Crowded House 'plan world tour'

Crowded House appeared on Top of the Pops in 1991

Australian and New Zealand band Crowded House are set to reform for a world tour 11 years after they split, according to newspaper reports.

Singer Neil Finn and bass player Nick Seymour are currently seeking drummers in Australia, with more auditions planned for New Zealand and the US.

The band's original drummer, Paul Hester, committed suicide in 2005.

Crowded House, whose hits include Distant Sun, will confirm the tour this week, New Zealand's Dominion Post said.

Farewell concert

Julia Connolly, a spokeswoman for Finn's office, told the newspaper that auditions were planned in Auckland and Los Angeles.

"At the moment, they're just working at getting the band together," she said.

"Something's formally coming out once the band is in place."

Crowded House, headed by New Zealand-born Finn, formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1986.

They had hits with songs such as Better Be Home Soon, Weather With You, and Don't Dream It's Over.

In November 1996, the band performed in front of 120,000 people outside Sydney Opera House for their farewell concert.

Since then Finn embarked on a solo career, and worked with his brother Tim, who was also a member of Crowded House for a short time.

Seymour works as a music producer, while Hester became a TV and radio personality in Australia, before taking his own life at the age of 46.