This 80s pop outfit evolved out of Splash Alley (with a name change suggested by Barry “Dr. Rock” Jenkin). Following the departure of original vocalist (and future Radio with Pictures host/TV producer) Richard Driver, Andrew Snoid was recruited from The Whizz Kids (who became Blam Blam Blam). With songs to burn and initial management from Mike Chunn, Pop Mechanix seemed poised for success — but a fruitless stint in Australia (and litigation over their name) undid them and further progress was marred by a chart rigging fiasco and unsympathetic production.
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Celebration of the Skin
The penultimate Pop Mechanix single was an exploration of carnality, anchored by chiming guitars with vocals by Andrew Snoid (Coconut Rough and 'Sierra Leone'). It was one of the first music videos directed by Spot On video competition winner Paul Middleditch (he was still at school) who went on to make videos for Tim Finn and Tex Pistol, commercials, and 2009 movie Separation City. The location was a cold, disused office. “Luckily,” says bass player Paul Scott, “we were into leather jackets, big coats and damn big hair because the place was absolutely freezing”.
Jumping Out a Window
With its swirling keyboards and dark lyrical concerns (in keeping with the fraught year NZ was embarking on), 'Jumping Out a Window' has become a classic (with a slot in APRA's Nature's Best Top 100). The third Pop Mechanix single, it shows the influence of the friends the band was starting to make — produced by Split Enz' Eddie Raynor and the debut release on Mike Chunn's boutique XSF label. The TVNZ made clip is firmly of its time and one of the broadcaster's more literal efforts (no mean feat in itself) — featuring windows and jumping.