There is a phrase used by musicians in New Zealand that goes something like “the curse of The Chills” but what exactly does that mean?
Well essentially it is what happens when, despite being a song writing genius a la Martin Phillips, you fail to sell your music by the bucket load that it deserves and no one really knows who the hell you are. It’s also what happens when everything that could go wrong does in fact come to pass. Death, illness, a constantly changing line up and of course, you come from New Zealand.
Thankfully The Chills (and therefore Martin Phillips) have somehow risen above ‘the curse’ and will forever be remembered for one of the finest contributions to indie pop music ever in their classic early 45, Pink Frost. They have even managed to do some other exceptional songs in the thirty years that have elapsed since then.
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Thanks to Fire Records (genuine supporters of ‘Kiwi’ music) we can now hear all The Chills BBC sessions on one CD and re-mastered to boot. “Beauty mate”. Culled from three Peel Sessions recorded in 1985, 1987 and then 1988 (Submarine Bells tracks in advance) we get the beautiful ‘Night Of Chill Blue’, the superb ‘Moonlight On Flesh’ and the surprise number ‘Christmas Chimes’, which is really quite delightful. It may lack their defining moment but if you are looking for a way in to this band then look no further. Hats off to Fire Records.
Fire Records online
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