The Mint Chicks

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The Mint Chicks
Kody Nielson hangs upside down over the stage during a performance at Auckland University of Technology
Background information
Origin	Auckland, New Zealand
Genre(s)	Power Pop, Noise Rock,
Years active	2001-present
Label(s)	Flying Nun Records
Members
Ruban Nielson Kody Nielson Paul Roper
Former members
Michael Logie

The Mint Chicks are an experimental noise rock / power pop group from Auckland, New Zealand. They are known for mixing pop hooks and structures with elements of noise rock and experimental music and also for their exciting live performances.

1 History
2 Band members
3 Discography
4 Awards
5 Footnotes
6 External links

[edit] History

Forming in 2001, they began by playing punk house parties and low profile shows before being discovered by acclaimed New Zealand independent record label Flying Nun Records. They have released two EPs and two albums under the Flying Nun Records banner: Octagon, Octagon, Octagon EP (2003), Anti-Tiger EP (2004), Fuck the Golden Youth (2005) and Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! (2006). All were produced and recorded by the band's core members Ruban and Kody Nielson, with the exception of Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! which was produced by the Nielson brothers and their father Chris Nielson at two different home studios.

All four original band members met at Orewa College in Orewa, New Zealand, although the band is now based in Portland, Oregon in the United States. The Nielson brothers have dual citizenship in New Zealand and the U.S.

In 2006, the band played support for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The volume of the show was reportedly so loud that part of the St James theater complex fell down, injuring two concert goers^[1]. They have also played support slots for the White Stripes, Death From Above, TV on the Radio, Blood Brothers, the Black Lips, and the Bronx. They were also part of the New Zealand line-up for Big Day Out 2004, 2005 and 2007. In 2005, it was notable that Kody Nielson wielded a chainsaw on stage and destroyed a corporate sponsor's overly prominent sign with it.^[2]

At the 2007 New Zealand Music Awards the band won five Tui awards including best rock group, best album, best rock album^[3] as well as winning best album cover and best music video for the single "Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!".^{[citation needed]}

On 24 October 2007, it was announced on the band's website that their bassist Michael Logie will be leaving the band when they relocate to Portland^[4]. The group will be continuing as a trio, with Logie relocating to London, England.

In 2008 the band started releasing new demos such as "Life Will Get Better Some Day" and "I Can't Stop Being Foolish".^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Band members

Ruban Nielson (guitar and vocals)
Kody Nielson (vocals and keyboard)
Paul Roper (drums).

[edit] Discography

Date of Release	Title	Label	Charted	Country
2003	Octagon, Octagon, Octagon	Flying Nun Records	-	New Zealand
2004	Anti-Tiger	Flying Nun Records	-	New Zealand
2005	Fuck the Golden Youth	Flying Nun Records	-	New Zealand
2006	Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!	Flying Nun Records	#1	New Zealand

[edit] Awards

Awarded at	Award
New Zealand Music Awards 2007	Album of the Year (Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!)^[3]
	Best Album Cover (Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!, designed by Ruban Nielson)^{[citation needed]}
	Best Group^[3]
	Best Music Video ("Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!", directed by Sam Peacocke)^{[citation needed]}
	Best Rock Album (Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!)^[3]