Band File

Rip It Up, Issue 22, 1 May 1979, Page 20

Band File

N 0.5 SPLIT ENZ

HISTORY 1972-731

Split Ends formed Oct .'72 Phil Judd (vocals/acoustic guitar), Tim Finn (vocals/piano/tambourine), Mike Chunn (bass guitar), Miles Golding (violin) and Michael Howard (flute). First performance was at the Wynyard Tavern (Dec ’72). First tour was a March 73 University Tour. In March Miles left and Div Vercoe played drums for one gig and on “For You". In April Wally Wilkinson (electric guitar) and Geoff Chunn (drums) joined Ends. The band was opening act on the John Mayall Tour. In September Split Ends were finalists in TV One's New Faces. In December 73 signed management contract with Barry Coburn and Phil left. 1974-5 In early 74 Rob Gillies (January) and Eddie Rayner (February) joined Ends. Name changed to Split Enz prior to April Barry Coburn/Radio Hauraki first Buck-A-Head concert where Noel Crombie made his first appearance with the band. In June 74 Phil returned and Geoff and Rob left. In July Mike Caen rehearsed, only, with Enz. Paul Crowther (drums) joined in July. Noel became a full-time member in September. This band went to Australia in March 75 and was signed to Mushroom Records in May. In November Wally was sacked and replaced by Robert Gillies. 1976-8 Signed to Mental Management (John Hopkins, Ray Evans and Michael Gudinski) in February 76. Late April, Split Enz support Roxy Music in Sydney concert and meet Phil Manzanera. Flew to UK in May 76. Crowther sacked in October. Malcolm Green joined same month. In February 77 commenced six week USA Tour. Phil left on February 27 in Atlanta. Neil Finn Joined April 3. Mike left on April 4 and on the same day Nigel Griggs joined. Robert Gillies departecT in January 78. He was replaced by Phil Judd who left 3 months later.

MANAGEMENT Barry Coburn (December 72 - December 75) John Hopkins (April 76 - today).

SINGLES “For You"/“Split Ends” (Vertigo released 4/73), "129'7“Sweet Talking Spoon Song" (EMI Home" (White Cloud, Thru Pye “Maybe"/"Titus” (Mushroom in Australia/White Cloud thru Pye in NZ 1/9/75), “Late Last Night’T'Time For A Change" (Mushroom thru Festival

“Matinee Idyll'T'Lovey Dovey" (Mushroom/Festival Great Divide’T'Stranger Than Fiction” (Chrysalis in UK Mushroom/Festival 24/1/77), "My Mistake’T'Crosswords'' (Chrysalis Mushroom/Festival “Bold As Brass'VSugar And Spice" (Chrysalis Mushroom/Festival Red’VHermit McDermit” & “Message Boy" (Australasia Mushroom International thru Festival

ALBUMS Mental Notes Recorded at Festival, Sydney (May/June 1975). Producer Dave Russell. Label: Mushroom in Australia/White Cloud in NZ thru Pye. Second Thoughts (entitled Mental Notes outside Australasia). Recorded at Basing Street, London (April/May 1976). Producer Phil Manzanera. Label: Chrysalis in UK, USA etc./Australasia Mushroom thru Festival. Dizrythmia Recorded at Air Studios, London (June/July 1977). Co-producer Geoff Emerick. Label: Chrysalis Mushroom/Festival. Frenzy recorded at the Manor, England. (November/December/January 1978-9). Producer Mallory Earl. Label: Australasia Mushroom International thru Festival.

TOURS July 1975 Student Arts Council Tour of NZ. Dec-Jan-Feb 1975-6 Enz of the Earth Australasian Tour. Sept-Oct 1976 First UK Tour (26 dates support act to Jack The Lad. Nov-Dec 1976 Second UK Tour (15 dates headlining). Dec-Jan 1976-7 First Holland Tour (15 dates headlining). Jan-Feb 1977 Courting the Act Australasian Tour. Feb-March 1977 First US Tour (23 dates, 40 shows support or headlining.). April-May 1977 Third UK Tour (14 dates headlining). May-June 1977 Second Holland/Belgium Tour (20 dates). Sept-Oct 1977 Dizrythmia Australasian Tour (28 dates). Oct-Nov 1977 Fourth UK Tour (21 dates headlining). Dec-Jan 1977-78 Third Holland Tour (15 dates headlining). Feb 1978 Fifth UK Tour (20 dates). Oct 1978 Time Out 10th Anniversary Concert, London. Jan-Feb 1979 Australian Tour (30 dates headlining). March 1979 New Zealand Tour (15 dates headlining).

