The Spelling Mistakes
Encyclopedia
The Spelling Mistakes were a New Zealand
punk
band which had minor success in the local scene in 1979 and 1980.
Formed in 1979 from the remnants of two bands, Get Smart and The Aliens, their line-up was Nick Hanson (vocals), Julian Hanson (drums), and Warwick Fowler (guitar). Initial bassist, Keith Bacon, was replaced early in 1980 by Nigel Russell.
Their first recording was Reena, which featured on one side of a single (with The Whizz Kids) on Ripper Records in early 1980. It is purported to be inspired by actress Rena Owen
of Once Were Warriors
fame, who was involved in the punk scene at the time.
After winning a band talent quest, organised by their manager, they signed to Simon Grigg
's Propeller Records
label, and released a single, Feels So Good in June, 1980. This peaked at #29. A second single was recorded but remained unreleased for two decades as the band split in September 1980 after finding it increasingly difficult to find bookings because of the nature of their under-age following.
They reformed briefly in 1999 but parted ways for good later that year. In 2004 Feels So Good was re-recorded and featured on an Export Gold advert.
A complete, semi-official, collection of available recordings was released in 2002 as a 2-disc set under the name The Spelling Mistakes: Epileptic Apocalypse 1979 - 1999. It was nominated for 'best rock release' by bNet NZ Music Awards in 2003.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band which had minor success in the local scene in 1979 and 1980.
Formed in 1979 from the remnants of two bands, Get Smart and The Aliens, their line-up was Nick Hanson (vocals), Julian Hanson (drums), and Warwick Fowler (guitar). Initial bassist, Keith Bacon, was replaced early in 1980 by Nigel Russell.
Their first recording was Reena, which featured on one side of a single (with The Whizz Kids) on Ripper Records in early 1980. It is purported to be inspired by actress Rena Owen
Rena Owen
Rena Owen is a New Zealand actress in film, theatre and television. She is of Maori, Torres Strait Islander and Pakeha descent. Owen is most well known in the lead role of Beth in the cult classic movie Once Were Warriors directed by Lee Tamahori...
of Once Were Warriors
Once Were Warriors
Once Were Warriors is New Zealand author Alan Duff's bestselling first novel, published in 1990. It tells the story of an urban Māori family, the Hekes, and portrays the reality of domestic violence. It was the basis of a 1994 film, directed by Lee Tamahori and starring Rena Owen and Temuera...
fame, who was involved in the punk scene at the time.
After winning a band talent quest, organised by their manager, they signed to Simon Grigg
Simon Grigg
Simon Grigg is a New Zealand music businessman, writer, radio host, publisher, producer, DJ and archivist. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, he attended Palmerston North Boys High, Auckland Grammar and the University of Auckland.-Punk rock:...
's Propeller Records
Propeller Records
Propeller Records was an independent record label formed in Auckland, New Zealand, by Simon Grigg in 1980.-1980-81:In the years prior to 1980 the New Zealand contemporary recording industry was largely moribund. The major record labels were either not recording or were confining themselves largely...
label, and released a single, Feels So Good in June, 1980. This peaked at #29. A second single was recorded but remained unreleased for two decades as the band split in September 1980 after finding it increasingly difficult to find bookings because of the nature of their under-age following.
They reformed briefly in 1999 but parted ways for good later that year. In 2004 Feels So Good was re-recorded and featured on an Export Gold advert.
A complete, semi-official, collection of available recordings was released in 2002 as a 2-disc set under the name The Spelling Mistakes: Epileptic Apocalypse 1979 - 1999. It was nominated for 'best rock release' by bNet NZ Music Awards in 2003.