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INXS

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INXS
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1977 in Sydney, Australia
FounderAndrew Farriss, Michael Hutchence, Garry Gary Beers, Jon Farriss, Tim Farriss, Kirk Pengilly
Headquarters
Sydney
,
Australia
ProductsMusic albums, singles
Number of employees
6 (members)

INXS—a name cleverly derived from the phrase "in excess"—was an Australian rock ensemble established in Sydney in 1977. Initially called the Farriss Brothers, the original members comprised bassist Garry Gary Beers, principal songwriter and keyboardist Andrew Farriss, drummer Jon Farriss, guitarist Tim Farriss, lead vocalist and lyricist Michael Hutchence, alongside guitarist and saxophonist Kirk Pengilly. Hutchence served as the band's charismatic frontman for two decades, becoming its central figure. Starting out with a sound rooted in new wave and ska-pop, INXS gradually transitioned to a more robust pub rock style that fused funk and dance influences.

The band achieved their first Australian chart-topping single in 1984 with "Original Sin". Their global breakthrough came between the mid-1980s and early 1990s through albums such as Listen Like Thieves, Kick, and X. Notable hits from this era include "What You Need", "Need You Tonight"—their sole number-one hit in the United States—along with "Devil Inside", "Never Tear Us Apart", "Suicide Blonde", and "New Sensation".

After Hutchence’s passing in 1997, INXS continued to tour and record with a series of guest vocalists, including Jon Stevens from 2000. In 2005, Canadian singer J.D. Fortune was chosen as lead singer following his victory on the reality show Rock Star: INXS. Irish singer-songwriter Ciaran Gribbin took over vocal duties in 2011. The band’s last officially announced live appearance occurred in November 2012, though they never formally declared retirement.

INXS earned six awards from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which included three Best Group accolades, and were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2001. Having sold more than 50 million records internationally, they rank among Australia's top-selling musical acts.

Early years

The band's inception traces back to when Andrew Farriss invited his high school peer Michael Hutchence to join his ensemble, Doctor Dolphin. This group featured classmates Kent Kerny and Neil Sanders as well as Garry Beers and Geoff Kennely from nearby Forest High School. In 1977, Andrew’s elder brother Tim Farriss extended an invitation to Andrew, Hutchence, and Beers to collaborate with him and his friend Kirk Pengilly. Tim and Pengilly had performed together since 1971 either as an acoustic duo or as part of a four-piece named Guinness. Along with their younger brother Jon Farriss, they formed "The Farriss Brothers," consisting of Garry Beers on bass, Andrew Farriss on keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss handling lead guitar, Michael Hutchence as lead vocalist, and Kirk Pengilly on guitar and saxophone. Their first public performance took place on 16 August 1977 at Whale Beach, located approximately 40 kilometers north of Sydney.

In 1978, after the Farriss family moved to Perth in Western Australia, the band followed suit once their schooling was complete. Briefly adopting the name The Vegetables, they returned to Sydney about ten months later to produce demo recordings. A fortuitous encounter at a pub in Narrabeen introduced them to Gary Morris, manager of Midnight Oil. Under Morris’s mentorship, they began opening for Midnight Oil and other local bands. Morris proposed renaming them INXS—a fusion inspired by English group XTC and Australian brand IXL jams. Although Morris initially envisioned them as a Christian band, this direction was ultimately declined by the group.

INXS debuted under their new moniker on 1 September 1979 at the Ocean Beach Hotel in Umina on New South Wales’ Central Coast. By the end of that year, they engaged manager Chris "CM" Murphy, whose expertise in business strategy and negotiation proved invaluable. Early in 1980, INXS secured a contract for five albums with Deluxe Records, an independent Sydney label managed by Michael Browning, formerly AC/DC’s manager.

From "Simple Simon" to Shabooh Shoobah

In May 1980, INXS debuted with their single "Simple Simon"/"We Are the Vegetables" in both Australia and France. Their first album, INXS, was recorded at Sydney's Trafalgar Studios, co-produced by the band alongside Duncan McGuire. At the insistence of lead singer Michael Hutchence, songwriting credits were attributed collectively to the entire group. With a budget of $10,000 from Deluxe Records, recording sessions often took place late at night following live performances. Released in October 1980, the album featured "Just Keep Walking," which became their inaugural Australian Top 40 hit and reached the Top 30 on the Kent Music Report. The album ultimately achieved gold status with sales exceeding 35,000 copies.

