At a Glance
Full name: INXS (pronounced «in excess»)
Country: Australia
Years active: 1977-2012
Genre: Rock, new wave, funk rock
Frontman: Michael Hutchence (1960-1997)
Albums sold: Over 75 million
Peak popularity: 1987-1993
Formation and Early Years
INXS grew out of a schoolyard friendship in a Sydney suburb in 1977, when Andrew Farriss convinced his classmate Michael Hutchence to join his band, Doctor Dolphin.
The band was originally called «The Farriss Brothers» and had six members: bassist Garry Beers, keyboardist and principal composer Andrew Farriss, drummer Jon Farriss, guitarist Tim Farriss, vocalist and lyricist Michael Hutchence, and guitarist/saxophonist Kirk Pengilly.
Their first gig took place on August 16, 1977, on Whale Beach, 40 kilometers north of Sydney. The band experimented with various names — briefly performing as «The Vegetables» with a song called «We Are the Vegetables» — before settling on INXS in 1979.
Lineup
Michael Hutchence — vocalsTim Farriss — guitar
Andrew Farriss — keyboards
Jon Farriss — drums
Garry Beers — bass
Kirk Pengilly — guitar, saxophone
Rise to Fame (1980-1987)
The name INXS was inspired by the English band XTC and the Australian jam maker IXL. Their first show under the new name took place September 1, 1979, at the Ocean Beach Hotel in Umina.
In May 1980, INXS released their debut single, «Simple Simon»/«We Are the Vegetables.» Their first album, also titled INXS, was recorded at Trafalgar Studios in Sydney on a budget of just $10,000. To stay within budget, the band recorded from midnight until dawn, usually after one or more live shows.
The breakthrough came with the single «Original Sin» in 1984 — their first number-one hit in Australia. The song became popular worldwide, reaching number one in Australia, Argentina, and France, sixth in New Zealand, and 58th in the US.
The 1985 album Listen Like Thieves proved a turning point. Recorded at Rhinoceros Studios in Sydney with producer Chris Thomas, it reached number three in Australia and number 11 in the US.
The key track «What You Need» grew out of a demo called «Funk Song No. 13,» which Andrew Farriss developed after Thomas said the album needed a «killer» track. The single became a top-5 hit on Billboard and gave INXS their first real breakthrough in the US.
The Peak of Fame: "Kick" (1987)
Kick — INXS's Most Successful Album
Released in October 1987, Kick was the pinnacle of INXS's output and brought the band worldwide fame. The album reached number one in Australia, number three in the US, and number nine in the UK.
Hits from Kick:
- #1 US"Need You Tonight"
- Top 10"Devil Inside"
- Top 10"New Sensation"
- Top 10"Never Tear Us Apart"
Achievements:
- ✓ Four top-10 US singles
- ✓ Multi-platinum status
- ✓ 5 MTV Video Music Awards
- ✓ The band's best-selling album
"Need You Tonight" was the band's only single to reach number one in the US, and the video for "Need You Tonight/Mediate" swept five categories at the MTV Video Music Awards in September 1988.
Maturity and Experimentation (1990-1993)
By the time Roman Peskov was listening to INXS in 1993, the band had entered a period of creative maturity, experimenting with their sound while continuing to release significant albums.
1990 — The Album "X"
Released in October 1990, X continued the tradition of Kick, reaching number three in Australia, five in the US, and two in the UK. The hits "Suicide Blonde" and "Disappear" both made the US top 10.
A landmark moment: On July 13, 1991, INXS played Wembley Stadium before 74,000 fans — the best-attended show in the band's history. The concert was recorded and released as the album Live Baby Live.
1992 — "Welcome to Wherever You Are"
An experimental record made with sitars and a 60-piece orchestra, giving the band a rawer sound. The album earned strong reviews, reaching number one in the UK and Sweden.
The singles "Taste It" and "Baby Don't Cry" became UK top-20 hits, though they fared less well on the American and Australian charts.
1993 — "Full Moon, Dirty Hearts"
This is quite possibly the very album Roman Peskov was listening to in 1993!
