Naked Spots Dance
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Stephen Norris, Kate Walker |
| Defunct | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Wellington , New Zealand |
| Products | Music recordings (LPs, EPs) |
Naked Spots Dance was a post-punk group originating from Wellington, New Zealand's Terrace Scene, active from 1979 until 1984.
History
The band Naked Spots Dance was established in 1979 during secondary school by founding members Stephen Norris (guitar) and Kate Walker (bass). Their name alludes to the "spots of color perceived in darkness" when one tightly closes their eyes (phosphenes). By 1980, original drummer Jeff Smith had been succeeded by Phil Harfield, and Jennifer Ward-Lealand joined as vocalist. That same year, the band contributed four tracks to "****," a compilation released by Sausage Records highlighting local post-punk artists.
In 1981, after performing in Wellington and Christchurch, Harfield and Ward-Lealand departed. The group then welcomed Matthew Fisher, a university-trained drummer, and independently released their debut EP, Certain Ways, in January 1982.
Katherine McRae became the lead singer in May 1982. By August, the band recorded their follow-up EP New at Marmalade Studios with producers Chris Fleming and Ian Morris. Although self-issued, distribution and pressing were supported by Flying Nun Records, partly due to Kate Walker’s previous involvement with the label’s Wellington distribution network. The EP’s title track incorporated a musique concrète collage crafted by Norris through extensive tape splicing of urban sounds he gathered during his university music studies. This approach evolved into a defining feature of their recordings and live shows.
McRae was later replaced by vocalist Frances Walsh, formerly of The Wallsockets, another "****" compilation participant. Throughout 1983, the band toured New Zealand, receiving varied critiques from Rip It Up magazine. Their set at the Punakaiki Valley Festival was described as "dour epics," whereas a subsequent performance at Wellington Theater earned praise for its complex rhythmic compositions.
Their debut album, Falling, released on Jayrem Records in late 1983, showcased Walsh’s vocals alongside Norris’s tape manipulation. Critical responses were tepid, indicating a decline in the band's drive. A second album recorded later that year at Marmalade Studios was never issued. Naked Spots Dance dissolved in early 1984.
Post-Break up
Following her work on Falling, vocalist Fran Walsh developed a long-standing creative and personal partnership with director Peter Jackson, co-writing most of his films and providing the iconic Ringwraith "Nazgul scream" featured in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
LPs
- Falling (1983) NSD Records / Jayrem Records NSD-3
EPs
- "Certain Ways" (1982) NSD Records NSD-1
- "New" (1982) NSD Records / Flying Nun Records NSD-2
Compilations
- "****" (1980) Sausage Records