The Bats | North By North

Co-Directed by John Christoffels and Paul Kean with DOP Alister Parker (Bailter Space). 1987.
From The Bat's - 'Daddy's Highway' (FN079).
Available for Purchase at www.flyingnun.co.nz/pages/record-shop

[@glennlammonby6771]

62 years old and I’ve only just discover this. What a great song!

[@scrobag1]

all their records are really good. seek them out.

[@knowahnosenothing4862]

On a KZbin safari, getting older, finding obscure NZ culture and appreciating our humble spot.

[@avalonvalley2722]

Sidebar surfin 😎

[@superbrainbow]

The couplet: "I don't know what to do with you I don't know how to deal with you" has always felt haunting and evocative to me. I guess I can imagine a parent saying it to a child who won't or simply can't fall in line.

[@the.bloodless.one1312]

Can’t say I didn’t hear similar words spoken at me growing up 😅💀

[@Michael-pq4wd]

"Take away those moments of fun, there won't be much left there for you." I wonder if this, like some other Bats songs was a sort of reprimand of the party and drug lifestyle.

[@brettfox6798]

Pretty cool time to be a twenty years old and have the bats chills come to the pub you worked at and feed your heroes.... good times

[@kellymichael9567]

this song hooks you in from so many angles, musically, it has become one of the timeless songs from the bats.i first heard it live on tahuna beach in nelson nz one new years eve.i stumbled down a bank when i heard music on the beach walked down and almost immediately was dancing to a band i hardly knew, entranced by rhythm and melody. if i lived a thousand lives i would always remember this moment.

[@hannahshafer]

"if I lived a thousand lives I would always remember this moment" is such a beautiful sentence

[@etamommy]

@@hannahshafer and realization/sentiment.

[@hannahshafer]

@@etamommy of course

[@etamommy]

@@hannahshafer Yeah, figured that was encompassed in your comment but just pointing out that both the form and the content of that sentence are awesome!

[@jonathangeddes9786]

similar...bar in dunedin ...:) the ori...name didn't age well :/

[@ramindadmanesh3863]

...and they've never stopped being fantastic since then. Perhaps the most underrated band ever?

[@sugarandspice4815]

Them and The Clean, for that matter.

[@johnpabloguild9293]

I'd agree with that.

[@ramindadmanesh3863]

sugarandspice4815 Yep, you're right indeed, and isn't it serendipitous that Robert Scott is in both bands? By the way, The Clean just released an expanded edition of "Getaway" and The Bats are releasing a brand new album in two weeks. Joy indeed! Also, do not pass up on Robert's solo releases, especially the achingly gorgeous "The Green House."

[@Stephen0560]

Well, this is the first I've heard of them...I'm impressed.

[@mariahayward7691]

Definitely. I have been jumping up and down to the Bats and the Clean for decades ;-)

[@hellraiser917]

Always loved the sound of New Zealand! Greetings fae Scotland :)

[@MoonshineNL]

+hellraiser917 right back at you. Scots wha hae

[@DLCMORRIS]

Met One (!) of the Proclaimers when I worked at Paper Plus in Dunedin in the 90's/...and someone did walk 500 Miles--- wonder wha ever happened to him?! Good Music knows no Time

[@scottyea]

Always loved the sound of Scotland, g'day from Australia.

[@bingonamo7520]

Love this, it moves along like a train.

[@paramo.alejandra]

Lyrics : Some people are happy most of the time But they don't know they're in line I don't know what to do with you I don't know how to deal with you North by north I'm still following home North by north I know your name North by north I'm still wondering why I find out what you're meaning now Your term is darkness anyhow I can't find out what it is with you If there is one thing I can't get through North by north I'm still following home North by north I know your name North by north I'm still wondering why Absolve the waiting that you've done Take away those moments of fun There won't be much left there for you I'm taught we've a choice in what we do North by north I'm still following home North by north I know your name North by north I'm still wondering why (why, why)

[@IanJessup1]

We need to have a big 80s concert featuring only the very best from AUS-NZ of that era. Bats, Chills, Verlaines, Lime Spiders, Spy v Spy, Machinations, Screaming Tribesmen, Oils, Ed Kuepper, Divnyls, Sunnyboys etc. Oh the happiness of those times

[@lordfarquad5878]

IanJessup1 agreed

[@sorayabunny]

Just NZ though. Just Flying Nun in fact would be perfect.

