Schnell Fenster
Encyclopedia
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" (however, the correct German phrase would be "Schnelles Fenster"), 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.
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) and Vika Bull & Lisa Edwards (backing vocals).
(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.
:
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
-based band, formed in 1986 by members 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...
after the breakup of that band. Tentatively named "The Wanx", the band selected their name, which is German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
for "fast window" (however, the correct German phrase would be "Schnelles Fenster"), 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 JuddPhil JuddPhilip Judd is a New Zealand singer-songwriter known for being one of the founders of the bands Split Enz and The Swingers.-Split Enz:...
(guitar, trumpet, keyboards, vocals) - Nigel GriggsNigel GriggsNigel 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...
(bass guitar) - Noel CrombieNoel CrombieNoel 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...
(drums and percussion) - Michael den ElzenMichael den ElzenMichael 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...
(guitars, guitar synth, fretless guitar, keyboards)
Split Enz keyboardist 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....
was a member of the early line-up, under the name "The Wanx".
Noel's Cowards consisted of the above members, plus 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...
(vocals), Michael Harris (fiddle), Louis McManus (mandolin) and Vika Bull & 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 HouseCrowded 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...
(another band to have emerged from Split Enz). Renewed interest in 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...
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
Tinnitus
Tinnitus |ringing]]") is the perception of sound within the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound.Tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom that can result from a wide range of underlying causes: abnormally loud sounds in the ear canal for even the briefest period , ear...
led to the breakup of the Fensters in 1992.
| Date | Title | Label | Charted | Country | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | The Sound of Trees The Sound of Trees The Sound of Trees is the first album by Schnell Fenster.-Track listing:* All tracks by Schnell Fenster#"Whisper"#"Love-Hate Relationship"#"Sleeping Mountain"#"That's Impossible"#"This Illusion"#"Lamplight"#"The Sound Of Trees"#"White Flag"... |
70 | AUS | EMI EMC 790929 | |
| 1990 | Ok Alright A Huh Oh Yeah Ok Alright a Huh Oh Yeah Ok Alright A Huh Oh Yeah is the second and final album by Schnell Fenster. It was released only in Australia and New Zealand. The title track was a minor hit single in Australia but the album did not secure a chart placing.... |
- | - |
Featured appearances
The group have appeared on a few compilations and soundtracks since 1988 in New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
:
- (1988 ) - Rikky and Pete OST (EMI (Aus), DRG (US), Silva Screen (UK)) - "Run a Mile" as well as six songs by Noel's Cowards.
- (1989) - Sweetie OST (no soundtrack album known) - "Whisper", "This Illusion" and "That's Impossible" are listed in the closing creditsClosing creditsClosing credits or end credits are added at the end of a motion picture, television program, or video game to list the cast and crew involved in the production. They usually appear as a list of names in small type, which either flip very quickly from page to page, or move smoothly across the...
. - (1990) - The Big Steal OST (WEA) - "Fun City"
- (1999) - Other Enz - Split Enz and Beyond (Raven Records)
Singles
| Year | Single | Album | AUS Singles Chart | NZ Singles Chart | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | "Whisper" | "The Sound Of Trees" | #58 | #42 | - |
| 1988 | "Love-Hate Relationship" | "The Sound Of Trees" | #81 | #46 | - |
| 1989 | "This Illusion" | "The Sound Of Trees" | - | - | - |
| 1990 | "OK Alright A Huh O Yeah" | "OK Alright A Huh O Yeah" | #74 | - | - |
| 1991 | "Heroes Let You Down" | "OK Alright A Huh O Yeah" | - | - | - |