I was one of those American kids that absolutely loved this band everything about them was just so different than what was being played on the radio. It was just brilliant works of art.
I LOVE Split Enz. Especially "Time And Tide" which is great from the first note to the last. I was thrilled to see the Finn brothers reunite for Crowded House. So much unique and thrilling music! Thank you for the post.
In the early 80s I was in the Navy stationed at NAS Pensacola and used to drink at a place called Kevin's on the Beach. The bar band covered "I Got You" and I just had to know whose song it was. I bought them a round of beers and learned about the Split Enz....True Colors and Time and Tide are my favorites. I remember seeing Tim Finn on MTV unplugged a few years later and of course I also like Crowded House. Thanks for this.
Lived in Auckland for several years during the 90s in a posh neighbourhood called Remuera which is very close to where a lot of the Enz history took place. Neil Finn lived in nearby neighbourhood Parnell, so used to bump into him occasionally. Found the location of Malmsbury Villa and Brian/Tim's photo on the wall at Sacred Heart college, saw the Enz reunion concerts and Crowded House and Finn Bros concerts at a small venue called the Power Station, and a few private jam sessions. Small world full of magic. P.S. RIP Paul Hester
Great to see the old footage, split enz fan from very early on, absolutely an amazing band made the best film clips. Very talented songwriters brought a lot of joy to my life growing up 🙏🏻💙 ❤️🎸🎹🥁Phil Judd writes brilliant songs!
An absolutely AMAZINGLY talented crew - what a history and a discography!!! I love the entire body of work. Unique and profoundly beautiful. Thank You.
One of the few truly amazing bands/artists/performers in the world. Split Enz created something startling beautiful. They created real magic in a world in desperate need of it. They reached for the stars and lucky for us they grabbed a handful!
Thanks for presenting this, Phil. My first exposure to the Enz was on (New York) NBC's "Tomorrow" show with Tom Snyder, which aired at midnight. I don't know what I was doing up at that hour at the time. Must have been a Friday, or during the summer. They did "One Step Ahead". I was hooked. As I discovered their earlier works, I realized how theatrical their music was. "Mental Notes" is not a flawed album. It is brilliant. What talent!
I only knew them through six months...::::::: goes to prove how important documentaries are showcasing the entire band and how diverse and experimental they were nice to hear they still play together occasionally .
Cheers for this Phil, I still listen to your albums and you were a huge influence on my band Basczax, got to see you in Middlesbrough but just missed you in Redcar UK
Today I learned about Phil for the first time. After hearing Frenzy I became a fan & collector but didn't know about anything before that. Until now. I am pleasantly surprised to discover that their first 3 recordings are my favorites! And I love the madcap videos & stagecraft designs. UA-cam is better than actual time travel.
First video I saw on MTV was I Got You. 12 year old me didn’t know what hit her! 😂 my life was changed forever. Since they weren’t as mainstream here in the states, I had to import all of the earlier albums. So happy I got to see them live in 1982 on their Time and Tide tour ❤
Saw them in London (1976?) on the strength of friends yelling about them in Sydney - 'YOU MUST SEE THEM!!" Bought a copy of Second Thoughts. They were the most thrilling, unique band at the time. So many elements on show - pop, progressive, jazz pastiche, classical (Rayner), Maori rhythms, and very sweet powerful vocals. Phil Judd's 'Titus' remains a particular favourite from then. Watched their progress from a distance (i.e singles only: I See Red, Bold as Brass, My Mistake...) until True Colours, whose singles i thought were excellent. But nothing could beat the sheer 'pop' inventiveness of ST. Had they not been unlucky, with the outbreak of punk/new wave - where people were scared off anything beforehand, regardless of how great - they would've rewritten the idea of Pop, even with the weirdness. As it stands, it stands alone. A great artefact. In fact, ART.
Absolutely right, however I believe they did amass a pretty hardcore following soon after hitting London in the immediate pre-punk era, some of these fans going on to form bands (eg. the superb Cardiacs) who took a lot of Enz influence.
Split Enz were Arcade Fire before Arcade Fire were even born. My first ever gig. September 1980. I was barely 15 years old. Hammersmith Odeon. Magnificent!!! *Arcade Fire even copies the giant heads!!!
Phil Judd is just magnetic, somehow he draws you in & before you know it you're instantly a fan, then before long you're a huge fan. I really like "More" by the Swingers right now, the video is great, Phil's facial expressions remind me of his performances in Split Enz. I can't believe I went this far in life without knowing about this genius lol.. Thanks for being awesome Phil, from Canada
Never knew much by this band, I got you was probably the biggest success they had over here in england! Shame really as they seem such an original stand alone band that were never part of any rock movement of any kind! Should have been much bigger here I think!!
