INXS Confirm End to Their Touring Days

In a statement released early Tuesday in Australia, iconic rock band INXS announce the end of their touring days after 35 years in the music business. From INXS.com,  “We understand that this must come as a blow to everybody, but all things must eventually come to an end. We have been performing as a band for 35 years, it’s time to step away from the touring arena”.

The confirmation comes after a confusing weekend that included a surprising teary goodbye on stage in Perth, Australia by INXS drummer, Jon Farriss at the end of the Matchbox 20/INXS tour of Australia which caused speculation of  a band split picked up by news outlets everywhere. Fans & friends of the band were further confused by personal emails and texts from band members to people around the globe denying the end of the band.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The statement continued, “Our music will of course live on and we will always be a part of that.”

“We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the friends and family that have supported us throughout our extensive career. Our lives have been enriched by having you all as a part of the journey”

INXS forged their reputation as one of the world’s greatest live bands, relentlessly touring the US, Europe, South America, and the Far East constantly throughout the 80’s and early 90’s, fuelled by the success of records such as Listen Like Thieves, Kick, X, and Welcome To Wherever You Are.

That hard earned and hard won live reputation took INXS to the very pinnacle of the live world touring circuit with such memorable performances headlining iconic venues across the world …  in the UK [Wembley Stadium 80,000], the US [Texas Stadium 60,000] and Rio De Janeiro [ Rock in Rio 120,000].

But with the high, came a bitter and cruel blow … the loss of their charismatic and irreplaceable front man Michael Hutchence in November 1997.

‘It’s been 35 years for INXS as a live touring band and unbelievably it’s been 15 years ago since we lost Michael’ said Jon Farriss.

We lived for each other in the trenches and we loved each other. It was the six of us against the world and then suddenly and inexplicably we were but five. We were lost right at the moment we were on top.’

The band struggled to deal with the enormity of it all and the easy solution was to just call it a day.

‘We never took a soft option, it was the adversity, the challenge and the struggle that forged us into the live working band we became. And this was as big as it could possibly get when it came to a challenge’ said Andrew Farriss, ‘and in the end we decided for a whole bunch of reasons to march forward. To us there was no other option . families always move forward’.

To live to 80 plus is a life well lived. To lose Michael so young was a tragedy for all of us. But with this band, their legacy, their music was just so damn good, it was always destined to live beyond all of us.

The last 3 years has seen a resurgence of INXS with their songs being hammered on radio and a rise in audience numbers with the live show. The song ‘Original Sin’, with Rob Thomas on vocals, reached number 1 on the Billboard dance charts.

As Jon Farriss says, ‘INXS’ touring days could never last forever. We wanted it to end on a high. And it has’

Music critics and fans alike have chided the band for years in their decision to continue making music after the death of Michael Hutchence. For the remaining members of INXS, it was the only job they had ever done, the job they truly loved and excelled at. Michael’s decision to leave this world didn’t mean they had to stop doing the only thing they had ever done – rock as an amazing live band. The band tried a succession of different singers in the last 15 years including Terence Trent D’ Arby, Noiseworks Jon Stevens, rebuilt a great fan momentum and had a hit with Rockstar INXS winner, J.D. Fortune  and the song Pretty Vegas and the last year with Irishman Ciaran Gribbin at the helm.

On a more personal note, I hope they choose to continue working in the music business in some fashion and remember to call their old friends if they visit the USA because hanging out with these Australians for drinks and laughs are some of the best times I’ve had.

INXS images courtesy of Cindy Robinson, Ciaran Gribbin images courtesy of Esther Oliver

INXS Shine in Los Angeles

by Cindy Robinson

A review in photos of the INXS concert at the Wiltern in Los Angeles on July 22, 2011.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Lyric Culture Presents its ‘Electro Sexual’ collection With Private INXS Performance

by Cindy Robinson

Lyric Culture recently presented its ‘Electro Sexual’ collection during a private fashion show and intimate performance in Beverly Hills, CA at the Gibson showroom from iconic Australian band INXS.
Hanna Rochelle, founder of Lyric Culture, met the band in 2005 when they working at a recording studio in Los Angeles on their hit album, “Switch” with Rockstar: INXS winner J.D. Fortune. Rochelle was inspired by the colorful imagery, gritty and wildly expressive, often controversial lyrics in the songs penned by Andrew Farriss and the late Michael Hutchence. The ‘Electro Sexual’ collection of women’s apparel and accessories were unveiled in a runway show inspired by the INXS songs “Suicide Blonde,”  “Devil Inside,”  “New Sensation,” and “Beautiful Girl.”
Lyric Culture’s designs also capture memorable lyrics from the Beatles, Madonna, Rod Stewart, the Beach Boys, Miley Cyrus, Carrie Underwood and more on their stylish t-shirts and accessories. Their designs are available nationally at stores such as Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Wal-Mart, and Claire’s Accessories.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The fashion show culminated with a private performance by INXS as a preview to their concert at the Wiltern Theatre. The semi-acoustic set show cased the talents of INXS band members Kirk Pengilly, Jon Farriss, Garry Beers and Andrew Farriss (guitarist Tim Farriss had the night off) but lacked in the frontman department as the performance went off with a big surprise – singer J.D. Fortune wasn’t in the house as the band opted to have their back-up singers perform lead vocals for the short set. The event was attended by music and fashion industry guests. Panda Express and Monster Energy Drink  sponsored snacks & beverages for the guests. Please enjoy a semi-acoustic performance if the INXS classic, “Don’t Change”:

