E-Mail This Article to a Friend Brother act Neil and Tim Finn join forces again BY CHRISTOPHER BLAGG

Forming a band with your brother is just asking for trouble. Indeed, given the ugly history of rock siblings, why would anyone in his right mind even consider going that way? But once you get past the quarrels and the confrontations that have plagued so many brother acts, there’s the music — the commercial and the critical success — that everybody from the Everlys to the Gallaghers has achieved. That’s one good reason.

Neil and Tim Finn know a thing or two about fraternal competition. In their stints together with ’80s new-wave rockers Split Enz, the chart-topping Crowded House, and now with current project the Finn Brothers, the New Zealand siblings have gone through both the chaos and the joy of keeping it in the family. In the ’70s, the elder Tim co-founded the quirky art-rock band Split Enz and attracted a sizable cult following in New Zealand and Australia. Little brother Neil tagged along, basking in his older brother’s cool, and soon he began entertaining his own rock-star dreams. "I was always naturally drawn to music and singing, but my brother’s actually doing it successfully made it seem possible," he recounts over the phone from a Finn Brothers tour stop (they play FleetBoston Pavilion this Saturday). "When you come from a little town in New Zealand, it’s hard to imagine becoming a pop musician."

Eventually, Neil joined his brother in Split Enz. By 1979, the band were on the brink of calling it quits when one of their singles, "I Got You," caught on to become their first international hit. The problem was, it was Neil who’d written it. The older/younger-brother dynamic was shifting.

After enjoying a few years of moderate success in the States and in Europe, Split Enz dissolved in 1985. Neil formed Crowded House, whose homonymous debut album became a multi-platinum international hit; Tim wallowed in solo obscurity. It was an uncomfortable role reversal. Remembers Neil, "When Crowded House took off, I felt a bit guilty."

All the same, Crowded House transcended "kiwi rock" to become international stars. But mainstream success in the international community doesn’t always translate to selling out arenas in the States. Ever since his two Top 10 hits on Crowded House, Neil has slid into the role of critically acclaimed cult performer. It’s a role he’s comfortable with, and it’s freed both brothers from having to play their greatest hits all the time. "I was writing a set list before you rang," Neil relates, "and neither ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ or ‘Something So Strong’ was on it. It’s the great thing about audiences over here. As much as I love singing those songs, I don’t have to. They know so many of the others."

This isn’t the first time since Split Enz that the brothers have teamed up. Tim rejoined Neil in 1991 to work on a reunion album, but instead, most of the material became the basis for Crowded House’s third and best release, Woodface (Capitol). It was the first time they’d written songs together. But Tim left that band in mid tour to work on his own projects. In 1995, the brothers made another attempt at a duet album. Although the music of Finn (Discovery) was interesting, the release wasn’t a commercial success. "The whole thing was a side project, really, quite indulgent and quirky," Neil says.

Almost 10 years later, the Finns have a follow up. Set for August 24 release, Everyone Is Here (Nettwerk) combines their classic pop and uncanny vocal harmonies. "Some genetic code slips into gear when we sing together," Neil admits, "but it actually does take practice."

With both Neil and Tim spending the last decade or so working on solo projects, there’s been ample time for the ego bruising and intense competitive fire to have dissipated. "Of course we can be stormy and have our difficult days with each other," Neil acknowledges. "There are always those little things that will make your hackles rise, but our relationship will undoubtedly change and grow during this album tour, hopefully into something even richer."

The Finn Brothers perform this Saturday, July 31, at FleetBoston Pavilion, 290 Northern Avenue in Boston; call (617) 728-1600.