Here's Five: Essential Mi-Sex Songs

New Zealand new-wave icons Mi-Sex formed in 1977 and are arguably best known for their hit single 'Computer Games'. However the group, who moved to Sydney in 1979, put out a bunch of chart-topping tracks during their early eighties heyday. Mi-Sex took an extended break in 1984, and were writing and demoing fresh material, but tragically lost founding singer Steve Gilpin in 1992 following an automobile accident.

In 2011 the band reformed, with former Noiseworks  bass player Steve Balbi taking up vocal duties, and the band began playing packed-out live shows around Australia. The end of the month sees the group heading home to play three shows around the country with the Eddie Rayner Project. Ahead of their visit we asked keyboardist Murray Burns to share five essential songs from Mi-Sex and the stories behind them....


1. But You Don't Care (1979)
This was the first single released in 1979 on the CBS label. It charted very well in Australia and NZ and gave us the belief that we were on the cusp of an exciting time ahead.

2. Computer Games (1979)
Recorded in an afternoon after our producer Peter Dawkins heard it live! We had sold 6000 copies of our debut album Graffiti Crimes. The album was recalled and repressed with 'Computer Games' opening side two. I guess those 6000 sold are some kind of collector's cut now.

3. People (1980)
People has been one of most exciting songs when we play live, it is ripe for version two. One day maybe we or somebody else will do a great dance version of this song ... It has an interesting social comment as in 'Computer Games', even more relevant today than in 1981.

4. Falling In And Out (1981)
Quirky and a little left-of-center for Mi-Sex, written in a hotel room on tour and lot of fun to play live, 'Falling In and Out' was probably our attempt at penning a straight-up pop song, with no guilt.

5. Castaway (1982)
Recorded twice, second time around with American producer Bob Clearmountain in 1983 for Mi-Sex's fourth album with two new members Colin Bayley guitar and vocals and Paul Dunningham on drums.

BONUS!!: Blue Day (1983)
Conceived when Murray Burns and Colin Bayley were songwriting in Sydney. There was a blackout on a Sunday afternoon, so we carried on with a battery keyboard and acoustic guitar into the dark... We never thought of calling it Black Day though ... Somehow that didn't create the same sort of feeling we were after.

Mi-Sex and Eddie Rayner Project are playing three-date New Zealand tour at the end of the month. Head over here for more details.