Philip Raymond Judd (born 20 March 1953) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter known for being one of the founders of the bands
Split Enz
Split Enz were a New Zealand rock band formed in Auckland in 1972 by Tim Finn and Phil Judd and had a variety of other members during its existence. Originally started as a folk-oriented group with quirky art rock stylings, the band built a ...
and
The Swingers
The Swingers were a New Zealand rock band who were together from 1979 to 1982 and whose biggest single was the song " Counting the Beat".
Background
Formed out of the remnants of the Suburban Reptiles, the founding members were Phil Judd (gui ...
.
Split Enz
In 1972, Judd and
Tim Finn
Brian Timothy Finn (born 25 June 1952) is a New Zealand singer and musician. His musical career includes forming 1970s and 1980s New Zealand rock group Split Enz, a number of solo albums, temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowde ...
founded the arty
folk band Split Enz
Split Enz were a New Zealand rock band formed in Auckland in 1972 by Tim Finn and Phil Judd and had a variety of other members during its existence. Originally started as a folk-oriented group with quirky art rock stylings, the band built a ...
. In its early days the band was known for its eccentric behaviour, wacky clothes, makeup and crazy hairstyles. In the early days the band members all adopted their middle names, with the exception of Phil Judd, the only member from that era to use his first name.
While the other members of the Enz had hairstyles that were out of the ordinary, Judd chose to shave his head after the release of the first album ''
Mental Notes''. After the second album ''
Second Thoughts'' was released, tension arose between Judd and Tim Finn. Judd left the band in 1977 shortly after the release of the single ''Another Great Divide'', to be replaced by Finn's younger brother
Neil Finn
Neil Mullane Finn (born 27 May 1958) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter and musician who is known for being a member of Crowded House, Split Enz (which he co-fronted with brother Tim), and Fleetwood Mac. Finn rose to prominence in the late ...
.
After leaving the Enz, Judd wrote songs and recorded demos until later that year he was approached by Tim Finn to rejoin the band. The Enz toured in 1978 with two lead guitarists in Judd and Neil Finn, who got along rather well. During this time the band played some new songs by Judd that won favour with the audience, including a self-confessed favourite of keyboardist
Eddie Rayner
Anthony Edward Charles Rayner (born 19 November 1952) is a New Zealand musician who spent twelve years as a keyboardist in the band Split Enz. He has also played in the groups Orb, Space Waltz, Crowded House, The Makers, The Angels in 1986-198 ...
, "Play It Strange".
Later that year, Judd once again left the group. It was after this time that Split Enz went on to their greatest international success.
After Split Enz
After leaving Split Enz, Judd became involved with
Auckland
Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The List of New Zealand urban areas by population, most populous urban area in the country and the List of cities in Oceania by po ...
punk band The
Suburban Reptiles. He produced their second single, "Saturday Night Stay at Home", and performed live with them. He was also briefly a member of
Chris Knox
Chris Knox (born 2 September 1952) is a New Zealand rock and roll musician, cartoonist and movie reviewer who emerged during the punk rock era with his bands The Enemy and Toy Love. After Toy Love disbanded in the early 1980s, he formed the g ...
's band
The Enemy. Out of the remnants of The Suburban Reptiles he formed
The Swingers
The Swingers were a New Zealand rock band who were together from 1979 to 1982 and whose biggest single was the song " Counting the Beat".
Background
Formed out of the remnants of the Suburban Reptiles, the founding members were Phil Judd (gui ...
with future
Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil (known informally as "The Oils") are an Australian rock band composed of Peter Garrett (vocals, harmonica), Rob Hirst (drums), Jim Moginie (guitar, keyboard) and Martin Rotsey (guitar). The group was formed in Sydney in 1972 by ...
band member
Bones Hillman
Wayne Stevens (May 1958 – 7 November 2020), known by the stage name Bones Hillman, was a New Zealand musician best known as the bass guitarist for the Australian alternative rock band Midnight Oil, which he joined in 1987 and remained with un ...
and Buster Stiggs. The band went through a couple of lineup changes, but managed to release a No. 1 song in New Zealand and Australia, "
Counting The Beat". The song was used in the 1990s on commercials for
DEKA chain of general merchandise stores, and was also used for the New Zealand TV3 Slogan "There aint no place I'd rather be" in 2011. The Swingers also wrote lyrics and composed music for
Gillian Armstrong
Gillian May Armstrong (born 18 December 1950) is an Australian feature film and documentary director, who specializes in period drama. Her films often feature female perspectives and protagonists. Many of her movies are historical dramas.
