Weekend Rewind: Four classics from The Chills

The Chills. From left, Caroline Easther, Martin Phillips, Justin Harwood and Andrew Todd. 1987. Photo / NZ Herald

Legendary Kiwi band The Chills have released their first album in 19 years, Silver Bullets. NZ On Screen’s Nicky Harrop charts the band’s early history through their classic music videos.

The Chills are nothing short of a New Zealand music institution. Led for almost 35 years, through numerous personnel changes, by Martin Phillipps, the band continues to enjoy success, and the kind of fan loyalty that many of their contemporaries would kill for. As with most good rock and roll stories, there have been a few twists and turns, and some great songs, along the way.

Kaleidoscope World

Kaleidoscope World was the song that first put The Chills on the map. First released on Flying Nun's seminal Dunedin Double EP, the track appeared alongside offerings from Sneaky Feelings, The Stones and The Verlaines. The video (The Chills' first,) sees a shaggy-haired Phillipps and bandmates performing in what seems to be a typically freezing rehearsal room, with a bubble machine thrown in for good measure.

Pink Frost

While Kaleidoscope World was all wide-eyed psychedelic wonder, Pink Frost hinted at darker times to come. Phillipps has spoken about the speed at which the song came to him, and of its recording session, notable for the toll it took on drummer Martyn Bull. Shortly afterwards, Bull was diagnosed with leukemia.

I Love My Leather

Martyn Bull passed away in 1983, aged just 22. Bull bequeathed his leather jacket to Phillipps in his will, inspiring what would become one of the band's most-loved hits - I Love My Leather Jacket, the "only concrete link with an absent friend."

Heavenly Pop Hit

International attention came relatively early for The Chills, culminating (to date) in 1990's Heavenly Pop Hit. The song charted in both the US and UK, and gave The Chills a number two single, and number one album, at home. Shot in Ireland, looking remarkably like New Zealand, the video sees the band lugging giant (polystyrene) rocks around a number of scenic locations. Legend has it Phillipps was nearly swept away by a rogue wave during the filming of the clip.

The Flying Nun Story

Made to mark Flying Nun's 21st birthday, documentary Heavenly Pop Hits pays homage to The Chills in both its title, some classic early footage, and a great interview with Phillipps, who definitely deserves the last word for his explanation of the fabled 'Dunedin sound': "I guess we all shared equipment and band members and girlfriends and stuff."