CREATING A TRIBUTE TO THE ORIGINAL LEGENDS
Bringing Split Frenz to the World
How the idea of Split Frenz happened…
A lot of life defining concepts have been birthed whilst sitting under a tree. There was Isaac Newton and Gravity; Leigh Hayes and Split Frenz.
One took place in the beautiful gardens of a restoration era manor house, the other in the ‘hour long’ exercise period Leigh was granted during Covid Lockdown in Bogart Hole Clough.
One is universally lauded. The other will be. Leigh is sure of that.
Leigh was just four years old when Split Enz only hit in the UK, ‘I Got You’ was in the charts. He did have some recollection of a clip of the Enz miming along to it on ‘Top the Pops’ from a ‘Decade of the 80’s’ documentary he had recorded on VHS when he was 14, but it had been buried in his subconscious until that fateful 2020 afternoon.
Leigh (already a big fan of Crowded House) joined a ‘Finn Brothers’ appreciation Facebook group on his phone where he stumbled the very same clip he had on VHS those 30 years ago.
This was not a little cutaway clip in a montage but a full version of the song. ‘I Got You’ WHAT! A! BANGER!
It was at the point Leigh disappeared down a rabbit hole. A virtual one. Though he was in a park and he was considerably thinner then, disappearing down a physical rabbit hole was less probable. Having said that, Leigh was in Wonderland. (See what we did there)
Listening to track after track, Leigh was astonished this incredible body of work wasn’t universally regarded. Live clip after live clip promoted revelations and questions that surged through Leigh’s synapses, ‘This band must have been so much fun to be in’, ‘This is the band I should have always been’, ‘I’d love to see them live but they haven’t toured since 2009’, ‘What would be the next best thing to seeing them live?’ , ‘People should really know about this band.’ ‘How can I make that happen?’…
‘Wait a minute…’ Leighs internal monologue screeched to a halt ‘…I used to sing in a band in the naughties…, and my curly raven hair is akin to Tim Finn’s.’
‘I could form a tribute!’
Split Frenz today are the UK’s number 1 tribute band to the mighty Split Enz. We recreate the 80’s New Wave pop of the band once dubbed as the New Zealand Beatles with an added touch Mancunian swagger. The original Split Enz featured two legendary members: Tim Finn and Neil Finn; in full vocal and instrumental prowess. A Split Enz live performance would be a combination of avant-garde sound, eccentric style, and a captivating stage presence, offering not just a concert but an unforgettable theatrical experience. We are on a mission to emulate the joy and chaos of the original Split Enz to warm the soul of old school fans and open the hearts of first time listeners.
MUSICAL PIONEERS
Split Enz
Split Enz was a pioneering New Zealand rock band formed in the early 1970s, achieving international fame in the 1980s with their distinctive sound and eclectic style. Known for their quirky, theatrical performances and a fusion of new wave, progressive rock, and pop, Split Enz became iconic during the 80s era. Their music was marked by catchy melodies, intricate arrangements, and often experimental sounds, combining elements of art rock, punk, and synthesizer-driven pop.
The band’s most recognizable lineup during the 80s featured Tim Finn and Neil Finn (both on vocals and instruments), with other key members such as Eddie Rayner (keyboards) and Malcolm Green (drums). The Finn brothers, in particular, were central to Split Enz’s creativity, writing many of their most famous songs.
Split Enz had a unique, colorful image, often featuring flamboyant costumes and dramatic, theatrical presentations. Their music videos and live performances became well-known for their eccentricity, blending visual creativity with musical experimentation. Their sound evolved significantly throughout their career, with albums like True Colours (1980) and Waiata (1981) showcasing their shift toward more accessible pop-rock, yet always maintaining their artistic edge.
Songs like “I Got You,” “One Step Ahead,” and “History Never Repeats” are among their biggest hits, capturing the band’s ability to create both commercial success and critical acclaim. Although the band disbanded in 1984, their legacy continued through the later success of the Finn brothers’ individual careers, especially Neil’s later work with Crowded House.
Split Enz’s influence can still be felt in 80s pop and rock, where their mix of quirky style and inventive sound left a lasting imprint. If you are new to Split Enz, discover their studio album discography below and use the links to learn more.
3. Dizrythmia
Dizrythmia marked a significant step in the band’s evolution. It blended art rock and progressive rock influences with a more defined pop sensibility. The album represented a bridge between the band’s early, avant-garde work and their later, more commercially successful sound. It reached number three in the New Zealand charts and earned them critical acclaim.
4. Frenzy
With Frenzy, Split Enz moved further into the realm of new wave and pop rock. The music on Frenzy is punchier, more direct, and tighter in its production, with a noticeable emphasis on rhythm and melody. Frenzy marked a breakthrough for Split Enz, with “I Got You” becoming their first major international hit, helping the album gain significant attention and solidifying Split Enz’s place in the new wave movement.
6. True Colours
True Colours is a vibrant, catchy, and polished record that blends elements of new wave, pop, and rock, while still retaining the band’s signature quirky, theatrical approach. The songs are catchy, with many upbeat tempos, hooks, and memorable choruses. The album showcases Split Enz’s ability to balance their eccentric musical personality with mainstream appeal, creating a record that feels both fresh and innovative while remaining radio-friendly. True Colours was a major commercial success, catapulting Split Enz to international fame.
7. Waiata (titled Corroboree in Australia)
Waiata was a commercial success and further cemented Split Enz’s place in the international music scene. It blended pop rock, new wave, and elements of art rock, much like its predecessor, True Colours, but with a slightly more polished sound. There is a sense of maturity in the album’s thematic approach, with more direct and emotionally resonant storytelling. Waiata helped Split Enz to stay relevant in the rapidly changing music scene of the 1980s
8. Time and Tide
Time and Tide saw Split Enz move further into the mainstream, embracing a more polished, synth-driven pop-rock style while maintaining some of the quirky, distinctive elements that had characterized their earlier work. The album is often seen as a culmination of the band’s evolution into a more radio-friendly and commercial sound, featuring polished production, catchy hooks, and a more cohesive, streamlined musical approach.
9. Conflicting Emotions
Conflicting Emoitions reflects some of the internal tensions and changes within Split Enz at the time. It is seen as a transition album, marking the end of an era for Split Enz, as it was one of their final releases before they disbanded in 1984. The album features polished production, lush synthesizers, and melodic hooks, making it one of Split Enz’s more radio-friendly releases. The use of keyboards and synthesizers is still prominent, but there is also a greater emphasis on rhythm and groove compared to earlier releases.
10. See Ya ‘Round
See Ya ‘Round is the ninth and final studio album by Split Enz. It is a reflective, somewhat melancholic release that encapsulates the band’s evolution from their quirky, experimental beginnings to their more polished, mainstream sound of the early 1980s. The themes of transition and change are prominent, with songs reflecting the band’s awareness that they were nearing the end of their creative journey together. There is an undeniable sense of finality in the album’s tone, making it both a celebration of the band’s career and a goodbye to the group as it had existed for over a decade.