Ea ...
's 1982 New Wave musical ''
Starstruck''.
After The Swingers broke up in 1982, Judd recorded the ''Private Lives'' solo album, released by Mushroom Records in 1983. It would be 24 years before he released his next solo album. In the US, selections from ''Private Lives'' were released as a five-track EP called ''The Swinger''.
In 1986 Tim Finn contacted Judd to write some songs for his new album ''
Big Canoe
''Big Canoe'' is the second studio album released by former Split Enz frontman Tim Finn in April 1986. The album peaked at number 3 in New Zealand and number 31 in Australia.
Track listing LP Listing
CD Listing
The CD included the ex ...
''. It would have been the first time they were to write together since Split Enz. According to Finn, instead of writing, the two spent most of the time drinking and catching up on old times and wrote no material. Instead, Judd played guitar on the album.
Schnell Fenster
In the late 1980s, Judd went on to be part of
Schnell Fenster
Schnell Fenster were a New Zealand rock band formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1986 by Noel Crombie on drums and percussion, Nigel Griggs on bass guitar and backing vocals, Phil Judd on lead vocals and guitar, and Eddie Rayner on keyboards and ...
and was involved in recording movie soundtracks, most notably ''
The Big Steal
''The Big Steal'' is a 1949 American black-and-white film noir reteaming '' Out of the Past'' stars Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer. The film was directed by Don Siegel, based on the short story "The Road to Carmichael's" by Richard Wormser.
Pl ...
'', winning the AFI award for his first score ''
Death in Brunswick
''Death in Brunswick'' is a 1990 Australian black comedy/romance starring Sam Neill, Zoe Carides and John Clarke. It is based on the 1987 comic novel of the same name by Boyd Oxlade.
At the APRA Music Awards of 1991, "Death in Brunswick" won F ...
''. Schnell Fenster was composed of former Split Enz members
Nigel Griggs
Nigel Griggs (born 18 August 1949) 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. A professional musician since 1963, Nigel Griggs played in a number of bands, not ...
,
Noel Crombie
Geoffrey Noel Crombie (born 17 April 1953) is a New Zealand percussionist and former member of the band Split Enz. He fulfilled multiple roles including costume and hair designer, singer, album cover designer, and music video director. Prior to ...
and
Eddie Rayner
Anthony Edward Charles Rayner (born 19 November 1952) is a New Zealand musician who spent twelve years as a keyboardist in the band Split Enz. He has also played in the groups Orb, Space Waltz, Crowded House, The Makers, The Angels in 1986-198 ...
, along with guitarist
Michael den Elzen. Rayner left the project soon after its birth.
The debut album ''
The Sound of Trees
''The Sound of Trees'' is the first album by Schnell Fenster.
Track listing
All lyrics by Philip Judd; all music by Schnell Fenster
#"Whisper"
#"Love-Hate Relationship"
#"Sleeping Mountain"
#"That's Impossible"
#"This Illusion"
#"Lamplight"
# ...
'' was a moderate success, but due to Noel Crombie developing
tinnitus
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no corresponding external sound is present. Nearly everyone experiences a faint "normal tinnitus" in a completely quiet room; but it is of concern only if it is bothersome, interferes with normal hearin ...
, the band was unable to tour extensively to support the album. A second album, ''OK Alright A Huh Oh Yeah'', was released in Australia and New Zealand in 1991. The band then broke up.
Judd has worked in movies, including ''
Rikky and Pete
''Rikky and Pete'' is a 1988 Australian film directed by Nadia Tass, written by David Parker, and starring Stephen Kearney and Nina Landis.
Plot
Rikky Menzies (Nina Landis) is an out-of-work geologist and aspiring singer (vocals by Wendy Ma ...
'', ''Amy'', and ''Mr Reliable'', and on television programs such as ''
Good Guys Bad Guys
''Good Guys, Bad Guys'' was an Australian comedy/drama TV series that screened on the Nine Network between 1997 and 1998, with a telemovie and twenty-six episodes produced. The crime-themed show was set in Melbourne.
The program and its lead cha ...
'', ''
Stingers'' and ''
Sky Trackers
The sky is an unobstructed view upward from the surface of the Earth. It includes the atmosphere of Earth, atmosphere and outer space. It may also be considered a place between the ground and outer space, thus distinct from outer space.
