lady_barrett2112
I ♥ the Ox
Wow! I'm saddened to see no thread for this wonderful band. Split Enz are an intriguing band that have changed their image and musical style numerous times over their decade long span. They are probably the only somewhat known band to come out of their homeland of New Zealand, besides Crowded House (but I'll be getting to them in a minute.)
Split Enz was formed in 1971 on the campus of The University of Auckland with Tim Finn and Phil Judd as the groups' core members.
After numerous line up changes and a few singles under their belt, Split Enz released their debut album Mental Notes in 1975. During this phase of their career, the band fused progressive rock with a sort of vaudeville sensibility (or music-hall, if you want to be Colonial about it) and have been compared to the likes of early Genesis with a slightly "poppier" sound.
Around this time, the band were also known for their theatrical live performances, complete with kabuki-style makeup, colorful clothing -- designed by percussionist and "art director" Noel Crombie -- and eccentric hairstyles (the additional comparisons to Gabriel-era Genesis are pretty much unavoidable).
By 1977, the stress of touring and being away from his family finally got to Phil Judd. During a concert, Judd had trouble with an out of tune guitar and stormed off the stage. After a heated confrontation between Finn and Judd, blows were exchanged and Judd left the group. At the advice of former band mate Mike Chunn, Tim recruited his little brother Neil into the band.
It was a transitional period for Split Enz. The band had received negative press from the UK for their musical style. Punk was in the mainstream in the UK and the new school musical critics loathed the "dinosaur style," sounds of Progressive Rock. With Neil taking much of the burden of songwriting off of Tim's shoulders, the band's style began to evolve, becoming more accessible while still remaining "arty." As punk began to give way to the New Wave, the Enz finally began to reach a wide audience.
Split Enz was formed in 1971 on the campus of The University of Auckland with Tim Finn and Phil Judd as the groups' core members.
After numerous line up changes and a few singles under their belt, Split Enz released their debut album Mental Notes in 1975. During this phase of their career, the band fused progressive rock with a sort of vaudeville sensibility (or music-hall, if you want to be Colonial about it) and have been compared to the likes of early Genesis with a slightly "poppier" sound.
Around this time, the band were also known for their theatrical live performances, complete with kabuki-style makeup, colorful clothing -- designed by percussionist and "art director" Noel Crombie -- and eccentric hairstyles (the additional comparisons to Gabriel-era Genesis are pretty much unavoidable).
By 1977, the stress of touring and being away from his family finally got to Phil Judd. During a concert, Judd had trouble with an out of tune guitar and stormed off the stage. After a heated confrontation between Finn and Judd, blows were exchanged and Judd left the group. At the advice of former band mate Mike Chunn, Tim recruited his little brother Neil into the band.
It was a transitional period for Split Enz. The band had received negative press from the UK for their musical style. Punk was in the mainstream in the UK and the new school musical critics loathed the "dinosaur style," sounds of Progressive Rock. With Neil taking much of the burden of songwriting off of Tim's shoulders, the band's style began to evolve, becoming more accessible while still remaining "arty." As punk began to give way to the New Wave, the Enz finally began to reach a wide audience.
(I would rather see our members new and old write threads than the staff do all of them, that is why there are still gaps in our forum's library, it's by design.
