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Crowded House

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Crowded House's lead man Neil Finn told Pulse!, "America's been a bit tricky for us. We tend to fall between the cracks." The New Zealand-bred and Melbourne, Australia-based combo has, since their first single, just missed American superstardom. As Finn put it, "Radio formats [in the United States] are very restrictive, and if you're a band like us who are quite happy to flit between being raucous and noisy and doing a slow melodic ballad, people here can get a bit confused." Fans, however, have flocked to Crowded House's door from the beginning, liking what they are hearing, whether it's easily categorized or not.

Crowded House was the offspring of New Zealand's Split Enz, the eccentric pop group that was successful in the late 1970s and 1980s and remains a cult favorite in the United States and abroad. Neil Finn's older brother, Tim, formed Split Enz in 1972 and welcomed his younger sibling into the fold in 1977. The band had been looking to change their androgynous art-rock sound, and Neil's tastes blended well with the band's new melodic approach.

Their success grew with Neil's singing and songwriting talents added to the mix, culminating in several international hits. In the United States the band had most of its success with the song "I Got You." By 1983 Tim was ready for a solo career, and the band, frustrated by the lack of a breakthrough in the United States, began to splinter. Neil decided to disband the group in 1984 after a last album and a farewell tour.

Neil asked new Split Enz drummer Paul Hester to join a smaller, more guitar-oriented band that he had in mind. At Split Enz's breaking-up party, Australian bassist and film art director Neil Seymour struck up a conversation with Neil Finn, and after a later audition the new, nameless band was complete. In 1985 they were signed by EMI Worldwide and by Capitol Records in the United States. It was not until the cover art (designed by Seymour on all the group's albums) was nearly ready that the band settled on a name. The crowded house after which the group is named was the small Hollywood, California, bungalow where the band lived, recorded, and entertained a constant flow of family and friends.

The debut album, Crowded House, was released in July of 1986. None of the songs were immediate hits in the United States, although within five months the album was certified gold in Australia. Since Split Enz had been popular in Australia, a gold record was no surprise, but Crowded House was fixated on the American market. The band knew their music was good and so did Capitol Records. Intensive touring and sheer willpower finally began to pay off after eight months. Almost as if it had just been released, the first single, "Don't Dream It's Over," soared to number two, while "Something So Strong" cinched Crowded House as one of 1987's sleeper hits. The LP found its place at the top of music critics' year-end Best Album lists and later on Rolling Stone's "Top 100 Albums of the Decade" list.

The songs on Crowded House exemplified a certain style already equated with Neil Finn. Mark Peel of Stereo Review described the songs as "energetic and tuneful, but there's a twist: beneath that cheery surface lurks an angst-ridden, somewhat sinister mind." Similarly, Chris Willman in Rolling Stone commented, "Rarely has any modern music sounded so cheerful and so creepy as some of the off-center love songs that pop out of the red head of Neil Finn."

Some reviewers likened the band's sound to that of the Beatles, going from "From nice, Rubber Soul pop to edgy, White Album hysterics," according to Peel. And Willman commented: "It's great, nervous pop. Part of that fetching paradox lies in Finn's distinctive melodies … and part of it is tied to the mixed messages his love songs send out. For Finn is the worst kind of romantic: the honest kind."

Temple of Low Men (1988) was a darker, less commercial album, although with songs no less beautiful or melodic than those of the first. The title came from a bit of graffiti Finn spotted on a Los Angeles church. "Reviewers," wrote Steve Pond in Rolling Stone, "found the record darker and moodier than its predecessor and pointed out that while it takes longer to appreciate, in the long run it's probably a deeper, more rewarding record." Another Rolling Stone reviewer observed, "One hopes that each successive phase of the Crowded House journey will prove so rich a tale."

Although long-simmering tensions in the band—amplified by Temple's poor showing—caused a brief hiatus, Crowded House emerged seemingly unscathed. Woodface, their next album, brought the band back into wider public notice. Perhaps part of the reason for the increased publicity may have been the re-pairing of the Finn brothers. Neil and Tim had been writing songs together, and they asked Hester to join them on some tracks. They soon realized that, instead of creating a brothers Finn project, they seemed to be writing another Crowded House album. They went with it, and Tim Finn became part of the group.

Rolling Stone's Kristine McKenna called Woodface "a swinging record that finds the band gliding through its material with ease—crisp harmonies and memorable hooks abound." Interview declared, "This album is sure to hit you in the groove spot," and called Woodface "an album with cleverness, passion, and allure."

Almost without fail, reviewers praised Woodface, perhaps because they felt it struck a balance between the group's cheery debut and their more moody second album. Meanwhile, the Crowded House population of fans grew, as the single "Chocolate Cake" took Woodface to the top twenty in eight countries. Another of the singles, "Weather With You," hit the top five in such diverse countries as Singapore, Greece, Holland, and South Africa.

Crowded House became known for its witty banter during concerts, usually between Hester and Neil Finn. This warm stage presence, however, may have influenced Tim Finn's decision to leave the band after touring for Woodface. Although they all seemed to get along well, the chemistry of the original three had been so powerful that it was hard for Tim to find a place. After Woodface, the elder Finn decided to continue with his solo career. Considering the success of their previous brotherly collaborations, it seemed probable that they would team up again in the future.