[@bongie555]

if this is early 80's,from your list i would take out spy, machinations, oils, divinyls, they were more mainstream for me... i would replace them with look blue go purple, the clean, died pretty, hoodoo gurus, the triffids , go betweens, happy hate me nots

[@25pappy]

Only getting into this genre lately. The Dunedin sound right?

[@IanJessup1]

@@25pappy yep. Chills, Bats, Verlaines, Clear

[@pedtrog6443]

Never quite got it at the time, for some reason. But as I slide into my 60s, it,s all starting to make sense. the bats, the chills et al.

[@keithkoenig5320]

These bands made brilliant Pop that was smarter than most stuff coming out in their time.

[@aaronsunderland8838]

❤ the Dunedin sound and city

[@dgbrough1]

My fav Bats song

[@ryantattersfield3410]

Ridiculously good song. So simple but so completely original. So proud of the Dunedin sound!

[@bradadams-broyd4763]

Excuse me. They were Christchurchionons.

[@bradadams-broyd4763]

I know what you mean.

[@ryantattersfield3410]

Ha! Fair call though, they were a ChCh band. As Robert Scott started out in The Clean, and both them and The Bats were such a part of Dunnas music scene, it's an easy slip up 😂. Those were the days! ❤

[@donauciello2989]

Epic tune from a great band. Flying Nun, one of the great labels of the world, so many cool bands.

[@jacktaylor7696]

The Hollowmen brought me here! This song is the sound of Canberra - love it!

[@thedudemkii5381]

Canberra? This is a nz band

[@jacktaylor7696]

@@thedudemkii5381 the hollowmen is a show set in Canberra which uses this song.

[@MurphysJif]

Love the bass playing. The use of powerchords on a bass adds greater depth to the bass sound.

[@IanJessup1]

he's riffing the bass!

[@nish5523]

Is it just me or the lad sounds a bit like Morrissey? Cracking tune!

[@downallyourstreets]

More Michael Stipe to me

[@TimJackson-eq6iy]

This is by far my favorite Song from Flying Nun Records. The first time I saw it on Radio With Pictures, I was blown away.

[@hectortamayodiez5321]

Some people are happy most of the time But they don't know they're in line I don't know what to do with you I don't know how to deal with you North by north I'm still following home North by north I know your name North by north I'm still wondering why I find out what you're meaning now Your term is darkness anyhow I can't find out what it is with you If there is one thing I can't get through North by north I'm still following home North by north I know your name North by north I'm still wondering why Absolve the waiting that you've done Take away those moments of fun There won't be much left there for you I'm taught we've a choice in what we do North by north I'm still following home North by north I know your name North by north I'm still wondering why (why, why)

[@jasonparr4275]

god bless nz love from oz

[@catcat1517]

Oh hell yes these guys sound great.

[@petermateer]

Block of wood was plain dirty but this one had a superb melody and an opening riff which Bryan Adams would kill for :)

[@sergiobuassali8931]

Great

[@julianholland7204]

Timeless

[@loucypher3832]

Still listen to the Bats after many decades... Reminds me of Summers at Piha Beach... Smokin in the sun... good times...

[@fabmanly1070]

LOUIS CYPHER hahaha......lots of time spent in the cave making fires. Building bonfires at Bethells Beach, sleeping up in the grass.......god I’m old.

[@sadslavboy]

I have fallen in love with the album. This band deserves to be remembered more here in America

[@samstewart1101]

Radio with pictures with Karyn Hay.Thank you have not thought about that show in 30 years..Today I am 18 again.

[@Longtack55]

Karyn Hay has a slot on National Radio nowadays. She's still cool-as.

[@garyhicks1473]

we used to record radio with pictures on vhs and play it over and over! Wish I still had the tapes and a vhs player ha ha!

[@beanbagchair]

timeless. i could listen to this over and over again.

[@panNik1979]

What a song.

[@georgedipa1183]

Awsome track' I think the bats did this when they supported the Fall at the Old GreekTheatre in Melbourne back in the 80,s I think''

[@andrewlarkin645]

John Christoffels is an Auteur Excellente. The vision. The pacing. The darkness, This is what I am talking about. Auteur!

[@JK-zf5cr]

Great song.

[@lanakorvin2445]

Grogeous song, thanks for reminding me about this unbelieveable song and vocals !