These initial releases highlighted their blend of new wave, ska, and pop influences and were supported by rigorous touring, with nearly 300 concerts in 1981 reinforcing their reputation as a compelling live act. That year, they appointed Gary Grant as tour manager; he advanced to co-manager the following year. Their third single, a rendition of "The Loved One" produced by Richard Clapton, broke into the Top 20. This momentum facilitated the creation of their sophomore album, Underneath the Colours, which was released in October 1981 and peaked at number 15 on Australian charts.

Following the album’s completion, band members engaged in side projects: Kirk Pengilly and the Farriss brothers contributed to Clapton's solo work, while Hutchence launched his solo career with the single "Speed Kills" for the film Freedom. In January 1982, INXS toured New Zealand as support for Cold Chisel. Meanwhile, Murphy expressed frustration with Deluxe Records due to its limited capacity to promote them internationally.

Seeking broader global recognition, they self-financed the recording of "The One Thing" under producer Mark Opitz at Paradise Studios. The track’s success secured them deals with WEA Australia for Asia-Pacific distribution, Atco Records for North America, and PolyGram for Europe by July 1982. Although initially uncertain about Opitz’s ability to produce an entire album, visits to both the UK and US confirmed his production expertise.

To complete their obligations to Deluxe Records, INXS issued their first compilation album, INXSIVE, exclusively in Australia in early 1982. Recording resumed mid-year at Rhinoceros Studios with Opitz producing. Released internationally in October 1982 through Atlantic/Atco Records, Shabooh Shoobah reached number 52 on the US Billboard 200 and climbed to number five in Australia, where it remained on the charts for 94 weeks. The single "The One Thing" achieved a peak position of number 30 in the US—their first entry into the American Top 30—secured Top 20 spots in Canada, and reached number 14 domestically. Its success was significantly amplified by heavy rotation on MTV.

On 13 February 1983, INXS participated in Melbourne’s Stop The Drop concert advocating nuclear disarmament alongside notable Australian artists. Their initial US performances occurred in March 1983 before relatively small audiences but rapidly expanded as they supported major acts including Adam and the Ants, Stray Cats, The Kinks, Hall & Oates, and The Go-Go's. They also performed at New Wave Day during the US Festival in May 1983. Co-manager Gary Grant relocated to New York City to oversee operations in the northern hemisphere. By mid-1983, after extensive touring and supporting Men at Work, INXS had progressed to headlining venues such as The Ritz in New York.

From Original Sin to Listen Like Thieves

Following a show in Toronto, producer Nile Rodgers approached the group, and by September 1983, they had recorded "Original Sin"—initially titled "Brand New Day"—at New York's Power Station Studios.[1] Three songs from Shabooh Shoobah were featured in the 1984 movie Reckless. Subsequently, the band relocated to the United Kingdom to work on their fourth album with Nick Launay at the Manor Studios in Oxford.[1]

Released in April 1984,[2] The Swing attracted worldwide recognition. The track "Original Sin" became their first Australian No. 1 single and achieved notable international chart positions: No. 1 in Australia, Argentina, and France; No. 6 in New Zealand; No. 11 in Canada; No. 23 in Switzerland;[3] No. 31 in the Netherlands; and No. 58 in the United States.[4] Despite this success, it did not perform well in the UK, where INXS did not break into the Top 50 until 1985 with Listen Like Thieves.[5]

Throughout 1984, INXS embarked on extensive tours spanning Europe, the UK, the US, and Australia. By December of that year, The Swing had achieved double platinum status and ranked among Australia's highest-selling local albums.[1]

In March 1985, the band returned to Sydney's Rhinoceros Studios to record Listen Like Thieves, collaborating with producer Chris Thomas, renowned for his work with Sex Pistols, Pink Floyd, and others.[1] Initially, Thomas felt the album lacked a standout track until Andrew Farriss transformed "Funk Song No. 13" into "What You Need".[1]

During these sessions, WEA issued Dekadance, a limited edition remix EP featuring tracks from both The Swing and Shabooh Shoobah.[2]

On 19 May 1985, INXS secured seven awards at the 1984 Countdown Music and Video Awards.[6] Their performance of "Burn for You" featured them donning iconic Australian outfits. In July 1985, they contributed five songs to the Oz for Africa concert associated with Live Aid, including "What You Need" and "Don't Change", which were broadcast by the BBC and later included on Live Aid's DVD compilation.[7]

