Eye TV began as The Nixons in 1990 and led the local field in heavy alternative rock. But there was already a band called The Nixons in the USA, so they took the name of their first album and subsequently eased up on the distortion pedals.
They signed deals with labels in the States and Australia, and then set off on two extensive USA tours. But their final breakthrough was in New Zealand, where they had hits with ‘Just the Way It Is’ and ‘One Day Ahead’. Their third album, Fire Down Below (2000) hit the Top 10, completing their transition to pop music. This final success wasn’t enough to keep the band going, but it was a fitting last statement of the band’s talent, as well their unpredictability.
Sean Sturm - vocals, guitar, keyboards
Michael Scott - bass
Mark Pollard - drums
Luke Casey - drums
Grant Winterburn - keyboards
Mark Pollard also filled in on drums for Auckland group The Malchicks, who shared their practice space. After leaving the Nixons, he played in The Pet Rocks and Delta.
Luke Casey’s uncle (Andy Parker) was the drummer for UK heavy rockers UFO and Luke’s early forays into music were also noisy. He started out in an early incarnation of Flying Nun noise rock act SPUD (who were then called “Albino Slug”), before moving on to join hardcore act Bygone Era and metal band Seven Dials.