[@Scotty-P]

It is, gorgeous!

[@paulcosgrove2510]

@@Scotty-P it's fatnastic

[@Scotty-P]

@@paulcosgrove2510 Thanks for the tip off!

[@clumpft]

The best bands to play in Sydney during the 90's were all from NZ! Flying Nun bands are immortal.

[@AnoPascoe]

Flying nun bands are shite!

[@chrisschneiders6734]

Yep, great time for kiwi bands..the sound of those times really suited the kiwi people for some reason..like a hand in a glove.

[@eliaspavlides9377]

I saw them again last night at Kings Arms: GREAT as ever!!!

[@alfajuj]

I used to play them on my college radio show back in the day... Love their sound

[@grantmadden84155]

That Bats sound!God, they still play sometimes and still have that sound! Good music never grows old!

[@mackenshaw8169]

Paul told us at radio U that when the video came out on "Radio with Pictures" the Canterbury Regional Council (I think) made sure that got a big fine.

[@magenta6]

Had put this on repeat!

[@davidsilva6229]

GOODY . . . !

[@paulmulcahy4187]

40 th anniversay gig coming up, can not wait

[@davidboyd8113]

I really really love the bits

[@benji274]

You mean the bets?

[@davidboyd8113]

@@benji274 Sorry I meant the bats

[@Dannyvirk]

This song makes me proud to be a kiwi.

[@snokful]

Aussie here, you bloody should be!

[@soundgardener4940]

Right young man, put your shoes on, and -some warm- all of your clothes-I'm taking you to Dunedin; you're going to explain where you stole that pride from, say you're sorry, _and give it back._ (You didn't do anything *_dirty_* to it, did you, like you did to Pikachu? Hrmph.) Anyway, after that you're going to call Karyn Hay on the radio (without pictures) and apologize to New Zealand. *_DEATH FROWN_* No, of course I'm not serious; I'm not even your Mum, lol.

[@stevemasterton1577]

Dunedin sound is still great today as it was then

[@augistineaquinas3325]

only for the real ones

[@darrylmorris8229]

I made a 60 minute mix on cassette of this in the 90s.

[@McdAngus]

Thank you for making my days at Otago University the best days of my life!

[@MsMiguel70]

Late November I think of my time studying in Scotland. The day after the college canceled thanksgiving. I had a case (?) with like 30 cds. This being one. Still some of the best tunes and times.

[@carlingcuz]

Still sounds so good 😎👍

[@Maharani1991]

Absolutely incredible.

[@bigglesbiggles1]

Great song on vinyl, brilliant song live, always played with such power that doesnt come through in the recordings

[@aaronsunderland8838]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@skyhooksafari4853]

Thank you Flying Nun Records. It was a great time.

[@ieatspiders77]

This pleases me.

[@paulmulcahy4187]

How good was the Dunedin sound, god bless Flying Nun!!

[@FlyingNunRecords]

god bless all the great bands! not us!

[@farehamtown373]

Ah memories of the Flying Nun night at the Marquee with JPS Experience and Straitjacket Fits. One of those bucket list days.

[@burtcokain3861]

Ahh, so thats who played. Was that the full line-up? I was at that gig but I cannae remember who played. That must of been around '94 or '95.

[@domenicbrigandi4086]

The Bats, The Chills and JPSE at Paddington RSL in about 1989 (maybe 1990)...good times.

[@joannefisher3281]

I love this song.

[@nedhohepa7716]

Best pub gig is these guys. U will love

[@KhannahSTR]

Dédicace à mon professeur d'histoire qui m'a fait découvrir ce groupe énormeee !

[@aaronsunderland8838]

Love to bass player in read shirt doing the drawn out "noorth byy noorth" backing vocals suble but really effective imho

[@aaronsunderland8838]

❤

[@TT-th3lv]

The Dunedin sound was an era 1979-1989. The energy and likes probably not to be repeated again.

[@Anax100]

Try Soviet Soviet

[@kerynyork6162]

still love

[@ldognz]

I love the Chills

[@ozdave64]

just a wonderful song, and used as the theme-song to ABC Television (Aust) political satire, The Hollowmen. just thought you should know............

[@dkelly6492]

That's how I came across it, randomly watched Hollow men one night and got Shazam out quickly to capture the intro!

[@MadProfessor1962]

Always loved the bets....