YYZ YYZ I can buy that. Tim was perfect for what Split Enz was. But the band didn't sell anything until Neil joined and started writers Nghiem Hit Songs in earnest. I will interject that I believe Neil is the superior talent that came from the group.
Kiwi version of a Beatles origin story. So much talent and ambition which crossed oceans, but on a humble comical NZ level. Fast forward 2018, Neil Finn joins Fleetwood Mac 😱
Split Enz were behind the times, perhaps (very good progressive 'art-rock' during the punk era), and definitely ahead of the times (New Wave style and attitude about 5 years before it really hit), all at the same time. I first heard them when some prog rock guys I knew kept raving about them. It was the first US album, which -- although I didn't get into it much at that time (I was more into denim rock like Status Quo around then) -- a lot of the music really sounded atmospheric and very cool. Then in 1980 an Oz friend turned me on to Frenzy. I got it on import, and it blew me away. And, of course when I Got You came out over here a bit after that, we all heard the future.... Just a take on a lot of it from a US perspective. Peace.
It's a John Mayall song from 1965 or '66. One of his first with Eric Clapton, where Eric Clapton did this very cool lead solo with feedback.... On Top Of The World. Check out the original Mayall track on the extended version of the 'Beano' album elsewhere on YT. An aside: Split Enz apparently supported Mayall during one of their first tours in NZ, acc. to Wiki....
Remember that this was before people started to flock to that album because of the hype backlash towards True Colours. Of course they're going to be pissed that the album didn't sell shit.
@ doren Garcia, I'm confused by your comment. You say Mental Notes is no good, then you go on to praise it. Could you be a little more clear about your comment? Thank you.
that was excellent. the Enz were that band that deserved so much more. figures america didn't hear how great they were cuz they were too busy listening to shitty old fart music like fleetwood mac and the eagles. oh, lets not forget that shitty disco explosion
True Colours was a big selling LP in the US. Otherwise, you're right. Americans didn't take too well to their earlier stuff (Mental Notes), and the Frenzy album was never released here so we really didn't get exposed to cool songs like I See Red and Give It A Whirl.
Joseph Urban Aint sure but its sounds like a cross tween Last Time by Stones and You belong to me by E Costello. beyond that not sure what this is circa ' 76 Split Enz era.
It's a 1960s song called "On Top of the World" from a New Zealand band called the La De Das (originally done by John Mayall). Good call Kris Scanlon about it sounding like "You Belong to Me" by Elvis & the Attractions. The original even has that same dinky organ line.
One of the best bands ever 👏🏻
I was one of those American kids that absolutely loved this band everything about them was just so different than what was being played on the radio. It was just brilliant works of art.
I LOVE Split Enz. Especially "Time And Tide" which is great from the first note to the last. I was thrilled to see the Finn brothers reunite for Crowded House. So much unique and thrilling music! Thank you for the post.
In the early 80s I was in the Navy stationed at NAS Pensacola and used to drink at a place called Kevin's on the Beach. The bar band covered "I Got You" and I just had to know whose song it was. I bought them a round of beers and learned about the Split Enz....True Colors and Time and Tide are my favorites. I remember seeing Tim Finn on MTV unplugged a few years later and of course I also like Crowded House.
Thanks for this.
Lived in Auckland for several years during the 90s in a posh neighbourhood called Remuera which is very close to where a lot of the Enz history took place. Neil Finn lived in nearby neighbourhood Parnell, so used to bump into him occasionally. Found the location of Malmsbury Villa and Brian/Tim's photo on the wall at Sacred Heart college, saw the Enz reunion concerts and Crowded House and Finn Bros concerts at a small venue called the Power Station, and a few private jam sessions. Small world full of magic.
P.S. RIP Paul Hester
Great to see the old footage, split enz fan from very early on, absolutely an amazing band made the best film clips. Very talented songwriters brought a lot of joy to my life growing up 🙏🏻💙 ❤️🎸🎹🥁Phil Judd writes brilliant songs!
Best band since the Beatles. Melodies, orchestrations, vocal harmonies etc.
“I Got You” and “Six Months in A Leaky Boat” are such great songs.
Agreed! And Message to My Girl!
An absolutely AMAZINGLY talented crew - what a history and a discography!!!
I love the entire body of work. Unique and profoundly beautiful. Thank You.
One of the few truly amazing bands/artists/performers in the world. Split Enz created something startling beautiful. They created real magic in a world in desperate need of it. They reached for the stars and lucky for us they grabbed a handful!
