The Bats

From the Clean to Flying Nun

The Bats have the same four members since 1982: Robert Scott, previously the bassist of The Clean, on vocals and guitar, Kaye Woodward on guitar, Paul Kean, ex-Toy Love, on bass, and Malcolm Grant, formerly of The Bilders, on drums. Scott claims the longest unchanged band line-up in New Zealand history, and AudioCulture calls them a glorious anomaly. Wikipedia says the trio played parties as The Percy Taiwan Band before recruiting Grant, while the Flying Nun story says Jane Walker was first drummer. They debuted as The Bats at the Empire in Dunedin on December 31, 1982. Scott said they remained a relaxed, party band.

The By Night EP (1984, FN024) was recorded at Nightshift Studio in Christchurch, and And Here Is 'Music for the Fireside' (1985) has violin by Alastair Galbraith. They toured Britain and Germany in 1985, supporting Alex Chilton, and were the second Flying Nun act after The Chills to tour Europe. Made Up in Blue was recorded in December 1985 at Point Studio in London and released in 1986. Daddy's Highway (1987, FN079) was recorded 1986 to 1987 at Reel Time in Glasgow, a friend's home 8-track, and Nightshift in Christchurch. The Law of Things (1990), Fear of God (1991), Silverbeet (1993, with 14 US dates supporting Radiohead) and Couchmaster (1995) followed before a break. They made four US tours between 1986 and 1993.

They returned with At the National Grid (2005), The Guilty Office (2008), Free All the Monsters (2011, produced by Dale Cotton near Dunedin; Pitchfork called it their best record in years, possibly ever), The Deep Set (2017), Foothills (2020, 13 in New Zealand) and Corner Coming Up (2025). Flying Nun issued the Volume 1 box set in 2014. They played a free relief concert in Hagley Park in October 2010 after the Canterbury earthquake. Woodward, Kean and Grant also play as Minisnap, who often open Bats shows. PopMatters' reviewer called them one of the most woefully underappreciated bands in indie rock, and Matthew Fiander wrote that they are a crucial part of the Flying Nun story, as well as the story of New Zealand music.