The legendary Flying Nun post-punk band Children’s Hour who went on to become the Headless Chickens have reformed after 21 years to play shows in Auckland and Wellington to support the release of a new live album.
On April 28th Children’s Hour performed a then one-off reunion gig in Christchurch, but the success of that performance has now led to additional shows.
Best known for their student radio hit Caroline’s Dream; Children’s Hour’s all-too-brief existence was marked by a dark, intense, brooding rock style described as ‘an aircraft landing in the middle of a domestic argument’.
The Children’s Hour line up of Chris Matthews (guitar, vocals), Grant Fell (guitar), Johnny Pierce (bass) and Bevan Sweeney (drums) formed in 1982. Over the ensuing 18 months the band knocked out four national tours, including the original Looney Tour with The Chills and Double Happys; released the five-track 12” EP Flesh (1983); the 7” single Washed Away/Stuck Pig (1984); and tracks included on a handful of compilations. The Chris Knox-directed video to Caroline’s Dream was released on both 1992’s Noisyland compilation and the Very Short Films Flying Nun DVD in 2004.
The band split in 1984, with Pierce and Matthews then forming the International Headless Chickens in 1985, which lasted until Pierce’s tragic death in 1986. Fell and Sweeney later rejoined as the international-less Headless Chickens who went on to produce Flying Nun Records’ first Number One single.
The reunion coincides with the release on Christchurch’s Failsafe label of Looking For The Sun, 14 live Children’s Hour recordings from 1983-1984, including previously released and unreleased material. Looking For The Sun is available now at selected music stores, on the door at both shows or online at www.failsaferecords.com
Failsafe’s Rob Mayes will join Matthews, Fell and Sweeney on bass for both shows.
Friday 29 July, Kings Arms Tavern, Auckland
Tickets from Ticketek & Real Groovy
Friday 12 August, Bar Bodega, Wellington
Tickets from Ticketek, Real Groovy & the venue
