S.P.U.D. - Gnaw (1991)

The second and final album from this noisy New Zealand underground group saw them produced in a much cleaner fashion than on their debut. Giving their lurching Birthday Party-like sound a magnified sheen resulted in a sound akin to early Jesus Lizard; none of their energy and invention was lost in the graduation to high production values -- quite a feat for a post-punk noise group. The quintet builds a complex architecture of noise guitar textures over a propulsive rhythm section, providing dramatic tension to the instrumental arrangements, and giving vocalist Glen Campbell space enough to exercise one of the most unique vocal instruments. On "Recliner," the chaos of Sonic Youth circa EVOL meets speed metal precision; "Creep" is the most turgid riff the Melvins must wish they had written. Typical of Flying Nun groups, they seem to exist ten years ahead of their time. With this album they may have scored few fans outside of their home country, but among them are Sonic Youth and Steve Albini, both institutions who have cited this album as a noise rock classic of the highest caliber.

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S.P.U.D. ‎– Sour (1990)

This obscure New Zealand post-punk group were the young outsiders when they came to the legendary Flying Nun label in the late '80s. The previous decade has seen the label's identity bloom as the home of delicate and crafty songs, the Verlaines, Chills, and Chris Knox -- elegance was as far removed from the SPUD sound as guitars, bass, and drums can get. On their 1990 debut, a sound inspired by Black Sabbath and the Birthday Party saw the quintet thrashing feedback drenched dirges more akin to the Chicago post-punk sound of Touch and Go or Amphetamine Reptile. Scratch Acid, Jesus Lizard, or Halo of Flies may be good comparisons; fellow Kiwis Skeptics and the Dead C worked up a similar storm of guitar driven chaos as well. Ahead of its time, the group recorded a second stunning record "Gnaw" in the '90s and dissolved. Core member Mathew Heine later formed a similar ensemble, Solid Gold Hell.

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