Crowded House

Crowded House was an Australasian pop-rock group between 1986 and 1996; two original members were from Australia and one was from New Zealand. Their notable hits include "Don't Dream It's Over", "Something So Strong", "Better Be Home Soon", and the Byrds-influenced "Weather with You".

Crowded House
Years active	1985 - 1996

Members

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

Neil Finn: Band leader, Songwriter, Lead Vocalist, Guitarist, Pianist & Other Instuments.

Paul Hester: Drummer, Songwriter & Backing Vocalist. (1985–1994)

Nick Seymour: Bass guitarist & Live Backing Vocalist

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

Tim Finn: Lead Vocalist, Songwriter, Pianist & Accoustic Guitarist - Member for Woodface (1990–1992)

Mark Hart: Lead & Slide Guitarist, Backing Vocalist & Pianist - Member for Together Alone & Recurring Dream (1992–1996)

Regular Guests:

Eddie Rayner: Tour Pianist (Early Years; Crowded House Album Production)

Peter Jones: Tour Drummer (Late Years, Appearance on Farewell To The World & Afterglow)

Special Guests:

Eddie Vedder: Backing Vocals & Tamborine - (Everything Is Good For You from Recurring Dream)

Joe Satriani: Backing Vocals - Crowded House

History

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 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. 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, & 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.

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 in 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 rereleased 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 second single from the album, and it was also a successful release. "World Where You Live" also saw some airplay in the US, and "Now We're Getting Somewhere" charted in other countries.

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. 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.

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). Eddie Rayner 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.

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 Kare Kare 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.

Recurring Dream (1996)

A career-spanning collection of greatest hits and a few new songs (with Eddie Vedder featured on Backing Vocals), was released in June 1996 and went straight to #1 on the Australian and UK record charts. Early copies 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 "between the songs" or impromptu sponteneity 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".

Farewell to the World (1996)

On the strength of Recurring Dream, Neil decided that the band should have a proper send-off, with one last concert. All original members, including Paul Hester, were on board. On November 24, 1996, Crowded House played its last show on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in front of a crowded house of almost 100,000. Proceeds from this concert supported the Sydney Children's Hospital.

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 the - until then - unreleased title song from the best of album, Recurring Dream. 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. Many fans were dismayed to find that this would - once again - confirm that Crowded House was no longer.

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. By far they are New Zealand's most internationally-successful pop musicians. 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.

Post-Crowded House careers

• Neil Finn embarked on a 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 & Nick Seymour joined up & coming band Deadstar for their second album. Nick left after the release of their 3rd album, but Peter hung around till the bands demise.
• Paul Hester became a television 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. 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.
• Mark Hart rejoined Supertramp, and has toured as a part of Ringo Starr's band.

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 Tempation" for a rock/indie covers album entitled Messenger.
• In 2000, Neuvo 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, which includes many other covers of other artists' works.
• 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 Renee 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....

Singles Discography

Year	Title	Danish charts	UK Singles Chart	US Charts	US Modern Rock	Album
1987	Don't Dream It's Over	#13	#27*	#2		Crowded House
1987	Something So Strong			#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			Together Alone
1993	Nails In My Feet		#22			Together Alone
1994	Fingers of Love		#25			Together Alone
1994	Pineapple Head		#27			Together Alone
1994	Locked Out		#13			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.

Album Discography

Year	Title	DE	UK	US
1987	Crowded House	#45		#12
1988	Temple of Low Men	#82		#35
1991	Woodface	#26	#6
1993	Together Alone	#55	#4
1996	Recurring Dream - The Very Best of Crowded House	#57	#1	#83
1999	Afterglow		#18

• Tracks on 1996's 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"

External links

• Frenz of the Enz authorized fanclub
• Something So Finn
• Tongue in the mail