Smelly Neu Pollution
(Minimum Table Stacks) LP $22.50
New Zealand legend Brent Hayward AKA Fats White is probably best known as the vocalist and guitarist in Wellington and Auckland post-punk bands like Shoes This High and Kiwi Animal but when he wasn’t collaborating with others he performed and recorded solo as Smelly Feet — on street corners and stages, supporting The Clean and even The Fall on their legendary 1982 tour of New Zealand. The music of Smelly Feet is sardonic, chaotic DIY folk on the surface, but much deeper than that is a legit artistic genius baring his soul using just his voice and an acoustic guitar. Tuning is often an afterthought, because it’s the message that counts: prophetic, apocalyptic, cynical, passionate. Everything from three Smelly Feet singles is here, self-released in 1981, plus selections from cassettes from the same time and place. Liner notes by Stuart Page of Axemen and Bruce Russell of The Dead C. Edition of 300.