Born in Te Kopuru on the northern Wairoa of New Zealand. He wrote his first song, FOOD MONEY and GIRLS, at age seven.
He was expelled from Mount Albert Grammar School Auckland, in 1974 for having sex with his girlfriend while on class detention. It was the proudest moment of his life.
Ian Purdie studied law at Otago University before deciding that practising law was immoral.
After a string of bands, including Wasted Daze, he moved to Australia, busking in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.
He came to international attention with his song French Letter, about French nuclear testing in the Pacific.
Albums include, Greetings Earthlings, Lunarverse and Managony.
His books include, The Imnothero Principle, Splatterpuss, The Book of Nasty and Pyramid Asia.