I'm flabbergasted by the quality of this band!
I love the entire body of work. Unique and profoundly beautiful. Thank You.
Never a truer word spoken, as a Kiwi living through those years... I will be humming them till the end. Thanks Phil and the Guys for the memories
Thanks for that Phil, so many memories. Still love the music and your art. Unique.
Thanks for presenting this, Phil. My first exposure to the Enz was on (New York) NBC's "Tomorrow" show with Tom Snyder, which aired at midnight. I don't know what I was doing up at that hour at the time. Must have been a Friday, or during the summer. They did "One Step Ahead". I was hooked. As I discovered their earlier works, I realized how theatrical their music was. "Mental Notes" is not a flawed album. It is brilliant. What talent!
Great Doco on a truly unique Band
I heard Dizrythmia in 1977 and then bought the early albums
Still play them often. They still have magic.
They were like the best parts of Captain Beef heart meets the best parts of The Squeeze.
Apt.
I only knew them through six months...::::::: goes to prove how important documentaries are showcasing the entire band and how diverse and experimental they were nice to hear they still play together occasionally .
Cheers for this Phil, I still listen to your albums and you were a huge influence on my band Basczax, got to see you in Middlesbrough but just missed you in Redcar UK
Tim's solo album after Time & Tide was awesome. Stands up well even today
leokimvideo Fraction Too Much Friction got a TON of play at my house.
I will always love this band. I was alive and in high school when they started.
This was very cool. Nice to learn about the history before True Colours.
Thank you so much Phil!
An absolutely AMAZINGLY talented crew - what a history and a discography!!!
If only I could jump through these images and BE THERE….from the beginning! They got me with the release of the video I Got You way back when.
Today I learned about Phil for the first time. After hearing Frenzy I became a fan & collector but didn't know about anything before that. Until now. I am pleasantly surprised to discover that their first 3 recordings are my favorites! And I love the madcap videos & stagecraft designs. UA-cam is better than actual time travel.
Time and Tide still holds up as a classic
First video I saw on MTV was I Got You. 12 year old me didn’t know what hit her! 😂 my life was changed forever. Since they weren’t as mainstream here in the states, I had to import all of the earlier albums. So happy I got to see them live in 1982 on their Time and Tide tour ❤
So glad to see this documentary. Dizrythmia and Time And Tide are my two favorite Enz albums, in that order. Thank you Mr. Judd.
Thank you for posting. Huge Crowd/Neil/ Tim fan.....I had no idea about this early stuff.
Saw them in London (1976?) on the strength of friends yelling about them in Sydney - 'YOU MUST SEE THEM!!" Bought a copy of Second Thoughts. They were the most thrilling, unique band at the time. So many elements on show - pop, progressive, jazz pastiche, classical (Rayner), Maori rhythms, and very sweet powerful vocals. Phil Judd's 'Titus' remains a particular favourite from then. Watched their progress from a distance (i.e singles only: I See Red, Bold as Brass, My Mistake...) until True Colours, whose singles i thought were excellent. But nothing could beat the sheer 'pop' inventiveness of ST. Had they not been unlucky, with the outbreak of punk/new wave - where people were scared off anything beforehand, regardless of how great - they would've rewritten the idea of Pop, even with the weirdness. As it stands, it stands alone. A great artefact. In fact, ART.
Absolutely right, however I believe they did amass a pretty hardcore following soon after hitting London in the immediate pre-punk era, some of these fans going on to form bands (eg. the superb Cardiacs) who took a lot of Enz influence.
Dirty Creature is fabulous - LOVE IT love all Split Enz - Don't ever feel they plateaued...
cheerZ Phil.
-friend from San Diego
An absolutely AMAZINGLY talented crew - what a history and a discography!!!
Great documentary. Good to see everyone happy to be interviewed.
Never underestimate the vision and talent of these people. A truly epic collective.
Magnificent band.
"I Got You"
"History Never Repeats"
" six Months In A Leaky Boat"
My favorite Split Enz songs .
Split Enz were Arcade Fire before Arcade Fire were even born. My first ever gig. September 1980. I was barely 15 years old. Hammersmith Odeon. Magnificent!!!
*Arcade Fire even copies the giant heads!!!
I think the song at 15:30 is 'on top of the world' by John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers/Eric Clapton
Yep, they got that via a great New Zealand band called the La De Das.
