The Mint Chicks - 'Screens'
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 6:22 pm

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The hotly-anticipated third studio album, ‘Screens’ to be released in New Zealand on 16 March 2009

When The Mint Chicks’ second album Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! became a runaway success and netted the band five Tuis at the 2007 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards alongside another seven b-Net Awards, it was clear the odds were finally stacked in The Mint Chicks’ favour after seven years of underground acclaim.

Naturally, they did what no other band in their position would do: Kody Nielson, Ruban Nielson and Paul Roper decamped to Portland, Oregon where they were entirely unknown, to be left alone and make a follow-up record far away from the weight of expectations back in New Zealand.

The result is Screens: a glorious record showing the conceptual songwriting genius of the Nielson brothers translating perfectly into one of the most exciting, non-formulaic pop albums so far this decade.

Recorded at The Mint Chicks’ home base in Portland, Screens was produced by the Nielson Brothers with Jacob Portrait and mixed in four separate studios, each with proven histories: the Dandy Warhols’ Odditorium, Supernatural (Modest Mouse), Audible Alchemy (The Shins) and award-winning producer Chris Nielson’s studio in Orewa.

Ecstatic hooks and melodies are interwoven with the band’s signature sonic adventurousness, while The Mint Chicks’ rather unique world view characterises the tone of Screens. First single ‘I Can’t Stop Being Foolish’ captures the very essence of the group’s troublegum sensibilities: the infectious charm of their pop spirit aligned with oblique lyrical content hinting at an existential darkness.

With a refined musical approach and creative escalation of songwriting ideas, Screens is a new phase Mint Chicks album and another milestone in a consistently-surprising journey.

“…a vocoder-heavy pop record that sounds like it's target audience are bubble-gum chewing, teenage robot punks with a soft spot for Queen and Brainiac…” - Portland Mercury

“We made this record for creepy teenaged girls with one glass eye…” - Ruban Nielson

“…wherein The Mint Chicks are fully revealed as the ‘little Enos’ many suspected they were all along” - Radio New Zealand

“...more joy, less long division…the only band in the Southern hemisphere”

‘Screens’ will be released in New Zealand on 16 March 2009 by Flying Nun
www.themintchicks.com

Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!
Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 10:35 pm

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Playing packed-out venues in New Zealand since 2002, The Mint Chicks (singer and wurlitzer piano player Kody Nielson, bassist Michael Logie, drummer Paul Roper and guitarist Ruban Nielson) have climbed all the P.A's, back flipped off all the drum risers, bloodied all the fingers, scrapped all the haters, broken all the hearts, ripped all the clothing, bashed all the microphones and smashed all the bottles in preparation for the release of their newest and most exciting record: 'Crazy?Yes!Dumb?No!'.

The Mint Chicks signed to legendary NZ label Flying Nun Records...'Octagon, Octagon, Octagon' came in 2003, the following year, a single "Blue Team Go!" came out on the highly respected Fierce Panda label in the UK (hyped as a 'one minute masterpiece' by Kerrang!). They released their second E.P: 'Anti-Tiger'...then 'F**k the Golden Youth', their debut album came next, which Australia's Blunt magazine called 'One of the best albums of 2005'. The band have played support slots for the White Stripes, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio, the Blood Brothers and many more...

"Crazy? YES! Dumb? NO!" has been mastered by the legendary Howie Weinberg (responsible for albums by The White Stripes, Nirvana, The Beastie Boys, & Gorillaz to name a few) at Masterdisk in New York.

"Welcome To Nowhere", the first single from the album debuted at no.2 on the Alt charts this week.

Thought you know the Mint Chicks? Think again...

CRAZY? YES! DUMB? NO! is to be released by Flying Nun Records on August 28 2006

NEW! THE MINT CHICKS
Posted: Tue Jan 3, 2006 11:44 pm

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HELLO!
THE MINT CHICKS HAVE A BRAND NEW WEBSITE WITH MP3s TO LISTEN TO AND DOWNLOAD + BRAND NEW UNSEEN ARTWORK. WE'RE FINISHING A NEW ALBUM AND WE CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO HEAR IT. THE ADDRESS FOR THE SITE IS STILL WWW.THEMINTCHICKS.COM. ALSO YOU CAN VISIT US AT MYSPACE. THANKYOU!!

First Signing to Mushroom Music NZ
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:24 pm

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The Mint Chicks have put pen to paper and became the first signing to Mushroom Music NZ Ltd.

Mushroom Music Publishing opened a New Zealand office in January this year based in Newton, Auckland, with Jackie Dennis at the helm.

