Robert Scott, Kaye Woodward, Paul Kean, Malcolm Grant
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Influences
love contemporary 2006 psychadaelic folk pop and still drawing from wide influences way back 50's Roy Orbison to Desmond Deker, 60's Velvet Underground to Troggs, 70's CAN to Neil Young to Gram Parsons, .. in the 80's we loved Cure, Smiths, New Order etc. 90's Stereolab to the 3D's. Now we like all sorts - Ladybird, Sambasadeurs, Daft Punk ... hard to pin point what makes us sound the way we do. Some people say we're like REM (but more bent funk punk folk pop!?) - we were developing around the same time - probably with a similar broad pelette of tastes to create from. Go check out http://www.myspace.com/sambassadeurtheband They've recorded a great version of Claudine and have some excellent songs of their own.
Sounds Like
sounds like? The Bats ...
kind-of a stupid obvious answer - people say other bands sound like us more than we sound like other bands. Maybe you could help us out! Who do we sound like? Send us a message or post a comment. There are a couple of old vids below - and a brand new animated one by Christian Carruthers
Flowers and Trees
The Bats -
with the same line-up since conception in 1983, have been playing their distinctive style of melodic infused pop folk/rock for long enough to have drifted in and out of fashion several times without even trying. They top the Best Unknown Band list of many music officianados around the world .. and still spark for savvy initiates into the music world of now. Here's a recent email message from a young fan to Bats, Kaye and Paul's daughter Rose ---------
"hey darl thought ud be interested in this... i was searching the nzmusic.com site coz a girl here is doing a study on nz music and im helping her, lol, and found this written about the bats in a message board, under the final bdo (BIG DAY OUT) line up
'//////haven't seen yet: ... The Bats.
you are in for a treat. they are like the bestest live dance boogie Git-Down! live act in the history of kiwi music. they have one of the finest rhythm sections ever. i'm lucky enough to have seen them around half a dozen times in the last decade - they really kick out the jams more than 90% of the bands half their age......
lol cool or wat! and ive listed them on the 'famous nz bands' list that ive got here lol.
neways, hope ur being gud in nz, miss ya
xox"
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WE NOW HAVE PayPal with Pocket Music (Bats and Minisnap's label) for selling CD's, Postcards, T-shirts etc - Go to The Bats homepage for Merchandise to see details or EMAIL with your order and address and we'll quote postage.
it was really nice to meet you guys and your family in Hamburg. Let us know if you're interested in playing a show or two in Sweden the next time you come back o Europe.
Thanks for the add. I've loved all your albums from the beginning up through National Grid - hope there's another on the way. Thanks for all the great music!
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Hi there Bats. Ever stayed up too late? Then you will understand. Check out our new song "Morning Man". You can download and listen at your leisure! Cheers, Sandpit.
Ahh yes! another stunning performance at The Backstage, 29th March 08, we had a good night. Tex did his stuff very well. Look forward to the next gig. Good luck for the North island shows. Thankyou!
Really looking forward to the Auckland show - seeing you're not coming to Australia in any hurry and that you're playing on my birthday - I figure a trip across the Tasman will be worth it. Hurrah!
If you come in France, of course, I'll be here Kaye : ) If by any chance you program several gigs in France, I'll try to be present for all of them... Tell me if you need help to find concert halls...
Wish you all a good week end. And, by the way, thanks for Minisnap : )
Hi all, I was just telling somebody few minutes ago you're one of the greatest band forever and I thought it would be nice to shriek that on your page... So : "LONG LIFE TO THE BATS !!!"
