The Headless Chickens was a New Zealand band. Going against the grain of the Dunedin sound that dominated the Flying Nun Records roster at the time, the Headless Chickens made extensive use of electronic instruments in their music. They recorded three studio albums, Stunt Clown (1988), Body Blow (1991), and Greedy (1997).
History
The Headless Chickens recorded three albums, Stunt Clown (1988), Body Blow (1991), and Greedy (1997), plus various EPs for Flying Nun Records in the 1980s and 1990s.
The band first became known in New Zealand when they won the 1987 Rheineck Beer Rock award. The prize money from the award went into the funding for their innovative (for its use of sampling) 1988 debut album Stunt Clown.
The 1988 CD release of Stunt Clown compiled the vinyl release of this name with the 1986 Headless Chickens EP.
A second album, Body Blow, appeared in 1991 which featured singer Fiona McDonald. It was during this time that the band had their widest audience. Two versions of Body Blow were released, with the revised and expanded 1993 version going double platinum in New Zealand.
This album spawned the single "Cruise Control" which became a hit in New Zealand and (in a remixed form) Australia. "Cruise Control" was notable for its sampling, particularly for elements of Shona Laing's 1973 single "1905" and the Crocodiles' 1980 single "Tears".
At the time, the band's use of electronic elements and sampling in a "rock" setting was out of the ordinary and had an influence on many other N.Z. bands that followed them.
The follow-up 1997 Greedy album took several years to complete, and during that time several band members left, including singer McDonald. Greedy contained the track "George" which became a No. 1 hit single in their home country; "George" was the first (and so far, only) track from the Flying Nun Records label to achieve No. 1 status.
The Headless Chickens split up soon after the release of Greedy.
In 2002 Flying Nun Records released a 2CD best-of compilation named ChickensHits.
In July 2008 it was announced that the band would reform to play the Homebake Festival in Sydney, Australia on 6 December. The line-up would feature both Chris Matthews and Fiona McDonald. They played further concerts in Australia and New Zealand and were scheduled to play at the Auckland Big Day Out in January 2009.
On 27 January 2018, bassist Grant Fell died of cancer at the age of 56.Former Headless Chickens musician Grant Fell dies of cancer Less than three months later, Stunt Clown was awarded the IMNZ Classic Record Award at the 2018 Taite Music Prize, where Chris Matthews controversially sprinkled some of Fell's ashes onstage. Anthony Nevison died in November 2025.
Discography
Albums
Year Title Details Peak chartpositions Certifications NZ AUS N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart. 1988 Stunt Clown Label: Flying Nun Records Catalogue: FN100 18 — 1991 Body Blow Label: Flying Nun Records/Festival Music Catalogue: FN206 / D30939 17 46 NZ: 2×Platinum 1997 Greedy Label: Flying Nun Records/Festival Music Catalogue: FNCD320 — 167 2002 ChickensHits Label: Flying Nun Records Catalogue: FNCD467 26 — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Singles
Year Title Peak chart positions Album NZ AUS 1988 "Soulcatcher" / "Donka" - - Stunt Clown 1989 "Expecting to Fly" - - 1990 "Gaskrankinstation" / "Crash Hot" 28 - Body Blow 1991 "Cruise Control" 6 23 1992 "Donde esta la pollo" 4 161 "Juice" / "Choppers" 7 104 1993 "Mr. Moon" 22 93 1994 "George" / "Cruise Control" 1 67 Greedy 1997 "Magnet" - - "Dark Angel" - - 1998 "Secondtime Virgin" - -
Featured appearances The group have appeared on many compilations and soundtracks since 1990 in New Zealand and Australia, including the following.
YearTitleLabelTrack 1990 In Love With These Times Flying Nun Records Donca 1991 Aotearoa: Stand Strong '91 Festival Cruise Control Getting Older 1981-1991 Flying Nun Records Totalling Dad's Car Pink Flying Saucers Over the Southern Alps Flying Nun Records Railway Surfing 1993 Collision White Cruise Control 1994 Abbasalutely Flying Nun Records Super Trouper (ABBA cover) 1996 In The Neighbourhood Warner Music Cruise Control Popeyed Flying Nun Records George 1999 Scarfies Flying Nun Records George 2002 Absolute Bliss Festival Cruise Control 2003 Give It A Whirl Propeller Records Gaskrankinstation Nature's Best 3 Sony Music Entertainment Cruise Control
Awards
| 1987 | Headless Chickens | Rheineck Rock Award
| 1992 | Body Blow | NZ Music Awards - Album of the Year
| 1992 | "Cruise Control" | NZ Music Awards - Single of the Year
| 1992 | Fiona McDonald | NZ Music Awards - Best Female Vocalist
| 1992 | Headless Chickens | NZ Music Awards - Best Group
| 1992 | "Cruise Control" | NZ Music Awards - Best Video
| 1992 | Rex Visible (Body Blow) | NZ Music Awards - Best Producer
| 1994 | "Juice"/"Choppers" | NZ Music Awards - Single of the Year
| 1994 | Fiona McDonald | NZ Music Awards - Best Female Vocalist
| 1994 | Headless Chickens | NZ Music Awards - Best Group
| 1994 | Headless Chickens | NZ Music Awards - International Achievement
| 1994 | Johnny Ogilvie ("Mr Moon") | NZ Music Awards - Best Video
| 1995 | Johnny Ogilvie ("Cruise Control") | NZ Music Awards - Best Video
References
External links AudioCulture profile Headless Chickens on Flying Nun