Bio

After Split Enz broke up in 1984, Neil Finn, Paul Hester (Split Enz's last drummer), Melbourne bassist/artist Nick Seymour, and Craig Hooper (guitar) created a band originally called The Mullanes.

They moved to Los Angeles in 1985 in search of a record label. Whilst in LA they stayed in a cramped North Hollywood home which inspired a name change to Crowded House. They soon scored a recording deal with Capitol Records, and with the help of producer Mitchell Froom the band (by this time a trio with the departure of Hooper) wrote and recorded what was to be their biggest commercial success.

Crowded House's debut album was released to little excitement early on, however in 1987 two singles lifted from the album became enormously successful. The first single from the album Don't Dream It's Over eventually reached the #2 position on the Billboard Charts (and stands as the bands most successful single), and Something So Strong reached #7 on the Billboards. The album had one of the longest ascents up the charts ever noted, eventually peaking at #12.

This album was followed in 1988 by Temple of Low Men, reaching the US Top 40. In 1989, while Neil simultaneously worked on both the next Crowded House album and a project with his brother, Tim Finn suggested a merging of Crowded House and the Finn Brothers projects, combining the best songs from both.

Tim joined Crowded House for their 1991 album Woodface, and left the band after the album was finished. Singles from the album cracked the UK market with the Top 20 hit Fall At Your Feet (1991), Weather With You reaching #7, and Woodface went triple platinum in the UK and double platinum in Australia.

In November 1991, while the band were enjoying worldwide success. Both Finn brothers were awarded the OBE in June 1993 for their contribution to NZ music.

Over the summer of 1992/93, Neil came home to NZ along with Crowded House to record Together Alone, the band's fourth and final studio album. Mark Hart (Keyboards/Guitar) became a fully-fledged member for this recording. This album was released in 1993. In 1994, Crowded House won the much coveted Q magazine award for 'Best International Act', beating out heavyweights such as U2, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam.

During this success Paul Hester left the band, mid-tour in the US. Peter Jones was brought in as a full-time replacement, but, Paul's departure, for many, spelled the end of the band. The reason for this being that, the four members had a unique on-stage humour and ability to improvise that nobody could replace.

On 4 June 1996, during a promotional mini-tour of the UK, Neil Finn announced that the band was to split. For the bands farewell, they signed off with a best of compilation package which featuring three new songs, and a final concert. Their emotional final performance was in Sydney on 24 November 1996 at the steps of Sydney Opera House. Paul returned for this gig, Tim and Peter also made appearances.

Band Members:
Neil Finn (guitar, vocals, piano)
Nick Seymour (bass)
Mark Hart (keyboards, guitar)
Matt Sherrod (drums)

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