INXS to Play the Wiltern this Friday

Garry Beers image courtesy of Esther Oliver

by Cindy Robinson

Legendary Australian band INXS are currently in the midst of their first North American tour in nearly four years which has them crisscrossing Canada and the United States this summer on “The Original Sin Tour.”

The coast to coast tour brings the band to the historic Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles this Friday July 22^nd, the Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms in Las Vegas on July 23rd. It’s amazing to me that these shows aren’t sold out yet! INXS are one of the best live bands out there, churning out a powerful live set with Canadian frontman, J.D. Fortune who has been singing with them since he won the Rockstar: INXS competition in 2005.

Don’t delay, grab your ticket today! Here are some incentives and perks for the Los Angeles show. Social savings site Groupon had an amazing  deal of the day on tickets to the show, which were quickly snapped up. Don’t despair, another great option is still out there! INXS is running a competition on their site where you can win an upgrade to watch the entire show from the side of the stage (right next to the band as they walk on & off the stage!) along with a meet & greet with INXS at the show. Enter to win today before the competition closes!

80’s alternative new wave band, Malcolm McClaren proteges, Adam & the Ants cohorts, Bow Wow Wow fronted by the stunning Annabella Lwin will open the night. Who could forget their classic hit “I Want Candy”? INXS has been a hit machine for more than thirty years now so don’t miss out on what is sure to be a set chock full of hits like “New Sensation”, “Need You Tonight”, “Suicide Blonde” and more.

Remaining tour dates are listed below and tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

After thirty years, INXS still consists of original band members Tim, Jon and Andrew Farriss along with Kirk Pengilly and Garry Gary Beers (original front-man Michael Hutchence passed away in 1997). They are touring in support of their latest release, “Matchbox Twenty’s Rob Thomas on the album’s title track, “Original Sin”, a song which just reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Dance charts.

To see the latest on INXS, check in with them via their Facebook page, and you can also catch up with sax man, guitarist Kirk Pengilly on Twitter as well as singer J.D. Fortune

Date               Venue                                              Location            

July 22 2011    the Wiltern                                        Los Angeles,CA 

July 23 2011    the Pearl Concert Theater (The Palms Casino)               Las Vegas,NV

July 25 2011    Ogden Theatre                                   Denver, CO         

July 28 2011    Mystic Lake Casino Hotel                  Prior Lake,MN                        

July 29 2011    the Venue at Horseshoe Casino         Hammond,IN                          

July 30 2011    Fox Theatre                                      Detroit,MI                              

August 02 2011 the National                                    Richmond,VA     

August 03 2011 Wellmont Theatre                            Montclair,NJ       

August 04 2011 Beacon Theatre                               New York, NY     

August 06 2011 House of Blues                               Atlantic City,NJ  

August 07 2011 Mohegan Sun                                 Wilkes-Barre,PA

August 08 2011 Filene Center at Wolf Trap                Vienna, VA         

August 10 2011 Pier Six Concert Pavilion                  Baltimore,MD     

August 12 2011 nTelos Pavilion                                 Portsmouth, VA  

August 13 2011 House of Blues                               Myrtle Beach,SC

August 14 2011 Chastain Park Amphitheatre        Atlanta, GA

INXS & Train Wrap Up A Day On The Green Concert Series

INXS, Train & the Models courtesy of INXS.com

by Cindy Robinson

INXS & Train are currently wrapping up their A Day On The Green summer concert tour of Australia which has become the most successful run of this concert series so far.

Original INXS members Kirk Pengilly, Garry Beers and brothers Tim, Jon & Andrew Farriss are currently promoting their latest offering, Original Sin, which features their own songs completely reworked and sung by a host of different international singers, including RockStar: INXS winner, J.D. Fortune, Train’s Pat Monahan and Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty.

