt
country tinged affair
with shimmering melody
over slow moods. McLeod
has assembled a new team
of talents to sparsely
shade his deeply melodic
songs, the result is
9 tracks of catchy low
key wonder.
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MULCHZOID |
Laptopdancer
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095CD
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Mulchzoid
is the electronic extension
of David Mulcahy, dark
pop luminary of JPS Experience,
Superette and Kimo /
Eskimo fame. Mulcahy
has a long
history of providing
quality dark pop masterpieces
to the unsuspecting public
and Laptopdancer is no
exception to that rule.
Exploring the premise of
one microphone one computer
and one bedroom Mulcahy
has locked himself away
and produced a strong collection
of sparkling dark compositions
musing on themes of Girls,
Drugs, Suicide Bombers,
Existence, Celebrity and
Fascism over its lucky
number of 13 tracks. Stylistically
the album touches on the
sounds of New Order, Suicide
and Snapper, and Cabaret
Voltaire, whiles still
sounding exactly like an
album you'd expect from
someone of David's lineage.
Sparkling Dark Pop. Enjoy
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KIMO |
Surrender
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094CD
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Surrender
is the new album from
Christchurch band Kimo,
2 years in the making
and featuring dark pop
and deep textures from
the core duo of Rob Mayes
(Throw, Dolphin, + guest
stints in Children's
Hour and Chris Matthew's
Robot Monkey Orchestra)
and David Mulcahy (JPS
Experience, Superette,
Mulchzoid).
The band decided to
try and make an album
in a unified and
cohesive style rather
than attempt to cover
all aspects of the
wide world of music
and aided (or unaided)
by a bizarre luggage
accident break to
Mayes' fretting hand
saw a push for the
album toward the
less rock spectrum
of Kimo's sound,
ie all the pretty
songs have made it
to the one album.
That coupled more
by accident than
design a thematic
similarity with most
of the songs exploring
the various connotations
of the word Surrender,
many of them positive.
DELUXE EDITION FEATURING
EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS
AND PACKAGING
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CHRIS
MATTHEWS and ROBOT MONKEY
ORCHESTRA |
The
Map Of Love
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087CD
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Dylan
Thomas poems set to
music in the vein of
Children's
Hour and Headless Chickens
as you'd expect.
Dark, intense and wonderful.
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BEAT
RHYTHM FASHION |
Bring
Real Freedom
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081CD
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The
long awaited disc of
finely crafted songs
from this much respected
and greatly sought after
Wellington band. Brothers
Dan and Nino Birch made
sweepingly beautiful
and thought provoking
intelligent music. Part
of the Wellington terrace
scene that gave us the
four stars compilation
BRF grew past their edgy
post punk beginnings
to create open melodic
soundcapes like the classic "Turn
of the Century".
The band only managed three 7" singles before
departing for bigger shores, and things never quite
worked out for them after their departure.
This Disc collects all three singles all lovingly restored
and remastered, plus 9 tracks from the band's later
live set to complete 'The album BRF would have made'
if life had played out differently.
LIMITED EDITION PRESSING, AVAILABLE ON DUPLICATED CD
ONCE
PRESSING
SELLS OUT
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BREATHING
CAGE |
Spilt
Milk
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078CD
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Jay
Clarkson's legendary
late 80's band. This
disc features the superior
demos for the notorious
Rheineck Rock Award
'Miserichord' album
plus other unreleased
tracks.
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DESPERATE
MEASURES |
Broken
Bottles
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085CD
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Remastered
collection of the band's
recorded work including
the '1984' EP, and
'Wasted Again' album
tracks plus bonus tracks,
liner notes and photos.
A fitting tribute to
one of Christchurch's
best punk bands.
LIMITED EDITION
PRESSING, AVAILABLE
ON DUPLICATED CD
ONCE PRESSING SELLS
OUT
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DOLPHIN |
Waiting
For Splashdown
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FR001CD
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'Best
Of' compilation featuring
tracks from the band's
5 albums compiled specifically
for Japanese label Freshwater
for Japanese release
(import only disc)
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VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Keepin' Secrets
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079CD
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Its been a while since we gave you a neatly packaged best of, 10 years actually so we've put together a compilation to give you a good overview all on one album. Features tracks from Eskimo, Hooster, Substandard, Degrees K, Throw, Delphy, Dolphin, Springloader, Alpha Cast, Breathing Cage, Deluxeboy and more.
