Headless Chickens To Receive IMNZ Classic Record Award - Taite Music Prize

Independent Music NZ have announced legendary Auckland electronic pop group Headless Chickens will receive the Classic Record award at the Taite Music Prize 2018 ceremony this April, for their groundbreaking 1988 album Stunt Clown which is celebrating it's 30th anniversary this year. Stunt Clown contains such landmark experimental pop tunes as 'Expecting To Fly' and 'Totalling Dad's Car', and paved the way for the band's later 90s chart hits with singer Fiona McDonald. The award aims to "acknowledge New Zealand's rich history of making fine albums that continue to inspire us and that also define who we are." Headless Chickens bandleader Chris Matthews reacted to the announcement with a humorous statement...

"When I heard that we’d won the Classic Album award I was shocked and stunned... that there’s no prize money! I thought that on the 30th anniversary of the release of 'Stunt Clown' I was finally going to be able to give up my day job. Oh, well, cheers and better living, everyone!”

Also announced were the finalists for the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut award, celebrating "the freshest talent of Aotearoa." The winner will receive a $2,000 cash prize from IMNZ and a live performance slot programmed by Auckland Live:

Kendall Elise - 'I Didn’t Stand A Chance'
L.A.B. - 'L.A.B.' 
Strangely Arousing - 'Strangely Arousing' 
Daniel McClelland - 'Anxious Heart'
The Miltones - 'The Miltones'

Here's the Headless Chickens classic single 'Expecting To Fly' from Stunt Clown...

Here's their infectious hit 'Totalling Dad's Car'...