INXS is a rock band from Australia that has gained popularity on all continents. She confidently entered the top 5 Australian music leaders along with AC/DC and other stars. In the beginning, their specificity was an interesting mixture of folk-rock from Deep Purple and The Tubes.
How was INXS formed?
A group appeared in the largest city of the Green Continent, and originally had the name Farriss Brothers (according to the surname of the three founding brothers). Then they changed their name to INXS (which is short for In Excess - over, over. It is also sometimes translated as "in excess").
They started playing like everyone else - in various clubs and pubs. Gradually, the guys switched to original songs of their own composition. In any case, the group went to success after a rather long start. It cannot be said that, after the first songs, they immediately found themselves and their style.
First albums and tour
The first success came with the single "Simple Simon / We are the vegetables", and the guys, without bothering, named their debut album, repeating the common name. At the same time, a tour of Australia began, about 300 performances at home.
At that time, their tour manager was Gary Grant. In their music, they skillfully combined the style of ska, glam rock, soul. The same trend can be seen in the second album, "Underneath the Colors", released a year later. Reviews of professionals on it were only commendable. For a group that performed in pubs and advertised only on the territory of their continent.
Transition to global success. Confession
Realizing that it was necessary to go further and develop, the group created a third album in 1982. It was he who went perfectly all over the world, and even at home he got into the top five at all. A new tour was needed - and they went on it, across the USA. Then the famous Nile Rogers becomes their producer.
After listening to the group and approving the main trends, he advised to shift the performance to new wave, which would be more popular. Without reducing the heat, INXS created in 1984 the third full-fledged "The Swing". It is he who brings recognition and breakthrough. The appearance of Michael Hutchence on television contributed to the success with women and the general recognition of the group from the public.
Peak career INXS
The group INXS achieved particular popularity in 1987, when the disc "Kick" was released. This is a true masterpiece, it was very difficult to maintain its level afterwards. Now they were waiting for platinum circulation and general popularity, street recognition and fan hysteria. At concert venues, when they appeared, there was always a full house.
The tour lasted a full 14 months, after such a tour it was necessary to relax. Some of the musicians tried their hand at other projects in order to switch.
Further work of INXS
Having risen to the peak of their career, the group stayed there for some time. So, in 1990, the album “X” was released no less popular and commercially successful. The group was lucky that there were still several compositions that the audience really liked. There were hits that stayed at the top of the charts like "Suicide Blonde" and "Disappear". However, subsequent songs were not understood and popular in either the American or English charts.
Nevertheless, a successful performance in the presence of more than 60 people showed that all is not lost, that the group is listened to, they are welcome. It showed that INXS is still able to collect huge sites without any problems. Their performance of the songs was filmed professionally and officially released under the name "Live Baby Live". He confidently placed in the top ten of Britain.
Glory's departure
However, there were some worrying trends. First of all, due to poor promotion, the new “Welcome to Wherever You Are” failed. He was experimental in terms of music, so, in the compositions, for example, a large orchestra was used.
And if Europe accepted it well, then in America the group was simply not understood. The next release "Full Moon, Dirty Hearts" was even more unsuccessful. Created later "Greatest Hits" did not save the situation. It was necessary to conclude: it was time to change something. A three-year pause did not save the situation and the new album did not fix anything.
Big INXS performances
There were also positive moments. 1994 brought the group a successful and rewarding performance at the festival. It is interesting that the action took place in an ancient Buddhist temple in Japan. It was beautiful and exciting.
Here the tendencies of the two cultures were mixed. And everything turned out beautiful and bright, unforgettable. In October of the same year, they sum up the 14 years of activity that helped make the Greatest Hits compilation. Deservedly appreciated by fans and critics, he was still not super popular in America.
Issues with the vocalist
In addition, the group was increasingly worried about problems with Michael Hutchence. Popular, well-known, favored by the attention of women, he increasingly fell into depressive states. I always fought with journalists who do not understand that personal life should remain private. Thus, in the fall of 1997, the band was on the verge of collapse due to the death of the beloved vocalist.
Michael Hutchens
The sad fate and talent of Michael Hutchence makes it special to say about him. The star was born in Sydney. It was he who initiated the creation of a school musical group, together with friends, who later grew up in INXS.
When the group became popular, the vocalist, with his bright charisma and sex appeal, stood out and gave interviews. At first, I really liked the status of a star and amused pride. He felt like a real playboy and enjoyed great success with women. Everyone knows his novels with such beauties as Kylie Minogue and supermodel Helena Christensen. He also has small roles in films, although they did not bring much success.
More than 10 years have passed since Hutchence took his own life in 1997. There was no criminal connotation in his death. He tried to get through to friends and relatives in a difficult psychological moment. An official investigation revealed that alcohol and various illegal substances contributed to this. At that moment, the group was going on tour in support of their new compositions. The tragic event broke all plans.
The group continued its activities. One November morning in 1997, Hutchence was found dead. There were a lot of drugs, various medicines and alcohol in the blood. Why did this happen? As relatives recall, Michael could be both sensitive and dramatic, vulnerable and rude at the same time.
He recently did not really like being a star, which is constantly being paid attention to. It is believed that a psychological breakdown and problems with the family and daughter contributed to the death. In any case, this interesting and bright personality, who has done so much for music, for rock, will not be forgotten by fans.
INXS follow-up
After the death of the adored vocalist, the musicians did not exist as a group for some time. The first timid ideas came to them in 1998-2003. Barnes was on vocals. After that, there were attempts to find the right vocalist. For this, the team also performed with Susie De Marchi, with Jimmy Barnes and New Zealander John Stevens. It was with the latter that some new compositions were recorded.
Works 2005 - 2011
The group officially announced the replacement of the vocalist at a specific show. They also found the best of the best - they became the talented J.D. Fortune. New good compositions were created with him. The new record "Switch" received encouraging reviews from both fans and professionals.
However, everything was not perfect. Something was missing: either inspiration, or the desire to create something ingenious. The new vocalist left them in 2008, but it was officially announced 4 years later. In addition, July 2010 is the time of the release of the disc, which contains rehashings of everything that was once performed.
New vocalist and breakup
The new vocalist is Irish singer Ciarán Gribbin, already known for his work with many music stars. Together with him, the group went on tour in Europe, the USA and their native Australia. In addition, absolutely new compositions and songs created by Gribbin were performed. Unfortunately, in November 2012, the group announced the breakup. A good mini-series was shot about their activities.