In addition to their rapport, Crowded House's live sound continued to be distinct and harmonious. Although their songs were often extremely lush, the band was surprisingly able to re-create that sound live. In another positive addition to the stage mix, Mark Hart, who had toured with Crowded House as auxiliary guitarist/keyboardist, was promoted to full membership in time for the new album. This amendment to the lineup only furthered the band's desire for something new. For a change of scenery and a change of sound, Crowded House headed home to New Zealand, this time to a beach called Kare Kare on the remote rugged west coast of Auckland, where they recorded Together Alone.

Producer Mitchell Froom (Richard Thompson, Elvis Costello, Los Lobos, among others) had been the hand that helped mold the Crowded House sound on the band's first three albums. For Together Alone, the band turned to Youth, one-time Killing Joke member turned techno-hippie guru.

According to Pulse, Together Alone "maintains its predecessors' impassioned lyricism, understated humor and elegant tunefulness. However, a new found sense of sonic adventurism amplifies the more disquieting undercurrents that have always been implied in the band's prior work." Geoffrey Welchman wrote in People that "despite Finn's usual gift for melody … the first half of the album is filled with tunes that meander along with no apparent destination. When the album does produce some real excitement (like the catchy rocker ‘Locked Out’) or a memorable melody (‘Walking on the Spot’), the band's potential becomes as obvious as its short fall this time around." Rolling Stone's Christian Wright wrote that "such exotic flourishes may seem bizarre coming from the nice boys who make up Crowded House, but at moments, those touches sound ethereally beautiful."

Their first single from Together Alone, "Locked Out," was featured in the popular film Reality Bites. Although the group seemed poised just on the edge of "big name" status in the United States, in April of 1994 Paul Hester left Crowded House, citing the pressures of touring and a lack of motivation.

At the end of 1994, Crowded House began to tour less frequently, allowing Finn to devote more time to other musical projects. In the summer of 1996, Finn announced that the group would disband, and instead of creating a new album they released a greatest hits album that included three new tracks. Recurring Dream: The Very Best of Crowded House was released in June of 1996, assembling many of the band's singles along with the new tracks "Not the Girl You Think You Are," "Instinct," and "Everything Is Good for You." While officially disbanded, the group gathered to perform a charity benefit for the Sydney Children's Hospital in November. At the benefit, Crowded House performed what at the time was thought to be their final concert at the Sydney Opera House on November 24, 1996. In the spirit of the occasion, former members, including Peter Jones and Tim Finn, took part in the show.

For the next ten years, Crowded House remained on hiatus with no plans to re-form. The tragic suicide of drummer Hester on March 26, 2005, however, reunited the members as friends in mourning. Finn then invited several members to work on what had started as a solo project, and eventually Time on Earth became a Crowded House reunion. Released on July 10, 2007, Time on Earth rose on four Billboard charts, including number 46 on the Billboard 200. "It was an organic reunion," noted Stephen Thomas Erlewine in All Music Guide, "that arose perhaps as part of the grieving process, or perhaps Neil realizing he'd rather be part of a band than a solo act." Three singles were issued, "Don't Stop Now," "She Called Up," and "Pour Le Monde," and a special edition of Time on Earth was released in Australia, featuring a second CD of live recordings from the recent tour.

Following Time on Earth, Crowded House played a number of dates in Australia and England, including an end-of-the-year concert on December 11, 2007, at London's Royal Albert Hall. Crowded House also continued to spotlight political causes, including working with a number of environmental initiatives.

Selected discography
Crowded House, Capitol, 1986.
Temple of Low Men, Capitol, 1988.
Woodface, Capitol, 1991.
Together Alone, EMI, 1994.
(Contributors) Reality Bites (soundtrack), BMG, 1994.
Recurring Dream: The Very Best of Crowded House, Capitol, 1996.
Farewell to the World, EMI, 2006.
Time on Earth, EMI, 2007.

Sources
Periodicals
Billboard, July 17, 1993; January 15, 1994; April 30, 1994.
Consumers' Research, December 1992.
Entertainment Weekly, January 14, 1994.
Guitar Player, March 1992; June 1994.
Interview, August 1991.
Mademoiselle, September 1991.
People, September 19, 1988; August 12, 1991; July 17, 1994.
Playboy, September 1991.
Pulse!, February 1994.
Rolling Stone, February 12, 1987; February 26, 1987; May 7, 1987; November 17, 1988; November 16, 1989; July 11, 1991; November 11, 1993; April 7, 1994; June 16, 1994.
Seventeen, July 1987.
Stereo Review, December 1984; July 1987.
'Teen, August 1987.

Online
"Crowded House," All Music Guide, http://www.allmusic.com (January 7, 2008).

Other
Additional information for this profile was obtained from Capitol Records press materials, 1994.

Crowded House

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AMG AllMusic Guide: Pop Artists:

Crowded House

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  • Genres: Rock

Biography

An institution in their homeland, a two-hit wonder in the U.S., and, during the last half of their ten-year career, bona fide stars in the U.K. and most of Europe, Crowded House recorded some of the best pop music of the late '80s and early '90s. Leader Neil Finn's carefully crafted songs, meticulous eye for lyrical detail, and gift for melody are matched by few other songwriters.

Crowded House formed in 1985 when Finn dissolved Split Enz rather than carry on after his brother Tim, the group's founding member, left to pursue a solo career. Instead of carrying through with the new wave direction of latter-day Split Enz, Neil moved in favor of a stripped-down, back-to-basics combo featuring ex-Enz drummer Paul Hester, bassist Nick Seymour, and guitarist Craig Hooper. Initially, the group dubbed itself after Finn's middle name, touring Australia and recording demos under the name the Mullanes; Hooper was dropped shortly after this formative period. In June of 1985, the group headed to Los Angeles to shop for a record label, eventually signing with Capitol Records. Capitol requested that the band change its name, and the group settled on Crowded House, a reflection of the bandmembers' living conditions in L.A. They began work on their debut, enlisting the help of then-unknown producer Mitchell Froom. A partnership between the band and the producer formed, making Froom nearly a fourth member. The partnership benefited both the band and the producer -- the band was helped by Froom's direct approach and more "American" sound as well as his input as a musician, and Froom was able to build a career as a high-profile producer.