Released in October 1985,[2] Listen Like Thieves was met with critical praise,[8] reaching No. 3 on Australian charts and No. 11 in the US. This album marked a stylistic shift toward rock influences inspired by Led Zeppelin and XTC, while still retaining their pub rock origins. It also introduced a songwriting partnership between Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence.[9] The lead US single, "This Time", peaked at No. 81, whereas "What You Need" became a top five hit on Billboard,[4] successfully penetrating mainstream American markets. The track also reached No. 2 in Australia and entered Canada's top 20 but only attained No. 51 in the UK.[5] While British critics were largely unimpressed,[1] American outlets such as Rolling Stone lauded its energy and rhythm.[8]

Prior to the album's release in August 1985, INXS toured South America and performed for Prince Charles and Princess Diana during a Melbourne concert. This event was filmed as Living INXS;[10] an edited version aired on MTV's Saturday night concert series. From November 1985 through February 1986, they toured North America, Europe, and New Zealand. During a two-month hiatus, Andrew Farriss wrote and produced "You're Gonna Get Hurt" for former backing vocalist Jenny Morris,[11] while Hutchence starred in Richard Lowenstein's film Dogs in Space, which received favorable reviews but limited box office success.[12] Starting May 1986, INXS performed extensively across Europe—including opening for Queen at Wembley—and North America. Musician magazine praised them as "the best live band in the world."[1]

Transition from "Good Times" to Kick

Following an eight-month hiatus prior to their subsequent album, manager Murphy coordinated significant outdoor concerts throughout Australia, showcasing INXS alongside artists such as Jimmy Barnes, Models, and Divinyls. To promote this tour, INXS collaborated with Jimmy Barnes to record two tracks: a rendition of "Good Times" and "Laying Down the Law," co-written by Barnes and members of the band. The track "Good Times" served as the anthem for the Australian Made concerts (1986–1987), reaching No. 2 on Australian charts, and later featured on the The Lost Boys movie soundtrack, where it peaked at No. 47 in the United States.

Capitalizing on the momentum from Listen Like Thieves, INXS set out to create an album with potential hit singles on every track. They recorded Kick in studios located in Sydney and Paris under the production of Chris Thomas. Although Atlantic Records initially expressed dissatisfaction—offering $1 million for a re-record—the band proceeded to release Kick in October 1987, which achieved worldwide acclaim. The album secured the top position on Australian charts, reached No. 3 on the US Billboard 200, No. 9 in the UK, and No. 15 in Austria. It produced four US Top 10 singles: the chart-topping "Need You Tonight", along with "Devil Inside", "New Sensation", and "Never Tear Us Apart". Notably, "Need You Tonight" also attained high rankings internationally, including No. 2 in the UK.

To support Kick, INXS embarked on extensive tours throughout 1987 and 1988. The music video for "Mediate," released after "Need You Tonight," was creatively inspired by Bob Dylan’s "Subterranean Homesick Blues" visual style. At the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards, INXS secured five awards for "Need You Tonight/Mediate." Kick remains their highest-selling album to date.

In 1989, Hutchence partnered with Ian "Ollie" Olsen on a side project named Max Q, having previously collaborated during Lowenstein's film Dogs in Space. Meanwhile, other band members engaged in their own side ventures before reuniting to work on their follow-up album to Kick.

1990–1997: Progression from X through Elegantly Wasted

October 1990 saw the release of X, again produced by Chris Thomas. The album achieved No. 3 in Australia, No. 5 in the US, No. 2 in the UK, No. 5 in Switzerland, and No. 10 in Sweden. Following the stylistic direction of Kick, it incorporated harmonica elements on select tracks. Singles such as "Suicide Blonde" and "Disappear" both cracked the US Top 10. "Suicide Blonde" reached No. 2 domestically and No. 11 in both the UK and Switzerland. Other releases like "Bitter Tears" and "By My Side" did not achieve comparable commercial success.

On 13 July 1991, INXS performed at London's Wembley Stadium, drawing a crowd of 74,000 during their "Summer XS" tour. This concert was recorded and released as Live Baby Live in November 1991, which entered the Top 30 charts in Australia and the UK but had limited impact on the US Billboard 200. This event represented their largest audience to date and solidified their international prominence.

INXS took part in Sydney’s Concert for Life fundraiser on 28 March 1992 for the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Centre alongside prominent Australian artists. Despite adverse weather conditions reducing attendance, the event successfully raised $500,000.

