The Great Unwashed was a short-lived New Zealand musical project formed around 1983 by brothers David and Hamish Kilgour during a hiatus of their primary band, The Clean. Drawing on elements of psych-pop, folk, and lo-fi indie rock, the group also featured contributions from Peter Gutteridge and Ross Humphries for live performances. Their sole album, Clean Out of Our Minds (1983, Flying Nun Records), showcased a stripped-down, intimate sound that contrasted with the jangly, energetic style of The Clean, emphasizing home-recorded textures and melodic experimentation. Following a few singles and an EP, the band became inactive as The Clean reunited, though their recordings were later collected in the 1992 compilation Collection. Despite a brief existence, The Great Unwashed are recognized as an important part of New Zealand’s indie and Flying Nun legacy, illustrating the Kilgour brothers’ versatility and experimental spirit. The project remains a noteworthy footnote in the broader story of Dunedin’s influential indie music scene, celebrated for its raw, inventive approach and contribution to the development of New Zealand’s alternative sound.
