Mi-Sex
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1978 in New Zealand |
| Founder | Steve Gilpin, Kevin Stanton, Murray Burns, Don Martin |
| Headquarters | New Zealand |
Area served | Australia, New Zealand, international |
Key people | Steve Gilpin (lead vocals), Kevin Stanton (guitar), Murray Burns (keyboards), Don Martin (bass) |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Mi-Sex (also presented as MiSex) is a New Zealand new wave group initially active between 1978 and 1986, fronted by singer Steve Gilpin, guitarist and songwriter Kevin Stanton, keyboardist and composer Murray Burns, alongside bassist Don Martin. For much of their tenure, they were managed by Bob Yates. Mi-Sex secured two top 10 singles during 1979–80: "Computer Games" (which reached No. 1 in Australia and No. 5 in New Zealand) and "People" (attaining No. 6 in Australia and No. 3 in New Zealand). Their initial two albums also achieved top 10 status in New Zealand: Graffiti Crimes (released July 1979) and Space Race (No. 1, June 1980). Renowned for innovative production techniques and energetic live performances, Gilpin passed away in January 1992 following a severe car accident. The band has reunited on several occasions, including a 2011 lineup featuring Steve Balbi (formerly of Noiseworks) as vocalist. Stanton died in May 2017, while Martin passed away in August 2020.
1978: Origins and "Straight Laddie"
Mi-Sex originated in New Zealand in 1978 with members Murray Burns (keyboards), Steve Gilpin (lead vocals), Don Martin (bass), Kevin Stanton (lead guitar and backing vocals)—all previously part of Fragments of Time—and Richard Hodgkinson on drums. The band’s name was inspired by the track "My Sex" from the 1977 debut album of British band Ultravox.
Prior to Mi-Sex, Gilpin pursued a solo career after finishing second in the television talent competition New Faces in 1972. Burns drew inspiration from progressive rock outfits such as Yes, whereas Stanton favored heavy metal influences. In 1977, Gilpin connected with Martin; together with Stanton and ex-Father Time members Alan Moon and Phil "Smarty" Smart, they formed Fragments of Time.
Fragments of Time incorporated elements from British new wave and pub rock genres and were engaged by EMI New Zealand’s Peter Dawkins to produce a punk-new wave record. Following lineup adjustments—including substituting Moon with Burns and Smart with Hodgkinson—the group developed a futuristic fusion of new wave and punk complemented by theatrical stage shows. During this phase, they adopted the name Mi-Sex to promote their demo recordings.
Early in 1978, Mi-Sex released their debut single under EMI New Zealand titled "Straight Laddie." Initial live appearances took place at venues such as the Wellington Institute of Technology and Dr Johns, alongside demo sessions recorded at Dellbrook studios.
1979–1980: Graffiti Crimes, Space Race, and the success of "Computer Games"
By August 1978, the band relocated to Sydney, quickly becoming the city’s "fourth biggest drawcard" within half a year. Signed to CBS Records Australia through A&R manager and producer Peter Dawkins, they issued their first CBS single "But You Don't Care" in May 1979, which peaked at No. 25 on the Kent Music Report charts and reached No. 33 in New Zealand.
Their debut album Graffiti Crimes was released in July 1979 alongside a nationwide tour supporting Talking Heads, followed by their own headline tour. The album climbed to No. 6 on New Zealand charts and entered Australia’s top 20 rankings. Produced by Dawkins at Studios 301, it featured the hit single "Computer Games", included on later editions. The track was co-written by Burns, Gilpin, and Stanton and released on 1 October 1979; it achieved No. 1 status in Australia, reached the top 5 in New Zealand, and made top 10 charts across Europe, Canada, and South Africa.
In October 1979, Mi-Sex opened for Cheap Trick at Bruce Stadium delivering a well-received live show. The following month saw them perform at the Concert of the Decade held at the Sydney Opera House, which was broadcast nationally by the Nine Network and accompanied by a double-LP release through Mushroom Records.
Beginning January 1980, they commenced work on their second album. Between April and May that year, they toured North America for five weeks across the US and Canada. The album Space Race was launched in May 1980, reaching No. 1 in New Zealand and No. 6 in Australia. It generated top 10 singles including "People" (No. 3 NZ, No. 6 AUS) as well as the title track which charted within the top 20 in New Zealand and top 30 in Australia. Despite performing an extensive schedule with 366 concerts throughout 1981, the band’s popularity gradually waned.
