LIVE Arc gig - 30th November - Robert Scott, Minisnap and the Bats
There is a valiant but oft ignored movement in Dunedin at the moment, attempting to start gigs at earlier than 10.45 or whenever the band in question put down their drinks (optional) and meander up on stage. We'd turned up at Arc at 9.30 expecting to see something of the 9 pm starting Bats extravaganza - instead what we saw chilled us. A table of Bats crowded around Arc food like Bats round a felled cow carcass. Well, actually, we felt good - fuel for them to burn off later. Especially that Malcolm fellah, who could run the national grid ...
We returned at 10.30 in time to see Bob Scott take the stage in front of a steadily increasing crowd. He played "Drive By" (it sounded like a Neil Young song ... not sure), some songs from 'Creeping Unknown' such as "Wick Effect" which was a lot crunchier than rawkus than the original.
Minisnap started out with drum machine (or a recording of a drum?) in support and played everything of their new EP. Malcolm came along to replace the drum machine halfway thru, and the new stuff sounded great - a good kind of fun dark menace in places.
Then Bob returned to complete the lineup as the Bats. It was a fairly similar set list to the gig they played at Fuel (before it closed and reopened nearby as ReFuel), but they hadn't played together so much beforehand, so every other tune felt wonderfully loose, slightly improvised, a little bit of fear and confusion lending a fresh 'best before' sound to the old favourites, which included "Smoking Her Wings", "For the Ride" (my absolute favourite, sorry for all those I alarmed with my banshee reel frenzy), "Afternoon in Bed" and "Land 'o' Lakes" ... a fair amount was off 'Couchmaster', which suited me just fine, being my favourite album by them. There were a couple of new songs, one by Bob (about being in NYC 11/9) and one by Kaye (which was a cool lil mean ditty).
After a fairly quick interval, during which they mighta recharged Malcolm from the grid, they returned with a few last tunes, ending with a blistering "Made Up in Blue".
A good night had by all. I tried to sit a few songs out, but on the way back to my seat something, an old Battish devil on my shoulder, would call me back to boogie and there would be nothing I could do to resist. I was in delightful aching muscle pain for some few days afterwards ... if only they would play more often. Next time I'm especially looking forward to an expanded Minisnap catalogue.
iluvtheclean

"In My Pocket" review by Nick Gormack, "The Press" 24/10/02
.. Minisnap deliver some classy indie-pop on their debut four track EP... the title track kicks along with a decidedly Bat-ish groove enhanced by Woodward's airy vocals. She has a great voice best illiustrated on the track Nova, and on my personal favourite the broodingly atmospheric Shade...Bring on the album.

The Package issue 166- by Chris Andrews
Minisnap with The Bites, Pine and Kirsty Stegwazi
Friday 27th August
Harbour Light, Lyttelton.
..... Highlight of the night was undoubtedly Minisnap, celebrating the release of their debut EP in style. Catchy riff after catchy riff - Paul’s bass blasted out across the packed room and Kayes vocals inspired punters to dance. The stunning single, “In My Pocket” was a highlight, as catchy as any of the Bats singles and a real crowd pleaser. Go out and by the EP now! ... Chris

The Press - Monday 30th Sept - Patrick Taylor
Minisnap Mesmerise with Sonic Assault

April 18 - 24
Peter Jefferies with Minisnap - The Package - by Chris Andrews
Thursday 4th April 2002 - Dux de Lux (Christchurch)
As three-quarters of venerable .. Bats ... Minisnap play some of the finest songs Christchurch has ever produced. They start out melodically with Kaye Woodward producing gorgeous enchanting guitar vibes, and Paul Kean's propulsive bass playing emphasizing their well honed groove. But it's when Malcolm Grant occupies the drumming throne that things really get started. Very few bands gel like Minisnap or The Bats (who've) been together since the early - mid eighties and (who) are one of the few bands that regularly surprise me with the little touches in their live performance.

19th Nov - A REVIEW from the NZPOP list (from Karen & Don Orac)!!
Subject: Bats ..(Minisnap and Jay Clarkson/Brett Lupton), Fusion @ Fuel Bar, Dunedin, Saturday Nov 17, 2001
It's hard to believe a band can keep going for so long and continue to get better, but the Bats can. With every year a Bats gig becomes an even more treasured gem. Chords, melody, rhthym, singing, who would have thought it could sound so good? It's a joy to see how Kaye's confidence as a singer has built, handling lots of lead vocals and Minisnap sounding excellent. The new material sounded great, Bob's new song about September 11 in particular. May their litttle Bat fangs continue to shine bright and sharp, forever more, amen.
Special mention to Thomas Bell for providing an excellent mix. Go soundguy!