Headless Chickens

Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Headless Chickens


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Birth_name =
Alias =
Born =
Died =
Origin = New Zealand
Instrument =
Genre = Rock
Occupation =
Years_active = 1985-1998
Label = Flying Nun
Associated_acts = Fiona McDonald
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members =Chris Matthews
Fiona McDonald
Johnny Pierce
Michael Lawry
Grant Fell
Bevan Sweeney
Anthony Nevison
Rupert E. Taylor
Bevan Larsen
Flex
Angus McNaughton
John McDermottThe Headless Chickens were a New Zealand band. Going against the grain of the Dunedin sound that dominated the Flying Nun Records roster at the time, the Headless Chickens made extensive use of electronic instruments (or in their own words, "abused technology" Fact|date=November 2007) in their music.

History

The Headless Chickens recorded three albums, "Stunt Clown" (1988), "Body Blow" (1991), and "Greedy" (1997), plus various EP's for Flying Nun Records in the 1980s and 1990s.

The band first became known in New Zealand when they won the 1987 Rheineck Beer Rock award. The prizemoney from the award went into the funding for their innovative (for its use of sampling) 1988 debut album "Stunt Clown".

The 1988 CD release of "Stunt Clown" compiled the vinyl release of this name with the 1986 "Headless Chickens" EP.

A second album, "Body Blow", appeared in 1991 which featured singer Fiona McDonald. It was during this time with McDonald that the Headless Chickens would attract their widest audience.

Two versions of "Body Blow" were released with the revised and expanded 1993 version going double platinum in New Zealand.

This album spawned the single "Cruise Control" which became a hit in New Zealand and (in a remixed form) Australia. "Cruise Control" was notable for its sampling, particularly for elements of Shona Laing's 1973 single "1905" and The Crocodiles's 1980 single "Tears".

At the time, the band's use of electronic elements and sampling in a "rock" setting was out of the ordinary and probably had an influence that outweighed the band's modest sales success; certainly the band Garbage credit the Headless Chickens as a major influence and they were sampled on that band's debut album.Fact|date=June 2008

The followup 1997 "Greedy" album took several years to complete, and during that time several band members left, including singer McDonald. "Greedy" contained the track "George" which became a No. 1 hit single in their home country; "George" was the first (and so far, only) track from the Flying Nun Records label to achieve No. 1 status.

The Headless Chickens split up soon after "Greedy"'s release.

In 2002 Flying Nun Records released a 2CD best-of compilation named "ChickensHits".

In July 2008 it was announced that the band would reform to play the Homebake Festival in Sydney, Australia on December 6. The line-up will feature both Chris Matthews and Fiona McDonald. [cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4631144a4500.html |title=Kiwi band Headless Chickens reform |publisher=stuff.co.nz |date=2008-07-25 |accessdate=2008-07-29]

Discography

Featured appearances

The group have appeared on many compilations and soundtracks since 1990 in both New Zealand and Australia. The following is a list of these albums that have featured tracks by the Headless Chickens.

*(1990] ) - In Love With These Times (Flying Nun Records) - "Donca"
* (1991) - (Festival) - "Cruise Control"
*(1991) - Getting Older 1981-1991 (Flying Nun Records) - "Totalling Dad's Car"
*(1991) - Pink Flying Saucers Over the Southern Alps (Flying Nun Records) - "Railway Surfing"
*(1993) - Collision (White) - "Cruise Control"
*(1994) - Abbasalutely (Flying Nun Records) - "Super Trouper" (ABBA cover)
*(1996) - In The Neighbourhood (Warner Music) - "Cruise Control"
*(1996) - Popeyed (Flying Nun Records) - "George"
*(1999) - Scarfies (Flying Nun Records) - "George"
*(2002) - Absolute Bliss (Festival) - "Cruise Control"
*(2003) - Give It A Whirl (Propeller Records) - "Gaskrankinstation"
*(2003) - Natures Best 3 (Sony Music Entertainment) - "Cruise Control"
*(2005) - (Festival Mushroom Records) - "Cruise Control"

ingles

References

External links

* [http://www.flyingnun.co.nz/archive_site/bands/chickens/chooks_greedy.html Headless Chickens on Flying Nun]