Biography
The Spelling Mistakes formed in mid-1979 amid the fading New Zealand post-punk scene, drawing members from two groups that had regularly played Auckland’s storied Zwines club. Vocalist Nick Hanson and drummer Julian Hanson arrived from Get Smart, while guitarist Warwick Fowle and bassist Keith Bacon came from the Aliens. The new quartet quickly became regulars at Zwines, yet the venue’s closure left most local acts without prospects; many folded, but the Spelling Mistakes persisted and cultivated an intensely loyal, frequently unruly audience that soon barred them from numerous venues. Bacon departed after clashing with the others over “Rachel,” a track written by Julian and Fowle that referenced Bacon’s girlfriend.
Once Nigel Russell joined on bass, the band’s fortunes improved when they took first place in the Windsor Castle club’s Battle of the Bands competition in March 1980. The prize included a day of free studio time, which led the fledgling Propeller label to release their first single, “Feel So Good.” Although the record drew positive notice, fresh obstacles arose when Fowle began appearing onstage in a Nazi SS uniform; combined with the group’s existing “boot boy” following, this led to a complete exclusion from Auckland clubs. Even Windsor Castle refused them entry, prompting the Spelling Mistakes to dissolve in late 1980 after issuing a final split single with the Whizz Kids titled “Reena’s Piss Flaps,” a revised version of the earlier “Rachel.”
In the aftermath, Nick Hanson moved to Green Eggs and Ham, Julian surfaced with Terror of Tiny Town, Fowle joined the Texas Rangers, and Russell later found success in Danse Macabre.
Once Nigel Russell joined on bass, the band’s fortunes improved when they took first place in the Windsor Castle club’s Battle of the Bands competition in March 1980. The prize included a day of free studio time, which led the fledgling Propeller label to release their first single, “Feel So Good.” Although the record drew positive notice, fresh obstacles arose when Fowle began appearing onstage in a Nazi SS uniform; combined with the group’s existing “boot boy” following, this led to a complete exclusion from Auckland clubs. Even Windsor Castle refused them entry, prompting the Spelling Mistakes to dissolve in late 1980 after issuing a final split single with the Whizz Kids titled “Reena’s Piss Flaps,” a revised version of the earlier “Rachel.”
In the aftermath, Nick Hanson moved to Green Eggs and Ham, Julian surfaced with Terror of Tiny Town, Fowle joined the Texas Rangers, and Russell later found success in Danse Macabre.