Higher Than the Nun

Rip It Up, Issue 220, 1 December 1995, Page 14

Higher Than the Nun

HlllSjiffiLmk young boys is how Flying |l|||"pNun Records describe their ■ ■■VVspanking new signing, the Dunedin three-piece HDU (High Dependency Unit). Deano on drums, Neil on bass, and singer/guitarist Tristan had already played together, in different incarnations of different bands, when they got together again in a practice room in March 1994. They decided to ditch their past dalliances with ‘pop’ sounds, rigid structures, and vocal melodies, and Deano says the result, “turned out to be exactly what the three of us were after”.

After two months spent "jamming”, HDU ventured outside the garage, and played a year of support shows, including gigs in Auckland with the Headless Chickens and Cake Kitchen, that brought them to the attention of various bods at Flying Nun. Once given the nod, the band flew to Auckland last September, and spent eight days making their Abstinence Acrimony EP in a rehearsal room in Cook Street.

The four song recording is a moody collection of wild, buzz-saw guitars, sharp, com-

plex rhythms, and tortured vocals. But most of all, with the EP, HDU have delivered a set of songs that appear to have almost written themselves — a musical stream of consciousness. Though Deano explains, in a round about way, that HDU believe they can pull it off. “It all depends on the type of music you’re playing. If you’re creating something that’s basis is in improvisation, then it’s fine to do as much as you think is appropriate.”

The threesome tour the North Island this month to promote the Abstinence Acrimony EP, before returning to the deep South, where much more bizarre things tend to happen at their gigs. Particularly in Invercargill. “It was interesting. The actual show was great, we had a really good turn out, and the people were really supportive. But a fight broke out at the bar, and I later learned that some guy had his ear bitten off. Pretty

crazy.” Flying Nun will release the track ‘Abstinence’ as a seven inch single simultaneously with the EP, while HDU are due to record an album for the label early next year.

JOHN RUSSELL