The Mint Chicks' debut full-length LP 'F**k The Golden Youth' was written, recorded and produced by the Nielson brothers. Signed to legendary NZ label Flying Nun, they also have released two EPs, 'Octagon Octagon Octagon' and 'Anti-Tiger', as well as toured extensively throughout New Zealand, Australia, UK and USA supporting the likes of The White Stripes, Whirlwind Heat, Blood Brothers, Guitar Wolf and King Brothers.

The band’s song ‘Opium of the People’ is nominated for the APRA's Silver Scroll Award (song of the year), to be presented September 12th at the Auckland Town Hall.

The band are currently touring Australia supporting Regurgitator.

24 August 2005
Jindabyne Hotel, Jindabyne
with Regurgitator

25 August 2005
Wollongong University
with Regurgitator

26 August 2005
Gaelic Club
with Regurgitator

27 August 2005
Mona Vale Hotel
with Regurgitator

01 September 2005
Uni Bar On The Hill
with Regurgitator

02 September 2005
Anu Bar, Canberra, ACT
with Regurgitator

03 September 2005
Adelaide Uni Bar
with Regurgitator

08 September 2005
Great Northern Byron Bay
with Regurgitator

09 September 2005
The Rev, Brisbane
with Regurgitator

The Mint Chicks in Australia
Posted: Sun Aug 7, 2005 11:32 am

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AUGUST

Thu 18th - Australia, Sydney, Macquarie University
Fri 19th - Australia, Melbourne, Prince Of Wales
Sat 20th - Australia, Hobart, University
Wed 24th - Australia, Jindabyne, Jindabyne Hotel
Thu 25th - Wollongong, Wollongong University Bar
Fri 26th - Australia, Mona Vale, Mona Vale Hotel
Sat 27th - Australia, Sydney, Gaelic Club

SEPTEMBER

Thu 1st - Australia, Newcastle, Newcastle Uni Bar On The Hill
Fri 2nd - Australia, Canberra, ANU Bar
Sat 3rd - Australia, Adelaide, UNI Bar
Thu 8th - Australia, Byron Bay, Great Northern
Fri 9th - Australia, Brisbane, Powerhouse
Sat 10th - Australia, Sydney, Luna Park, Come Together Festival [w The D4]

What are the little trouble makers up to now?
Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2005 11:19 am

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THE MINT CHICKS return to Australia in August as special guests of Regurgitator on the Regurgitator Lives tour.

THE MINT CHICKS' debut album 'F**k The Golden Youth' has followed their two EPs, and that's the only following that's been done by the Auckland four-piece.

With an identity and sound formed outside of any accepted genre-bounds and fashionable concerns, THE MINT CHCKS have forged ahead on their own steam both here and overseas, along the way picking up fans like original LA punks Alice Bag of The Bags and Keith Morris of Black Flag.

Not that they'd ever tell you about any of that because those guys don't particularly care what other people think. Don't take it personally though.

Thanks to FMR for the above.

greylynn library hall
Posted: Wed May 4, 2005 9:32 pm

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muzzl3 i took some rough as mint chicks photos on the saturday night, thanks to kody, paul, ruban and michael for a good night and sorry about the guitar. ur matie, th3muzz

This message was edited by muzzl3 on Wed May 4, 2005 9:33 pm.

The Mint Chicks - 'Fuck The Golden Youth'
Posted: Fri Apr 8, 2005 3:11 pm

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This from Flying Nun:

Since we last communicated the situation has turned from stagnation to decay.

Those enemies of free thought, creativity and - let's be honest about this - the very future of the entire fucking truth are as firmly entrenched in the mire of their own confirmist, flag-waving, middle-of-a-dirt-road muck as their sleepy, spoon-fed, lack of direction will allow. It's easy to dodge those safe, comforting labels they attempt to stick us with, but more difficult to break out when it's geographical position they choose to bundle it all in. What is this? The Olympian Death March? The muting of all colours into the greyscale of non-imagination?

The Mint Chicks are from Auckland, New Zealand, because that's where they live. Their debut full-length 'Fuck The Golden Youth' was recorded in absolute seclusion in an abandoned shed on a Northland beach because that's where NOBODY lives. Keep all your proud Lord Of The Rings nonsense, because here The Mint Chicks created their own Lord Of The Flies... by choice. No outside interference, safety nets, or support network (if you can't move out of your comfort zone, then don't be shocked when it becomes a prison). Cut off from the "adult" world through tidal movements, away from the "music scene (it all before)", eating what could be caught, recognition that the division between man and beast is only pertinent to those who seek monsters: these are the conditions under which this album was created. Necessity can be a mother of an intervention, and cabin fever can be broken by the reality-splash of the cold truth of NOW. As such 'Fuck The Golden Youth' is not a manifesto for posterity, but the sound of a self-realised present, recorded and produced by Ruban Nielson and Kody Nielson.

