Mint success for Orewa musicians
Former Orewa College students Kody and Ruban Nielson have come a long way.
In their Rodney district days they had a band called Phat Controllers and later changed the name to the Mint Chicks.Last week, with Orewa College compatriots, bassist Michael Logie and drummer Paul Roper, the band cleaned up at the 2007 New Zealand Music Awards at Auckland Aotea Centre.
The alternative rockers beat bigger-selling acts to four awards.
"I'm not expecting to win, but I'd like to win best rock album," Kody said before the event.
They did more than that.
Headed by lead singer Kody and guitarist Ruban, the band beat Brooke Fraser, Hollie Smith, Evermore and Opshop to win the album of the year Tui for their second album Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!
They also took out best rock album and best group, edging out Evermore and Opshop in both categories.
The video for the title song earned its director Sam Peacocke a Tui for best video.
Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! was named last year's best album by critics on the Stuff website.
The Mint Chicks, who have concerts in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra this week, have been playing to packed-out smaller venues since 2002.
Their first EP, Octagon Octagon Octagon, in 2003 for New Zealand label Flying Nun Records had a strong local impact, especially on student radio where it hit the number one spot four times and scooped five bNet awards.
More EPs followed, along with a couple of trips to the United States, one to England and a number to Australia to supplement shows in New Zealand.
After shutting themselves off in the Far North in 2005, they released their first long player, F**k the Golden Youth, to mixed reviews.
North Harbour News