Crowded House
Crowded House photo retrospective
Live Earth - Sydney gallery
Listen to the Crowdies' interview with Wil & Lehmo
Part 1: Neil and Nick chat about why didn't they get the one-armed drummer from Def Leppard? And will they be having another Opera House farewell? (allow a few seconds to load)
Part 2: The guys reveal what's changed in ten years and what it was like playing to Rage Against The Machine fans at the Coachella festival.
Part 3: The band talk about rowdy punters, wild parties in Palm Springs and making the new album.
The band return to Earth with new album
It's been 14 years since the band released their last studio album, but now the Crowdies are back. After numerous solo projects and the tragic death of drummer Paul Hester, the band have recently reformed to record Time on Earth, their first studio album in more than a decade.
With new drummer Matt Sherrod (who formerly played with Beck) on board, the band are once again hitting the stage having already headlined Live Earth and a full Aussie tour later this year.
Looking back on their career
Crowded House are such a quintessential part of this country's music history, it's un-Australian if you can't sing at least one of their songs. Which isn't bad for a band with two Kiwis in it.
From their humble beginnings in 1985 as a Melbourne band originally known as The Mullanes, the four-piece thankfully changed their name and went on to record some of this country's most memorable tunes including hits like 'Don't Dream It's Over', 'Better Be Home Soon', 'Fall At Your Feet', 'Something So Strong' and 'Weather With You.'
Crowded House are:
Neil Finn - vocals, guitar, piano
Nick Seymour - bass, backing vocals
Mark Hart - guitar, keyboards
Matt Sherrod - drums, percussion
My Top 5 Songs by Triple M's Rob Duckworth
1. Distant Sun
From the Together Alone album, this is the complete package. The last 50 seconds are just sublime.
2. Chocolate Cake
This song's got attitude. Tim Finn was in the line-up on this album and this song is one of those legendary Tim / Neil compositions. I thought the lyrics would have got the band into strife in America with lines like "The excess fat on your American bones will cushion the impact as you sink like a stone."
3. It's Only Natural
I love playing this one on the radio. I've probably done it a thousand times too. It's a great radio song and a superb pop song.
4. Mean to Me
The first single from the first album and our first taste ever of the band. The song is gently in your face from the moment it starts.
5. Don't Stop Now
From their new album Time on Earth, this is another one of those well crafted Crowded House songs. I don't know about you but doesn't Neil's voice sound slightly different on this one?