Behind the outlandish hair styles, loud suits and theatrical stage show of the
early '80s New Zealand art rock band Split Enz lay a core of musicianship and
songwriting skill which created some long-lasting pop songs. The band started
out as a classically-influenced, primarily acoustic band originally called Split
Ends but a transition to a more upbeat, electric format led to the name change
in 1974. After a move to England in 1976 the band became slightly Anglicised
with a number of English musicians augmenting the ever-changing roster of
performers.
The DNA of another well...