The curse of any band, good, bad or otherwise, is that the drummer always wants to sing or the bass player has some “amazing” songs he just has to get on the album; no one is ever content to just play the role they are suited for and this dissension can tear a group apart. Hence, the side project. Now the keyboard player can harmlessly concoct new age tributes to The Legend of Zelda, or the singer can indulge her fondness for trip-hop and carnal imagery with relative impunity, and we can easily avoid them if we choose. Every now and then though, and we’re talking Cubs winning the World Series infrequent, the side project is actually good. I’m coming up blank on examples right now … except for today’s Crush Band, Minisnap.

This quartet of seasoned New Zealand pop pros are basically the Bats without leader Robert Scott and with the addition of Marcus Winstanley of the Undercurrents. Bats bassist Kaye Woodward takes over the singing and songwriting chores and does a smashing job at both. The group doesn’t sound too different than the Bats, the same jangle and propulsive drive is there, as is the honey-sweet melodic sense, but Woodward’s vocals are far more angelic than Scott’s and not too far from those of Georgia Hubley or Katrina Mitchell. The band’s excellent 2007 release Bounce Around is soon to be released by Magic Marker in the U.S., and any fan of NZ rock or just good old indie rock with plenty of pop ought to track it down. Here’s a video for “New Broom” to keep you warm while you wait.

P.S. When you’re done checking the video out, head here to see more Minisnap and Bats videos.