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| Split Enz were one of the few musical exports from New Zealand to achieve international notoriety in the seventies, joining a short list that included ManFred Mann’s Earth Band lead-singer Chris Thompson (‘Blinded By The Light’ fame), Richard O’ Brien (creator of Rocky Horro |
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Split Enz were one of the few musical exports from New Zealand to achieve international notoriety in the seventies, joining a short list that included ManFred Mann’s Earth Band lead-singer Chris Thompson (‘Blinded By The Light’ fame), Richard O’ Brien (creator of Rocky Horror Picture Show) and New Romantic synth-rock combo Mi-Sex .
Under the guidance of key songwriters Tim Finn (vocals, guitar) and Phil Judd (vocals, guitar) as well as percussionist Noel Crombie (who also designed the band’s clothes), the band generated a cult following through out the seventies; due to their assorted blend of art-rock, cabaret, ballads and theatrics that accompanied the group’s outstanding clown like image. Although this was to be a constant formula through out the band’s career, the band eventually developed a strong pop element through Tim’s younger brother Neil Finn, who would later penned the band’s biggest hit ‘I Got You’, as well as other early-80s gems ‘History Never Repeats’, ‘One Step Ahead’ and ‘Message To My Girl’, during the New Wave era, a period the band undoubtedly influenced.
Formed in 1972 as Split Ends, the group’s theatrical flare saw them playing in theatres and art-houses, instead of the traditional pubs. After the release of their first single ‘For You b/s Split Ends’ in 1973, the band received National exposure on New Zealand talent quest show New Faces. After signing to Australian record label Mushroom records in 1975, the band were booed off the stage after supporting AC/DC. This was not to be the only hostile audience the band was to face in those early years. However, after seeing the band live, Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera produced their second album ‘Second Thoughts’ in 1976, which received mixed reviews in the UK press. Whilst some praised the band, others dismissed them as dinosaur art-rockers. This was not good for a band that was only just beginning to take on the larger market and the punk rock explosion in 1976 didn’t help the band’s profile.
During the 70s, radio play was vital in developing a band’s popularity. In Split Enz case, it was television exposure and a habit of making sophisticated video clips (five years before the launching of MTV) that attracted a core of Split Enz followers.
After passing a period of stagnation, the band started making hits, starting with the 1979 punk-pop single ‘I See Red’, followed by the worldwide hit ‘I Got You’ (1980) which reached the US top 50 and UK top 20. The early 80s saw Split Enz reaching a peak of commercial success and the Enz found themselves sitting nicely in the New Wave era. Even Phil Judd, who had quit the band in 1977, re-emerged with his band The Swingers and scored a hit in 1981 with ‘Counting The Beat’.
In 1984, after Tim Finn departed for a solo career, Split Enz called it a day and played their final concert in their home city Auckland. The band has occasionally reformed and played the odd re-union show.
The group’s first three albums ‘Mental Notes’ (1975), ‘Second Thoughts’ (1976, produced by Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera) and Dizrhythmia (1977), are the band’s most eccentric albums, displaying a high amount of melancholy and zaniness. Following albums ‘Frenzy’, ‘True Colours’ (1980, produced by David Tickle), Waiata (1981, released as ‘Corroboree’ in Australia), Time & Tide (1982), ‘Conflicting Emotions’ (1983) and ‘See Ya Round’ (1984) are commercially stronger albums and pleasant to fans of New Wave rock. Split Enz members have over the years have included Miles Golding, Mike Howard, Mike Chunn, Geoff Chunn, Wally Wilkinson, Rob Gillies,
Eddie Rayner, Paul Crowther, Mal Green, Nigel Griggs and Paul Hester.
Neil Finn and Paul Hester and later Tim Finn, continued international success with Crowded House.
Bio written by: Ryan |
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