Mi-Sex releases new single; announces EP
Holding an important place in the heart of New Zealand and Australian music, Mi-Sex are remembered as true pioneers in the down-under new-wave scene, transforming the turntables of New Zealand and Australia as music grew up into the 80s. And now they are back with some new games – reformatted, rebooted and retooled with a little extra RAM.
Formed in New Zealand in 1977 around the trio of Don Martin, Kevin Stanton and the late great Steve Gilpin, the group pioneered the introduction of electronic instruments into the rock genre, heading across the ditch to Australia with a string of seminal hits including ‘People’, ‘Blue Day’ and of course the unstoppable ‘Computer Games’.
Recipients of seven Countdown Awards, two top 10 albums and global success including charts in Austria, France, Canada, Argentina and of course their home territories, Mi-Sex had an intense six-year career before calling it a day in 1985, moving on to other projects. After the tragic passing of Gilpin in 1992, the band members of Don Martin, Murray Burns, Paul Dunningham and Colin Bayley became close once more, eventually re-forming on stage in 2011 to fundraise for the Christchurch Earthquake appeal before getting together more permanently to hit the road once more.
With the enigmatic Steve Balbi (Noiseworks, Electric Hippies) recruited to lead the band into a new era, the band hit a new stride, combining the energy and spirit of their original line-up with a new musical direction and purpose, writing again for the first time since the 80s and starting on the road to reclaim their place in the Australian music zeitgeist.
Balbi says the response from fans has been overwhelming. “I never intended to fill Steve Gilpin’s shoes, I just brought my own shoes in the hope that Mi-Sex fans would walk with me as the new singer of their beloved band. I love carrying the flag for Steve Gilpin and do so with great respect”.
Mi-Sex’s greatly-anticipated new single ‘Somebody’ is released today and is the band’s first new single in 25 years! It also marks their signing to new Australian rock label Golden Robot Records.
‘Somebody’ is the first track of the upcoming new EP, EXTENDED PLAY – to be released on Friday February 19, to coincide with the first gig on the Clash Of the Titans tour (Auckland – Town Hall). Mi-Sex takes to the stage for the ‘Clash of the Titans’ tour alongside The Angels and Dragon across New Zealand in February.
As well as ‘Somebody’, the EP includes three bonus tracks – reworked versions of their biggest hits including ‘Computer Games’, ‘Falling In And Out’ and ‘People’. Pre-order EXTENDED PLAY now and receive ‘Somebody’ as an instant download. Pre-order from iTunes here.
‘Somebody’ is serviced to New Zealand radio this week.
Mi-Sex on tour with The Angels and Dragon
Clash of the Titans Tour
Fri 19 The Battle for: Auckland
Auckland Town Hall (All Ages)
ticketmaster.co.nz | 0800 111 999
Sat 20 The Battle for: Hamilton
Claudelands Arena (All Ages)
ticketek.co.nz | 0800 842 538
Sun 21 The Battle for: Havelock North
Blackbarn Vineyards
(Afternoon show, All Ages)
ticketmaster.co.nz | 0800 111 999
Tue 23 The Battle for: Wellington
Shed 6 (All Ages)
ticketek.co.nz | 0800 842 538
Fri 26 The Battle for: Christchurch
The Bedford Big Top (R18)
ticketmaster.co.nz | 0800 111 999
Sat 27 The Battle for: Dunedin
Dunedin Town Hall (All Ages)
ticketdirect.co.nz | 0800 224 224
Sun 28 The Battle for: Invercargill
Civic Theatre (All Ages)
ticketdirect.co.nz | 0800 224 224
* playing order decided by toss of the coin on the night of the show!
