STRANGER THAN FICTION: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SPLIT ENZ

Rip It Up, Issue 184, 1 November 1992, Page 16

STRANGER THAN FICTION: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SPLIT ENZ

This month sees the publication of the history of one of New Zealand’s most important and well-known bands. Written by founder member Mike Chunn, the book follows the band from their formation and first gigs through to the peak of their success in the 80s, and beyond. The except below picks up as the band travels to the USA after succesful tours of Australia and the UK and the release of their first album Mental Notes...

We had no expectations as to what might befall us in America. We went to Australia thinking we would conquer it in three weeks: the UK was the golden land where our final concerted efforts would be made. But the

USA found us couched in uncertainty. America was gripped in Fleetwood Mac and Al Stewart fever, long hair and flared denims were still the uniform. The Ramones and Blondie were kicking up dust in the alternative

in the morning, asked me what I was doing. "Why you driving funny, son?" "I get confused with these traffic lights, Mr pot-bellied, guntoting officer, suh!"

how he liked the album and that he had friends, serious music lovers, who liked it too. He suggested to Tim that when he was next in London he look him up. Tim walked off to his room a few inches off the orange, purple and

boredom and how we were going to solve it. During the second set, Phil walked off early so we played on without him. We didn't care for our own various reasons. The next night we resolved to ignore the serious, conscientious attitude demanded of us. We walked onstage and as we faced the audience of two people Tim called out: “Are you having a good time?" At the deep silence that followed, he continued: "Well, we are . . . and majority rule!" We sniggered and cackled and lurched off into 'Late Last Night'

to confront the situation and we were unable to help him. There was no one he could turn to and I believe he felt victimised. A scapegoat for the drudgery we were steeped in. On March 11, 40 days after our bubbly arrival at Los Angeles airport, I flew to Auckland. Eddie and Tim flew to Baltimore to write songs at Tim's uncle's house; the rest sloped back to London. Nothing was said, there was nothing to celebrate. It was the quiet, timely end to the first phase in what was to be the long life of Split Enz.

MIKE CHUNN