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Former Creation Records boss Alan McGee’s blog the Guardian isn’t what I would describe as a must read, between recent posts calling for a Cult revival and taking time out for an extended appreciation of the Waterboys. But the man did sign Oasis, as he would be happy to remind you–so perhaps he merits a little slack. Especially on days when he wants to champion the Chills.
First of all, it’s important that McGee mentions why you’ve heard of the Chills in the first place.
I didn’t get into the Chills until long after I released Kaleidoscope World on Creation in 1985. That record, and in particular the song Pink Frost, keep giving and grow in iconic status as each year passes, sounding ever fresher than fresh and more relevant.
Regardless of McGee’s rampant self-absorption, “Pink Frost” will always be a great song.
The Chills made a brief return to music in 2004 with an EP, and McGee drops a rumor of new material into the end of his post, but it would be nice (as former Idolator editor Brian Raftery mentioned on this site awhile back) if their albums were actually available here in the States in a non-pricey import way. If the Shins, Grizzly Bear, Peter, Bjorn, and John are all paying tribute to the band, as McGee says, surely someone could get on some Stateside reissues of their albums that were released here on Slash, right?
“Heavenly Pop Hit”
An interview and “I Love My Leather Jacket”
“Wet Blanket”
The Chills: ready for a comeback? [McGee on Music]
The one time I was lucky enough to catch Martin Phillips live was with a pick-up Chills in Dunedin, NZ, 2002, for a low-key benefit show. And it was still wonderful — all the hits as such, a few obscurities, and a great cover of “Solitary Man.” I only just recently put up a photo I took from the show over here.
“I Love My Leather Jacket” will still always be the song for me. There’s something about the combination of the guitar snarl and the soothing keyboard descent that is just pitch-perfect.
I’m sure Merge would do it if they had the capital.
BUY MORE MERGE STUFF (YES YOU ARCADE FIRE FANS. BUY THOSE ALBUMS TWO OR THREE TIMES OR SOMETHING)
Then again, Martyn’s been trying to shill Chills rarities comps in NZ for really exhorbant prices, last I checked in 2006 when I was in Dunedin NZ as well. Not sure if he’d be a pleasant businessman right now. :-/
McGee deserves more slack than you have to give, dude. MBV, Ride, Boo Radleys, Swervedriver, Primal Scream…that’s off the top of my head. Plus, Biff Bang Pow were a pretty great pop band in their own right. Yeah, he has a couple dodgy ideas (the Cult..seriously?), but he also has more right to self-absorption than just about anyone on the indie rock planet.
@timsendra: I’m quite thankful for Creation (House Of Love were my favs), I can assure you. He’s just no Tony Wilson in my book.
The Chills were great. So were the Waterboys, during their prime. McGee’s blog posts about both bands, not so much. He also misidentifies (and misspells) Graeme Downes.
Chills were also a simply monstrous live band in the day. Even at such venues as Kenny’s Castaways and Woody’s.
I love the Chills. Love them. But Martin Phillipps is up there with Kevin Shields on the all-time finalist podium of the Don’t Let Your Mouth Write a Check That Your Ass Can’t Cash pop sweepstakes.
@Penny Royalty: That would more or less explain why no US label has reissued Brave Words since Homestead folded way back when. But honestly, Kaleidoscope World is worth the import fee, though it desperately needs to be reissued for the kids. If Rhino were up to it, they could craft a killer NZ Pop boxed set (Warner owns both them & Flying Nun, so all is well in royaltyville, perhaps). I’ll buy!
I don’t know much about these guys, but a guy I knew at university had a band and they opened for The Chills in Palmerston North. His band was called 50,000 Knives (and Only 1 Stove).