Filtered Senses

Thinking of music and Christchurch, New Zealand, I think of the great Dunedin Sound in the early 80's and Split Enz but not on electronic music. Pitch Black and their newest album Filtered Senses were new to me. Investigating them I was surprised that they work for over 15 years as a duo releasing records in the New Zealand electronic scene. This record contains a lot of relaxed and laid back songs - mostly without singing. Their songs are full of percussive effects, deep-drop echoes and mostly a dubby atmosphere. Sometimes they remind me at Dub Spencer & Trance Hill but this is not a critic. All in all not the worst way to start the week.

Pitch Black - Filtered Senses
Pitch Black - Dub Smoke

That they can do it in a faster way shows their closer of the record:

Pitch Black - Pixel Dust

Flying Nun # 3

Another band from Dunedin is needed to be featured in this series (thank you, Dirk). The DoubleHappys were a short-lived band that had a great influence to the Dunedin sound in the early 80s. They didn't released a regular album - only some singles and EP's but their sound was fantastic. They made real great songs in this time with a straight bass, forward driving drums and some guitars that could drive you crazy. Listening to this songs again it reminds me a lot to Jesus and the Mary Jane without their feedbacks. Great stuff.

DoubleHappys - Needles And Plastic
DoubleHappys - Big Fat Elvis

The band toured in 1985 to promote their newest EP. Towards the end of the tour the band were traveling south from Auckland by train, and the band member Wayne Elsey, in high spirits, climbed out of a carriage. The train passed under a bridge, killing Elsey instantly.

The two remaining members of the band decided not to continue with the name, but later formed the nucleus of Straitjacket Fits which became one of the leading acts of Flying Nun's second wave. Their first EP became a classic in New Zealand rock music. Remarkable is their song 'She Speeds' with it's edgy lead vocal, a dynamic jagged guitar and stabs of strings which tumbled into a churning melodic chorus. That they are not just another guitar based band they show us on 'Sparkle That Shine' a classic pop song with a great downbeat groove and fantastic harmonies. 

Straightjacket Fits - She Speeds

Straightjacket Fits - Sparkle That Shines