Gilpin & Co. introduced me to "En Zed" music
Along with Split Enz, MI-SEX provided my introduction to the music of NEW ZEALAND.I first heard the songs "Computer Games," "Graffiti Crimes," "People" and "Where do They Go" on the pioneering alternative radio stations in San Francisco of the early 1980s.
Even from those days, I associated the music of New Zealand with cloudy days (while I always associated the music of their antipodean near-neighbors with sunny days).
It's understandable, isn't it? AOTEAROA can be translated as "The Land of the Long White Cloud."
Led by vocalist Steve Gilpin, Mi-Sex consistently charted in Australia and their homeland, while becoming cult favorites in America (particularly on the West Coast). Murray Burns (keyboards) and Kevin Stanton (guitar/vocals) also helped define the modern sound of Mi-Sex.
The Mi-Sex story ends sadly. The band disbanded in March 1984 and Gilpin remained in Australia. He was seriously injured in a car accident in November 1991 and lapsed into a coma. He died in January 1992.
I am marking today's cloudy skies by listening to Mi-Sex and remembering when I first heard these songs.
posted by erik hogstrom at 6:29 AM
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re: Mi-Sex
I was at reunion with friends the other day in Healesville, Victoria, Australia, and my friend's partner was born in Wellington, New Zealand, where Steve Gilpin (lead singer) was from, and he mentioned that Steve came to his house back in the 70s to collect some jewellery to be set, as Steve was a 'manufacturing jeweller' at the time.
So last night I went through his biography, and I was searching today and found your blog.
Here's what I put together for my friend:
Born in Wellington in 1949.
Started as a cabaret singer.
Released 2 singles in 1972, and then won 'New Faces' TV show in NZ.
In 1973 he came third on 'Studio One' (NZ TV talent show), and was a finalist in the RATA awards (NZ music).
He released an album that contained the songs from those shows.
He released 2 more singles in 1974, and continued cabaret singing through to 1976. Releasing his last single that year.
He got tired of cabaret and switched to rock, forming Fragments of Time in 1977, which morphed into Mi-Sex.
They released their first single in 1978. They moved to Sydney the same year, and built a following through to 1979.
In May they released their first single 'But You Don't Care' reaching #25 in Aust.
In July they released their debut album 'Graffiti Crimes'.
In September they released 'Computer Games', #1 in Aust.
March 1980 saw the release of 'People', #6 in Aust. which was from their 2nd album 'Space Race'. The eponymous single reached #28 in Aust.
Mi-Sex released 2 more albums in 1981, and 1983, and had 4 more top 40 singles, but never reached the same heights as their early hits.
Steve Gilpin kept performing after the disbanding of Mi-Sex, solo and in bands.
He was coming home from a gig with his cover band in 1991 at Byron Bay when he was in a car accident.
He never recovered and died in hospital 11 days later aged 42.
re: NZ music
For such a small country and small population, New Zealand has produced some great music. Australia often claims them, as they tend to move to Aust. at some point.
I've put together a Spotify playlist for you:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/10kPnN8k2Uj1RluhbpKEIz
Split Enz: co-founded by older brother Tim Finn in the 70s, but later joined by Neil Finn, they were very popular in Aust. In 1986, Neil formed Crowded House as you probably know.
Dragon: they formed in the early 70s as a progressive rock band, but changed quite a lot by the mid 70s into straight rock, and moved to Aust. Worth checking out.
Jenny Morris: had a top 20 hit with The Crocodiles in NZ. Moved to Sydney in 1981. Was a backup singer for various bands. Formed QED in 1983, who had a top 20 hit with 'Everywhere I Go'. Sang backup with various bands, and INXS 1984-1986, did a duet with Michael Hutchence, a cover of the Johnny Cash/June Carter song 'Jackson'. Went solo in 1987. Released 3 successful albums to 1991. 'You I know' is one of my faves of hers, written by Neil Finn.
OMC: 'How Bizarre' was their one big hit.
Bic Runga: 'Sway' was her big hit in Aust.
The Swingers: 'Counting The Beat' was their big hit in Aust. Formed by Phil Judd from Split Enz, and also featured 'Bones' Hillman on bass, who later joined Midnight Oil in 1987.
Headless Chickens: electronic pop/rock band. Had some alternative hits in Aust. early 90s. 'Cruise Control' and 'Juice' are good.
Noiseworks: lead by Kiwi Jon Stevens, they had good success as a rock band in Aust. from 1987. The 1st album is my fave. 'Take Me Back', 'No Lies', and 'Love Somebody', are great. 'Touch' from the 2nd album is good also.
Crowded House: formed by Neil Finn in 1986 after leaving Split Enz. Four good albums, lots of hits.
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