Crowded House's self-titled debut didn't gain much attention upon its release in the summer of 1986, due to insufficient promotion from Capitol Records. In wake of the weak support from Capitol, the bandmembers took matters into their own hands. Rather than setting out on an expensive large-scale tour, the group took a more low-profile route, playing acoustic sets for industry insiders and for small crowds at ethnic restaurants and in record stores. This unorthodox approach began a buzz within the industry. On the talk-show circuit, they won over American and Canadian audiences with their charm and wit as well as their wacky antics. By February of 1987, the album broke into the American Top 40, eventually peaking at number 12. The album spawned the number two hit single "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Something So Strong," which reached number seven. In Australia and New Zealand, multi-platinum success followed.

Released in 1988, Temple of Low Men was anything but a sophomore slump -- Finn's new songs were among his finest, showcasing a notable progression in his songcraft. The album's slightly darker material, however, made for a more difficult listen and, although the material was stronger, the record lacked the immediate appeal of the debut. This, coupled with Capitol's lack of promotional support, led to disappointing sales -- the album barely broke the U.S. Top 40 and the single, "Better Be Home Soon," stalled at number 42. Since hope had basically run out for the album, they abandoned plans for a major U.S. tour. A three-month break in touring revitalized the band for a well-received Australian and Canadian tour, but by mid-1989 the band had effectively broken up.

Late in 1989, Neil reunited with his brother Tim and the duo began writing songs together for the first time, with the intention of releasing the material on a proposed Finn Brothers album. The collaboration was successful and the duo was prolific, writing 14 songs in a very short time. After the initial sessions with Tim, Neil began working on a new set of songs, designed for the next Crowded House album, but he soon found the new material unsatisfactory. Neil decided to combine the better moments of the Finn Brothers project and the scrapped third album, adding his brother as a fourth member of Crowded House.

Crowded House's third album, Woodface, released in the summer of 1991, proved the decision to combine the material from the two scrapped records was sound -- the album certainly represents their finest recorded moments. Although the choice of "Chocolate Cake" as a leadoff single was both misleading and off-putting to American audiences, effectively sinking the album's chances of success in the U.S., England and Europe embraced the band for the first time. After about six months of dormancy, they began charting in the U.K. and Europe with several singles, including the smash "Weather with You." The British success of "Weather with You" helped Woodface achieve platinum status in the U.K. and led the group to several headlining concerts at Wembley Arena. Tim, for all of his invaluable contributions in the writing and recording of Woodface, proved extraneous to the band's live show. He left the band in November 1991, as the band was in the middle of its tour and just prior to its breakthrough success in England. Following the success of Woodface, both Neil and Tim were awarded OBEs from the Queen of England in 1993; the honor was bestowed for their contributions to the arts.

In early 1993, Crowded House regrouped to record their fourth album, adding American guitarist Mark Hart (who had briefly toured with the band around the time of Temple of Low Men) to the band and dropping Mitchell Froom as their producer, opting instead for ex-Killing Joke member Youth. Together Alone was released in October 1993 (January 1994 in North America) to unanimously positive reviews and solid sales in every country except the United States. Upon its release, Together Alone entered the English charts at number four; at the time, Woodface was still in the U.K. charts. After the album was released, Crowded House embarked on a successful European tour. They were beginning an American tour when Hester decided to leave the band to spend more time with his new family. Hiring a session drummer, the band rounded out the tour, eventually returning to Australia.

By the end of 1994, Neil decided to cut back on the touring to work on side projects, which included some production work for Dave Dobbyn and a second try at a Finn Brothers album with Tim. The Finn Brothers finally released their long-awaited duet album in the fall of 1995. In June of 1996, Neil officially broke up Crowded House. That same month, Recurring Dream: The Very Best of Crowded House was released, entering the U.K. and Australian charts at number one. After a handful of "final shows" in various locations, on Sunday, November 24, 1996, Crowded House played their official farewell show at the Sydney Opera House to 100,000 fans as a benefit for the Sydney Children's Hospital Fund.

In 1997, Hester formed a new band, Largest Living Things, releasing two EPs and playing regular gigs in Australia as well as hosting his own television show. Neil made his debut as a solo artist in June 1998 with Try Whistling This. In December 1999, Afterglow, an album's worth of Crowded House leftovers and rarities, was issued in Australia and New Zealand; the album was released in the U.K. during January of the following year.

