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Crowded House Information
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'Crowded House' was an Australian/New Zealand rock group between 1986 and 1996; two original members were from Australia and one was from New Zealand. Performing in the 1980s and 1990s, the group was based around the songwriting and vocal talents of New Zealand born lead singer, composer and guitarist Neil Finn.
History
The group had important connections in the Australian and New Zealand rock scenes. Neil Finn and Paul Hester were former members of Split Enz; Neil was the younger brother of Split Enz founding member Tim Finn. Bassist Nick Seymour was 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. Hooper left the group before their first album and the change of name to Crowded House (alluding to the cramped quarters at 1902 N. Sycamore St. in Los Angeles the three remaining members shared during the recording of their debut album). Early in their career they also invited former Split Enz keyboard player Eddie Rayner to join, but he declined. Tim Finn joined the group for their third album, Woodface but left again soon after.
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. By far New Zealand's most internationally-successful popular musicians, their notable hits include "Better Be Home Soon", "Something So Strong", "Don't Dream It's Over", and the Byrds-influenced "Weather with You". They released four albums during their career: Crowded House, Temple of Low Men, Woodface and Together Alone, plus the post-breakup Best-Of Recurring Dream and the rarities collection Afterglow.
Members of the band included Tim Finn (Neil's brother) in 1990/91, Nick Seymour, Paul Hester (1986-1994), session musician and Supertramp recruit Mark Hart (1993-1996) and session drummer Peter Jones (1994-1996).
The group broke up amicably in 1996, following Hester's acrimonious departure in April 1994 during an American tour; he was replaced for a short time by Jones. Finn decided to end the group soon after recording the first Finn Brothers album in 1995, and Hester returned for their massively successful free farewell concert on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in November 1996. However, various members of the group still turn up as guest musicians at each other's concerts on a regular basis.
Post-Crowded House careers
Since the break up, Neil has embarked on a successful solo career and Tim has resumed his, although they have continued to work together and have recorded a total of two Finn Brothers albums as of 2004. Mark Hart rejoined Supertramp. Paul Hester became a television personality in Australia with his own prime-time show and worked mostly as a freelance drummer (e.g. for Tarmac Adam). He hosted the successful Australian cable music channel Music Max's Sessions series. After a long battle with depression Hester took his own life on March 26, 2005 at age 46. Nick Seymour produces bands in his studio in Dublin.
In 1999, Australian Aboriginal singer Jimmy Little recorded a cover version of "Into Tempation" for a rock/indie covers album entitled Messenger. The song "Don't Dream It's Over" was covered by Sixpence None the Richer in their 2002 album Divine Discontent, which includes many other covers of other artists' works. A cover album, "She Will Have Her Way," was released in 2005 featuring cover versions of Neil and Tim Finn songs by a variety of female artists, 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, and "Pineapple Head" by Natalie Imbruglia. A limited edition has a second disc containing the original versions of the tracks covered on disc one.
Discography
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| Year | Title | DE | UK | US |
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| 1987 | Don't Dream It's Over | 13 | 27 | 2 | | 1987 | 'Crowded House' | 45 | | 12 | | 1987 | Something So Strong | | | 7 | | 1987 | Now We're Getting Somewhere | | | 45 | | 1988 | Better Be Home Soon | 78 | | 42 (29) | | 1988 | 'Temple Of Low Men' | 82 | | 35 | | 1991 | Chocolate Cake | 62 | 69 | (2) | | 1991 | 'Woodface' | 26 | 6 | | | 1991 | Fall At Your Feet | | 17 | 75 | | 1991 | Weather With You | 23 | 7 | 45 | | 1992 | Four Seasons In One Day | | 26 | | | 1992 | It's Only Natural | 59 | 24 | | | 1993 | Distant Sun | 70 | 19 | | | 1993 | Nails In My Feet | | 22 | | | 1993 | 'Together Alone' | 55 | 4 | | | 1994 | Locked Out | | 13 | 12 | | 1996 | Instinct | | 12 | | | 1996 | Not The Girl You Think You Are | | 20 | | | 1996 | 'Recurring Dream' (Greatest Hits) | 57 | 1 | 83 |
Entries in brackets in the table are US Modern Rock #100 chart positions.
Singles are in italics.
* 1986 Crowded House, (Mean To Me, World Where You Live, Now We're Getting Somewhere, Don't Dream It's Over, Love You 'Til the Day I Die, Something So Strong, Hole in the River, Can't Carry On, I Walk Away, Tombstone, That's What I Call Love).
* 1988 Temple of Low Men, (I Feel Possessed, Kill Eye, Into Temptation, Mansion in the Slums, When You Come, Never Be the Same, Love This Life, Sister Madly, In the Lowlands, Better Be Home Soon).
* 1991 Woodface, (Chocolate Cake, It's Only Natural, Fall at Your Feet, Tall Trees, Weather With You, Whispers and Moans, Four Seasons in One Day, There Goes God, Fame Is, All I Ask, As Sure As I Am, Italian Plastic, She Goes On, How Will You Go, I'm Still Here).
* 1993 Together Alone, (Kare Kare, In My Command, Nails in My Feet, Black & White Boy, Fingers of Love, Pineapple Head, Locked Out, Private Universe, Walking on the Spot, Distant Sun, Catherine Wheels, Skin Feeling, Together Alone).
* 1996 Recurring Dream: The Very Best of Crowded House, (Weather With You, World Where You Live, Fall At Your Feet, Locked Out, Don't Dream It's Over, Into Temptation, Pineapple Head, When You Come, Private Universe, Not the Girl You Think You Are, Instinct, I Feel Possessed, Four Seasons in One Day, It's Only Natural, Distant Sun, Something So Strong, Mean to Me, Better Be Home Soon, Everything Is Good for You). All of the tracks were singles.
* 1999 Afterglow, a collection of rare and unreleased tracks from the vaults (I Am in Love, Sacred Cow, You Can Touch, Help Is Coming, I Love You Dawn, Dr. Livingstone, My Telly's Gone Bung, Private Universe [alt. mix], Lester, Anyone Can Tell, Recurring Dream, Left Hand, Time Immemorial).
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