Split Enz

Split Enz
Company type	Musical group
Industry	Music
Founded	1972 in Auckland, New Zealand
Headquarters	Auckland, New Zealand
Products	Music albums, singles

Split Enz is a New Zealand musical group established in 1972 in Auckland. Recognized as the pioneering New Zealand band to achieve notable success beyond Australasia, they initially embraced a progressive and art rock style characterized by flamboyant visuals and dramatic stage presentations. Over time, their sound evolved toward pop and new wave genres, yielding popular tracks such as "I See Red" (1978), "I Got You" (1980), "History Never Repeats" (1981), "Dirty Creature" (1982), and "Message to My Girl" (1983). Their albums that received both critical praise and commercial success include Mental Notes (1975), Dizrythmia (1977), True Colours (1980), and Time and Tide (1982). Although Split Enz disbanded in 1984, they have reunited sporadically since.

1972–1984

Initially called Split Ends, the band was created by songwriters Tim Finn (vocals) and Phil Judd (guitar/vocals). The original members also included Mike Chunn on bass, Miles Golding playing violin, and Mike Howard on flute. Their earliest performances showcased acoustic instruments with a folk-influenced sound. Drummer Div Vercoe briefly joined but soon left alongside Golding and Howard. Subsequently, Finn, Judd, and Chunn brought in Geoff Chunn as drummer and Wally Wilkinson on electric guitar. In late 1973, they competed on the television talent show New Faces, advancing one round before elimination for being considered "too clever". Early 1974 saw the addition of keyboardist Eddie Rayner and saxophonist Rob Gillies. Around this time, the group changed its name to Split Enz, a nod to their New Zealand origins.

During 1973-74, they recorded singles including "For You", "The Sweet Talking Spoon Song", and "No Bother to Me". These recordings along with demos were later compiled into the 1979 release The Beginning of the Enz. Later in 1974, Gillies and Geoff Chunn departed; Emlyn Crowther took over drums while Noel Crombie joined as percussionist and visual director. Their bold art-rock approach combined with theatrical live shows helped cultivate a dedicated fanbase through Auckland theatre performances in 1974. After relocating to Australia in 1975, Split Enz signed with Mushroom Records and released their debut album Mental Notes, which peaked at No. 7 in New Zealand and No. 35 in Australia. Shortly thereafter Wilkinson left the band and Gillies returned.

In 1976, the group moved to England where they secured contracts with Chrysalis Records for UK and US distribution. Their sophomore album, Second Thoughts, was produced by Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music. They toured as support for English folk-rock band Jack the Lad. Emlyn Crowther exited late that year and was replaced by English drummer Malcolm Green, marking the first time a non-New Zealander joined the lineup.

Phil Judd and Mike Chunn left the band in 1977. On April 7 of that year, Neil Finn from New Zealand joined as Judd’s successor on guitar and vocals, while English bassist Nigel Griggs took over from Chunn. Neil Finn quickly became co-lead vocalist and principal songwriter alongside Tim Finn. Their third album, Dizrythmia, was recorded at AIR Studios in London with producer Geoff Emerick between June and July 1977, releasing in August of that year. Early 1978 saw Gillies depart once more; Judd briefly rejoined before leaving to form the new wave group the Swingers, whose single "Counting the Beat" topped charts in New Zealand and Australia in 1981.

By mid-1978, Split Enz found themselves without management or record deals in the UK/US after being dropped by Chrysalis. A $5,000 grant from the New Zealand Arts Council funded demo sessions in Luton, England—known as the "Rootin' Tootin' Luton Tapes"—which included the track "I See Red". This single marked a transition toward an energetic power pop sound. Although it did not chart in the UK, it reached No.15 on New Zealand charts.

Returning home for Christmas 1978, their equipment was destroyed in a suspicious fire at their rehearsal studio shortly afterward. Despite this setback, using borrowed instruments they delivered an influential performance at the Nambassa Festival in January 1979. That same year saw the release of their fourth album Frenzy. By year’s end they had signed with A&M Records for releases targeting UK and US audiences.

The 1980 album True Colours solidified their power-pop direction; its single "I Got You" topped charts across Australia, New Zealand, and Canada while reaching No.12 in the UK and No.53 in the US. The album itself reached No.1 in Australia and New Zealand and entered the Top 40 charts in both UK and US.

Their subsequent release Waiata (known as Corroboree in Australia) also achieved No.1 status down under. Following this period drummer Malcolm Green departed; percussionist Noel Crombie temporarily assumed drumming duties. The next album Time and Tide (1982) topped charts in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Its single "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" was ranked fifth among New Zealand’s best songs by APRA but caused controversy in the UK due to perceived references to the Falklands War.