Neil continued recording both as a solo artist and as part of the Finn Brothers with Tim. In 2005, Hester, after years of battling depression, took his own life near his home in Australia. A year later, the archival release Farewell to the World captured the Sydney farewell show on both CD and DVD. In 2007, Neil reactivated the band with Nick Seymour, Mark Hart, and a new drummer, Matt Sherrod. The album Time on Earth followed soon after. In 2010, the Neil and new Crowded House line-up returned with the studio album Intriguer. ~ Chris Woodstra, Rovi
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Crowded House

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This article is about the rock group, Crowded House. For their debut album, see Crowded House (album).
Crowded House
Five men are standing close together on a stage and smiling. First male at left is bearded and has right arm raised to shoulder height. Second male has arms around shoulders of his neighbours and is partly obscured by a microphone stand. Third male has left hand raised overhead. Fourth male has arms at side and is looking to his left. Fifth male has right arm over his neighbour and left arm overhead. Last two are partly obscured by a keyboard and its stand. Behind the five men is more band equipment and the background contains considerable English text.
Crowded House, August 2007 (L–R)
Liam Finn, Matt Sherrod, Mark Hart, Neil Finn, Nick Seymour
Background information
Origin Melbourne, Australia
Genres Rock, indie rock, alternative rock
Years active 1985 (1985)–1996, 2006 (2006)–present
Labels Capitol, ATO
Associated acts Split Enz, Finn Brothers, Tarmac Adam
Website www.crowdedhouse.com
Members
Neil Finn
Nick Seymour
Mark Hart
Matt Sherrod
Past members
Paul Hester
Craig Hooper
Eddie Rayner
Tim Finn
Peter Jones
Liam Finn
Davey Lane

Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn.[1] Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand (his brother, Tim Finn and Eddie Rayner), Australia (Paul Hester, Nick Seymour, Peter Jones and Craig Hooper) and the United States (Mark Hart, and Matt Sherrod).[1][2] Crowded House are referred to as The Crowdies by Australian fans.[3]

Originally active from 1985 to 1996, the band has had consistent commercial and critical success in Australia and New Zealand[4][5][6] and international chart success in two phases, beginning with their self titled debut album, Crowded House, which reached number twelve on the US Album Chart in 1987 and provided the Top Ten hits, "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Something So Strong".[7][8] Further international success came in the UK and Europe with their third and fourth albums, Woodface and Together Alone and the compilation album Recurring Dream, which included the hits "Fall at Your Feet", "Weather with You", "Distant Sun", "Locked Out", "Instinct" and "Not the Girl You Think You Are".[3][9] Queen Elizabeth II bestowed an OBE on both Neil and Tim Finn, in June 1993, for their contribution to the music of New Zealand.[10]

Founding drummer Hester left in May 1994, citing family reasons, but briefly returned for their Farewell to the World concerts in Melbourne and Sydney in 1996.[1] Neil Finn had decided to end the band to concentrate on his solo career and the Finn Brothers project with Tim.[1] On 26 March 2005 Hester committed suicide, aged 46.[11] In 2006, the group re-formed with new drummer Matt Sherrod and have since released two further albums, which have both reached number one on Australia's Album Chart.[5]

Contents

History

Neil Finn (vocals, guitar, piano) and drummer Paul Hester (ex-The Cheks, Deckchairs Overboard) were former members of New Zealand band Split Enz, which spent part of 1975-6 in Australia and several years in England.[1] Neil is the younger brother of Split Enz founding member Tim Finn, who joined Crowded House in 1990 on vocals, guitars and keyboards for the album Woodface.[1] Bassist Nick Seymour (ex-Plays with Marionettes, Bang, The Horla) is the younger brother of singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Seymour[1] of the now defunct Australian rock group Hunters & Collectors.[3]

Formation and name change (1984–1986)

Main articles: Split Enz and The Mullanes

Finn and Hester decided to form a new band during the Split Enz farewell tour, Enz with a Bang, during November and December 1984.[1] Seymour approached Finn during the after party for the Melbourne show and asked if he could audition for the new band.[3] The Mullanes formed in Melbourne in early 1985 with Finn, Hester, Seymour and guitarist Craig Hooper (ex-The Reels) and first performed on 11 June.[1] They secured a record contract with Capitol Records, but Hooper left the band before the remaining trio moved to Los Angeles to record their debut album.[1][12] At Capitol's behest, the band's name was changed to Crowded House, which alluded to the lack of space at the West Hollywood apartment they shared during the recording of the album Crowded House.[1][12] Former Split Enz keyboardist Eddie Rayner produced the track "Can't Carry On" and was asked to join the band. He toured with them in 1988, but was unable to become a full member due to family commitments.

Early albums (1986–1990)

Main articles: Crowded House (album) and Temple of Low Men
Three men are standing in front of posters advertising the band. Man at left is wearing sunglasses, smiling and adjusting his dark jacket. Man in middle is staring to his left and wears a similar dark jacket. Third man is also staring to his left and has a dark jacket.
Crowded House, San Francisco, April 1987. L to R: Paul Hester, Neil Finn, Nick Seymour.

Thanks to their Split Enz connection, the newly formed Crowded House had an established Australasian fanbase.[1] They began by playing at festivals in Australia and New Zealand and released their debut album, Crowded House, in June 1986.[1] Capitol Records initially failed to see the band's potential and gave them only low key promotion,[3] forcing the band to play at small venues to try and gain attention. The album's first single, "Mean to Me", reached the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart top 30 in June.[4] It failed to chart in the US,[7] but moderate American airplay introduced US listeners to the group.

