The Mullanes
Encyclopedia
The Mullanes were a New Zealand/Australian rock group which was formed by Neil Finn
after the demise of Split Enz
in 1984. Mullane is Neil Finn's middle name and was his mother's maiden name. Following the departure of Craig Hooper
the band became Crowded House
.
, formerly of The Reels
, who left the band just prior to them travelling to Los Angeles
to record their debut album in 1986. At that time they changed their name to Crowded House and became a trio, composed of Neil Finn, Nick Seymour
and Paul Hester
. The name change was prompted by their record company rejecting the name The Mullanes as well as the band's second choice, Largest Living Things, although Hester used that name for a project of his in the late 1990s.
Most of the Crowded House
album was written while the band was still called The Mullanes. One song, "Recurring Dream", was not used on the album as Hooper had contributed to the songwriting. This song was issued as a 12" promotional single in the USA to promote the soundtrack to the 1988 Mel Gibson
film Tequila Sunrise
. It also appears on the Ricky and Pete soundtrack (Tass and Parker, 1988). A re-recorded version of "Recurring Dream" appears on the Crowded House compilation album Afterglow
(1999). Crowded House's 1996 Greatest Hits album was titled Recurring Dream but the song does not appear on that album.
Neil Finn
Neil Mullane Finn, OBE is a New Zealand Pop recording artist. Along with his brother Tim Finn, he was the co-frontman for Split Enz and is now frontman for Crowded House...
after the demise of Split Enz
Split Enz
Split Enz were a New Zealand band of the 1970s and early 1980s featuring Phil Judd and brothers Tim Finn and Neil Finn. They achieved chart success in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada during the early 1980s ‒ most notably with the single "I Got You", and built a cult following elsewhere...
in 1984. Mullane is Neil Finn's middle name and was his mother's maiden name. Following the departure of Craig Hooper
Craig Hooper
Craig Hooper is an Australian musician who was a core member of Indie rock band The Reels and was in bands The Mullanes , The Church and The Crystal Set...
the band became Crowded House
Crowded House
Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
.
History
The original four-piece lineup included Craig HooperCraig Hooper
Craig Hooper is an Australian musician who was a core member of Indie rock band The Reels and was in bands The Mullanes , The Church and The Crystal Set...
, formerly of The Reels
The Reels
The Reels is an Australian rock/indie pop group which formed in Dubbo, New South Wales in 1976 and initially disbanded in 1991, they eventually reformed in 2007. Their 1981 song, "Quasimodo's Dream", was voted one of the Top 10 Australian songs of all time by a 100-member panel from Australasian...
, who left the band just prior to them travelling to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to record their debut album in 1986. At that time they changed their name to Crowded House and became a trio, composed of Neil Finn, Nick Seymour
Nick Seymour
Nick Seymour is a musician, painter, and record producer. He is best known for being the bass guitarist in the Australasian rock group Crowded House and brother to Mark Seymour of another successful group; Hunters and Collectors.- Biography :Born in Benalla, Victoria, Australia, Seymour studied...
and Paul Hester
Paul Hester
Paul Newell Hester was an Australian musician and television personality; he was the drummer for the related bands Split Enz and Crowded House.-The early years:...
. The name change was prompted by their record company rejecting the name The Mullanes as well as the band's second choice, Largest Living Things, although Hester used that name for a project of his in the late 1990s.
Most of the Crowded House
Crowded House (album)
The original release of the album in Australia and New Zealand featured "Can't Carry On" as track 8. This song was replaced by a re-recording of the Split Enz song "I Walk Away" for other markets...
album was written while the band was still called The Mullanes. One song, "Recurring Dream", was not used on the album as Hooper had contributed to the songwriting. This song was issued as a 12" promotional single in the USA to promote the soundtrack to the 1988 Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson
Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson, AO is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter. Born in Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.After appearing in...
film Tequila Sunrise
Tequila Sunrise (film)
Tequila Sunrise is an American crime thriller film written and directed by Robert Towne, and starring Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell, with support from Raúl Juliá, J. T...
. It also appears on the Ricky and Pete soundtrack (Tass and Parker, 1988). A re-recorded version of "Recurring Dream" appears on the Crowded House compilation album Afterglow
Afterglow (Crowded House album)
Afterglow is a Crowded House compilation album, released in 1999. It includes a selection of rarities and outtakes. The tracks were recorded between 1985 and 1994. Seven of the songs were originally recorded for the Woodface album before Tim Finn became involved...
(1999). Crowded House's 1996 Greatest Hits album was titled Recurring Dream but the song does not appear on that album.