Chris Knox is a New Zealand musician, artist, cartoonist, film maker and cultural commentator who has been active in New Zealand arts and music since the 1970’s. Knox performed in the punk bands The Enemy and Toy Love and would go on to form The Tall Dwarfs with Alec Bathgate and record numerous solo albums and have a hit single with the song “Not Given Lightly”. He contributed to the “Dunedin Sound” and the Flying Nun record label in many ways including capturing some of the first recordings on a 4-track recorder, creating and contributing artwork for posters, music videos and album covers, distributing Flying Nun releases personally while clad in shorts and jandals and eventually became the manager of the Auckland branch of Flying Nun records. The Do It Yourself, lo-fi aesthetic of Knox has been influential internationally with many bands and musicians embracing his approach to recording and songwriting. Chris Knox had a stroke in 2009, which led to a number of notable New Zealand and American musicians contributing cover versions of his songs for the album “Stroke: Songs for Chris Knox”.
This is an unscreened documentary on Chris Knox featuring an interview with Knox in a recording studio [perhaps the legendary 4-track studio at Summer Street] inter-cut with photos of Knox and some of his animations, music videos and cartoons. There is also footage of his daughter Leisha
Knox talks about his early days with The Enemy and performances at The Gluepot, how he developed his animation technique and its use in Tall Dwarfs music videos. Knox talks about experiencing his first epileptic seizure (interrupted by his daughter Leisha in a delightful way) and gives his thoughts on how he may have developed epilepsy.
There is stop motion animation of Knox seated in a chair as his long hair, beard and moustache are removed in stages and given various styles including a mohawk (referencing his time with The Enemy) until he has a clean shaven head.
Knox talks about making the video for “Tally Ho” by The Clean in Parnell and why he favours animation in film making. He talks about his work ethic with regards to film making and animation and is shown drawing animation cells in his lounge.
It ends with Knox talking about the creation of various music videos such as “Nothings Going To Happen” and “Phil’s Disease”, the costs involved, the creation of the music video for The Netherworld Dancing Toys and why he does it.