Phil Judd is just magnetic, somehow he draws you in & before you know it you're instantly a fan, then before long you're a huge fan. I really like "More" by the Swingers right now, the video is great, Phil's facial expressions remind me of his performances in Split Enz. I can't believe I went this far in life without knowing about this genius lol.. Thanks for being awesome Phil, from Canada
Never knew much by this band, I got you was probably the biggest success they had over here in england! Shame really as they seem such an original stand alone band that were never part of any rock movement of any kind! Should have been much bigger here I think!!
Great doc! Thanks phil!
Thanks for posting this!
Really enjoyed that! Had no idea they'd been together so long before they split! Now to find a Crowded House doco .... :)
This is totally freakin' awesome! Obviously produced and televised in New Zealand on the occasion of their 20th anniversary tour in early 1993.
Tim Finn was the genius of this group.
YYZ YYZ I can buy that. Tim was perfect for what Split Enz was. But the band didn't sell anything until Neil joined and started writers Nghiem Hit Songs in earnest. I will interject that I believe Neil is the superior talent that came from the group.
There were four brilliant artistic talents in this band...Phil Judd, Tim Finn, Neil Finn and Eddie Rayner.
I walk away is equally split enz and crowded House best track
Kiwi version of a Beatles origin story. So much talent and ambition which crossed oceans, but on a humble comical NZ level.
Fast forward 2018, Neil Finn joins Fleetwood Mac 😱
iconic band
As shown on 25:31-25:39 what’s that song called?
I find the irresistible urge to obtain one of those wacky suits at the start... I am sure they were custom though.
Love 'em. Thank you for shading this gem !
Back because the Enz rule!
Split Enz were behind the times, perhaps (very good progressive 'art-rock' during the punk era), and definitely ahead of the times (New Wave style and attitude about 5 years before it really hit), all at the same time. I first heard them when some prog rock guys I knew kept raving about them. It was the first US album, which -- although I didn't get into it much at that time (I was more into denim rock like Status Quo around then) -- a lot of the music really sounded atmospheric and very cool. Then in 1980 an Oz friend turned me on to Frenzy. I got it on import, and it blew me away. And, of course when I Got You came out over here a bit after that, we all heard the future.... Just a take on a lot of it from a US perspective. Peace.
cheerZ Phil.
-friend from San Diego
thanks Phil
Anyone know the name of the song they start playing at 15:30?
It's a John Mayall song from 1965 or '66. One of his first with Eric Clapton, where Eric Clapton did this very cool lead solo with feedback.... On Top Of The World. Check out the original Mayall track on the extended version of the 'Beano' album elsewhere on YT. An aside: Split Enz apparently supported Mayall during one of their first tours in NZ, acc. to Wiki....
Mental Notes was just wrong. Loved it when it came out, still love it. Totally unique. Dizrythmia also brilliant.
Remember that this was before people started to flock to that album because of the hype backlash towards True Colours. Of course they're going to be pissed that the album didn't sell shit.
timishere1925 I think the documentary presents it as an embarrassment.
+Hal Emmerich my sincere apologies. My comment was actually meant for Dora,a person who posted above you. Sorry again.
@ doren Garcia, I'm confused by your comment. You say Mental Notes is no good, then you go on to praise it. Could you be a little more clear about your comment? Thank you.
timishere1925 maybe they meant wrong in a good way? Like the word sick is used to mean something is awesome today.
that was excellent. the Enz were that band that deserved so much more. figures america didn't hear how great they were cuz they were too busy listening to shitty old fart music like fleetwood mac and the eagles. oh, lets not forget that shitty disco explosion
Hey, wait a minute! I'm American and have been listening to the Enz since '81. And I still absolutely love them!
True Colours was a big selling LP in the US. Otherwise, you're right. Americans didn't take too well to their earlier stuff (Mental Notes), and the Frenzy album was never released here so we really didn't get exposed to cool songs like I See Red and Give It A Whirl.
And now Neil Finn is a member of Fleetwood Mac. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Oh the irony.
What is the song there playing 15 mins in?
Joseph Urban Aint sure but its sounds like a cross tween Last Time by Stones and You belong to me by E Costello. beyond that not sure what this is circa ' 76 Split Enz era.
It's a 1960s song called "On Top of the World" from a New Zealand band called the La De Das (originally done by John Mayall). Good call Kris Scanlon about it sounding like "You Belong to Me" by Elvis & the Attractions. The original even has that same dinky organ line.
New Falconer Records thank you for the comment and xplanation
narrarator-sam neill
Neil at 1:35😳
for Kiwis,, they were pretty f----n good
I don't remember leaving the Sam Neill comment. lol
Isn't it weird when you see your own comment years later, & you find you've become a completely different person lmao.. Happens to me a lot