Released in August 1992, Welcome to Wherever You Are, produced by Mark Opitz, embraced experimental sounds including sitars and a 60-piece orchestra combined with a grittier production style. The album topped charts in both the UK and Sweden, reached No. 2 in Australia and Switzerland, and attained No. 3 in Norway but only climbed to No. 16 in the US market. Singles such as "Taste It" and "Baby Don't Cry" performed well within the UK but had limited success elsewhere.

November 1993 saw the release of Full Moon, Dirty Hearts, also produced by Opitz. The album peaked at No. 3 in the UK and No. 4 in Australia while charting respectably across Europe but failed to enter the US Top 50. Collaborations included appearances by Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders and Ray Charles. The band also produced a video album directed by emerging Australian talent under Richard Lowenstein’s supervision. This marked their final release under Atlantic Records in the US before a hiatus during which Hutchence explored modeling and acting opportunities.

In 1997, INXS unveiled Elegantly Wasted, which received mixed critical feedback but attained moderate chart positions: No. 14 in Australia and Canada, No. 16 in the UK, No. 7 in Belgium, along with modest rankings elsewhere. In the US, it peaked at No. 41.

Tragically, frontman Michael Hutchence was discovered deceased in his Sydney hotel room on 22 November 1997. The official coroner’s report issued on 6 February 1998 concluded his death was a suicide influenced by depression and substance use, although alternative theories suggesting accidental causes persisted.

1997–2003: Period of Transition

Following the passing of Hutchence, INXS abstained from public appearances for almost a year, subsequently performing sporadically with various guest singers until 2000. On 14 November 1998, they appeared at the Mushroom 25 Concert, collaborating with Jimmy Barnes on two tracks. Later, on 12 June 1999, INXS headlined the inauguration of Stadium Australia in Sydney, featuring Terence Trent D'Arby and Russell Hitchcock as guest vocalists.

In December 2000, performances included Suze DeMarchi and Jon Stevens sharing lead vocal duties; DeMarchi was reportedly considered for a permanent position. Jon Stevens, formerly the frontman of Noiseworks, began performing regularly with the band and was officially inducted as a member in 2002. The group toured South America and Europe during 2001 and commenced recording new songs in November of that year. Stevens departed in October 2003 to focus on his solo career, having contributed only the contractually obligated track "I Get Up."

2004–2005: Rock Star: INXS

In 2004, INXS launched Rock Star: INXS, a reality television competition aired on CBS aimed at selecting a new lead singer. The series was executive produced by Mark Burnett and hosted by Brooke Burke alongside Dave Navarro. It featured 15 contestants vying for the frontman role. On 20 September 2005, J.D. Fortune emerged as the winner and became the band's new lead vocalist.

2005–2011: J.D. Fortune Period

With J.D. Fortune as their frontman, INXS released "Pretty Vegas" on 4 October 2005; the single reached number nine in Australia and peaked at number thirty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100, gaining significant radio play in Canada. Their album Switch, launched on 29 November 2005 through Epic Records, marked their first project featuring Fortune. The band embarked on an international tour beginning January 2006 but ended their relationship with Epic Records by September of that year. They also performed at the 2006 NRL Grand Final.

In March 2007, INXS toured Australia and New Zealand alongside Simple Minds and Arrested Development. Medical complications affecting bassist Garry Beers' hand led to the cancellation of several shows after August 2007 and limited consecutive performances thereafter.

By December 2008, INXS had signed with Petrol Electric Records, reuniting with former manager Chris Murphy. Early in 2009, Fortune claimed he was dismissed informally via handshake at Hong Kong airport; however, Murphy later clarified that Fortune was not officially terminated and remained under consideration for future projects. Fortune attributed this confusion to tour cancellations and poor communication.

On 30 November 2009, Andrew Farriss, Jon Farriss, and Kirk Pengilly performed an acoustic set at the Pride of Australia Awards. INXS announced a global tour commencing with a performance at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics on 24 February, featuring both Fortune and guest vocalist Deborah de Corral.

Mid-2010 saw Fortune return as permanent lead singer for concerts in Townsville and Broome. Petrol Records promoted "Never Tear Us Apart," featuring Ben Harper from their forthcoming tribute album Original Sin. The band also played prior to the 2010 AFL Grand Final and participated in A Day on the Green winery concerts in February 2011.