NOEL CROMBIE Perkushin Born April 17, 1953 Education Dip Fyin Rrtz Musical Career Startid wid druim kit in tha hall,

then a salek-shin ov Sorkline produktz. No uther bandzJpM^Mßpßpjpflgpfffl Othe/ Jobs Skrub kutta, dump truk dryva, kworree krusha' opparayta, postill assistint. Favourites^QAMBKBHiPQBQHBBHB Albums Albert Marcover - Albert Marcover, Third Reich and Roll - Tha Residents, Man from Wareika - Rico, Hot Club - Django Rhinehart.. Singles "I Am Tha Fly” -- Wire, “Road Runner” Jonathan Richman, “Sex & Drugz & Rok & Roll” Blockheadz, “Watchin Tha Detektivz” Elvis Costello. Percussionist. Ray CoopenjnpHpHyHl Musician Eno (not so much wot but how) SingerjjTWHAMnßHßß^^SHßtt^H Equipment R U.kiddin mee. Hootaz, dongaz, dingaz, jingles, thudz, krashz, krakz, wizzillz. wizza an lhoo]flikJ<ee2%BHßßHftfl|[^HnQß NEIL FINN Guitar, vocals Born Te Awamutu; May vi9sß Education St Patricks Convent, Sacred Heart College and Te Awamutu College • Musical Career Learnt piano for some time and passed Grade . 8, played solo round Te Awamutu for Plunket dos and fashion"parades. Moved to Orkland and played with Geoff Chunn in a snappy little outfit called After Hours. Last gig was the day I flew out to join Enz'April 7, 1977. Other Jobs Shop assistant, storeman-packer, hospital orderly. ttuHSHPfll Favourites Albums White Album Beatles, Hunky Dory and Heroes Bowie, Albert Marquer Albert Marquer, Houses of the Holy Led Zeppelin Singles “Something in the Air" Thunderclap Newman, “Emergency" The Stukas, "Watching the Detectives” Elvis Costello. Guitarist George Harrison Musicians Paul McCartney, Paul Thompson, Bunny Be g an Singers John. Lennon, David Bowie, Ella Fit[zge raIdi|PHSfiMHhfIBHBQBH3PV Equipment Yamaha SG 2000, Gibson Les Paul Junior, Ovation. 6 string acoustic, Vox AC 30 and 50 amps, Roland RE 201 Space Echo, Hot Cake Distortion Box MXR Flanger. ; '• TIM FINN Vocals, piano, acoustic guitar Born June 25, 1952 Education St Patricks Primary, Te Awamutu, Sacred Heart College sUBHH Musical Career Split Enz Other Jobs 22 jobs 1972-74 Favourites 'Albums The White Album ' . . Singles “I See Red” (today’s favourite) Singer Paul McCartney Musician Charlie Watts Equipment Ovation 12 string acoustic guitar MAL GREEN Born January 25, 1953 Education Still learning ..” Musical-Career Professional since 1970 and played with Octopus, ..Jimmy James, Vagabonds, Love Affair, Honeycombs, Claire

Hammel. Other Jobs Worked in Petticoat Lane in England for 2 months in 1976 Favourites Other Jobs Worked in Petticoat Lane in England for 2 months in 1976 Favourites Albums Caravanserai Santana, Countdown to Ecstasy Steely Dan. Singles “Something in the Air” Thunderclap Newman. Drummer Michel Gilles Singers Tim Finn, David Bowie Musician Stevie Wonder Equipment Sonar drums and accessories, Paiste and Avedis cymbals. NIGEL GRIGGS Bass, vocals, occasional guitar Born August 18, 1949 Education Experiences Musical Career Professional since 1968. Octopus (1971), Carmen (1972), Steve Hillage’s band Khan (1973), llbarritz (1975-76). Other Jobs Civil servant (1966-67), taxi driver (1975). Favourites Albums Walls and Bridges John Lennon, Rough and Ready, Wired Jeff Beck, Hunky Dory David Bowie, Venusian Summer Lenny White, Bookends Simon and Garfunkel. Bass Guitarist Larry Graham Musicians John Lennon, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Jeff Beck. Singer Kate Bush. Equipment Wal Custom bass and 15 year old Rickenbacker bass, both now in ashes. Now using a BC Rich Koa Wood bass, acoustic 370 amp, 2 Kl4O speaker cabinets. EDDIE RAYNER Piano, electronic keyboards, vocals Born November 19, 1952 Education Attended Howick Normal (may be significant) Musical Career No formal tranining, but learnt lots from Paul Crowther about synthesizers. Been in Enz for five years and before that with Hungry Dog, Roger Skinner & the Motivation, Cruise Lane, Orb, Space Waltz, Stewart & the Belmonts. Other Jobs Miller, builder's labourer, factory worker, receptionist, mechanic, sewerage worker, office boy, student. Favourites Albums The White Album, Abbey Road The Beatles Single "I Am the Walrus” Musician (Bandfile form reads “Favourite musician on your instrument”) Would give lan Dury’s keyboards player a shot on my synthesizer if he wanted to. Singers Tim and Neil Equipment Yamaha CS6O Polyphonic Sythesizer, Yamaha CS3O Monophonic, Synthesizer, Yamaha CP3O Electric Piano, Yamaha CP7OB Electric Grand Piano, Mellotron, Roland SH2OOO Synthesizer, Yamaha 400 watt Bi-amp, Sunn 6 by 10” speaker cabinets, Roland Space Echo.