Burns remarked to The Australian Women's Weekly that although Space Race represented a continuation of their artistic direction, its concept album format was met with mixed critical reception affecting overall acceptance.
1981–1985: Shanghaied! and Where Do They Go?
The band's third studio album, Shanghaied!, was released in October 1981 and primarily co-produced by Burns and Stanton, with additional production by John L Sayers and Dave Marett. Despite modest commercial results, McFarlane regarded it as potentially the group's finest work. Moore observed that the album "ought to restore the band’s stability," highlighting its more sincere and grounded nature. In the same month, Paul Dunningham (formerly of Coup D'État) took over drumming duties from Hodgkinson.
Towards the end of 1982, Stanton temporarily stepped away due to health issues, with Ted Yanni filling in on guitar during his absence. After four months, Stanton rejoined, but Yanni remained until Colin Bayley (ex-Silent Movies) replaced him, expanding the lineup to six members. For their fourth album, Where Do They Go?, released in November 1983, they collaborated with American producer Bob Clearmountain. Nimmervoll characterized this period as the band exploring "more subdued lyrical themes and simpler musical arrangements." The album produced three singles, including "Blue Day," which reached the top 40 charts in both New Zealand and Australia in 1984. A compilation of their hits from 1979 to 1985 was issued in 1985 under the title '79-'85.
1986–2010: Hiatus
Mi-Sex went on hiatus beginning February 1986. Stanton moved to London where he worked with Fairlight and composed soundtracks for films. Meanwhile, Gilpin stayed in Australia and performed with a cover band called Under Rapz. Tragically, in November 1991, Gilpin was involved in a serious car accident that left him comatose; he passed away on 6 January 1992. In February that year, benefit concerts were organized at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion and Melbourne’s Palais Theatre featuring notable artists from Australia and New Zealand alongside Mi-Sex members Don Martin, Murray Burns, Kevin Stanton, Colin Bayley, and Paul Dunningham.
By 2001, Murray Burns was managing Twilight Productions near Byron Bay; Don Martin served as financial controller at Bob and Pete's in Sydney; Kevin Stanton operated Speaking Image Productions, which included a record label and multimedia projects; drummer Paul Dunningham resided in New Zealand. Bob and Pete's was a croissant company co-founded by Yates but without his involvement at that time.
In 2008, manager Yates faced legal charges related to sexual offenses involving a minor in Ringwood, Victoria.
2011–present: Reformation & Not from Here
Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the band reunited for a charity concert featuring former Noiseworks bassist Steve Balbi as lead vocalist.[1] By 2014, they had begun recording new material for the first time in 33 years.[1] Stanton was unable to participate fully due to undergoing major spinal surgery that temporarily impaired his left arm but was later corrected through neurosurgical intervention.
In February 2016, Mi-Sex released "Somebody," their first single in over thirty years, followed by an EP containing that track along with three re-recorded songs. On 3 June 2016, they issued "My Sex Your Sex." Their first full-length album since 1983's Where Do They Go?, titled Not from Here, was released on 9 September 2016 and reached number 93 on the ARIA Charts.[2]
Don Martin endured a prolonged battle with cancer and held a 'living wake' in January 2020 before passing away on 10 August of that year.[3]
The "Culture" Debate
In 1980, Mi-Sex attracted significant attention when New Zealand's Prime Minister at the time, Rob Muldoon, introduced a 40% sales tax on records, a move that faced opposition from the New Zealand Arts Council and various industry representatives. Muldoon controversially categorized popular music as lacking cultural merit, setting it apart unfavorably from classical performers such as Kiri Te Kanawa.
Prior to embarking on a substantial tour across New Zealand, band member Kevin Stanton extended an invitation to Muldoon during a radio broadcast to attend their Wellington show. Muldoon accepted and came along with his daughter. Although the concert was well-received and the Prime Minister met with the band afterward, the imposed sales tax was not revoked. Subsequently, Muldoon likened the cultural significance of their music to that of On the Mat, a contemporary wrestling television program.
