Eye TV
Eye TV (formerly the Nixons) was a New Zealand alternative rock band, active from the mid 1990s to the early 2000s.[1]
Eye TV | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Nixons |
| Origin | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Genres | Alternative rock |
| Years active | 1990–2001 |
| Labels | Pagan Records, Antenna Records |
| Past members |
|
History
The band was formed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1990, under its original name Nixons, playing rock with an electronic edge. The band's original line-up was Sean Sturm on guitar and vocals, Michael Scott on bass and Mark Pollard on drums. In 1991 the band had the track "Song To" included on Flying Nun Records compilation album Freak the Sheep, but eventually signed with Pagan Records.[2]
Nixons recorded their debut album Eye TV at York Street Studios in 1993 and toured New Zealand. In 1994 a van full of the band's equipment was stolen, valued at NZ$50,000. Instead of replacing the gear, the Nixons borrowed equipment and used acoustic guitars, leading to a darker, more atmospheric sound on their mini-album Special Downtime. The band's first two albums were released in America, which required the band to change their name as there was an American band called The Nixons. The New Zealand Nixons took the name of their album and became Eye TV. At this time, drummer Mark Pollard left the band and was replaced with Luke Casey.
In 1995 and 1996 the band toured extensively, including an America tour where they playing a number of high-profile support gigs, such as Mr Bungle and Tim Finn's trio ALT. Eye TV released their second album Birdy-O in 1997, with singles "Snakes and Ladders" and "Wish It All Away" receiving airplay on New Zealand TV and radio. Pagan Records shifted the band onto its sub-label Antenna.[3]
In 1999 the group recorded the single "Just the Way It Is" with a strong pop focus. It was also the lead track on the group's anthology album As Far as the Eye TV. The group began exploring a soul music sound, with keyboard player Grant Winterburn joining the group. The resulting album Fire Down Below (2000) contained the single "One Day Ahead", which charted at 9 in the New Zealand singles chart, the group's highest charting single. Eye TV broke up in 2001.[1]
Awards
In 2001 the group's single "One Day Ahead" was nominated for Single of the Year at the New Zealand Music Awards. Music video director Greg Page was also nominated for Best Music Video for the song's video.[4]
Discography
Albums
| Year | Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ[5] | |||
| as Nixons | |||
| 1993 | Special Downtime |
|
— |
| 1994 | Eye TV |
|
— |
| as Eye TV | |||
| 1997 | Birdy-O |
|
50 |
| 1999 | As Far as the Eye TV |
|
— |
| 2000 | Fire Down Below |
|
10 |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ[5] | |||
| as Nixons | |||
| 1993 | "House of Flowers" | — | Eye TV |
| 1994 | "Tick Tock" | — | |
| "Basement Static" | — | Special Downtime | |
| as Eye TV | |||
| 1995 | "Immaculate" | — | Non-album single |
| 1997 | "Snakes & Ladders" | — | Birdy-O |
| "Wish It All Away" | — | ||
| 1999 | "Just the Way It Is" | 13 | As Far As The Eye TV |
| 2000 | "One Day Ahead" | 9 | Fire Down Below |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
References
- Shute, Gareth. "Eye TV Profile". Audio Culture. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
- Reekie, Trevor. "Pagan Singles 1986 -2000". Simon Grigg. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
- "Eye TV". Muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
- "2001 Winners". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
- "EYE TV IN NEW ZEALAND CHARTS". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 May 2014.