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Biography
Originally dubbed the Farriss Brothers, INXS consists of keyboardist Andrew Farriss, vocalist Michael Hutchence, bassist Gary Beers, guitarist Tim Farriss, saxophonist Kirk Penally, and drummer Jon Farriss. After leaving their manager Gary Morris behind, who had the intention of turning INCS into a Christian band, the group signed a five-album deal with Deluxe Records. Released in May 1980, INXS’ debut single “Simple Simon / We Are the Vegetables”, later featured on the group’s debut, self-titled album, which earned its release in October that year. The record spawned INXS’ first Top 40 single “Just Keep Walking” and led to a period of constant touring in 1981.
The albums “Underneath the Colours” (1981) and “Shabooh Shoobah” (1983) subsequently arrived marking the band’s increasing rock and dance music fusion. Despite the popular single “Original Sin” raising the profile of the band, it wasn’t until 1985’s full-length “Listen Like Thieves” that INXS earned their commercial breakthrough with the hit single “What You Need”. The band’s subsequent album “Kick” brought INXS international markets aided by the singles “Need You Tonight”, “Devil Inside”, “New Sensation”, and “Never Tear Us Apart”.
Following this success the group were compared to the likes of U2 and the Rolling Stones, the publicity of which seemed to do more harm than good. Following a side project dubbed Max Q by Hutchence, INXS released the disappointing album “X”, despite the hits “Disappear” and “Bitter Tears”. The live album “Live Baby Live” arrived in 1991 recorded at Wembley stadium, following which INXS attempted to offset their dwindling popularity with the well-received full-length “Welcome to Wherever You Are”. The record was unable to change the tide and INXS grew further away from the public consciousness with the albums “Full Moon, Dirty Hearts” and “Elegantly Wasted”.
In November 1997 Hutchence hanged himself in his Sydney hotel room with Terence Trent D’Arby subsequently taking the role as frontman. D’Arby didn’t last long however and following TV talent show which aimed to find a permanent replacement for Hutchence, INXS chose the singer J.D. Fortune. The frontman’s debut release with the band was the full-length “Switch” which arrived in 2005. The studio album “Original Sin” followed in 2010, narrowly missing out on the Top 40, which the band supported by tour years of touring.
Live reviews
The difference between INXS and many of their eighties contemporaries is that they actually survived that decade; where many of the bands making synthpop and new wave were already beginning to sound tired and dated by the time the nineties were drawing near, the Australians were able to maintain their level of commercial appeal well into the next decade, with the alternative rock stylings of records like X, Welcome to Wherever You Are and Full Moon, Dirty Hearts ensuring that they kept themselves ahead of the curve - they retained a huge worldwide following right up until frontman Michael Hutchence’s death in 1997. After Hutchence passed, the band made a handful of low-profile appearances with guest vocalists, but largely went to ground for the next eight years. It wasn’t until 2005 that they returned to the limelight, with a reality TV show - Rock Star: INXS - that sought to find a replacement for Hutchence. After Canadian J.D. Fortune won the contest, the band went on to produce to new records with him on vocals, as well as tour extensively; Fortune proved a natural fit onstage, bringing an energy and vigour to performances that was genuinely reminiscent of Hutchence. In 2012, the band called time on their career with a show at Perth Arena, closing things where they’d started more than thirty years earlier.
Joeg_67
Unfortunately, I was just too young to truly appreciate INXS in their heyday, but I so wish that I could have. Based on the stories that my dad would tell me of their shows I’ve pieced together what was a band that put on epic shows.
They were six Australians who travled the world playing sold out stadium shows, full of rock and rollers. There is always a lingering pungent smell of alcohol, and everyone pushes forward to watch the show, leaving you with absolutely no personal space. Then the band takes the stage and everything is washed away by Tim Fariss’ guitar of “Suicide Blonde.” Then you hear the wonderful voice of original singer Michael Hutchence, and the entire crowd goes absolutely wild. Their hour-long set was full of their best, and most well known songs like “Need You Tonight” and “New Sensation.” Sadly after the untimely death of Hutchence, the band couldn’t quite keep the same pace. It might have been due to losing the momentum they had by their not playing any live shows for a year. But it was mostly that his vocals and his energy were so enigmatic that he could never be replaced. There was always something missing, no matter how much great energy Jon Stevens provided.
Ellinoinsta
