iSound

Split Enz were one of the few musical exports from New Zealand to achieve international notoriety in the seventies, joining a short list that included ManFred Mann’s Earth Band lead-singer Chris Thompson (‘Blinded By The Light’ fame), Richard O’ Brien (creator of Rocky Horror Picture Show) and New Romantic synth-rock combo Mi-Sex . Under the guidance of key songwriters Tim Finn (vocals, guitar) and Phil Judd (vocals, guitar) as well as percussionist Noel Crombie (who also designed the band’s clothes), the band generated a cult following through out the seventies; due to their assorted blend of art-rock, cabaret, ballads and theatrics that accompanied the group’s outstanding clown like image. Although this was to be a constant formula through out the band’s career, the band eventually developed a strong pop element through Tim’s younger brother Neil Finn, who would later penned the band’s biggest hit ‘I Got You’, as well as other early-80s gems ‘History Never Repeats’, ‘One Step ...