Artist Detailed Info: Malchicks

The Malchicks formed in the late Eighties in the Auckland guitar scene, and rose to prominence with substantial radio play for an early recording of the song "Vanilla", which was eventually released on one of the BFM Freak The Sheep Compilations.

The bands line-up was: Matthew Dalzell - Guitar / Vocals Coralie Martin - Bass / Vocals Simon Matthews - Guitar Lorna Kittel - Drums. Laura was replaced by Jason Ennor before the band started work on their debut EP Lotus recorded at the Lab Studios in February of 1992, recorded with the aid of an Arts Council Grant.

The EP was eventually released in November 1992. The band followed this up with a national tour and for the most part were drummerless when Jason Ennor decided to leave. However he was persuaded to return and record 9 songs for the debut album Mercury, again recorded at the Lab in Feb 1994.

Bassist Coralie Martin left New Zealand soon after completion of the album to work in Japan, and Dalzell shifted to Wellington to take up work in the diplomats office, effectively ceasing band activities. The album was completed at the end of the year and say posthumous release in early 1995.

The Mercury album really saw the Malchicks grow as songwriters and featured some finely constructed and recorded songs. The opening track "Head To Head" surpassed anything on the Lotus EP, and the single "Milestone" provided a charming uplifting pop feel, courtesy of Coralie Martin's excellent vocals and harmonies. The band received a video grant for "Milestone" and the video had to be made without the whole band in it due to them being spread across the globe. Coralie Martin shot footage of herself in Japan and this was edited together with local footage to complete the video. Due to the lack of the band to promote the album Mercury received a very limited release and did not get to reach a wider audience as it perhaps deserved. A bit of a lost classic but a good testament to what the band could have been. [amplifier.co.nz.nz]

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