The Enemy (New Zealand band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder | Chris Knox |
| Defunct | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Dunedin , New Zealand |
Key people | Chris Knox, Mick Dawson, Mike Dooley, Alec Bathgate, Phil Judd |
| Products | Punk rock music |
The Enemy was a punk rock ensemble originating from Dunedin, New Zealand, widely recognized as pioneers of the Dunedin sound movement within rock music.
Established in early 1977, the group was fronted by singer Chris Knox and included Mick Dawson on bass, Mike Dooley on drums, and guitarist Alec Bathgate. Their sound was shaped by the rising global punk rock trend, blending influences from Glam rock, hard rock, 1960s pop hits, and early proto-punk artists such as Lou Reed and Iggy Pop—the latter referenced in their track "Iggy Told Me." In late 1978, following Dawson’s return to Dunedin, ex-Split Enz member Phil Judd briefly joined. However, internal conflicts and the increasing pressure associated with the 'punk' label contributed to the band’s eventual breakup.
While The Enemy did not issue any official releases, they recorded their complete set of 20 songs during a session in Auckland in October 1978 just prior to disbanding; these recordings have since circulated unofficially. Their dedication to creating original compositions played a significant role in influencing New Zealand’s rock scene by establishing a unique musical identity and fostering an ethos that emphasized the importance of original songwriting, which energized local music communities throughout Dunedin and beyond.
After The Enemy dissolved, Bathgate, Dooley, and Knox formed the band Toy Love, which reinterpreted several Enemy tracks with fresh arrangements or modified lyrics. Key songs carried forward include "Swimming Pool," "I Don't Mind," "1978," "Squeeze," "Cold Meat," "I'm Not Bored" (originally titled "I'm Not Bored, I'm Dead"), and "Don't Catch Fire." Upon Toy Love’s disbandment in October 1980, Bathgate and Knox continued their collaboration as Tall Dwarfs.
Among their early admirers were Dunedin siblings Hamish and David Kilgour of The Clean. It is said that Hamish coined the name The Enemy based on their musical style, to which Knox humorously responded by describing The Clean’s sound as "squeaky clean," inspiring that band’s name.
Further reading
Churton, W. R. (1999, 2001). Have You Checked the Children? Punk and postpunk music in New Zealand, 1977-1981. Christchurch, NZ: Put Your Foot Down Publishing.
Eggleton, D. (2003). Ready to Fly. Nelson, NZ: Craig Potton.