Crowded House

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Crowded House
Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, and Paul Hester
Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, and Paul Hester
Background information
Origin New Zealand/Australia
Genre(s) Rock, Pop
Years active 1985 - 1996
Label(s) Capitol Records
Former members
Neil Finn
Paul Hester
Nick Seymour
Mark Hart
Tim Finn
Craig Hooper
Eddie Rayner
Peter Jones

Crowded House was a pop-rock group formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand musician Neil Finn. Active between 1986 and 1996, their notable hits include "Don't Dream It's Over", "Something So Strong", "Better Be Home Soon", and "Weather with You".

Contents

[edit] Members

Founding Members (These members performed on all album recordings):

Other Members (These members appeared only on mentioned albums):

[edit] History

[edit] Beginning

The group had important connections in the Australian and New Zealand rock scenes. Neil Finn and Paul Hester were former members of the New Zealand rock band Split Enz; Neil is the younger brother of Split Enz founding member Tim Finn. Nick Seymour is the younger brother of singer-songwriter-guitarist Mark Seymour, leader of Australian rock group Hunters & Collectors.

The first incarnation of the band in 1985, The Mullanes, was a 4-piece formed in Melbourne, Australia, which also included guitarist Craig Hooper, formerly of The Reels. They secured a record contract with Capitol Records and moved to Los Angeles, at which time Hooper left the band. At the label's behest, the band changed their name to "Crowded House", which alluded to the cramped quarters the three members shared at 1902 N. Sycamore St. in Los Angeles during the recording of the album. They also invited former Split Enz keyboard player Eddie Rayner to join, and he produced the track "Can't Carry On" for the first self titled album. He initially joined them on tour in 1988 on keyboards, but had to leave for family reasons before he could be made a full member. They were later nicknamed The Crowdies by their Australian fans.

[edit] Crowded House (1986)

The band had a built-in NZ/Australian audience waiting to see what was next for the Split Enz alumni. 1986 saw Crowded House play a few festival shows in Australia and New Zealand. They released their eponymous debut, Crowded House, in the summer. Capitol Records did not see any immediate promise for the band, and promotion for the album was lacking. Faced with an uphill battle to get the word out for their efforts, the band played small venues to vie for attention. Word slowly got out, and the song "Don't Dream It's Over" was released as a single in December; it became a massive international hit. The video for the single was mostly autobiographical, showing the houses which the band members occupied on their way to the "crowded house" that they rented in Los Angeles during their album's production. "Don't Dream It's Over" reached #2 in the United States, and the video earned the group the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist in 1987. The song has since been rerecorded by artists such as Paul Young (1991) and Sixpence None The Richer (2003).

On the strength of the single, their album wound up selling well. "Something So Strong" was the next single from the album and it peaked at #7 in the US. "World Where You Live" also saw some airplay in the US, and "Now We're Getting Somewhere" charted in other countries.

"Don't Dream It's Over" was used prominently in the made for TV movie of Stephen King's The Stand. The Māori-strum-rhythm was also used for the song "Altea Marea", by Antonello Venditti. It is also now used in the advertisement for New Zealand Tourism Board in its 100% Pure New Zealand worldwide promotion.[1]

[edit] Temple of Low Men (1988)

As primary songwriter for the group, Neil was now under pressure to create a second album that matched the success of his band's debut (the band joked that one potential title for the new release was Mediocre Follow-Up). Temple of Low Men was released to great fanfare along with the single "Better Be Home Soon". Other highlights of this album were "I Feel Possessed" and "Sister Madly", the latter a raucous singalong when played in concert. Although critics were impressed, the album was not as accessible as their debut. Specifically, the public was not expecting the first single to be an acoustic song with country roots and it set the stage for disappointing album sales. The label quickly pulled promotion for the album yet again, and Crowded House had effectively disbanded in frustration after a short tour of Australia and Canada.

[edit] Woodface (1991)

Faced with some time off, Neil began writing some songs with his brother Tim for an album they were considering to release under the name "Finn". The sessions yielded enough songs for an album and both brothers were happy with the result, but Neil was also faced with the task of writing a 3rd Crowded House album. After a rejection by the record company of the material he had composed for this album, Neil asked his brother if they could use some of the Finn songs for the next album. Tim agreed, jokingly saying that it was on the proviso that he be made a member. Neil took this literally and the band soon wound up in the studio again recording the new songs.

Woodface was released in July 1991, and it featured seven songs written jointly by "Finn/Finn". The other tracks were primarily Neil compositions – with the exception of the exuberantly dark Paul Hester gem "Italian Plastic", a live staple of a band at their best on tour – mostly songs that were from the original rejected album. "Chocolate Cake" was released as the first single, and it sealed the fate of the band in America. The song was a scathing comment on American excesses, and it was not taken well by critics or the public in the country.