(April 2005 Release on CD)
Click
here to read a
review of this compilation
from NZ Musician magazine,
January 2006
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LEADLEG |
Payola
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076CD
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Leadleg were the continuation of 2/3 of YFC after the band left for Australia.
Initially the solo project of Jonathan Ogilvie, Jon continued to explore tall dark tales of love and loss, with strong Johnny Cash overtones.
Ogilvie was caught in a suicide bomb incident while visiting China which left him and his then girlfriend with chunks of shrapnel in their bodies and legs, hence Leadleg.
Jon and Michael joined forces with guitar and keyboards to explore the more moody world and dub territory. Influenced by the On-U-Sound thing but heavily tinged by their own musical heritage the band explores pool hall brawls and literal references with that heavily rhythmical thing permeating through out.
The band released a 7 inch EP and a 12 incher before recording this album which was not released by the time the band split.
(April 2005 Release on CD)
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THROW |
Dreambaby Goodbye
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072CD
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The last recordings with the original Throw lineup of Steve Birss, Rob Mayes, and Jeremy Taylor.
These tracks were recorded in 1992 and at the time proved too difficult to mix with the technology of the time, and one pair of hands. This album contains so of the bands best material and show's Throws deft hand at a good tune, and a careful balance of mood and dynamics.
(August 2005 Release on CD)
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EIGHT LIVING LEGS |
False Sense Of Security
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065CD
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Eight Living Legs were one of those good Auckland bands around in the early eighties that you didn't get to hear about outside of that city. The band were a gifted bunch of songwriters and musicians doing a fine line in angular, intense and moody post punk rock.
They released one side of an split EP with fellow AK band Flak before leaving for Europe in 1983.
I purely by chance got sent a cassette of 9 songs they recorded at Progressive Studios and I always thought these great songs should be out there for people to hear. Sadly I should have thought of that before this year because when the studio changed ownership the new management took it upon themselves to take all the master tapes they couldn't easily find owners for to the dump. (bad studio, bad). Luckily I kept my copy of the tape!
(April 2005 Release on CD)
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EIGHT LIVING LEGS |
Five Yards Ahead
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066CD
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Live concert recorded and mixed by Greg Carroll. Greg, you may remember, was the much-loved sound crew member for U2 who tragically died in a rigging accident while working for U2.
(April 2005 Release on CD)
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DELUXEBOY |
All Gone Now
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063CD
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Great pop band from Christchurch from the late 90's to 2003, in the classic pop vein of Heavy Jones Trio and Throw these guys morphed into current band The Dukes. This is a collection of over 18 tracks the band recorded but never got around to releasing. We got our hands on a CD and were blown away so we're taking it out of their hands and bringing it to you. Makes you wonder what the major labels are occupying themselves with when they overlook a grade gold like this in favour of.....what??
(August 2005 Release on CD)
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ATOMIC BLOSSOM |
Atomic Blossom
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061CD
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This much loved Christchurch outfit were on the road to international success when they recorded and released this great little album. The band self-released this then went to New York to follow up on interest the band had gained from supporting Smashing Pumpkins on their NZ tour. On arriving in New York the band attracted the attention of Madonna's Maverick label and were all but set to make it when they imploded with co singer/guitarist Prudence Stone deciding she didn't want to be in a rock band after all. You get that sometimes, with musicians.
Consequently it was almost impossible to get a copy of the original album and so we've decided to re-release it in a remastered form to share the music.
(April 2005 Release on CD)
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CHILDREN'S HOUR |
Looking For The Sun
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064CD
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Before there was Headless Chickens there was Children's Hour. The band were one and the same although the unfortunate suicide of bassist Johnny Pierce altered things somewhat.
Childrens Hour were a whole different ball game from where Headless Chickens went to though.
Dark, powerful, intense and at times overwhelming they mined similar but different territory to early Birthday Party.
This is a collection of the best live material around of the band mastered up to sound even better than their now deleted and never released on CD studio recordings.
