Enzology

The story of New Zealand's most iconic band - Split Enz.

Presented and produced by Jeremy Ansell

Round image of the "Split Enz" band on a blue background. Text reads Enzology.

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All episodes:

Beginning of the Enz (1950s-1975)

Episode 1
We hear about the formation of the band as Split Ends and the songwriting partnership of Tim Finn and Phil Judd.
Splt Enz - Beginning Of The Enz album artwork

Mental Notes (1974-1976)

Episode 2
The band moves to Australia and infiltrates the Aussie rock scene. They record their debut album Mental Notes, which in 2004 was voted the number 1 New Zealand album of all time by Rip It Up magazine.
Mental Notes by Split Enz cover art

Second Thoughts (1976-1977

Episode 3
The band move to London, ​Mental Notes is re-recorded for the overseas market and the Enz tour the UK just as punk rears its snotty head. An ill-fated promotional tour of the US leads to the departure of key band members. Neil Finn is asked to join.
Split Enz - Second Thoughts album artwork

Dizrythmia (1977-1978)

Episode 4
New members, new songs, disaster and rebirth. After recording their third album, Split Enz regain Phil Judd, lose their record company, lose Phil Judd again and feed off the energy of punk with the Rootin' Tootin' Luton demos.
Split Enz - Dizrythmia album artwork

Frenzy (1978-1979)

Episode 5
The band gets fired up after the Luton session and records 'I See Red' with whiz-kid producer David Tickle; they lose the plot by recording the Frenzy album with Jimi Hendrix's tea boy; and get fired up again by losing gear in a fire, one day before their Nambassa Festival performance in NZ.
Split Enz - Frenzy album artwork

True Colours (1979-1980)

Episode 6
The band base themselves in Australia again and nearly break up due to bad debts. A successful tour re-balances the books, as does the huge radio hit 'I Got You' and album True Colours. The Enz simultaneously hit the charts in the UK and US and begin recording the follow-up album, Waiata.
True Colours - red cover - Split Enz

Waiata (1980-1981)

Episode 7
The band sell out London's Hammersmith Odeon, sack their drummer and hand the kit to their costume designer. A gun to the head and a chair to the ceiling. Canada loves them, America misses the boat, hotels lock the windows.
Waiata album cover (brown) Split Enz

Time and Tide (1981-1982)

Episode 8
Tim Finn has a nervous breakdown and he's not alone; Split Enz record perhaps their best album; and 'Leaky Boat' is scuppered in the UK.
Split Enz - Time And Tide album artwork

Conflicting Emotions (1983-1984)

Episode 9
Tim Finn makes a solo album and has a giant hit; Split Enz begins to fall apart; the robots take over, and the American label gets all the fax... and they're not impressed.
Split Enz - Conflicting Emotions album artwork

See Ya Round (1984)

Episode 10
Tim Finn walks away and the Enz ends with a bang. Neil Finn almost ends with a bang too.
Split Enz - See Ya ‘Round album artwork

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