After releasing Conflicting Emotions in 1983, Australian drummer Paul Hester joined while Crombie returned to percussion roles. In spring 1984 Tim Finn left to pursue a solo career following his successful debut solo album Escapade. With only Neil Finn remaining from founding members—and feeling uneasy continuing without Tim or Judd—the band decided their upcoming release See Ya 'Round would be their final studio work. Tim briefly rejoined for their farewell tour titled "Enz with a Bang!". Split Enz’s final concert took place on December 6, 1984 at Auckland’s Logan Campbell Centre.

Following Split Enz’s disbandment, Neil Finn and Paul Hester formed a new group initially called the Mullanes alongside bassist Nick Seymour, later renaming themselves Crowded House. Their self-titled debut album released in 1986 propelled them to international acclaim. Keyboardist Eddie Rayner contributed as producer and session musician but declined full membership due to family obligations. Tim Finn joined Crowded House between 1989–1991 during which time they released their third album Woodface.

Reunions

Two years following the breakup of Split Enz, the band came together once more in 1986 for a concert benefiting Greenpeace. This reunion was succeeded by a series of shows across Australia during 1989 and 1990. The originally scheduled performance on 28 December 1989 at Newcastle Worker's Club was canceled due to earthquake damage to the venue; instead, the group took part in a February 1990 benefit event aimed at aiding the town's recovery efforts.

On 10 December 1992, Split Enz reunited for a singular appearance at Auckland’s Wynyard Tavern, marking exactly two decades since their debut public performance at the same location. The following year, they embarked on a 20th anniversary tour, performing in Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland with support from The Holy Toledos. This touring lineup replicated their final live configuration from the Enz With A Bang tour: Finn, Finn, Rayner, Griggs, Hester, and Crombie. Additionally, they held a New Year’s Eve show in Auckland in 1999, made television appearances in 2002 to celebrate their 30th anniversary and promote the Split Enz DVD, and performed during their induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005. Further reunion tours occurred in 2006 and 2008, followed by a one-time set at the Sound Relief festival in March 2009.

In September 2025, Split Enz announced their return to headline Christchurch’s Electric Avenue Festival scheduled for February 2026—marking their first joint performance in nearly twenty years. This ensemble features Tim Finn, Neil Finn, Noel Crombie, Eddie Rayner, alongside Matt Eccles on drums and James Milne handling bass duties. An Australian tour is planned for April through May of 2026.

Legacy

Split Enz enjoyed considerable commercial acclaim with ten albums—including seven studio releases—reaching the top ten on the Official New Zealand Music Chart. They also hold the distinction of having eight songs featured in the APRA Top 100 New Zealand Songs of All Time, more than any other artist.

Members

Tim Finn – vocals, acoustic guitar, piano
Phil Judd – vocals, guitar, mandolin
Mike Chunn – bass guitar, backing vocals
Mike Howard – flute
Miles Golding – violin
Div Vercoe – drums
Wally Wilkinson – guitar, backing vocals
Geoff Chunn – drums
Eddie Rayner – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
Rob Gillies – saxophone
Emlyn Crowther – drums
Noel Crombie – percussion, drums, backing vocals
Malcolm Green – drums, backing vocals
Neil Finn – vocals, guitar, mandolin
Nigel Griggs – bass guitar, backing vocals
Paul Hester – drums, backing vocals

Discography

Studio albums

Mental Notes (1975)
Second Thoughts (1976; released as Mental Notes outside Australasia)
Dizrythmia (1977)
Frenzy (1979)
The Beginning of the Enz (1979; recorded between 1973 and 1974)
True Colours (1980)
Waiata (1981; known as Corroboree in Australia)
Time and Tide (1982)
Conflicting Emotions (1983)
See Ya 'Round (1984)

ARIA Music Awards

Since 1987, the ARIA Music Awards have celebrated outstanding achievement and creativity within the Australian music scene. In 2005, Split Enz was honored with induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

|- | 2005 | Split Enz | ARIA Hall of Fame |

TV Week / Countdown Awards

The Australian pop music television program Countdown, broadcast on ABC-TV from 1974 to 1987, hosted annual music awards between 1979 and 1987 that combined both popular votes and peer recognition.

Bibliography

Mike Chunn. Stranger Than Fiction: The Life and Times of Split Enz. GP Publications, 1992.
Mike Chunn. Stranger Than Fiction: The Life and Times of Split Enz (revised ebook edition). Hurricane Press, 2013.
Dix, John. Stranded in Paradise: New Zealand Rock and Roll, 1955 to the Modern Era. Penguin Books, 2005.
Green, Peter. Letters to My Frenz. Rocket Pocket Books, 2006.
Green, Peter, and Goulding, Mark. Wings Off Flies. Rocket Pocket Books, 2002.

External links

Official websites: /
Enzology
Split Enz Collection at the Performing Arts Collection, Arts Centre Melbourne
AudioCulture