The tribute album Original Sin (2010), dedicated to Michael Hutchence, included notable artists such as Ben Harper, Patrick Monahan, and Rob Thomas. Throughout 2011, INXS toured extensively with Fortune supporting this release.

2011–2019: Subsequent Endeavors

In September 2011, INXS unveiled a demo entitled "Tiny Summer" and introduced Northern Irish singer-songwriter Ciaran Gribbin as their new lead vocalist for upcoming tours throughout Australia, South America, and Europe later that year. On 6 October 2012, the band served as the headliners at the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents' Club charity gala.

During a November 2012 performance at Perth Arena, where they supported Matchbox Twenty, INXS announced their decision to cease touring after three and a half decades. Jon Farriss conveyed heartfelt emotions while performing "Need You Tonight" in what became their final live show. In 2014, an Australian television special titled The Story Behind INXS revisited the band's journey; Jon Farriss also suggested the possibility of future creative ventures.

The Seven Network produced a miniseries in 2013 called INXS: Never Tear Us Apart, dramatizing the band's behind-the-scenes experiences with Tim Farriss acting as a consultant. Premiering in February 2014, the series achieved high viewership and reignited enthusiasm for INXS's musical catalog. The cast featured Luke Arnold portraying Michael Hutchence and Samantha Jade as Kylie Minogue. Following its success, conversations emerged regarding stage musical and feature film adaptations.

In 2019, the documentary film Mystify was released, centering on Michael Hutchence’s personal life and artistic career; its soundtrack incorporated various INXS songs.

Band members

Original lineup

Additional members

Touring contributors


Discography


Legacy

INXS has served as an inspiration for musicians such as the 1975, Maroon 5, and Savage Garden.

Recognition, awards, and nominations

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reports that INXS has sold over 15 million units within the United States alone—positioning them third among Australian artists behind AC/DC and the Bee Gees—and exceeding 50 million records worldwide.

Their accolades include numerous nominations with seven ARIA Awards wins; they were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2001 in recognition of their influential recordings and cultural contributions in Australia. Additional nominations encompass Grammy Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.

APRA Music Awards

Between 1988 and 1992, INXS received several APRA Gold Awards for popular tracks such as What You Need, Need You Tonight, Devil Inside, New Sensation, Suicide Blonde, and Disappear.

ARIA Awards

INXS earned seven ARIA Awards, including three honors for Best Group in 1987, 1989, and 1992, as well as an Outstanding Achievement Award in 1989.

ASCAP Pop Music Awards

From 1987 to 1991, the band was recognized with ASCAP awards for Most Performed Songs, highlighting hits like What You Need, Devil Inside, New Sensation, Never Tear Us Apart, Need You Tonight, and Disappear.

Countdown Awards

During the mid-1980s at the influential Australian music television program Countdown, INXS collected numerous awards such as Best Group Performance in Video for Burn for You, Best Album for The Swing, Most Popular Australian Group, Best Songwriters (Andrew Farriss & Michael Hutchence), Best Promotional Video (Burn for You), Most Outstanding Achievement, Most Popular Male (Hutchence), and Best Video for What You Need, among others.

Grammy Awards

The band received three Grammy nominations between 1988 and 1994 in the category of Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

International Rock Awards

INXS was nominated for Artist of the Year in 1989.

Mo Awards

They were honored twice with the Rock Group of the Year award in Australia, winning in both 1986 and 1988 for their excellence in live performances.

MTV Video Music Awards

In 1988, INXS took home five MTV Video Music Awards for their video "Need You Tonight/[Mediate]," including prestigious accolades such as Video of the Year and Viewer's Choice.

Pollstar Concert Industry Awards

The group earned two nominations during the mid-1980s recognizing their emergence as arena headliners and innovative stage production on tour.

Brit Awards

INXS received multiple nominations for Best International Group over several years, securing wins in 1991 for Best International Group as well as Best International Male for Michael Hutchence.

Juno Awards

The band was nominated for International Entertainer of the Year in Canada in 1989.

World Music Awards

In 1993, INXS won the title of World's Best Selling Australian Artist.

Žebřík Music Awards

In 1997, Michael Hutchence’s legacy was acknowledged through several nominations in international categories at the Žebřík Music Awards.

Notes


External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Burn
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ARDb
  3. ↑ Australian-charts.com
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AMGSingles
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named UKCharts
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named McF
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OzAfrica
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named RS
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named s2s
  10. ↑ IMDb
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named jenny
  12. ↑ IMDb
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