Noel Crombie
Encyclopedia
Noel Crombie is a New Zealand singer and former member of the band Split Enz
. He fulfilled multiple roles including costume and hair designer, percussionist, album cover designer, and music video director. Prior to Split Enz, Crombie worked as a postal assistant and was also an artist.
For the album Time and Tide, Crombie took over the role of drummer, though a year later returned to percussion, with Paul Hester
becoming Split Enz's drummer. He is particularly remembered for playing spoon solos during Split Enz live shows.
After Split Enz disbanded, Noel formed the band Schnell Fenster
with Phil Judd
, Eddie Rayner
and Nigel Griggs
, also Split Enz alumni, and Michael den Elzen
. Rayner left before the first album was released.
In 1988 the members of Schnell Fenster collaborated with Wendy Matthews
, Michael Harris
, Louis McMannus, Vika Bull and Lisa Edwards under the name 'Noel's Cowards' for the movie Rikky and Pete
.
Crombie has released one solo single, "My Voice Keeps Changing on Me", in 1983 while Split Enz took a break. Tim Finn
was the only other band member to have a solo release during this break. According to Crombie he had to either release the single or pay for the studio time.
In 1996, Crombie assisted Crowded House
by designing the stage set design for their final concert, Farewell to the World
at the Sydney Opera House
.
Crombie currently lives with his daughters Hedwig, Griselda, his adopted daughters Sunday and Greer, and his wife Sally whom he works with as a freelance designer. They recently designed the set for ABC
-TV's musical quiz program Spicks and Specks.
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...
. He fulfilled multiple roles including costume and hair designer, percussionist, album cover designer, and music video director. Prior to Split Enz, Crombie worked as a postal assistant and was also an artist.
For the album Time and Tide, Crombie took over the role of drummer, though a year later returned to percussion, with 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:...
becoming Split Enz's drummer. He is particularly remembered for playing spoon solos during Split Enz live shows.
After Split Enz disbanded, Noel formed the band Schnell Fenster
Schnell Fenster
Schnell Fenster was a Melbourne-based band, formed in 1986 by members of Split Enz after the breakup of that band. Tentatively named "The Wanx", the band selected their name, which is German for "fast window" , because it "appealed to [their] perversity".The band also formed the core of the members...
with Phil Judd
Phil Judd
Philip Judd is a New Zealand singer-songwriter known for being one of the founders of the bands Split Enz and The Swingers.-Split Enz:...
, Eddie Rayner
Eddie Rayner
Eddie Rayner , is a New Zealand musician who has played in bands such as Split Enz, Space Waltz, Crowded House, The Makers and 801....
and Nigel Griggs
Nigel Griggs
Nigel Griggs is a musician who played bass guitar in Split Enz. He is the brother of Paul Griggs from the 1970s vocal group Guys 'n' Dolls...
, also Split Enz alumni, and Michael den Elzen
Michael den Elzen
Michael den Elzen is a musician and music producer based in Melbourne, Australia. He has performed for over 25 years with many well-known Australian and New Zealand artists, principally as a guitarist, and has contributed music for several Australian movie soundtracks.-Early career:Den Elzen spent...
. Rayner left before the first album was released.
In 1988 the members of Schnell Fenster collaborated with Wendy Matthews
Wendy Matthews
Wendy Joan Matthews is an Australian adult alternative pop singer originally from Canada who has been a member of Models and Absent Friends and is a solo artist...
, Michael Harris
Michael Harris
Michael Harris is an award-winning Canadian author, investigative journalist, and radio personality who hosts an afternoon radio talk show, "Michael Harris Live", on Ottawa-based CFRA, and was a columnist for The Ottawa Sun newspaper until March 2011.Born in Toronto, Ontario, to Audrey McDonald ...
, Louis McMannus, Vika Bull and Lisa Edwards under the name 'Noel's Cowards' for the movie Rikky and Pete
Rikky and Pete
Rikky and Pete is a 1988 Australian film directed by Nadia Tass and written by David Parker starring Stephen Kearney and Nina Landis.Rikky Menzies and Pete Menzies are sister and brother. Rikky is an out-of-work geologist, and aspiring singer . Pete is a misfit who dreams up weird inventions...
.
Crombie has released one solo single, "My Voice Keeps Changing on Me", in 1983 while Split Enz took a break. Tim Finn
Tim Finn
Brian Timothy "Tim" Finn, OBE is a New Zealand singer and musician. Finn is most known for his music with New Zealand 1970s and 1980s rock group Split Enz, and later for his solo work, a temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowded House and his joint efforts with Neil Finn as the Finn...
was the only other band member to have a solo release during this break. According to Crombie he had to either release the single or pay for the studio time.
In 1996, Crombie assisted 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...
by designing the stage set design for their final concert, Farewell to the World
Farewell to the World
Farewell to the World is a 1996 concert by rock group Crowded House. The concert was recorded on the outside footsteps of the famed Sydney Opera House as a charity event to raise funds for the Sydney Children's Hospital. The event was originally scheduled to occur on the night of the 23 November...
at the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
.
Crombie currently lives with his daughters Hedwig, Griselda, his adopted daughters Sunday and Greer, and his wife Sally whom he works with as a freelance designer. They recently designed the set for ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
-TV's musical quiz program Spicks and Specks.