Chills Head Nun Assault in the UK

Rip It Up, Issue 94, 1 May 1985, Page 12

Chills Head Nun Assault in the UK

The way is being paved most encouragingly for the Chills’ forthcoming UK venture, with nice things being said in public about Chills records and others in the Flying Nun catalogue. The NME ran a story and picture of the foursome in its April 27 issue, with very much of a “look out for’’ tone. It quoted FN’s Roger Shepherd and also noted that NZ “is, they say, teeming with garagetype groups who play to small audiences in the very small market there.’’

All three Chills singles, the Verlaines’ ’Death and the Maiden’ and the Doublehappys’ single all got what could only be described as rave reviews in the April Zig Zag. The Great Unwashed had to settle for a merely good review, while Fetalmania (what Fetus Productions are calling themselves in Europe) got dumped on from a great height for their single version of ‘I Am A Criminal: Tall Dwarfs didn’t actually get a review, but were described as “splendid” in passing. High praise has also apparently been accorded by Jamming magazine.

And American NZ music afficionado, Ken Barnes, who now writes for Creem, had favourable words to say about Mockers, Coconut Rough, Dance Exponents, Doublehappys and Car Crash Set singles in the last issue of that mag.

A mini-album of the Chills’ finest old and new material will be out soonish on UK indie Creation Records. Creation currently has a high media profile over there, thanks mainly to the antics of the controversial Jesus and Mary Chain and of the label’s boss Alan McGhee. Flying Nun is to reciprocate the Chills’ release by releasing the J & MC’s indie hit ‘Upside Down’ in this country.