Screaming Meemees
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 in Auckland, New Zealand |
| Headquarters | Auckland , New Zealand |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Screaming Meemees were a New Zealand post-punk and new wave ensemble that originated in Auckland in 1979 while attending Rosmini College. The group consisted of vocalist Tony Drumm, guitarist Michael O'Neill, keyboardist and bassist Peter van der Fluit, along with drummer Laurence "Yoh" Landwer-Johan. Their initial success was marked by the release of the single All Dressed Up, which appeared on Simon Grigg's Propeller Records compilation Class of 81. By the end of 1980, they spearheaded the so-called "North Shore Invasion" and earned the title of "Most Promising Group" at the 1981 New Zealand Music Awards.
In early 1981, the band issued the single "Can’t Take It", featuring The Newmatics’ track "Judas" as its B-side. This release sold approximately 2,000 copies and secured a spot within New Zealand’s top 40 chart. Subsequently, they embarked on the "Screaming Blamatic Roadshow" tour alongside labelmates Blam Blam Blam and The Newmatics.
Their following single, See Me Go, was distributed as both limited 12" and 7" formats and briefly reached number one on New Zealand’s charts despite receiving minimal exposure outside student radio stations. Notably, it was the first single from New Zealand to enter the charts directly at number one. December 1981 saw the launch of Sunday Boys, which also climbed into the Top 20 without mainstream radio support.
The final single released by the group was Stars in My Eyes in 1982. The band concluded their live performances by 1983, including an appearance at the Sweetwaters Music Festival, before disbanding in April that year. They reunited briefly for two shows in August 1983 but have not performed publicly since.
Albums
| Year | Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ | ||||
| 1982 | If this is Paradise, I'll Take the Bag |
|
16 | Gold |
| 1992 | Stars in My Eyes – Songs & Singles 1979-81 |
|
15 | |
| "—" indicates a release that did not chart or was unavailable in that region. | ||||
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ | |||
| 1981 | "Can’t Take It" | 32 | Non-album single |
| "See Me Go" | 1 | Seemeego-o EP | |
| "Sunday Boys" | 11 | If this is Paradise, I'll Take the Bag | |
| 1982 | "'F' is For Fear" | 45 | |
| "Stars in My Eyes" | 18 | Non-album single | |
| "—" indicates a release that did not chart or was unavailable in that region. | |||