The Mutton Birds

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The Mutton Birds formed in 1991 in New Zealand. Main songwriter Don McGlashan, guitarist David Long and drummer Ross Burge had made quite a few albums between them in the anti-Darwinian environment that makes New Zealand so unique in the musical world. When bassist Alan Gregg (also of The Dribbling Darts) joined in 1992, and they made their first, self-titled album - college radio picked it up with a vengeance, and mainstream radio in New Zealand was forced to follow suit.

Within 12 months, The album went platinum and EMI Australia picked up the tab for the second one, "Salty". This was recorded in late 1993, and was self-produced but mixed in Australia with American producer/engineer Tchad Blake (American Music Club, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Crowded House). The first single, "The Heater", debuted at No 1 in New Zealand. Salty also went Platinum at home and the single "Anchor Me" won Don NZ's top songwriting prize.
In mid 1996, The Mutton Birds made their third studio album. Envy Of Angels brought the Mutton Birds to a world wide audience for the first time, with sales throughout Europe, South America and Canada.
The band gave it one more try with the release of a fourth studio album the excellent Rain Steam and Speed in March 1999.
The line-up changed over the years - guitarist Chris Sheehan replaced original member David Long, who returned to NZ at the end of 1996. And the first English Mutton Bird, Sheffield-raised, London-based Tony Fisher, replaced Alan Gregg on bass in mid 1998 who went on to form Marshmallow
Don McGlashan returned to NZ in 2000, concentrating on producing film and TV soundtracks. In 2001 to celebrate 75 years of its existence, APRA (the Australasian Performing Right Association), invited its members and an academy to vote on what they believe are to be New Zealand's top songs of all time. McGlashan was responsible for five of the final official Top 100 named.
In May 2006, after almost three decades of singing and writing and making music, his first solo album, 'Warm Hand' was released. His timing couldn't have been better. 'Bathe In The River', a song he had written for a hit movie and recorded by Mt.Raskil PS with Hollie Smith was one of the big NZ pop hits of the moment..
Bio borrowed partly from Howlspace. Thanks.

Dons excellent album Warm Hand can be purchased here: www.archhill.co.nz
For the latest info on The Mutton Birds, Don McGlashan, Marshmallow, all related news, links to purchasing the albums and a superb free archive. Visit: www.areligionofakind.co.uk

Please note that this is an unofficial page done to give an airing to hopefully a new generation of fans. Thanks.
A great song from Dons previous band. The Front Lawn.