SXSW Music Festival, 2006--Austin, TX: New Zealand's Flying Nun label has spawned some of that country's most talented and memorable acts. Among them is The Bats, a four-piece pop group that formed as an offshoot of the Clean, an influential New Zealand band of the punk era. In 1982, Clean bassist Robert Scott formed The Bats with ex-Toy Love bassist Paul Keane. They were joined by drummer Malcolm Grant and multi-instrumentalist Kaye Woodward, both of Lyndon and the Liars.

By 1984 there was enough of a Bats following to attract the interest of Flying Nun. The label released the six-song By Night, the first in a series of Bats EPs. The group finally gave in and recorded the full-length Daddy's Highway in 1987.

The Bats remained with Flying Nun for much of its discography, from Daddy's Highway to 1000's of Luminous Spheres. In 1991 the group released Fear Of God, which later wound up on the American label Mammoth. It was warmly received, thanks in part to the help of producer Nicholas Sansano, who previously worked with Sonic Youth and Public Enemy.

The rest of the 1990s brought more Bats EP releases, plus the full-length Silverbeet in 1993, and Couchmaster in 1995, which was hailed by some as the most adventurous album the group had released to date. For much of the 90s and beyond, Flying Nun and Mammoth continued to release Bats material in their respective territories.

In 2005 the Bats returned after a five year hiatus with At The National Grid, a much-welcomed release for those who have followed the NZ jangle-popsters over the years.

Gearwire talked to The Bats at this year's SXSW music festival in Austin, TX. It was cool to meet musicians who have made so much ridiculously great music and discover that they're such open, friendly people. We also got to take in their amazing gig at the Habana Calle on 6th St. -- a bit of which we present here for your listening pleasure. If you love well-crafted pop songs with great harmonies, you won't want to miss this one.

Critical Stats

Name:

The Bats

Personnel:

Robert Scott: Guitar, Vocals
Paul Keane: Bass
Malcolm Grant: Drums
Kaye Woodward: Vocals and additional instruments

Select discography:

By Night EP -- 1984
Daddy's Highway -- 1988
The Law of Things -- 1990
Fear of God -- 1991
Silverbeet -- 1993
1000's of Tiny Luminous Spheres -- 2000
At The National Grid -- 2005