The single, "Don't Dream It's Over", was released in December 1986 and reached number one on the New Zealand Singles Chart and number eight in Australia.[4][6] It was also a big international hit, reaching number two on the US Billboard Hot 100[7] and number one in Canada.[13] It remains the group's most commercially successful song. In March 1987, the group were awarded 'Best New Talent', along with 'Song of the Year' and 'Best Video' for "Don't Dream It's Over", at the inaugural ARIA Music Awards.[14] The video also earned the group the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist that year.[15] The song has often been covered by other artists and gave Paul Young a hit single in 1991. It was also used for a New Zealand Tourism Board advertisement in its 100% Pure New Zealand worldwide promotion from October 2005.[16] In May 2001, "Don't Dream it's Over" was voted 7th in a poll of the Best Australian Songs of Alltime by the Australasian Performing Rights Association.[17]

Three men are sitting at a small table. Man at left is holding sunglasses in his right hand, smiling, leaning forward and looking to his right. Man in middle has elbows on a brief case, gesturing with upraised hands, right hand is holding sunglasses, he is looking to his left. Third man has a small cup held to his lips by his right hand.
The band at the Montreux Pop Festival, May 1988. L to R: Seymour, Finn, Hester.

In June 1987, a year after its release, Crowded House finally reached number one on the Kent Music Report Album Charts.[4] It also reached number three in New Zealand[6] and number twelve on the US Billboard 200 album chart.[8] The follow-up to "Don't Dream it's Over", "Something So Strong", was not as successful as its predecessor but reached the top ten in New Zealand,[6] America[7] and Canada. "World Where You Live" and "Now We're Getting Somewhere" were also released as singles with some minor chart success.[3][4][7]

As the band's primary songwriter, Neil Finn was under pressure to create a second album to match their debut and the band joked that one potential title for the new release was Mediocre Follow-Up.[3] Eventually titled Temple of Low Men, their second album was released in July 1988 with strong promotion by Capitol Records. The album did not fare as well as their debut in the US, only reaching number 40,[8] but it achieved Australasian success, reaching number one in Australia[5] and number two in New Zealand.[6] The first single "Better Be Home Soon" peaked at number two on both Australian and New Zealand singles charts[5][6] and reached top 50 In the US,[7] though the following four singles were less successful.[5][6] Crowded House undertook a short tour of Australia and Canada to promote the album, with Eddie Rayner on keyboards. Multi-instrumentalist Mark Hart, who would eventually become a full band member, replaced Rayner in January 1989. After the tour, Finn fired Seymour from the band.[2] Music journalist Ed Nimmervoll claimed that Seymour's temporary departure was because Finn blamed him for causing his writer's block,[12] however Finn cited "artistic differences" as the reason.[2] Seymour said that after a month he contacted Finn and they agreed that he would return to the band.[2]

The early nineties (1991–1994)

Main articles: Tim Finn, Woodface, and Together Alone
Multi-instrumentalist Mark Hart

Crowded House took a break after the Canadian leg of the Temple of Low Men tour. Neil Finn and his brother Tim recorded songs they had co-written for their own album, Finn.[3] Following the recording sessions with Tim, Neil began writing and recording a third Crowded House album with Hester and Seymour, but these tracks were rejected by the record company, so Neil asked Tim if Crowded House could use the Finn songs. Tim jokingly agreed on the proviso that he become a member, which Neil apparently took literally. With Tim as an official member, the band returned to the studio. The new tracks, as well as some from the previously rejected recordings were combined to make Woodface, which was released in July 1991. The album features eight tracks co-written by Neil and Tim,[3] which feature the brothers harmonising on lead vocals, except on the sombre "All I Ask" on which Tim sang lead. The track was later used on AIDS awareness commercials in Australia.[3] Five of the album's tracks were Neil's solo compositions and two were by Hester, the exuberant "Italian Plastic", which became a crowd favourite at concerts[3] and the hidden track "I'm Still Here".

"Chocolate Cake", a humorous comment on American excesses that wasn't taken well by some US critics and sections of the American public, was released in June 1991 as the first single. Perhaps unsurprisingly it failed to chart in the US, however it reached number two on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.[7] The song peaked at number seven in New Zealand and reached the top 20 in Australia.[5][6] The second single, "Fall at Your Feet", was less successful in Australia and New Zealand but did at least reach the US Hot 100.[7] The album reached number one in New Zealand,[6] number two in Australia,[5] number six in the UK[18][19] and made the top 20 in several European countries.[20][21][22] The third single from Woodface, "Weather With You", peaked at No. 7 in early 1992 giving the band their highest UK chart placement. By contrast, the album had limited success in the US, only reaching number 83 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart.[8]

Tim left Crowded House during the Woodface tour in November 1991, part-way through the UK leg.[1] Performances on this tour, at the Town and Country Club in London, were recorded live and given a limited release in Australia, while individual songs from those shows were released as B-sides of singles in some countries.[23] In June 1993 the New Zealand Government recommended that the Queen award an OBE to Neil and Tim Finn for their contribution to the music of New Zealand.[10]

For their fourth album, Together Alone, Crowded House used New Zealand-based producer Martin Glover (aka Youth) and invited touring musician Mark Hart (guitar & keyboards) to become a permanent band member.[1][12] The album was recorded ar Karekare Beach, New Zealand, which gave its name to the opening track, "Kare Kare". The album was released in October 1993 and sold well internationally on the strength of lead single "Distant Sun" and followup "Private Universe". It topped the New Zealand Album Chart,[6] reached number 2 in Australia[5] and number 4 in the UK.[18] "Locked Out" was the album's first US single and received airplay on MTV and VH1. This track and "My Sharona" by The Knack, which were both included the soundtrack of the film Reality Bites, were bundled together on a jukebox single to promote the film soundtrack.[3]

Saying farewell (1994–1996)

Main articles: Finn (album), Recurring Dream, and Farewell to the World
Two men holding guitars onstage. Man at left is looking downwards, right hand strummings strings, left hand on fret board. Second man is half turned with his left hand high on the fret board.
Crowded House at the Café De Kroon, Amsterdam, June 1996. Neil Finn (left) and Mark Hart

