1998: Neil Finn at La Zona Rosa

Neil Finn circa 1998 at La Zona Rosa.

Drat! I realized that I missed his 50th birthday while “researching” this story. Maybe if Neil wrote a song like his brother’s “Haul Away,” I could remember it better. Tonight I’m off to see Cowboy Mouth for the second time but 10 years ago, I finally got to see Neil Finn perform. Most of you know I’ve been a huge fan of Neil’s work ever since I stumbled upon Corroboree in 1985; actually I was trying to find True Colours but settled for this because Apple Tree Records had it in stock. By the time I “discovered” Split Enz, they were no more. Then during the summer of 1986, I was watching MTV’s new music Monday show (back when it still aired videos) and noticed this one starting up with a singer who “resembled” Neil. After drummer Paul Hester (also from Split Enz) appeared, I realized that Crowded House was Neil’s new act. While I was too young to see Split Enz (they played a 21+ venue in Houston during my time there), I was cursed to never see the House. I’m not kidding about the mathematical odds against me with them. Both times the trio came to Philly, I had to return to Marquette. I missed them by a week due to the timing of Spring Break and I had no chance for their bigger, better show at Philly’s Tower Theater; even if I flew back, my parents had moved to San Diego. At other times, House was the opening act for rather dull stuff in Chicago and they never came to Milwaukee. Until I accepted the position with GDW (Arrrgh!) To add insult to injury, they were performing at my alma mater, one of the most musically conservative campuses on Earth. Trust me, the bulk of the student body would go ape over a Classic Rock has been before showing a peep of interest in a contemporary act. Much like the Peter Murphy, 10,000 Maniacs and Mission UK shows, I’m confident the bulk of the seats were filled by non-Marquette students. In 1994, they came to Austin on what would become their final tour (obviously it wasn’t, Neil reformed the band in 2006). I was already resigned to not going as soon as I saw the venue listed in the AusChron, the Backyard. Besides, why throw away a losing streak? Course I still kicked myself when Neil announced the end of Crowded House in 1996 and the farewell tour would be restricted to the countries they were big in; obviously not America.

Two years later, Neil’s first solo album appeared. Predictably I bought Try Whistling This the week it debuted in North Carolina. At first I was disappointed but I kept listening to it remembering how I felt the same way with Woodface and Time & Tide. My hopes of a US tour did come true but I would miss him in Raleigh and Austin would be cutting it close; 10 days after I returned. I asked my future roommate to get me a ticket before I arrived because I feared a sold-out show; the venue was small. Little did I know, Mel didn’t do what I asked until my first weekend in town which made me very lucky, it was booked solid the day I went. I got to La Zona Rosa early since I wanted to be really close. While waiting I ran into Chip (if you don’t recognize him, he’s the guy at Waterloo Records who keeps yours truly stocked in cool imported music). We caught up over the last year and then he had to split to talk to someone with Sony (Neil’s US label). Later on, I met two ladies in line who went on to become new friends for my return to Austin: Mary and Jessica. Mary was a huge fan, Jessica (her daughter) was cool with Neil despite being more into the boy bands of the day. I bumped into them again three months later when Neil did a special, 12-city only encore tour and we have kept in touch ever since.

Austin's Shawn Colvin has been Neil's friend for years. They always do "Private Universe"

As for the concert, it was fantastic and my pictures never really do it justice. Neil’s live performance was so impressive, he definitely changed my opinion of his album as it went on to be my favorite of 1998, beating out Garbage’s Version 2.0 and BNL’s Stunt. He mainly performed his solo material but sprinkled the show with his hits from Split Enz (“I Got You,” “One Step Ahead,” and “Message to My Girl”), Crowded House (“Don’t Dream it’s Over,” “Better be Home Soon,” and “Something So Strong”) and the Finn Brothers (“Suffer Never” with a rare demo of his guitar prowess). The biggest surprise was him singing “Spellbound.” Why? It’s a tune originally sung by Phil Judd when Neil wasn’t even a member. He does make the song his own, I wish he’d release a legal recorded version. Definitely a memorable evening on numerous levels. I did finally get my 15 seconds with him several months later plus an autograph. Maybe in the near future I will get to speak to Neil at greater length to personally thank him for years of enjoyment. This show is getting dusted off and posted too because it’s one of the five on my Rock Band profile.