You want literature or art? Try writing it in your own blood, because if you want it done, do it yourself, FOR REAL. It cuts deeper, and there can be no mistaking the marks. We've spoken before about the flow of dream logic, and of the absolute purity of negation. Free will, and the urgent, discordant tune of a soul unwilling to be forced into another's world view. Rapid shifts of perspective as the mind's eye rejects all the extraneous stimuli of control. The shrieking of metal on metal as the cogs of the machine grind to the halt of obsolenscence. Somewhere in the id's hinterlands, then, is the sound of The Mint Chicks: one individual's psychobabble is another's mantra. The music is a force to be reckoned with in relation to any opposition thrown up by others. Remember, negation is not negativity in any colloquial sense: it can be spelt c-r-e-a-t-i-o-n.

You think we're talking politics here? Forget about it. Open your eyes, friends: there's a REASON The Mint Chicks will play masked and under pseydonyms when there's a need for it. This is not a staged show in any contrived, performing monkey sense. There's no organ-grinder these boys dance to, because fairground simian sideshows only exist in the musty pages of somebody else's history books, after all -- and dancing to the beat of a different drummer is only relevant when it's your own beat. The preceding EPs 'Octagon Octagon Octagon' and 'Anti-Tiger' may have sent something of a standard, and 'Fuck The Golden Youth' smashes that fucking hole in the wall right open. They thought they had it all worked out, but this is what we are.

Try and view it from our perspective. Sacred cows are merely cattle to the slaughter. Better a mask than a blindfold. Black is the colour of true love's ire. Chainsaws are to build as well as to destroy. Throw away the blueprints. 'Fuck The Golden Youth': it's not a game or attention-seeking device, because sometimes there is simply no other option but to wrap your head in duct tape and hang upside-down from the ceiling. If you have to hit the floor, ensure you make a deep fucking impression on it. Otherwise, hang your jacket in the cloakroom and join the soulless machine. We cannot decide for you. You're either with us, or not. Your choice.

'Fuck The Golden Youth' was released by Flying Nun on April 4th, 2005.

7" Blue Split with Whirlwind Heat
Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 2:20 pm

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HELP-
I'm looking for the 7" split of Mint Chicks/Whirlwind Heat that was sold at the shows in NZ I think about 6 months ago. Anyone that can get me a copy I'd appreciate it.
Thanks
Michael
North Carolina
[email protected]

The Mint Chicks announce Auckland Live Show
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 9:24 pm

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Youth. Chaos. Warped riffs. Catchy tunes. Energy to burn…

After a successful New Zealand tour promoting their new 'Anti-Tiger' EP, The Mint Chicks announce their last live show of their tour…

The Mint Chicks play at the Dogs Bollix.

Friday 6th August.

With support from WOLFIE. Door Sales Only. $10.

The Mint Chicks are Kody Nielson (vocals), Ruban Nielson (Guitar), Michael Logie (Bass) and Paul Roper (drums). The Mint Chicks music has been described as “noisy, sexy, spastic and swaggering Rock and Roll” by Rip It Up, and they play shows which usually climax with the sound of collective jaws dropping to the floor.

The Mint Chicks 'Anti-Tiger' EP is available in all good music stores now. A limited 10” 'Anti-Tiger' vinyl version is on its way too…

The Mint Chicks are nominated in three categories of the 2004 bNet New Zealand Music Awards. The Mint Chicks are nominated for: 'Best Music Video' for 'Post no Bills'; 'Best Live Act' and 'Best Rock Release' for 'Octagon Octagon Octagon'.

The band have just returned from their first run of successful shows in the UK and USA playing shows with the likes of The Datsuns, The Avengers, TV On The Radio and The Young Knives.

Mint Chicks Tour
Posted: Fri Jul 2, 2004 5:14 pm

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Auckland art-rockers The Mint Chicks have had a great past year, playing in Australia, the UK and the USA and even turning up with positive press in UK outlets such as NME and Kerrang. Legendary radio DJ John Peel has been playing their stuff, and now the band are releasing their second EP. The six-song CD 'Anti-Tiger' is due in stores from the 12th of July, and to promote it, The Mint Chicks are heading out on a nationwide tour with Pussy Glitch. The full list of dates is as follows:

Friday July 16 - Jetset Lounge, Christchurch [R18]
Saturday July 17 - Wunderbar, Lyttleton [R18]
Monday July 19 - Arc Cafe, Dunedin [R18]
Wednesday July 21 - The Hairy Lemon, Greymouth [R18]
Thursday July 22 - Phat Club, Nelson [R18]
Friday July 23 - Bar Bodega, Wellington [R18]
Saturday July 24 - The Stomach, Palmerston North [AA]
Friday August 6 - Dog's Bollix, Auckland [R18]

The band are also looking to follow up the CD release with a 10" vinyl version of 'Anti-Tiger', although release details were unavailable at time of writing.