The album sold well internationally, especially in the UK. The band was at the pinnacle of its creative output, and the songs "Weather With You" and "Fall At Your Feet" became signature songs for the band. During the first supporting tour for Woodface, Tim Finn was asked to leave part way through the UK leg (which was projected as the final leg but the success of the album dictated more dates be added). Mark Hart was flown in to play keyboards for the remaining dates. The final date of this first tour at the Town and Country Club in London was recorded and given a limited release in Australia and excerpts were released as single 'B' sides in other territories.

[edit] Together Alone (1993)

For their next album, Together Alone, Crowded House recruited multi-instrumentalist Mark Hart of Supertramp to join the band. Producer Youth helmed the sessions in Karekare Beach, New Zealand. (The opening song of the album is named after the area.) The album sold well internationally upon release in October 1993 (except in the US) on the strength of "Distant Sun" and the haunting "Private Universe". The song "Locked Out" actually charted in the United States, reaching a Top 20 chart position, after appearing on the soundtrack for the film Reality Bites.

The band toured Europe and had begun a series of dates in the United States when drummer Paul Hester left the band, requesting more time with his family. Hester had clearly been disenchanted for some time, if you listen to the live version of "Sister Madly" that came with the limited edition "Recurring Dream" (recorded at Portsmouth Guildhall on the "Together Alone" tour) it's clear that something is troubling him. Although they finished the tour with session drummer Peter Jones, Neil's heart was not in the work. Following the tour, he decided to work with Tim on their joint album and plan for a solo career. The band officially dissolved shortly after the release of "Finn" in 1995.

[edit] Recurring Dream (1996)

A career-spanning collection of greatest hits and a few new songs, the compilation was released in June 1996 and went straight to #1 on the Australian and UK record charts. By this time their success in the UK was comparable to their success in Australia with some of the singles making it to a higher chart placing. Early copies of the album came with a second CD of live material that captured a few moments of the band's undeniable ability to please a crowd, with varying locations from England, New Zealand and Australia. The comedic aspects of the banter between the songs or impromptu spontaneity is evident on this offering.

Though no longer being credited as a band member, founding member Paul Hester returned to the skins for the Crowded House Greatest Hits Collection to record the 3 new songs, the funky "Instinct", the Beatlesque "Not The Girl You Think You Are" and the optimistic anthem "Everything Is Good For You".

On the strength of Recurring Dream, it was decided that the band should have a proper send-off, with one final concert on November 24, 1996. All original members, including Paul Hester, were on board. This concert was later released on CD and DVD, see Farewell To The World below.

[edit] Afterglow (1999)

Afterglow is an album featuring a collection of (formerly) rare and unreleased recordings. It featured the single release "Anyone Can Tell" and also live favourite "Recurring Dream" that had previously only been available on the soundtrack of the movie Tequilla Sunrise and single B-sides. In the same vein of the Recurring Dream album, there was a short history published in the album's sleeve detailing information about the collection of songs and their history. Some limited release versions of the album included a second CD of spoken-word commentary about the songs from Neil Finn. Many fans were dismayed to find that this would – once again – confirm that Crowded House was no longer.

[edit] Farewell To The World (2006)

On November 24, 1996, supported by Powderfinger and You Am I, Crowded House played its last show on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in front of a crowd of between 120,000[1] and 250,000[2] - one of the biggest concerts in Australian history. Proceeds from this concert supported the Sydney Children's Hospital. In November 2006, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the concert, a 2-CD-album and a 2-DVD-Set was released.

[edit] Songwriting and influences

The group's output was mainly folk-influenced pop-rock in a decidedly Beatles vein, but Finn's songwriting skills made them stand out from similar bands. Neil Finn is by far one of New Zealand's most internationally-successful pop musicians. The song "Weather With You", among others, is seen by some to have been influenced by the music of The Byrds. Members of Crowded House performed with Byrds leader Roger McGuinn on several live tracks which appeared as B-sides of singles. Together Alone featured some Māori influenced music, and the lyrics to "Pineapple Head" began when Neil's son Liam started talking nonsense while he was suffering with a high fever.

