Crowded House names new drummer

More details emerged from the Crowded House camp today about the band’s reformation, including word that the band’s new drummer is Matt Sherrod. That will likely leave most fans scratching their heads and asking, “Who?” and a look online for more information does little to answer the question. Allmusic.com lists a handful of credits for Sherrod, mostly as the drummer on early to mid-90s R’n'B records. A statement from the band, however, reveals that Sherrod has played in Beck’s backing band, so he obviously will be able to keep up with the antics of Crowded House.

The band’s page on the Frenz web site has this statement from Neil Finn about Sherrod: “It’s a go with Matt Sherrod for the drumming chair. A big thank you to all who put their hand up, and sorry we didn’t get to play with everyone but time and geography were against us. Look out for more dates announced soon and we are about to do some serious rehearsing so we can be very good.”

A short missive from the band’s UK label, Parlophone, to announce the first show by this lineup was fairly sketchy, going so far as to refer to multi-instrumentalist Mark Hart as “Matt.” The band, which has been rehearsing in London, will perform at the Thekla Social club in Bristol on March 19, the only performance before the band plays the Coachella Festival in California in April.

Unlike the flurry of activity surrounding the Police reunion, this one is being greeted a bit more demurely, at least here in the U.S. While I’d love to see Crowded House experience unlimited success, I’m OK with being one of the few and proud, because it means I won’t need to compete in online presales for $250 tickets when they tour here. Need proof? The band will be squeezed between shows by Five O’Clock Heroes and Thirteen Senses at the Thekla Social. Speaking of “Who?”…