In th ...
''.
Split Enz reunite without Judd
Judd has been reported as feeling bitter about not being invited to join
Split Enz
Split Enz were a New Zealand rock band formed in Auckland in 1972 by Tim Finn and Phil Judd and had a variety of other members during its existence. Originally started as a folk-oriented group with quirky art rock stylings, the band built a ...
on their 2006 reunion tour.
In an interview on community radio program ''Living in the Land of Oz'', Judd said that Neil Finn wanted him to "get up and do two or three songs or at least be involved somehow" but this did not happen at either of the Melbourne concerts. On stage with the Enz in 2006, Tim Finn claimed that his relationship with Judd is "complicated".
Around the time of the Enz tour, Judd and Tim Finn had decided to get together with former Enz violinist
Miles Golding
Miles Golding (born in Sydney in 1951) is a classical violinist, and an original member of Split Enz. Golding played on the band's first single "For You" in 1973, leaving them shortly after to pursue further training in London.
Golding has pla ...
for a few recording sessions dubbed ''3 of a Kind''. With the success of the
Finn Brothers
The Finn Brothers are a New Zealand musical duo consisting of brothers Neil and Tim Finn. In June 1993 both members were awarded the OBE for their contribution to music.
The two brothers began making music together at a young age; later, when ...
' latest album and the resurgence of interest in Split Enz, Tim Finn was offered a chance to release another solo album through
EMI
EMI Group Limited (originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records Ltd. or simply EMI) was a British transnational conglomerate founded in March 1931 in London. At the time of its break-up in 201 ...
and took it. This left no time for any side projects and the project has not come to fruition.
Mr Phudd
Judd sells copies of ''Mr Phudd and His Novelty Act'' through his website. Some fans have likened it to his work from his days with
Split Enz
Split Enz were a New Zealand rock band formed in Auckland in 1972 by Tim Finn and Phil Judd and had a variety of other members during its existence. Originally started as a folk-oriented group with quirky art rock stylings, the band built a ...
. Judd is also a visual artist and his surrealistic portrayal of Split Enz for the band's 1975 ''
Mental Notes'' album won a music industry award for best cover design. He has continued to paint over the years and has work in the
National Gallery of Victoria
The National Gallery of Victoria, popularly known as the NGV, is an art museum in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1861, it is Australia's oldest and most visited art museum.
The NGV houses an encyclopedic art collection across two ...
.
In 2006, Phil worked with Australian band Pinky Tuscadero, producing their EP ''Look Your Best''.
His album ''Love is a Moron''
was released in December 2008.
Personal life
In 1992, Judd was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He suffered a stroke in 2004 which damaged his
spleen
The spleen is an organ found in almost all vertebrates. Similar in structure to a large lymph node, it acts primarily as a blood filter. The word spleen comes . .
Judd was convicted in March 2009 of stalking three sisters in his Melbourne neighbourhood. He received a 12-month
suspended sentence
A suspended sentence is a sentence on conviction for a criminal offence, the serving of which the court orders to be deferred in order to allow the defendant to perform a period of probation. If the defendant does not break the law during that ...
.
On 1 January 2010, Judd was jailed for two weeks for violating a
restraining order
A restraining order or protective order, is an order used by a court to protect a person in a situation involving alleged domestic violence, child abuse, assault, harassment, stalking, or sexual assault.
Restraining and personal protection or ...
brought against him by his ex-wife during a dispute over custody of their young son.
Discography
Albums
Films
*''
Starstruck'' (1982) – music, actor (one of the Swingers)
*''
Rikky and Pete
''Rikky and Pete'' is a 1988 Australian film directed by Nadia Tass, written by David Parker, and starring Stephen Kearney and Nina Landis.
Plot
Rikky Menzies (Nina Landis) is an out-of-work geologist and aspiring singer (vocals by Wendy Ma ...
'' (1988) – songs, actor
*''
The Big Steal
''The Big Steal'' is a 1949 American black-and-white film noir reteaming '' Out of the Past'' stars Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer. The film was directed by Don Siegel, based on the short story "The Road to Carmichael's" by Richard Wormser.
Pl ...
'' (1990) – music
*''
Death in Brunswick
''Death in Brunswick'' is a 1990 Australian black comedy/romance starring Sam Neill, Zoe Carides and John Clarke. It is based on the 1987 comic novel of the same name by Boyd Oxlade.
