The Bats | Artist

The Bats are a New Zealand indie rock band formed 1982 in Christchurch by Robert Scott (vocals, guitar), Kaye Woodward (guitar, vocals), Paul Keen (bass, backing vocals), and Malcolm Grant (drums). The four founding members are still with the band today. Though primarily a Christchurch band, The Bats have strong links to Dunedin and are usually grouped in with the Dunedin sound musicians that emerged in the early 1980s. After several years of slogging around NZ and Australian pub venues the band travelled to Europe and spent time touring Britain and Germany, including playing support for Alex Chilton. They recorded the Made Up in Blue EP at the 24 track Point Studio in London in December 1985. "Made Up in Blue", the first single released in the UK by Flying Nun, was awarded 'Single of the Week' by the influential British magazine, NME. An acquaintance in Glasgow offered the use of his home 8 track studio, and half of the tracks for what would become their debut album, Daddy's Highway were recorded there. Returning to NZ to finish recording, Daddy's Highway was released in 1987 and the album became their most highly regarded and one of the best New Zealand albums of the 1980s. The band has gone on to release Ten consistently strong studio albums to-date, plus a swag of EPs and Singles. Standout albums include Daddy's Highway, The Law of Things, Fear of God, Silverbeet and Couchmaster. Also highly recommended is the 2000 compilation album Thousands of Tiny Luminous Spheres. As a point of interest, In October 2010, The Bats played at the free relief concert following the Canterbury earthquake, in front of about 140,000 people. The Mayor of Christchurch Bob Parker joined the band for the performance and played guitar.

Artist Website: thebats.co.nz

Featured Albums: The Bats

Related Artists: The Clean, The Magick Heads, Minisnap

Video Clips: Live on KEXP, Block of Wood, The Black and the Blue