(May 2005 Release on CD)
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DOLPHIN |
Bring It All Down
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041CD
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iN
1996 Dolphin
left NZ for the UK
to find fame and fortune
and recorded this collection
of 18 songs. Drummer Steve
Birss never made it to
the UK but his drums appear
on this collection along
with Pete Thomas (Elvis
Costello & The Attractions
drummer) who filled in
while the band searched
for Tracy Thompkins their
eventual replacement for
Birss. "Bring It All
Down" is all the studio
recordings the band did
while in London.
(April 2005 Release on CD)
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DOLPHIN |
EPs
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074CD
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Dolphin rocked Christchurch from 1988 - 90 with their chunk of jagged-edged guitar rock, with a dose of Husker Du and dark british pop over their melodic NZ influences, they were the forerunners of what lead to many a good Chch rock band.
They released 3 cassette-only EPs which have never been available on any other format (apart from the first single which appeared on Pagan Records' "Positive Vibrations" album). Until now.
(April 2005 Release on CD)
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SPRINGLOADER |
Just Like Falling
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035CD
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Springloader managed to record a full album of material in their 2 year career but only managed to get 2 tracks into the public eye, one was on the Good Things compilation ("Now I Know") and the other was the NZ On Air funded video for "One More Thing". This album shows what you'd expect from the continuation of the Dolphin and Throw sounds, melodic infused rock music.
Our web designer Peter Lewis is particularly excited about the release of this album, having worn out his demo copy from enthusiastic overuse!
Highly recommended.
(April 2005 Release on CD)
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YFC |
Ricochet
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062CD
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These guys were an inspirational band doing cutting edge and unusual stuff with attitude and cool. Back then it flew over most peoples heads but now with the likes of Franz Ferdinand and Interpol riding the charts it almost seems the time is right for their music.
We've managed to find most of the studio recordings that comprise their "Between Two Thieves" mini album from 1984 plus an unreleased track. We've also got the bands last NZ concert full of brilliant just-written material that put this band well ahead of its time.
For those not familiar with them YFC comprise the angular and tribal drumming skills of Michael Daly (now of Eskimo) and the two-bass attack of Grant Horsnell and Jonathan Ogilvie, Jonathan doing most of the vocals which were shard like interjections loaded with pop culture overtones. There was no guitar in this band, hence you get a quite distinctive sound and feel from what they did, highly rhythmical, abrasive and intense at times, hook laden, and with elements of the Beat poets.
(May 2005 Release on CD)
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DOLPHIN |
Listen
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084CD
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Demos And Rarities 1987 - 1991
This album contains the last recordings by dolphin before they left for the uk. it shows a melancholic dark pop sensibility and collects a great bunch of soundscapes and rock songs. also contains the never before released re-recording of their track 'Pink Baby' from their second EP, Promise.
(May 2005 Release on CD)
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POP MECHANIX |
Now
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067CD
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Singles And Demos 1979 - 1981
Made up of the bands early singles plus the bands first demos which captured, magnificently, an edgy pop band with attitude bashing out their set straight to two track, no remixing, no overdubs. This tape comes from Mike Chunn's personal collection and we're both lucky and excited to bring this to the wider public. Thanks Mike!
(May 2005 Release on CD)
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TRACKLIST
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POP MECHANIX |
Zoo
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068CD
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Lost In Australia 1981 - 1983
The band left for Australia to seek fame and fortune, and the possibility of regular income from music. The band hit big troubles and high court battles over the use of their name, and eventually imploded and returned to New Zealand and lost their singer, but they kept making tight pop music with songwriter paul scott taking over vocal duties. this is a collection of the zoo album and demos of those fine songs.
(May 2005 Release on CD)
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TRACKLIST
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POP MECHANIX |
Acceptance
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069CD
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Reform, Restart, Redirect 1985 - 1986
They reformed in 1985 real low key like, whipped up a bunch more classic pop songs, and once again got their career on track.
This contains the pop mx 4 track ep, the celebration of the skin single and a whole swag of unreleased recordings that have never seen the light of day, before now.
