The Clean

Indie rock band The Clean was formed in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1978. Founded by brothers Hamish Kilgour (drums) and David Kilgour (vocals / guitar), The Clean were pioneers of the alternative rock scene in their homeland, and one of the most influential bands on the Flying Nun Records label. Influences by the rock sounds of the 1960s, they formed the band with bassist Peter Gutteridge, who was soon replaced by Robert Scott. Signing to Flying Nun, The Clean’s first single, “Tally Ho,” was released in 1981, reaching Number 19 on the New Zealand Singles chart. They followed that with the successful EPs Boodle Boodle (1981) and Great Sounds Great… (1982), both of which reached the Top 5. Putting The Clean on hiatus, bassist Robert Scott formed The Bats, and the Kilgour brothers recorded the album Clean Out of Our Minds (1983) as The Great Unwashed. Several cassette compilations were released under The Clean name including Left by Soft (1981), Oddities (1983), and Oddities 2 (1988). The Kilgour brothers reunited with Robert Scott and toured the UK to support the release of Compilation (1986). The trio then released their first official album, Vehicle, in 1990, which reached Number 35 on the New Zealand Albums chart. The three members pursued other musical projects and didn’t come back together as The Clean until the release of the album Modern Rock (1994). That album was followed by Unknown Country (1996), and Getaway (2001). With the band on hold again, they issued the two CD compilation Anthology and two live albums: Syd’s Pink Wiring System: Live in New Zealand 2000 (2003) and Mashed (2008). The Clean’s next studio album, Mister Pop, was released in 2009 and proved to be their final album of new material. Still performing live together, they attempted to record a new studio album but abandoned sessions after the massive 2011 Christchurch earthquake. The band was then put on hold again as the members pursued their separate musical projects. The Clean was inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame in 2017. Reported missing by his family on December 1, 2022, Hamish Kilgour was found dead on December 6, 2022.

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