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Dunedin's The Clean: Indie's Lo-Fi Pioneers
20 Apr
Summary
- The Clean pioneered a lo-fi DIY spirit with psychedelic and post-punk influences.
- Their first single, Tally Ho, was made for just NZ$50 in 1981.
- They influenced major indie acts like Pavement and Guided by Voices.

Formed in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1978, The Clean established a lo-fi DIY ethos rooted in psychedelic, Velvet Underground, and post-punk sounds. Their early single, "Tally Ho," produced for a mere NZ$50 in 1981, marked a pivotal moment for New Zealand's independent music scene.
The band's 1981 EP, "Boodle Boodle Boodle," achieved significant chart success despite a lack of commercial airplay, showcasing their expansive guitar work and dual vocal harmonies. Later, in 1982, The Clean supported The Fall and released their second EP, "Great Sounds Great, Good Sounds Good, So-so Sounds So-so, Bad Sounds Bad, Rotten Sounds Rotten."