At the APRA Music Awards of 1991, "Death in Brunswick" won F ...
'' (1991) – music
*''
Eight Ball
Eight-ball (also spelled 8-ball or eightball, and sometimes called solids and stripes, spots and stripes or rarely highs and lows) is a discipline of pool played on a billiard table with six pockets, cue sticks, and sixteen billiard balls (a ...
'' (1992) – music
*''
Hercules Returns
''Hercules Returns'' is a 1993 Australian comedy film directed by David Parker, starring David Argue, Michael Carman, Bruce Spence and Mary Coustas. The film has a cult following in Australia and other countries. It has been released in DVD fo ...
'' (1992) – music
*"
Environmental
A biophysical environment is a biotic and abiotic surrounding of an organism or population, and consequently includes the factors that have an influence in their survival, development, and evolution. A biophysical environment can vary in scale f ...
" (1994) (short) – music
*''
Mr. Reliable
''Mr. Reliable'' is a 1996 film directed by Nadia Tass. It stars Colin Friels and Jacqueline McKenzie.
Plot
It tells the true story of Wally Mellish, an ex-convict in 1960s Australia. Just released from prison, all he wants to do is live a quiet ...
'' (1996) – music
*''
Amy
Amy is a female given name, sometimes short for Amanda, Amelia, Amélie, or Amita. In French, the name is spelled ''"Aimée"''.
People A–E
* Amy Acker (born 1976), American actress
* Amy Vera Ackman, also known as Mother Giovanni (1886– ...
'' (1998) – music
TV
*''
Sky Trackers
The sky is an unobstructed view upward from the surface of the Earth. It includes the atmosphere of Earth, atmosphere and outer space. It may also be considered a place between the ground and outer space, thus distinct from outer space.
In th ...
'' (1994) – music (with others)
*''
Good Guys Bad Guys
''Good Guys, Bad Guys'' was an Australian comedy/drama TV series that screened on the Nine Network between 1997 and 1998, with a telemovie and twenty-six episodes produced. The crime-themed show was set in Melbourne.
The program and its lead cha ...
'' (1997) – music, including theme
*''
Stingers'' (1998) – music, including theme
Music for several Melbourne Theatre Company plays 1989–1993 including ''Miss Bosnia'', ''Cosi'' and ''Summer of the Aliens'', directed by Nadia Tass.
Lyricist for ''The Lion The Witch & The wardrobe'' songs, A touring musical production 2001–2003.
Awards and nominations
ARIA Music Awards
The
ARIA Music Awards
The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (commonly known informally as ARIA Music Awards, ARIA Awards, or simply the ARIAs) is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Austr ...
is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of
Australian music
The music of Australia has an extensive history made of music societies. Indigenous Australian music forms a significant part of the unique heritage of a 40,000- to 60,000-year history which produced the iconic didgeridoo. Contemporary fusions of ...
. They commenced in 1987.
!
, -
,
1992
File:1992 Events Collage V1.png, From left, clockwise: 1992 Los Angeles riots, Riots break out across Los Angeles, California after the Police brutality, police beating of Rodney King; El Al Flight 1862 crashes into a residential apartment buildi ...
, ''Death in Brunswick''
,
Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album
,
,
[ARIA Award previous winners. ]
, -
References
* Chunn, Mike, ''Stranger Than Fiction: The Life and Times of Split Enz'', GP Publications, 1992.
* Chunn, Mike, ''Stranger Than Fiction: The Life and Times of Split Enz'', (revised, ebook edition), Hurricane Press, 2013.
* Dix, John, ''Stranded in Paradise: New Zealand Rock and Roll, 1955 to the Modern Era'', Penguin Books, 2005,
External links
Official site*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Judd, Phil
1953 births
APRA Award winners
Living people
New Zealand rock musicians
New Zealand new wave musicians
Split Enz members
Ukulele players
Mandolinists
People educated at Hastings Boys' High School
New Zealand expatriates in Australia
New Zealand expatriates in England
New Zealand male guitarists
New Zealand male singer-songwriters
People with bipolar disorder
People convicted of stalking
20th-century New Zealand male singers
20th-century New Zealand painters
20th-century New Zealand male artists
21st-century New Zealand male singers
21st-century New Zealand painters
21st-century New Zealand male artists
Lead guitarists