(May 2005 Release on CD)
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TRACKLIST
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POP MECHANIX |
Live Kicks
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070CD
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Live Performance Kicks 1986
This is a collection of recordings taken from the bands live shows in the reformed line up. chiming well honed pop music performed with energy. this collection has some of the best versions of their later material plus a couple that never got recorded.
(May 2005 Release on CD)
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TRACKLIST
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POP MECHANIX |
Alright Here
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071CD
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Make Or Break 1987 - 1988
The final stage in the pop mx history so far with their big push for commercial success and an american producer this album contains the very expensive last studio recordings and some live cuts of new songs from the final phase of the band.
(May 2005 Release on CD)
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TRACKLIST
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VARIOUS ARTISTS |
South
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007CD
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REMASTERED AND RE-RELEASED FOR 2005!
16 tracks from 15 of Christchurch's up and coming indie bands, containing unreleased material from the Bats and a live version of Song Of The Silence by Tall Dwarfs with members of the Bats on drums and guitars plus tracks from the best Christchurch bands around.
(Released 1988, now available on CD).
Click
here to read a
review of this compilation
from NZ Musician magazine,
January 2006
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Tinnitus - Function 2.3.2
Camellias - Cried
Leadleg - Caboose
Hiding From Stan - Wouldn't That Be Nice
Tall Dwarfs - Song Of The Silence
Smacc Riflemen - Violent Lance
Breathing Cage - Raise The Glass
The Greens - Apples For Babies, No 2
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All Fall Down - Actifed Blues (Remix)
Bats - Best Friend's Brain
Genie And The Wild Children - See For Yourself
Skin Darlings - Working The Wind
Pihed - Slow Haze
Nigel Mitchell - Who Is Dianne
My Wild Violet - Truth Won't Change
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VARIOUS
ARTISTS |
Biding Our Time
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006CD
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REMASTERED AND RE-RELEASED FOR 2005!
The second mega compilation containing 23 tracks from New Zealand bands, previously unreleased, unavailable elsewhere, lots of Flying Nun bands making special outings just for this release.
(Released 1986, now available on CD).
Click
here to read a
review of this compilation
from NZ Musician magazine,
January 2006
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Bird Nest Roys - Love Your Alien
The Stones- Route 69
Heartland - Snow
Sneaky Feelings - Take The Darkness
Lions And Tigers - Alternative Woolston
The Jean Paul Sartre Experience - Flex
Double Happys - Beer Cans On The Ground
Mea Culpa - Do It Clean
Crane - Chorale
Emma Peel - Can't Buy
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The Chills - I'll Only See You Alone Again
Childrens Hour - Gutter Puppet
This Sporting Life - Point To Point
Spines - Parties And Parties
Belle Motions - Living
Triffids - Back Streets
Heamogoblins - Kiss Me Hardy
Spatback - Comfortable Chair
The Bats - Some Peace
Jay Clarkson - It's Difficult
Nocturnal Projections - Words Fail Me
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VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Accident Compilation
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002CD
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| REMASTERED AND RE-RELEASED FOR 2005!
Failsafe's first compilation released to stop the waste of good local material that wasn't making it to vinyl and thus not seeing the light of day. Contains 27 full-length tracks from most of the best bands in Christchurch from 1981 - 85. All tracks were previously unreleased or unavailable.
(Released 1984, now available as a double CD).
Click
here to read a
review of this compilation
from NZ Musician magazine,
January 2006
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Gordons - Machine Song
Johnnies - Gov't Don't Care
Unauthorised - Militant Takeover
Evasive Action - Agony
YFC - Anthem
Desperate Measures - City Life
Androidss - Mr Fish
Solitudes - Home Again
Alien - Charade
Shaft - Imagination
En Can MA - Eat Shit
Dance Channel - Social Life
Wang - Getting Ever So Slightly Better Pt II dub.
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Not Really Anything - Glow
The World - The Mystery
The Bats - Get Fat
The Triffids - Hideout
Venetians - Suspect
They Were Expendable - Head For The Hills
Playthings - Monastic
Ballon d'Essai - Modern Days
Pin Group - Low Rider
Newtones - All Over The World
Channel Four - You Were The One
Clients - 20th Century Allergy
Heamogoblins - Resurrection Now
AD - Duty Theme
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ESKIMO |
Loverbatim
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059CD
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Debut album from Christchurch three piece collaboration between David Mulcahy (ex JPSE, Superette) Rob Mayes (Throw, Springloader, Dolphin), and Michael Daly (YFC, Leadleg, This Cage) featuring 11 slices of finely crafted raw and melodic rock, nothing less than you'd expect from this bunch of tune-smiths. songs range from the melodically pretty (Summerlite) to Rockin' (From America) to raw (Twisted Fruit).