[edit] Post-Crowded House careers

  • Neil Finn embarked on a reasonably successful solo career, and Tim Finn has resumed his, although they have continued to work together and have recorded a total of two Finn Brothers albums as of 2004.
  • Peter Jones and Nick Seymour joined up-and-coming band Deadstar for their second album. Nick left after the release of their 3rd album, but Peter hung around until the band's demise.
  • Paul Hester became a television and radio personality in Australia with his own primetime show called Hessie's Shed, and a stint on the short lived Mick Molloy Show, though he mostly worked as a freelance drummer (e.g. for Tarmac Adam). He hosted the successful Australian cable music channel Music Max's Sessions series, and appeared on video with Australian children's entertainers The Wiggles. After a long battle with depression, Hester took his own life on March 26, 2005 at the age of 46.
  • Nick Seymour produces bands in his studio in Dublin.
  • Mark Hart rejoined Supertramp, and has toured as a part of Ringo Starr's band.

[edit] Crowded House song covers

  • In 1991, British performer Paul Young covered "Don't Dream It's Over".
  • In 1996, Belinda Carlisle covered "She Goes On" as "He Goes On" on her album Woman & A Man.
  • In 1999, Australian Aboriginal singer Jimmy Little recorded a cover version of "Into Temptation" for a rock/indie covers album entitled Messenger.
  • In 2000, Nuevo Flamenco musician Jesse Cook closed the album Free Fall with a cover of "Fall At Your Feet".
  • In 2002, Sixpence None the Richer covered "Don't Dream It's Over" for their 2002 album Divine Discontent.
  • In 2004, Busted performed a cover version of "Fall At Your Feet" as a B-side to the single "Who's David".
  • In 2005, She Will Have Her Way, a cover album by a variety of female artists, was released featuring versions of Neil and Tim Finn songs from Crowded House, Split Enz, and the brothers' solo careers. Crowded House tracks include "Better Be Home Soon" by Kasey Chambers, "Don't Dream It's Over" by Sarah Blasko, "Into Temptation" by Renée Geyer, and "Pineapple Head" by Natalie Imbruglia. A limited edition has a second disc which contains the original versions of the tracks.
  • In 2005, James Blunt performed a cover version of "Fall At Your Feet" as a B-side to the single "You're Beautiful".
  • In 2005, Howie Day included his "Don't Dream It's Over" cover on his live album Live From....
  • In 2005, Patrizio Buanne translated "Don't Dream It's Over" for his debut album "The Italian".
  • In 2006, Jimmy Buffett covered "Weather With You" for his album, "Take the Weather With You."

Crowded House themselves frequently performed a version of the Hunters and Collectors' "Throw Your Arms Around Me" during their live sets and recorded a version of the Zombies' "She's not there" in 1990.

[edit] Singles discography

Year Title Danish charts UK Singles Chart US Charts US Modern Rock Album
1986 Don't Dream It's Over #13 #27* #2 Crowded House
1987 Something So Strong #95 #7 Crowded House
1987 Now We're Getting Somewhere #45 Crowded House
1988 Better Be Home Soon #78 #42 #29 Temple of Low Men
1991 Chocolate Cake #62 #69 #2 Woodface
1991 Fall At Your Feet #17 #75 Woodface
1991 Weather With You #23 #7 #45 Woodface
1992 Four Seasons In One Day #26 Woodface
1992 It's Only Natural #59 #24 Woodface
1993 Distant Sun #70 #19 #26 Together Alone
1993 Nails In My Feet #22 Together Alone
1994 Locked Out #13 #8 Together Alone
1994 Fingers of Love #25 Together Alone
1994 Pineapple Head #27 Together Alone
1996 Instinct #12 Recurring Dream
1996 Not The Girl You Think You Are #20 Recurring Dream

* When reissued in the UK in 1996, "Don't Dream It's Over" peaked even higher, reaching #25.

[edit] Album discography

Year Title DE UK US AU Label Catalog Number
1986 Crowded House #45 #12 Capitol Records
1988 Temple of Low Men #82 #40 Capitol Records
1991 Woodface #26 #6 #83 #2 [2] Capitol Records 793559-2
1993 Together Alone #55 #4 #73 #2 Capitol Records 7243 8 27048 2 9
1996 Recurring Dream – The Very Best of Crowded House #57 #1 #1 Capitol Records 7243 8 36396 2 9
1999 Afterglow #18 Capitol Records
2006 Farewell To The World #55 Capitol Records

[edit] Publications and References

  1. ^ Hepworth, David, Farewell to the World CD liner notes, Parlophone, 2006.
  2. ^ Bourke, Chris, Something So Strong, Macmillan Australia, 1997, ISBN 0-7329-0886-8
  • Twomey, Chris and Doole, Kerry, Crowded House: Private Universe, Omnibus Pr, 1998, ISBN 0-7119-4816-X
  • Dix, John, Stranded in Paradise: New Zealand Rock and Roll, 1955 to the Modern Era, Penguin Books, 2005, ISBN 0-14-301953-8

[edit] External links

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