Split Enz

Split Enz
Split Enz, 13 June 2006, Rod Laver Arena
Background information
Origin	Auckland, New Zealand
Genres	New wave, art rock, progressive rock, pop rock
Years active	1972–1984 (Reunions: 1986, 1989–1990, 1992–1993, 1996, 1999–2000, 2002, 2005, 2006–2007, 2008–2009)
Labels	Mushroom, Chrysalis, A&M
Associated acts	Crowded House, The Swingers, Schnell Fenster, The Makers, Citizen Band, Pajama Club
Website	frenz.com
Past members	Tim Finn Phil Judd Mike Chunn Miles Golding Mike Howard Div Vercoe Wally Wilkinson Robert Gillies Geoff Chunn Eddie Rayner Emlyn Crowther Noel Crombie Malcolm Green Neil Finn Nigel Griggs Paul Hester Michael Barker

Split Enz were a New Zealand art rock and pop band during the late 1970s and early 1980s featuring brothers Tim and Neil Finn.

The band started life in 1971 at Auckland University, where Tim met up with (old friend) Mike Chunn, Robert Gillies, Philip Judd and Noel Crombie. From 1972 the band became a full-time occupation for the friends, and they called the band Split Ends. The spelling was later changed to Split Enz when they went on their first trip to Australia, to signify their New Zealand roots.

The musical style is best described as new wave - eclectic and wildly original, incorporating influences from art rock, vaudeville, swing, punk, rock and pop. Their costumes and hair were like nothing else, wild and colourful.

Between 1972 and 1977 Tim shared leader duties with Phil; when the latter left the band for good, younger brother Neil Finn joined at 17 years of age, and he went on to write most of the major hits the band had. Their biggest international hit was the single "I Got You".

After Tim decided to leave the band to pursue a solo career in 1983, it became clear that the other major songwriter, Neil, did not think the band could go on without him. The band finally broke up in November 1984. Whatever tension there might have been between the band and Tim was resolved, and they went on their final tour together, Enz with a Bang.