This June marks the release of DUNEDIN SPLEEN, New Zealand band The Verlaines first studio album in almost a decade. Formed in 1981 by principle songwriter Graeme Downes, the band was named after the French poet Paul Verlaine, from whom Television’s Tom Verlaine also lifted his stage name. The Verlaines are also one of the pioneers of the cult-followed ‘Dunedin Sound’ which was lifted from the explosion of talent coming out of their hometown in the ‘80s and ‘90s. The Chills, The Clean, Bailter Space, The Bats, The 3D's and the Straitjacket Fits all came roaring out of this University town.
The Verlaines’ angular sound made them favorites of bands like Pavement, R.E.M., Superchunk, Cat Power, The Mountain Goats, Will Oldham, Yo La Tengo, Lou Barlow and many others. From 1985 to 2012, The Verlaines have released eleven albums, most of which are on the legendary New Zealand label Flying Nun.
It’s been 40 years since The Verlaines came together in Dunedin, New Zealand and they remain a band with a rich history and influence, both in NZ and beyond. Featuring a blistering and brilliant nineteen tracks, Dunedin Spleen was originally released exclusively on Vinyl for Record Store Day 2020 via North Carolina indie Schoolkids Records. Now we’re happy to present it for the first time on CD Digipak.