Released in November 1993, Full Moon, Dirty Hearts reached number three in the UK and number four in Australia. It featured collaborations with notable guest artists:
- The title track was recorded with Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders
- The track "Please (You Got That)" was recorded with the legendary Ray Charles
The band created a full video album, enlisting unknown Australian film students as directors under the guidance of Richard Lowenstein.
Michael Hutchence — The Charismatic Frontman
For twenty years INXS was led by Michael Hutchence, whose stage presence made him the band's central figure. Hutchence was not only the vocalist but also the principal lyricist, working in tandem with Andrew Farriss on the music.
Beyond music, Hutchence pursued acting and modeling. In 1986 he starred in Richard Lowenstein's second feature film, "Dogs in Space," and a song from the film featuring his vocals, "Rooms for the Memory," charted in its own right.
In 1989, Hutchence collaborated with Ian "Ollie" Olsen on the side project Max Q, which grew out of their earlier work on "Dogs in Space."
Michael Hutchence
Years: 1960-1997
Role in band: Vocalist, lyricist
Known for: Charismatic stage presence, acting career
Musical Style and Influence
Stylistic Evolution
Early period (1977-1983):
- New wave
- Ska-pop
- Synth-pop
Mature period (1984-1993):
- Funk rock
- Dance elements
- Pub rock with international polish
Influences and Traits
INXS successfully blended:
- Australian pub-rock tradition
- British new wave (XTC, Duran Duran)
- American funk and soul
- Dance electronica
Signature sound: Garry Beers's powerful basslines, funky guitar riffs, Kirk Pengilly's saxophone, and Hutchence's distinctive vocals.
INXS in the Context of 1993
What the World Was Listening to in 1993
1993 was a pivotal year for rock music. Grunge would reach its commercial peak after Kurt Cobain's death in April 1994, but was already gathering momentum. Against this backdrop, INXS offered a more melodic, danceable alternative to grunge's heavier sound.
By 1993, INXS occupied an interesting position: recognized masters of stadium rock with a decade of international success behind them, yet still experimenting and searching for new forms of expression.
Status in 1993
One of the world's leading rock bands
Currency
Fresh album, "Full Moon, Dirty Hearts"
Position
Seasoned masters in a changing world
Cultural Significance
INXS were among the first non-American, non-British rock bands to achieve truly global success in the MTV era. Their music videos, especially "Need You Tonight/Mediate," became iconic and helped define the aesthetic of late-1980s music video.
Achievements and Awards:
- 🏆 6 ARIA Awards (Australian music industry)
- 🏆 Inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2001
- 🏆 5 MTV Video Music Awards for "Need You Tonight/Mediate"
- 💿 Over 75 million albums sold
- 💿 One of the best-selling Australian acts ever
- 💿 Numerous platinum and gold certifications
Discography Through 1993
| Year | Album | Chart Peak | Key Singles | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | INXS | Australia: #30 | "Just Keep Walking" | Debut |
| 1981 | Underneath the Colours | Australia: #15 | "The Loved One" | Growth |
| 1982 | Shabooh Shoobah | US: #52, Australia: #5 | "The One Thing" | International breakthrough |
| 1984 | The Swing | Double platinum in Australia | "Original Sin" | First #1 hit |
| 1985 | Listen Like Thieves | US: #11, Australia: #3 | "What You Need" | US breakthrough |
| 1987 | Kick | Australia: #1, US: #3, UK: #9 | "Need You Tonight," "Devil Inside" | Most successful |
| 1990 | X | Australia: #3, US: #5, UK: #2 | "Suicide Blonde," "Disappear" | Continued success |
| 1992 | Welcome to Wherever You Are | UK: #1, Australia: #2 | "Taste It," "Baby Don't Cry" | Experimentation |
| 1993 | Full Moon, Dirty Hearts | UK: #3, Australia: #4 | "Full Moon, Dirty Hearts" | Current in 1993 |
Conclusion
When Roman Peskov listened to INXS in 1993, he was tapping into the work of a band that, for more than a decade, had helped define the sound of international rock. INXS represented a unique blend of Australian energy, British sophistication, and American scale, forging a sound that was at once distinctive and universal.
In 1993 the band stood at the height of its creative powers, experimenting with new forms and collaborating with legendary musicians while holding onto the signature sound that made them one of the most significant rock bands of their generation.