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Den: That's a good name for a band...
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Might As Maze
By Andrew Burns Origin: Another donation from my daughters, my eldest this time. This is something she used to say a lot, an amalgamation of "Might as well" and "May as well". Might as mays has turned into a family saying. Should I turn it into an imaginary band? Might as mays... Might As Maze are an all girl pop group who formed in Christchurch in New Zealand in 1998. Inspired by the global success of the Spice Girls undoubtedly they also cite influences as diverse as Nirvana, Bananarama, Siouxsi Sioux, Bowie (of course) and Chrissie Hind. These influences give their brand of pop a harder edge than that of many girl groups of a similar vintage. Karen Harper, Tania Showell and Donna Burton were all unknowns when record producer Jon Ropata brought them together and introduced Ella Sparks into the mix. Sparks had been a child actor on daytime TV in New Zealand and Ropata saw star potential in her. He was right, but his master stroke was in not promoting her alone, instead enveloping her in a girl band. Their debut single, the absurdly catchy "Back Pocket" was a hit in New Zealand and Australia, but it was the second single "Cat House" that was the breakout hit that would make them stars internationally. Their first album "This Is Us" was a colossal hit in Japan and across Europe, fans in the UK in particular embracing this edgier style of pop. "This Is Us" focussed on Sparks as the lead vocalist, but by the time 2001's follow up "Dark Sunshine" appeared a more egalitarian order had been established with all four members sharing lead vocal responsibilities, Donna Burton in particular revelatory on the title track. The single "Dark Sunshine" remains their biggest hit globally. A gruelling world tour was undertaken to promote Dark Sunshine and the toll this took on all of them meant that by the time "Wonder Women" their third album was released in 2004 the group was already on hiatus. Wonder Women's sales can be directly correlated with the amount of promotion it received- there was very little of either. While Might As Maze have never officially disbanded they remain on that hiatus to this day. Time for a reunion tour...?
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AuthorAndrew Burns really should know better and has so many more important things to be doing than writing this drivel. Please offer him no encouragement either via social media or through the contact page Archives
September 2017
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