[@adriennethomas4969]

absolute perfection

[@MrNipperthedog]

Well they certainly are very good. If they played in Chicago I'd take my sister and girlfriend neither of which I like very much......

[@mogshade66]

Then find someone you do like 😃 Love from all at Dunedin New Zealand 😎👍

[@johnscott1299]

One of the all time great tunes

[@flobinesmithnz]

John was talking about us going for a trip to Dunedin, this is what came to my mind!!! Great song.

[@jayden.clouston2309]

My favourite song

[@jayden.clouston2309]

Along with Heavenly Pop Song

[@computerstuff7219]

They way they are into their instruments reminds me of The Band. Flowing.

[@dutropic]

this ones perfect

[@clau-claucyr1613]

LOVE IT.

[@aaronsunderland8838]

Where are all the bats fans? Show them some.likes and positive comments? :)😅

[@jmach57jm]

[@Vnuckmusic]

Bass is so angsty and powerful on every track from these guys

[@JulesN580]

What a brilliant little number - have heard some ripper tracks from these guys, but not this one. Brought here by a comment on Lemon Fog’s mid/late 60s song Summer - check that out. Shows that whatever the chord progression, there are unlimited ways that it can be expressed.

[@angelapaul4064]

Love it

[@KappaDaKappa]

I really liked The Avengers a 60's NZ band and wondered what other great music they could have. Then I found this rabbit hole of music I'm crawling down. What a fantastic track!! Greetings from Finland. (If you're interested in hearing a vaguely similar style Finnish band mixed with The Police/Dire Straits, you should give "Eppu Normaali - Kitara, Taivas ja Tähdet" a listen and their earlier stuff).

[@GlennO55]

Eppu Normaali - a great recommendation, thank you!

[@KappaDaKappa]

@@GlennO55 Nice! Check out 'Eppu Normaali - Jee Jee (Live 1978) or rääväsuita ei haluta Suomeen (Live 1978)'. 'Hassisen kone - Oikeus on voittanut taas LIVE 1981' is a worthy mention.

[@downallyourstreets]

As a film fan, I love that reversed record destruction. I think I’d be cool to do with those heavy old records from the 1920’s. Those would shatter like glass before they start rolling. After a hundred or so you might get lucky with a roll and shatter tho.

[@jonathangeddes9786]

thanks for making this available:)

[@jasondykes]

Thanks for all the recent uploads FN. Time to expand the collection.

[@ricjames9746]

grt song

[@TheEamoB]

The intro sounds like the intro to Run To You by Bryan Adams! Just the intro mind!

[@thesound-chameleonman3580]

So THIS influenced Cheapskate by Supergrass!! VERY similar melody...

[@wtfjunkie]

No i dont need meds, i need to smoke a joint and listen to music for a while.

[@justmadeit2]

Bryan Adams Run to you ! Sounds like it on the into !

[@grgsgrl6411]

Paul was just 🔥 🥵

[@flamencoprof]

North by North sounds like one of those old compass point names, but it isn't one. All I have is the LP Compilately Bats; just thought to look that up because sorry if my brain works.

[@sandyrickard6612]

One of New Zealand's great songs

[@TheHypnogog]

Delightfully zony. That is my verdict.

[@thesoundlikechameleons2082]

THIS definitely influenced Cheapskate by Supergrass. - C '23

[@mjmingo2010]

Back to the 80s Michael Stipe's REM.

[@madisaesma9417]

Great song, the singing reminds me of Ringo Starr for some reason.

[@alexabbott7203]

I'll never hear it the same again.

[@davelockwood753]

Epic

[@dabiga06]

what kind of guitar is the woman playing?

[@Rad-id4oo]

Lyrics Some people are happy most of the time But they don't know they're in line I don't know what to do with you I don't know how to deal with you North by north I'm still following home North by north I know your name North by north I'm still wondering why I find out what you're meaning now Your term is darkness anyhow I can't find out what it is with you If there is one thing I can't get through North by north I'm still following home North by north I know your name North by north I'm still wondering why Absolve the waiting that you've done Take away those moments of fun There won't be much left there for you I'm taught we've a choice in what we do North by north I'm still following home North by north I know your name North by north I'm still wondering why (why, why)

[@GrahamPWhite]

Tony Blackburn had one of their songs as 'Record of the week' But I cannot remember which one it was!

[@gianpaolo84spv]

M A S T E R P I E C E !!