Click here to read reviews.
(August 2004 Release on CD)
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HOOSTER |
Rotate
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058CD
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Failsafe Records are proud to present the debut album by Christchurch three piece Hooster.
Just to keep it tidy the band have called their album 'rotate' after the lead song from their 2003 'rotate ep' and now the head song on the new album.
The song deals with the plight of local bands to get recognition for their music, even in the current pro NZ music climate, "all we needed, was a little rotation......"
The album contains 10 slices of finely crafted rock following up on the success of early single Lucy, and including indie rock radio favourite 'Rotate', and new single 'Throw' and a fair few other pop-tastic cuts to boot.
Think 70's rock with modern pop twists and that should land you somewhere near the hooster ballpark.
(June 2004 Release on CD)
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ALPHA
CAST |
Inside
Your Mind |
056CD |
Debut EP
from Dunedin-based 3 piece containing four songs of
crafted melodic pop with a slightly dark edge.
"Young Dunedin 3 piece Alpha Cast spring from
nowhere with this remarkably polished debut EP. Verlaines
meet Sneaky Feelings. As good as, if not better than
much of the stuff coming out of the UK that is of
course much more hyped. Create your own buzz"
Christchurch Press May 2003
(May 2003 Release on CD)
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HOOSTER |
Rotate EP
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055CD |
Debut
EP release from Christchurch 3 piece Hooster containing
their NZ On Air funded and indie hit disc favourite
track Lucy, as well as the retro rockin'
Rotate (also on Indie Hit Disc, and check
out the live video too), plus live favs Blowtorch,
and JFK. Hooster have a strong live following
for their warm rock sounds and this EP serves as
a good taster for the forthcoming album.
"three-piece Hooster sound good on their debut
four-track EP Rotate, punching out a gutsy, rock
sound." - Christchurch Press
(May 2003 Release on CD)
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SUBSTANDARD |
Global
Research Systems |
054CD |
Debut full-length
album from this 3 piece sonic guitar instrumental
band. Soundscapes and groove-based tracks shine in
this stunning album, 10 slices of hook laden mood-inducing
rock.
“The band mine similar territory to the likes
of Bailter Space, HDU, Subliminals etc – it's
all about textures. But the young Christchurch three-piece
have their own take on the sonic soundscape, and strangely,
while they don't have any lyrics, their songs seem
more emotional than the likes of HDU. Well recorded
and stylishly packaged this is a great disc, and captures
a band that knows exactly what it's doing”.
Nick Gormack- Christchurch Press
(November 2002 Release on CD)
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DEGREES
K |
Lifelike |
053CD |
Debut full-length
album for Degrees K featuring 10 slices of Art-tinged
rock and pop. Big on dynamics, passion and power ...
and guitars. The album features the singles John
Travolta On My Shoulder in a re-recorded form
as well as modified versions of Click and
Simon from the click EP, plus 7 fresh slices
of Degrees K at their best.
‘The album is full of thoughtful lyrics and
sharp guitars, but also a musical confidence that’s
rare for such a young band on their debut album"
Reuben Keeling - NZ Musician Nov 2002
(August 2002 Release on CD)
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DELPHY |
Heatseeking |
050CD |
The new
six track mini album from Delphy features the new
line up for former Christchurch power three piece
Dolphin. Mayes and Stokes continue their explorations
into driving pop. The band moved to London in early
1996, recording 7 songs with Elvis Costello &
Attractions drummer Pete Thomas (including title track
Heatseeking).The band received impressive
responses to their 1997 shows and for the Heatseeking
EP including fan mail from the Cure's Robert Smith.
Tracks are Heatseeking, Never Said, Shooting Through,
Down, Your Call, and So You.
(Sept 1997 Release on CD)
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