Current Lineup
- Murray Burns – keyboards, backing vocals (1978–1985, 1992, 2011, 2014–present)
- Steve Balbi – lead vocals (2011, 2014–present)
- Travis New – bass guitar (2020–present), guitar (2011, 2014–2020), backing vocals (2011, 2014–present)
- Jordan McDonald – drums (2018–present)
- James Van Cooper – guitar, backing vocals (2020–present)
Former Members
- Steve Gilpin – lead vocals (1978–1985; deceased 1992)
- Don Martin – bass guitar, backing vocals (1978–1985, 1992, 2011–2020; deceased)
- Alan Moon – keyboards (1978)
- Phil Smart – drums (1978)
- Kevin Stanton – guitar, backing vocals (1978–1982, 1983–1985, 1992; deceased 2017)
- Richard Hodgkinson – drums (1978–1981)
- Ted Yanni – guitar (1982–1983)
- Colin Bayley – guitar (1983–1985, 1992, 2011–2019)
- Paul Dunningham – drums (1981–1985, 1992, 2011–2018)
TV Week / Countdown Awards
The Australian pop music television program Countdown, which aired on ABC-TV from 1974 through 1987, presented annual music awards between 1979 and 1987 in collaboration with TV Week. These accolades combined both public voting and industry peer recognition. At the ceremony honoring achievements from 1979 held in April 1980, Mi-Sex garnered six nominations and secured four wins. While engaged in a tour across the United States and Canada at that time, Peter Dawkins accepted the awards on behalf of the band.
|- | rowspan="6" |1979 | Graffiti Crimes | Best Australian Album | |- | Peter Dawkins for Graffiti Crimes by Mi-Sex | Best Australian Producer | |- | rowspan="2" | "Computer Games" | Best Australian Single | |- | Most Popular Single | |- | rowspan="2" | Themselves | Best New Talent | |- | Most Popular Group | |-
Studio Albums
| Title | Album Information | Highest Chart Positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ | AUS | |||
| Graffiti Crimes |
|
6 | 16 |
|
| Space Race |
|
1 | 5 |
|
| Shanghaied! |
|
— | 28 | |
| Where Do They Go? |
|
— | 80 | |
| Not from Here |
|
— | 93 | |
Compilation albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| '79-'85 |
|
46 |
| The Essential Mi-Sex |
|
— |
Extended plays
| EP Title | Release Details |
|---|---|
| Extended Play |
|
Singles
| Year | Single Title | Highest Chart Positions | Associated Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ |
AUS |
AUT |
NL |
US Dance | |||
| 1978 | "Straight Laddie" | — | — | — | — | — | Template:Non-album single |
| 1979 | "But You Don't Care" | 33 | 20 | — | — | — | Graffiti Crimes |
| "Computer Games" | 5 | 1 | 16 | 44 | 61 | ||
| 1980 | "People" | 3 | 6 | — | — | — | Space Race |
| "Space Race" | 19 | 28 | — | — | — | ||
| "It Only Hurts When I'm Laughing" | — | 84 | — | — | — | ||
| 1981 | "Falling In and Out" | "48" | "20" | "—" | "—" | "—" | "Shanghaied" |
| Year | Title | NZ | AUS | AUT | NL | US Dance | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | "Missing Person" | — | — | — | — | — | Shanghaied |
| 1981 | "Shanghaied!" | — | — | — | — | — | Shanghaied |
| rowspan=3 |1982 | "Castaway" | — | 23 | — | — | — | Template:Non-album singles |
| "Down the Line (Makin' Love on the Telephone)" | — | 37 | — | — | — | Template:Non-album singles | |
| "Lost Time" | — | 57 | — | — | — | Template:Non-album singles | |
| 1983 | "Only Thinking" | — | 48 | — | — | — | Where Do They Go? |
| rowspan=2 |1984 | "Blue Day" | 36 | 24 | — | — | — | Where Do They Go? |
| "5 O'Clock (In the Morning)" | — | — | — | — | — | Where Do They Go? | |
| rowspan=2 |2016 | "Somebody" | — | — | — | — | — | Extended Play |
| "My Sex Your Sex" | — | — | — | — | — | Not from Here |