Mint Chicks
The Mint Chicks, are an all-male noise/powerpop/punk/ band who have recently moved from New Zealand to Portland, Oregon.
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.
They will be on tour with Shihad in July 08 through-out NZ.
