The Fanatics blend dark electronic beats and programmed bass lines with taut angular guitar, and a definite knack for bent pop lurking somewhere in the mix. The duo of David Green (vocals, programming) and Tom Clark (vocals, guitar) punch above their weight in numbers, proving there’s no need for a rhythm section when you have a laptop, a guitar and bouncing off the walls live energy.

The Fanatics EP was recorded and mixed by Dale Cotton at audioworkshop and Platform Studios between September 2003 and September 2004, and was released on CD format (CREC1025) by Capitalrecordings in November 2004. All of the songs on the CD written by Tom & Dave except the classic Snapper song, Buddy, which was written by Peter Gutteridge. (You can find the original version on their self-titled 1988 release through Flying Nun FN110). The six-track vinyl version (CREV1210) will be released in March 2005.

The singles Models, Dead and Buddy have been long standing favourites on the b-Net stations and between them have achieved eleven number ones on 95bFM in Auckland, Radio Active in Wellington, Radio One in Dunedin and Radio Control in Palmerston North.
Buddy reached number 2 on the Radioscope Alternative charts and was in the top 10 for 8 weeks.
Models reached number 1 on the Alt charts and was in the top 10 for 8 weeks.
Dead reached number 1 on the Alt charts and was in the top 10 for 8 weeks.
Girl reached number 14 on the Alt Charts and was in the top 30 for 5 weeks.

Videos for Signals (directed by Simon Ward for $40!) and the NZOA-part funded Models (directed by Mark Albiston from Sticky Pictures for considerably more) are currently both still receiving airplay on Juice TV and C4. Two further NZOA-part funded videos for the tracks TV and Buddy will be on-screens in the coming months.

The Fanatics also recently completed a successful seven-date set of gigs in Sydney and Melbourne. As a result of an outrageously good performance at the Australian launch of New York-based “Vice” magazine, Models has also been included on the cover-mount CD of their May 2005 issue. They’re also off to Japan in late April to play live and record a ‘guerrilla-street-karaoke’ video for Buddy.

"... All seven tracks offer different experiences that will blow your eardrums, but in an exciting way. They can hold their heads high being, without a doubt, one of the best things currently on the New Zealand music scene."
Rip It Up

"Yowzer. Get ready for a punch in the face. Get ready to like it... Electronic mayhem, punchy guitar riffery and techno-shocked beats hammered into your brain with more clout than you could ever expect from a two-piece."
NZ Musician

"Don't be surprised if your limbs and insides start contorting in directions unknown when listening to the debut EP from The Fanatics... The Fanatics are something unique. Listen to them and feel staunch on the dancefloor."
Time Out/The Weekend Herald

"A staggeringly good EP, The Fanatics are better than sex, though we recommend combining the two... The fact that it's tuneful, accessable and almost radio friendly is testament to the passion and ingenuity possessed by the gruesome twosome..."
Re:Mix