#failsafe records

[bandcampsnoop]

12/28/25.

This is one of the most interesting things I've seen on Bandcamp in a while. And I'm not even talking about the music.

First, the music. Alms For Children recorded all the tracks that make up "Recycled" in 1981 in Auckland, New Zealand. The band later morphed into This Sporting Life who released music on Flying Nun and later and have been featured on Failsafe Records' compilations.

The bass has the unmistakeable New Zealand sound, but otherwise, this is harsh/melodic post-punk that sounds more Australian or British than Kiwi. Frankly, it reminds me of The Vacant Lot, Magazine and Wire.

Of course, since they were in New Zealand, Alms For Children played with The Clean, Nocturnal Projections, and Children's Hour.

Now to the "interesting thing." If you want this on vinyl, click on the link and you are taken to Elastic Stage which will make a 12" (or CD) for you on demand.

[spilladabalia]

MAINLY SPANIARDS -That's What Friends Are For [2026] Remaster. Christchurch, NZ, 1982.

[bandcampsnoop]

12/16/25.

Piggietails are coming to the U.S. Not on tour, but on mpls ltd, the label. Spoilsport Records (Naarm/Melbourne, Australia) and mpls ltd are teaming up for a limited LP release of this excellent debut. The Spoilsport Bandcamp page mentions Yo La Tengo/jumble pop as inspiration. I would say it's a great combo of Richard Davies/The Moles with Aussie dolewave.

While you're at mpls ltd, check out their 12" reissue of The Perfect Garden - a late 1980s/early 1990s Dunedin, New Zealand band inspired by "the sound of the Jesus and Mary Chain, the Primitives, the Shop Assistants and Loop." They wanted to do something different from the Flying Nun sound and they did. But there is still Flying Nun in their DNA - they proudly played shows with The Bats and The 3Ds. This was originally released on CD through Failsafe Records.

[bandcampsnoop]

3/18/25.

We posted about All Fall Down "My Brand New Wallpaper Coat" back in June 2024. They were a Flying Nun band who produced an EP back in 1987. Blair Parkes released a remastered version on Bandcamp last year (remastered by Rob Mayes of Failsafe Records).

I was not at all surprised to see Thomas Keitsch (Thokei Tapes) release a physical version of this remastering. However, as he is wont to do, this comes in an expanded format by including a live show from July 1987. The live show sounds outstanding. If you've bought from Thokei Tapes before, you know that the tape-run is always limited, and I've never actually seen a repress done.

When I listen to All Fall Down (Christchurch, New Zealand), I'm immediately reminded of The Bats, Able Tasmans, The Chills and any number of Flying Nun influenced bands.

[bandcampsnoop]

11/6/24.

The other day we posted about a CD release from Christchurch, New Zealand band Springloader. The CD is released by longtime label Failsafe Records, also based in Christchurch.

I was further perusing the label's offerings the other day and I came upon this stunning compilation from 1986. This is the 2 CD compilation version. The theme of the CD is bands that went through Christchurch between 1984 and 1986.

This focus led to one of the most stunning compilations I've run across. This is a mix of the known and unknown from the fertile New Zealand scene in the 1980s. You'll find some of the finest Flying Nun bands, but much more. So yes, The Chills, Sneaky Feelings, The Bats, Bird Nest Roys, and The Jean-Paul Sarte Experience are here. But so are The Triffids and This Sporting Life.

Failsafe has another winner compilation, "South Compilation" that also has Flying Nun representation, but less so. And, also check out "Accident Compilation" for a compilation of Christchurch only bands from the early 1980s.

[disc-over-y]

[dustedandsocial]

Visit Original Link

Eight Living Legs - Pay The Fee (live)

Recorded in Auckland, 1983. Featured on the Five Yards Ahead live album, which you can buy online in CD or digital format HERE. The band featured former Cakekitchen member Huw Dainow on drums. Fans of Children's Hour (the NZ group, not the folk one), The Gordons (the NZ group, not the folk one), take note. Their studio recordings are up on Bandcamp as well.

-kiwi bot