Crowded House were mid way through a US tour when Paul Hester quit the band on 15 April 1994.[12] He flew home to Melbourne to await the birth of his first child and indicated that he required more time with his family.[1][12] Wally Ingram, drummer for support act Sheryl Crow, temporarily filled in[12] until a replacement, Peter Jones (ex-Harem Scarem, Vince Jones, Kate Ceberano's Septet) was found.[1] After the tour, the Finn Brothers released their album Finn in November 1995. In June 1996, at a press conference to announce the release of their greatest hits album Recurring Dream, Neil revealed that Crowded House were to disband. The June 1996 concerts in Europe and Canada were to be their final performances.[3]

Recurring Dream contained four songs from each of the band's studio albums, along with three new songs. The album debuted at number one in Australia,[5] New Zealand[6] and the UK[18] in July 1996. Early copies included a bonus CD of live material. The album's three new songs, which were released as singles, were "Instinct", "Not the Girl You Think You Are" and "Everything Is Good for You", which featured backing vocals from Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. Paul Hester returned to the band to play drums on the three new tracks.[24]

Worried that their goodbye had been too low-key and had disregarded their home fans, the band performed the Farewell to the World concert on the steps of the Sydney Opera House on 24 November 1996, which raised funds for the Sydney Children's Hospital. The concert featured the line-up of Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, Mark Hart and Paul Hester. Tim Finn and Peter Jones both made guest appearances. Support bands on the day were Custard, Powderfinger and You Am I. The concert had one of the highest live audiences in Australian history with the crowd being estimated at between 120,000 and 250,000 people.[3][25] Farewell to the World was released on VHS in December 1996. In 2007, a double CD and a DVD were issued as to commemorate the concert's ten year anniversary. The DVD featured newly recorded audio commentary by Finn, Hart and Seymour and other new bonus material.[25]

Between farewell and reunion (1996–2006)

Main articles: Afterglow (Crowded House album), Deadstar, 7 Worlds Collide, Everyone Is Here, and Tarmac Adam
Paul Hester 1959–2005.

Following the 1996 break-up of Crowded House, the members embarked upon a variety of projects. Neil Finn released two solo studio albums, Try Whistling This (1998) and One Nil (2001), as well as two live albums, Sessions at West 54th (2000) and 7 Worlds Collide (2001). 7 Worlds Collide saw him performing with guest musicians including Eddie Vedder, Johnny Marr, Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway of Radiohead, Tim Finn, Lisa Germano and Betchadupa (featuring his son Liam Finn). A double CD and DVD of the shows were released in November 2001.

Tim Finn had resumed his solo career after leaving the group in 1992 and he also worked with Neil on a second Finn Brothers album, Everyone Is Here, which was released in 2004. Paul Hester joined The Finn Brothers on stage for three songs at their Palais Theatre show in Melbourne at the end of 2004. Nick Seymour also joined them on stage in Dublin, where he was living, in 2004. Peter Jones and Nick Seymour joined Australian group Deadstar for their second album, Milk, in 1997. Seymour later worked as a record producer in Dublin, producing Irish group Bell X1's debut album, Neither Am I in 2000. Mark Hart rejoined Supertramp in the late 1990s and later toured with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. In 2001 he released a solo album, Nada Sonata.[26]

Paul Hester worked with children's entertainers The Wiggles, playing "Paul the Cook".[27] He also had his own ABC show Hessie's Shed in Australia from late 1997.[1] He formed the band Largest Living Things,[1] which was the name rejected by Capitol Records in favour of Crowded House.[11] It was on Hessie's Shed that Finn, Hester and Seymour last shared a stage, on an episode filmed as part of Finn's promotion for his solo album Try Whistling This in 1998. Finn and Hester performed "Not the Girl You Think You Are" with Largest Living Things, before being joined by Seymour for "Sister Madly" and a version of Paul Kelly's "Leaps and Bounds", which also featured Kelly on vocals. In late 2003, Hester hosted the series Music Max's Sessions. Hester and Seymour were reunited when they both joined singer-songwriter Matt O'Donnell's Melbourne-based group Tarmac Adam.[28] The band released one album, 2003's Handheld Torch, which was produced by Seymour.

In May 1999 Crowded House issued a compilation of unreleased songs, Afterglow, which included the track "Recurring Dream", recorded when the group were still called The Mullanes and included Craig Hooper on guitar.[1] The album's liner notes included information about the songs, written by music journalist David Hepworth. Some limited-release versions included a second CD with songwriting commentary by Finn. The liner notes confirmed that Crowded House had no plans to reunite at that time.[1] A 2003 compilation album, Classic Masters, was released only in the US, while 2005 saw the release of the album She Will Have Her Way, a collection of cover versions of Crowded House, Split Enz, Tim Finn and Finn Brothers songs by Australasian female artists. The album reached the top 5 in Australia and New Zealand.[29]

On 26 March 2005 Paul Hester was found dead, after hanging himself from a tree in a park near his home in Melbourne. He was 46 years old. His obituary in The Sydney Morning Herald stated that he had fought, "A long battle with depression."[11] Following the news of Hester's death, Nick Seymour joined The Finn Brothers on stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London, where the three played in memory of Paul. A snare drum with a top hat on it stood at the front of the stage as a tribute.[30] Writing in 2010 Neil Finn said, "When we lost Paul it was like someone pulled the rug out from underneath everything, a terrible jolt out of the dark blue. He was the best drummer I had ever played with and for many years, my closest friend."[31]

Reunion and Time On Earth (2006–2009)

Main articles: Time on Earth and Matt Sherrod
Matt Sherrod, Dublin, 2007.