INXS back with singer J.D. Fortune and Train are at the end of a 2 week concert run across Australia with Pat Monahan joining INXS on stage during their song, Beautiful Girl. The band with guest Pat Monahan recently stopped by the Sunrise Entertainment morning show in Australia to perform a moving rendition of Beautiful Girl live on TV.

INXS have a handful of international tour dates on their roster. Let’s hope we see more dates from this great live band as the northern hemisphere moves forward into their summer concert series.

• February 12 2011, All Saints Estate, Rutherglen, VIC, Australia             
• February 16 2011, Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• February 18 2011, Movistar Arena, Santiago de Chile, Chile
• February 20 2011, Iquique Summer Festival, Tierra de Campeones, Iquique, Chile
• March 02 2011, Sound Academy, Toronto, ON, Canada
• March 12 2011, Enlighten Festival, Commonwealth Place, Canberra, Australia

Train also have a long list of international tour dates ahead of them including stops in New Zealand, Mexico, Dubai, dates throughout South America and the USA. Full tour informati0n can be found on Train’s website.

INXS and Train have all signed a Fender electric guitar which is currently up for auction on eBay. It comes with a road case and a photograph of all the artists with the guitar to aid victims of the Australian floods. The auction runs through February 17th and can be viewed on eBay with full information also available on the INXS site.

INXS To Tour Australia; Honoring Michael Hutchence

by Cindy Robinson

January 22nd would have been the 51st birthday of the late INXS singer, Michael Hutchence. His charismatic style, strong vocals, sexy swagger and heartbreaking smile are missed round the world by legions of INXS fans but his birthday is a day to remember the joy and passion Michael infused in his vocal performances. A day to remember the plethora of chart topping hits this band created, share the memories with friends and enjoy classic songs like Don’t Change, Never Tear Us Apart and New Sensation. Today we celebrate some of Australia’s finest exports, Michael Hutchence, the band INXS, and all that they’ve given to music in their 30 year career with over 30 million albums sold worldwide. Happy Birthday Michael! We miss you.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

INXS, with sometime singer, J.D. Fortune are about to embark on their first tour in over 3 years that begins in Australia on January 25th at the Robert Oatley Winery in Mudgee, NSW, Australia. The tour continues as follows: 

• January 26 2011,   Centennial Vineyards, Bowral, NSW, Australia
• January 29 2011, Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia       
• January 30 2011,   Sirromet Wines, Mt Cotton, QLD, Australia
• February 03 2011, Kings Park & Botanic Gardens, Perth, WA, Australia
• February 05 2011, Annie’s Lane, Clare Valley, SA, Australia                   
• February 06 2011, Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley, VIC, Australia             
• February 12 2011, All Saints Estate, Rutherglen, VIC, Australia
• February 18 2011, Movistar Arena, Santiago de Chile, Chile
• March 02 2011, Sound Academy, Toronto, ON, Canada

The band are promoting their latest CD, Original Sin, an album of reworked classic INXS songs featuring guest vocalists such as Matchbox 20’s Rob Thomas and Pat Monahan from Train along with sultry voiced Australian Dan Sultan on the early INXS track Just Keep Walking. With scattered dates in Chile, Toronto, Canada and a possible date in Portugal in June, it looks like this band may be headed around the world to a summer concert theater near you but their lackluster management, Chris Murphy of Petrol Records ought to get on the ball and release the full tour schedule and get some promotion going. Heavy hitters like My Chemical Romance, Duran Duran, U2, Katy Perry and newcomer Bruno Mars are heating up the summer schedules.

Do you have a favorite INXS story or song? Share a memory with us on this day to remember the late great Michael Hutchence.

Who are you most excited to see on tour this summer? Send us the info, maybe we can get some reviews going on them too!

Patricia Glassop, mother of late INXS singer Michael Hutchence dies

by Cindy Robinson

Patricia Glassop, the mother of late INXS singer Michael Hutchence has died at the age of 84 in her Queensland, Australia home.

Patricia Glassop

“She looked beautiful, and I was happy to have been there for her,” Hutchence’s brother posted online yesterday morning. “Thank you for all your kind words and wishes. Sincerely, Rhett Hutchence.”

The Hutchence family has long been in turmoil since Michael Hutchence died in November of 1997 with ongoing court battles over his estate, and his only child, daughter Tiger Lily who now resides with Bob Geldof.

Mrs Glassop’s death comes as a another legal battle looms over the rights to the image and songs of Michael Hutchence – a legal battle  that names the five surviving INXS band members against a trust company called Chardonnay Investments.

The company has not revealed who is behind the trust but reports suggest that Tiger Lily is the beneficiary.

Chardonnay is suing the band members, their manager, a US lawyer as well as a number of INXS-related companies.

Michael Hutchence & Tim Farriss of INXS 1997