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How does it feel to be back with the group?

It feels tremendous to be back with the group. We’ve done a lot of shows this year so I think we’ve evolved from the point where it was just a good idea to being a really good band again, and that just comes from doing show after show, after show. We’re really happy with our new drummer Matt and the band feels really fantastic. 

What sort of process did you go through to find Matt?

We auditioned drummers for three weeks in six different cities. We took tapes and details from probably one thousand drummers but we ended up playing with fifty. He just shone somehow.

Obviously, he needs to be a good drummer, but does he need to fit in as a group member as well? How important is that dynamic?

Yeah, you need to have a very strong sense of yourself to join a band like this. You don’t want a shrinking violet, or somebody whose personality is too big either. Matt is a very consistent, easy-going guy who has a very good, strong sense of himself. He didn’t know a lot about Crowded House which in a way was good; there wasn’t a lot of history riding on his shoulders.

Having said that, he must have to catch up on your back catalogue doesn’t he?

Yes, a lot of songs. He’s had to learn a lot of songs. He’s still learning songs in fact; we’re still dropping the odd one in that he hasn’t heard. We’ve got a repertoire of about fifty tracks now I think and he’s doing bloody well.

It’s coming up on twelve months since the announcement that Crowded House were coming back. Has it met your expectations?

It has exceeded them in many ways, but we knew there was a good feeling about the band. With all the miles and miles of travelling there has been a wear and tear factor, but you can’t become a great band without getting a lot of gigs under your belt and we’ve certainly done that.

Are you able to write songs on the tour bus and in hotels, or do you wait until the tour is finished?

A few ideas maybe, but it’s very hard to write in earnest on the road. You need space and time to put some hours on the clock. We have quite a few songs we’ve been messing about with in soundcheck that we’ll work up in the new year and hopefully play some small gigs down under to try a few songs out.

When the announcement was made that Crowded House was coming back, there was a huge feeling of warmth and everyone was very excited. Did you get that feeling from fans of Crowded House?

Yeah, largely speaking, everyone saw it for what it was. There was a genuine feeling from us and we intend to continue. It wasn’t just a way of mopping up a bit of money for the retirement policy, that wasn’t the motivation. We have the heart for it and I think that’s become obvious to people as we’re on stage.

How do you feel about the North West?

I love it up here, I love the way the people are up here, the sense of humour and the warmth you get from people in the north of England. It’s a great shame we don’t get to Liverpool more often because it’s always been a great place to play.

Liverpool is being rebuilt at the moment and they’ve just finished a 10,000 seater arena on the waterfront, so perhaps that will suit Crowded House?

Maybe on the next tour, that’s what we should do.

While you’re here, you can keep tabs on your team, Liverpool F.C. can’t you?

I would love to go and see an actual game. I watch on television and they’re having a good week this week, so I’m very happy about that - lots of goals! I’d love to go to Anfield, I’ve never had the opportunity, but that would be great.

Have a great tour and next time you’re here lets get you over to Anfield.

That would be great. My fondest regards to the good people of Liverpool.