In 2006 Neil Finn asked Nick Seymour to play bass on his third solo album. Seymour agreed and the two joined up with producer and multi-instrumentalist Ethan Johns to begin recording.[12] As the recording sessions progressed it was decided that the album would be issued under the Crowded House band name, rather than as a Neil Finn solo album. In January 2007, the group publicly announced their reformation and on 23 February, after 20 days of auditions, former Beck drummer Matt Sherrod joined Finn, Seymour and Mark Hart to complete the new line up.[12] As Sherrod and Hart had not participated in the initial sessions, four new tracks were recorded with producer Steve Lillywhite including the album's first single "Don't Stop Now".[12]

On 17 March 2007 the band played a live show at their rehearsal studio in front of around fifty fans, friends and family. The performance was streamed live as a webcast. The two-and-a-half hour set included some new tracks, including "Silent House" co-written by Finn with Dixie Chicks vocalist Natalie Maines. A concert onboard The Thekla, moored in Bristol, followed on 19 March. Crowded House played at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Arizona on 26 April as a warm-up for their appearance at the Coachella Festival on 29 April in Indio, California. They also played at the Australian Live Earth concert in Sydney on 7 July. The next day, Finn and Seymour were interviewed on Rove Live and the band, with Hart and Sherrod, performed "Don't Stop Now" to promote the new album, which was titled Time on Earth. The single was a minor hit in Australia[5] and the UK.[18] The album was released worldwide in June and July. It topped the album chart in New Zealand[6] and made number 2 in Australia[5] and number 3 in the UK.[18]

On 6 December 2008 Crowded House played the Homebake festival in Sydney, with warm up gigs at small venues in Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney. For these shows the band were augmented by multi-instrumentalist Don McGlashan and Neil's younger son, Elroy Finn, on guitar. On 14 March 14, 2009 the band joined Neil's older son, Liam Finn, on stage for three songs at the Sound Relief concert in Melbourne.

Intriguer (2009–current)

Main articles: Intriguer, The Very Very Best of Crowded House, and He Will Have His Way
Nick Seymour, Barcelona, October 2007.

Crowded House began recording their follow-up to Time on Earth in April 2009, at Finn's own Roundhead Studios. The album, Intriguer, was produced by Jim Scott who had worked on The Sun Came Out by Neil's 7 Worlds Collide project. In August 2009, Finn travelled to Los Angeles to record some overdubs at Jim Scott's Los Angeles studio before they began mixing tracks. The album was released in June 2010, in time for the band's appearance at the West Coast Blues & Roots Festival near Perth, Western Australia. Finn stated that the album contains some, "Unexpected twists and turns" and some songs that, "Sound like nothing we've done before."[32] Intriguer topped the Australian album chart,[5] reached number 3 in New Zealand[6] and number 12 in the UK.[18]

Crowded House undertook an extensive world tour in 2010 in support of Intriguer. This was the first album where the band regularly interacted with fans via the internet on their own re-launched website, Twitter and Facebook. The band sold recordings of the shows on the Intriguer tour on USB flash drives and made individual live tracks available for free download.

A new compilation album, The Very Very Best of Crowded House, was released in October 2010 to celebrate the band's 25th anniversary.[33] It includes 19 of the band's greatest hits and is also available in a box set with a 25 track DVD of their music videos. A deluxe digital version, available for download only, has 32 tracks including a rare 1987 live recording of the band's version of the Hunters & Collectors song "Throw Your Arms Around Me". No mention of this album has been made on the band's official website or Twitter page, which suggests that they are not involved with its release.

Following the success of the album She Will Have Her Way in 2005, a second album of cover versions of Finn Brothers songs, He Will Have His Way, was released on 12 November 2010. All tracks on this album are performed by Australasian male artists.[34] In November 2011 there was an Australian tour by various artists involved with the "She Will Her Way" and "He Will Have His Way" projects, under the name "They Will Have Their Way." The tour featured Paul Dempsey, Clare Bowditch, Seeker Lover Keeper (Sarah Blasko, Sally Seltmann and Holly Throsby), Alexander Gow (Oh Mercy) and Lior.[35]

Style
Better Be Home Soon
The first single from Temple of Low Men (1988).
Don't Stop Now
The first single from Time on Earth (2007) and the first to feature Matt Sherrod.
Don't Dream It's Over
The group's most successful international single, taken from Crowded House (1986).
Distant Sun
The first single from Together Alone (1993), and the first to feature Mark Hart.
Problems listening to these files? See media help.

Songwriting and musical influences

As the primary songwriter for the band, Neil Finn has always set the tone for the band's sound. Allmusic said that Finn, "Has consistently proven his knack for crafting high-quality songs that combine irresistible melodies with meticulous lyrical detail."[36] Neil's brother Tim was an early and important musical influence. Neil first saw Tim play with Split Enz in 1972, he said, "That performance and those first songs made a lasting impression on me."[37] His mother was another significant musical influence, encouraging him to listen to a variety of genres, including Irish folk music and Māori music. She would play piano at family parties and encourage Neil and Tim to accompany her.[38]

Album covers, costumes and set design

Bassist Nick Seymour, who is also an artist, designed or co-designed all of the band's album covers and interior artwork. He also designed some of the costumes worn by the group, notably those from the cover of the group's debut album Crowded House. Seymour collaborated with Finn and Hester on the set design of some of their early music videos, including "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Better Be Home Soon". Since the band reunited, Seymour has again designed their album covers.[2]