Mint Chicks make splash in UK
Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 6:23 pm

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Although the Mint Chicks aren’t going to make it to South by Southwest in Texas, they’re breaking ground in the UK with a wee ditty called Blue Team Go.

Kerrang mag just made it single of the week and kindly said, "Despite a moniker that conjures up images of a candy shop manned by fluffy baby animals, The Mint Chicks' one-minute masterpiece is the soundtrack to a mouth-frothing arm-flailing convulsion.

With its angular beats, detonating guitars, and a bassline so dirty it's a public health risk, this rock'n'roll frenzy is a bludgeoning victory of function over form. Assault and battery never sounded so good."

Nicki, publicist for the New Zealand Music Commission confirmed that the Mint Chicks will still head to Aussie and the UK.

The Mint Chicks Review Up
Posted: Wed Feb 4, 2004 7:34 pm

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Just that...

Go to the press page on The Mint Chicks artist page

The Mint Chicks National Tour
Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2003 12:43 pm

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Youth. Chaos. Warped riffs. Catchy tunes. Energy to burn.

Those who should know are saying that The Mint Chicks are New Zealand's hottest band since The D4 & The Datsuns. Find out why as the band embarks on their first full national tour with Die! Die! Die! in support.

Since storming out of Auckland a year ago, The Mint Chicks have already made enough noise for the White Stripes to invite them on a tour of Australia in October before they had even released a record anywhere!

Jack White's Third Man label joined with Flying Nun to manufacture an exclusive blue vinyl 7" for the tour featuring The Mint Chicks 'Blue Team Go' on one side and fellow support act Whirlwind Heat's 'Blue' on the other. Last seen on Ebay for $60, this already sold-out gem has put The Mint Chicks well and truly on the radar.

Debut EP 'Octagon Octagon Octagon' on Flying Nun Records subsequently hit the shops in November immediately becoming a #1 best selling NZ independent release and reaching #1 on 95bFM's radio chart. You may have seen the frenetic video clip for 'Licking Letters', one of the six songs taken from EP. You may have read the superlative 5/5 reviews.

This is the beginning of an intense period of touring for the band that commences at the Big Day Out before going all around the North and South Islands and onto London and the UK (where the band have already been offered a record deal and received their first radio play!). From there its over to the USA (including the super-influential showcase at the South By South West Conference in Austin, Texas) and then back via way of an Australian tour.

Not that the group's appetite for live work was ever in question. The Mint Chicks have been caught playing up to three shows in one night - and delivering the goods every time.

A Mint Chicks live show sparks enough frenetic energy to channel the spirit of Ian Curtis through frontman Kody Nielson. It's a thrilling experience that fans of International Noise Conspiracy and At The Drive-In will be familiar with. It also typically delivers the spectacle of hotwired frontman Kody, the epilectrified offspring of James Brown and Iggy Pop, somersaulting backwards off the drumkit. Shows usually climax with the sound of collective jaws dropping to the floor.

Their angular post-punk sound bites at the heels of the recent garage rock revival, but references Fugazi and the Buzzcocks rather than AC/DC. The critics are saying it's "noisy, sexy, spastic swaggering rock 'n' roll," delivered "with the ferocity of a tsunami as it swallows coastal villages. Murderous." (New Zealand Herald) The internet chatrooms are simply calling them "fucking nuts".

"There is something special about The Mint Chicks... no doubt. Young, good-looking, and playing fierce rock'n'roll that's a cross between catchy pop music and stuttering, heavy, disjointed hardcore. Lethal guitar riffs and ranting, aggressive vocals delivered with the confidence and arrogance of a front person who's fit to be noticed." (Rip It Up)

Mint Chicks To Open for The White Stripes in Australia
Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2003 6:47 pm

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Flying Nun are proud to announce the following:
Following the NZ support tour with Whirlwind Heat, The Mint Chicks will be opening for The White Stripes and Whilrwind Heat in Australia

Here are the Australian dates for next week:

Friday 10th October - White Stripes @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney - sold out
Monday 13th October - Whirlwind Heat show @ Ding Dong, Melbourne
Tuesday 14th October - White Stripes @ The Palace, Melbourne - sold out
Wed 15th October - White Stripes @ Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide