Split Enz - Mental Notes (1975) (Expanded, 2006)

Perhaps better known to most as a successful New Zealand, (and NZ's most successful band and hugely popular in NZ and Australia) new wave act from the early 1980s. SPLIT ENZ did in fact start life as a prog band formed in 1972 originally spelt SPLIT ENDS (the spelling changed to Enz when the band left New Zealand), by friends at Auckland University Phil Judd (Guitar, vocals) and Brian (Tim) Finn (Vocals, piano, guitar), who had an inspired period of song writing together. Their early sound was a mixture of vaudeville and influences of the Beatles, Genesis, Yes, Roxy Music, Jethro Tull and Gentle Giant. Tim's singing style was influenced a little by Brian Ferry while Phil Judd by Roger Chapman of Family.

The line-up of the band was pretty fluid throughout the bands career sacking and employing many people, but two members that would play a key roll in Split Enz, Keyboard whizz Anthony (Eddie) Raynor who would flesh out the bands sound and percussionist/costume designer/stage designer Noel (Geoffrey) Crombie, would add wacky percussion and create the costumes and stage shows that made the band an incredibly unique theatrical juggernaut. >
SPLIT ENZ eventually caught the eye of Roxy Music member Phil Manzanera, the band moved to the UK in 1976 and Manzanera their second album, Second Thoughts.
The UK proved to be a difficult time for the band, Punk music became popular which made it a hostile environment for ENZ to be in, they did not have an agent to book them concerts and promote them, therefore their album did not sell well. After a disastrous US tour, and increasingly erratic behaviour on stage Phil Judd, the bands main songwriter left the group.

Tim's younger brother Neil (guitar, vocals), joined the band in 1977 to replace Phil, the band had a fresh start in inspiration, but due to not having a big enough impact in the UK Chrysalis dropped them. The band became more accessible form 1978 onwards and by 1980 were a successful new wave band reclaiming UK as well as Europe, and topping the Canadian and Australian charts thanks to Neil's ability to write catchy pop songs while Tim's more reflective melancholy pieces. Although the band was now more new wave in style, until 1983 they had still retained some of their zany spirit partially due to Eddie's keyboards. Popularity waned for the band in 1983 partially due to Tim pursuing his solo career. By 1984, Tim had left the band to pursue his own solo career, the band cut one more album; See Ya Round and after a farewell tour with Tim reuniting for it the band called it quits.

The former band mates pursued different projects, alongside Tim's solo work most notable of these was Neil's hugely successful Australasian band Crowded House; while Phil with some former Enz band mates created Schnell Fenster (Fast Window).While Eddie Raynor had a project with the NZ symphony orchestra, EnzSo which recreated the bands classic songs with Tim, Neil and Noel performing in it as well as guests.

SPLIT ENZ, have had many reunion tours in NZ and Australia, and did have an aborted album project in the late 90s, you can hear a track that was made during these sessions on their DVD via an Easter egg. The band in scheduled to have a reunion tour this year in NZ. progarchives