Schnell Fenster
| Schnell Fenster | |
|---|---|
| Origin | New Zealand |
| Years active | 1986–1992 |
| Past members |
Phil Judd Nigel Griggs Noel Crombie Michael den Elzen |
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 "quick window", because it "appealed to [their] perversity".
The band also formed the core of the members of "Noel's Cowards", an ensemble whose only output was six tracks on the Rikky and Pete movie soundtrack in 1988.
Line up
- Phil Judd (guitar, trumpet, keyboards, vocals)
- Nigel Griggs (bass guitar)
- Noel Crombie (drums and percussion)
- Michael den Elzen (guitars, guitar synth, fretless guitar, keyboards)
Split Enz keyboardist Eddie Rayner was a member of the early line-up, under the name "The Wanx".
Noel's Cowards consisted of the above members, plus Wendy Matthews (vocals), Michael Harris (fiddle), Louis McManus (mandolin), Vika Bull and Lisa Edwards (backing vocals).
Discography
Schnell Fenster released The Sound of Trees in 1988. The band played in Australia and also toured New Zealand in 1989, as a support act for Crowded House (another band to have emerged from Split Enz). Renewed interest in Split Enz led to an American album release later that year, but with no tour and little record company support, the album did not chart well. Their second album; OK Alright A Huh Oh Yeah was released in 1990. Band tensions and Crombie's worsening tinnitus led to the breakup of the Fensters in 1992.
Albums
| Year | Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| 1988 | The Sound of Trees |
|
70 |
| 1990 | Ok Alright A Huh Oh Yeah |
|
— |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
Featured appearances
The group have appeared on a few compilations and soundtracks since 1988 in New Zealand:
- Rikky and Pete (soundtrack) (1988) "Run a Mile" as well as six songs by Noel's Cowards.
- Sweetie (soundtrack) (1989) "Whisper", "This Illusion" and "That's Impossible" are listed in the closing credits.
- The Big Steal (soundtrack) (1990) "Fun City"
- Other Enz - Split Enz and Beyond (1999)
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | NZ [1] | |||
| 1988 | "Whisper" | 58 | 42 | The Sound Of Trees |
| "Love-Hate Relationship" | 81 | 46 | ||
| 1989 | "This Illusion" | — | — | |
| 1990 | "OK Alright A Huh O Yeah" | 74 | — | OK Alright A Huh O Yeah |
| 1991 | "Heroes Let You Down" | — | — | |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||
References
- ↑ "SCHNELL FENSTER IN NEW ZEALAND CHARTS". charts.org.nz. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
- Allmusic entry for Schnell Fenster
- Chunn, Mike, Stranger Than Fiction, GP Publications, 1992. ISBN 1-86956-050-7
- Dix, John, Stranded In Paradise, Penguin, 2005. ISBN 0-14-301953-8
- Spittle, Gordon, Counting The Beat, GP Publications, 1997. ISBN 1-86956-213-5
- Other Enz, Split Enz and Beyond liner notes, Raven Records, 1999
- David Kent (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970 - 1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.