The Clean

BIOGRAPHY

The Clean formed in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1978, led by brothers Hamish and David Kilgour, with Robert Scott eventually settling into their longest-running lineup. Their debut single, "Tally Ho! / Platypus," was one of the first releases on Roger Shepherd's Flying Nun Records in September 1981 and reached number 19 on the New Zealand Singles Chart. Their EP Boodle Boodle Boodle followed that October, debuting at number five and staying in the national top 20 for nearly six months. After largely disbanding through most of the 1980s, The Clean reunited in 1988, released the album Vehicle in 1990, and continued recording and touring internationally through the 1990s with albums like Modern Rock and Unknown Country. A 2003 Merge Records anthology renewed US interest, and in 2017 both Boodle Boodle Boodle and the band itself were honored by New Zealand's Taite Music Prize and Music Hall of Fame.

WHY THEY'RE COOL

The Clean are widely regarded as the most influential band to emerge from Flying Nun Records and one of the earliest acts described as "indie rock." Their scrappy, melodic early singles helped define the "Dunedin sound" and gave the label its commercial breakthrough. Decades later, endorsements from Pavement and Yo La Tengo helped cement their reputation among 1990s indie audiences, while a 2003 anthology and later inductions into New Zealand's music honors underscored their lasting influence on generations of guitar bands.

GEORGE'S PLAYS

George has played this artist 4 times.

PLAYED ON WOKE1

• Anything Could Happen2 PLAYS
• Thumbs Off1 PLAY
• Beatnik1 PLAY