Crowded House biography
Crowded House (or The Crowdies to fans) is a rock group formed in 1985 in New Zealand and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is widely recognised as the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand (his brother, Tim Finn and Eddie Rayner), Australia (Paul Hester, Nick Seymour, Peter Jones and Craig Hooper) and the United States (Mark Hart, and Matt Sherrod).
The band owes its original success to the New Zealand live music scene, though references to New Zealand people and places are included in several of their songs. ("Kare Kare" is written about Karekare Beach, "Mean to Me" mentions Finn's hometown of Te Awamutu). Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the Order of the British Empire on both Tim and Neil Finn, in June 1993, for their contribution to the music of New Zealand.
Originally active during 1985–1996, the band has had consistent commercial and critical success in Australia and New Zealand; and international chart success in two phases. Their self titled first album, Crowded House, peaked at #12 on the US Billboard 200 in 1987 and provided the Top Ten hits, "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Something So Strong". The second phase of international success was experienced in the UK and Europe with their third and fourth albums, Woodface and Together Alone and compilation album, Recurring Dream which included the hits "Fall at Your Feet" ,"Weather with You", "Distant Sun", "Locked Out", "Instinct" and "Not the Girl You Think You Are".
Founding drummer, Hester left in May 1994, citing family reasons, but briefly returned for their 1996 final tour prior to disbanding in November. In 2006, the group reunited with a new drummer, Sherrod; and released a new album, Time on Earth on 29 June, which reached #1 on Australia's ARIA Album Charts.
Neil Finn on vocals, guitars and piano, and Paul Hester (ex-The Cheks, Deckchairs Overboard) on drums were former members of rock band Split Enz, which formed in New Zealand and relocated to Australia. Neil is the younger brother of Split Enz founding member Tim Finn—Tim joined Crowded House in 1990 on vocals, guitars and keyboards. Nick Seymour (ex-Plays with Marionettes, Bang, The Horla) on bass guitar and backing vocals is the younger brother of singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Seymour, leader of the now defunct Australian rock group Hunters & Collectors.
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