The majority of the covers for the band's singles were not designed by Seymour. The artwork for "Pineapple Head" was created by Reg Mombassa of Mental As Anything. For the first four albums Mombassa and Noel Crombie, who had been the main designer of Split Enz's artwork, assisted Seymour in creating sets and costumes. For the Farewell to the World concerts Crombie designed the set, while Mombassa and Seymour designed promotional materials and artwork.[39]

Band members

Discography

Main article: Crowded House discography
Studio albums

Awards

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Crowded House

Crowded House has won several national and international awards. In Australia, the group has won eleven ARIA Awards from 26 nominations, including the inaugural Best New Talent award in 1987.[14] The majority of their ARIAs were awarded for their first two albums, Crowded House and Temple of Low Men.[14] They won eight APRA Awards from eleven nominations and were nominated for The New Zealand Silver Scroll for "Don't Stop Now" in 2007.[40] "Don't Dream It's Over" was named the seventh best Australian song of all time in 2001.[17] In 1987, Crowded House won the American MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist for their song "Don't Dream It's Over", which was also nominated for three other awards.[15] In 1994, the group was named International Group of the Year at the BRIT Awards.[41] In 2009, "Don't Dream It's Over" was ranked number fifty on the Triple J Hottest 100 of All Time, voted by the Australian public.[42]

See also

Portal icon Music of Australia portal

Further reading

References

General
Specific
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u McFarlane (1999)
  2. ^ a b c d e "Neil Finn and Nick Seymour" Australian Broadcasting Corporation – 16 July 2007
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Bourke (1997)
  4. ^ a b c d e Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, New South Wales: Australian Chart Book Ltd. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.  (NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charts from 1974 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988. In 1992, Kent back calculated chart positions for 1970–1974)
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Discography Crowded House" australiancharts.com
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Discography Crowded House" charts.org.nz
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h "Crowded House > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles" Allmusic
  8. ^ a b c d "Crowded House > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums" Allmusic
  9. ^ "Artists > Crowded House" Chart Stats
  10. ^ a b Hunkin, Joanna (3 May 2007). "Finn 'sick' of PM grabbing music glory". The New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10437512&pnum=1. Retrieved 26 September 2011. 
  11. ^ a b c Bernard Zuel, Nassim Khadem, Patrick Donovan, James Button "Farewell to the clown prince" The Sydney Morning Herald – 29 March 2005
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Crowded House" HowlSpace
  13. ^ "Top Singles – Volume 46, No. 4, May 02 1987" Library and Archives Canada
  14. ^ a b c "Artist: Crowded House" ARIA
  15. ^ a b "MTV Music Video Awards 1987" MTV – NOTE: Click on "winners" tab
  16. ^ "Music used in New Zealand Television Commercials: T" Christchurch City Libraries NOTE: Scroll down to "Tourism New Zealand"
  17. ^ a b "2001 – Top 10 Songs" APRA – 28 May 2001
  18. ^ a b c d e f "Chart Stats – Crowded House" Chart Stats
  19. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London, UK: Guinness. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
  20. ^ "Discography Crowded House" norwegiancharts.com
  21. ^ "Discography Crowded House" swedishcharts.com
  22. ^ "Discografie Crowded House" dutchcharts.nl
  23. ^ "Crowded House Discography" amws.com.au – 12 January 1994
  24. ^ Green, Peter & Post, Liz "Timeline – The Crowded House Refresher Course" frenz.com
  25. ^ a b Hepworth, David (2006). Farewell to the World. Parlophone. 
  26. ^ "Nada Sonata > Overview" Allmusic
  27. ^ "Paul Hester" IMDb
  28. ^ "Paul Hester" Australian Rock Database
  29. ^ "She Will Have Her Way – The Songs Of Tim & Neil Finn (Album)" charts.org.nz
  30. ^ Button, James "The show goes on in memory of Hester" The Age – 30 March 2005
  31. ^ "About Crowded House" concordmusicgroup.com
  32. ^ Thompson, Jody "Crowded House Return With New Album Intriguer" spinnermusic.co.uk – 21 April 2010
  33. ^ "Crowded House's Top Hits and Fan Favorites Gathered for 'The Very Very Best Of Crowded House,' to be Released 26 October by Capitol/EMI" PR Newswire – 1 September 2010
  34. ^ Kara, "He Will Have His Way: The Songs of Tim & Neil Finn – out 12 November" The Sound From Way Out – 26 October 2010
  35. ^ Reid, Poppy "They Will Have Their Way national tour" themusicnetwork.com - 5 July 2011
  36. ^ Woodstra, Chris "Neil Finn > Biography" Allmusic
  37. ^ "Neil Finn > Biography" Mushroom Music Publishing
  38. ^ "Neil Finn > Bio" isound.com
  39. ^ Crowded House, Farewell to the World concert film end credits, released December 1996.
  40. ^ "APRA Silver Scroll Awards 2007" Amplifier Magazine – 19 July 2007
  41. ^ "The BRIT Awards 1994". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 25 May 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070525210709/http://brits.co.uk/winners/1994/. Retrieved 7 August 2007. 
  42. ^ "Hottest 100 of All Time" ABC
  43. ^ "Stranded in paradise : New Zealand rock and roll, 1955 to the modern era / John Dix" National Library of New Zealand
  44. ^ "Crowded House : private universe / Kerry Doole and Chris Twomey" National Library of New Zealand

External links

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