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INXS

INXS (a phonetic play on "in excess"[1]) were an Australian rock band. They formed in 1977 in Sydney.[2][3] Originally called The Farriss Brothers, founding members were main composer and keyboardist Andrew, guitarist Tim, and drummer Jon Farriss. They were all brothers. In 1978, three more people joined the band; lead singer Michael Hutchence, bassist Garry Gary Beers, and guitarist and saxophonist Kirk Pengilly. They emerged from the Australian pub rock scene with a progressive rock, and later, ska sound.[4] The band then developed a harder new wave style with funk and dance elements.

INXS
INXS publicity photo
INXS in 1983
Background information
Also known asthe Farriss Brothers (1977–1979)
OriginSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Years active1977–2012
Labels
Websiteinxs.com
Past members

Hutchence was the lead singer of INXS until his suicide. Jon Stevens was his temporary replacement for about five years. After he left, the other five members ran a television show called "Rock Star INXS" to find a permanent replacement for Michael Hutchence. Canadian singer-songwriter J.D, Fortune won the show and became their new singer. INXS released two albums before he left in 2011. He was replaced by Ciaran Gribbin. The band toured with him until they broke up in 2012.

In 1984, INXS had their first number one hit in Australia with "Original Sin". They had international success in the mid-to-late 1980s and early 1990s. Some of their hit albums are Listen Like Thieves, Kick, and X. Some of their hit single are "What You Need", "Need You Tonight" (the band's only US number one single in the US), "Devil Inside", "Never Tear Us Apart" and "Suicide Blonde."[5][6][7][8]

History

Early years (1977–1979)

INXS's origins go back to the band Doctor Dolphin. Davidson High School students Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence were two members.[9] Kent Kerny and Neil Sanders were two others. Garry Beers and Geoff Kennely were the final two. They attended a nearby high school, Forest High School.[9] Andrew's older brother, Tim Farriss, was in a separate band with schoolmate Kirk Pengilly. Its name was Guinness (named after their bass player's dog).[10] The two bands combined to form The Farriss Brothers. The younger brother, Jon Farriss, replaced Kerny, Sanders and Kennely. It consisted of Garry Beers on bass, Andrew Farriss on keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar, Michael Hutchence on lead vocals and Kirk Pengilly on guitar and saxophone.[11] The band debuted on 16 August 1977. This was at Whale Beach,[12] 40 km (25 mi) north of Sydney.[12]

Jon and his parents moved to Perth, Western Australia in 1978. The rest of the band followed after graduating.[12] They briefly performed as The Vegetables. Their first song was "We Are the Vegetables". They returned to Sydney ten months later.[12] There, they recorded a set of demos.[9] Tim was then approached by Gary Morris. He was the manager of Midnight Oil.[9] This was at the car park of the Royal Antler. It was a pub in Narrabeen on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.

The band began to support Midnight Oil and other local bands. Morris suggested the band to change its name to INXS.[9] He also wanted them to become a Christian band, They briefly considered it, but rejected the idea.[9] The band's first performance as INXS was on 1 September 1979. This at the Ocean Beach Hotel in Umina on the Central Coast of New South Wales. In late 1979, they hired Chris "CM" Murphy as their manager. He was an adept business manager and negotiator. INXS then signed a five-album record deal with Deluxe Records. It was owned by Michael Browning, a former manager of AC/DC.[9]

From "Simple Simon" to Underneath the Colours (1980–1981)

See also: INXS (album) and Underneath the Colours
"The Loved One" was produced by Richard Clapton

INXS's first single and release was "Simple Simon". It was made available in Australia and France in May 1980.[13][14][15] The single had its debut TV performance on Simon Townsend's Wonder World.[16] Their debut album, INXS, was recorded at Trafalgar Studios in Annandale, Sydney. It was co-produced by the band and Duncan McGuire (ex-Ayers Rock). All songs were attributed to the entire band, at the insistence of Murphy.[17][14] Deluxe gave them a budget of $10,000 to record the album. To keep within the budget they had to record from midnight to dawn. This was after doing one or more performances earlier that night.[14] The album was released in October 1980. It featured "Just Keep Walking" which was their first Australian Top 40 single.[13][18] The album peaked in the Top 30 of the Kent Music Report for Australian albums.[13][19][18] It eventually went gold (selling over 35,000 units) but took a number of years to do so.[17]

These early records were followed by near constant touring . The band played almost 300 shows in 1981. This helped developed their status as a live act.[13][20] In 1981, they signed Gary Grant as their tour manager. He became co-manager a year later.[17] Between touring commitments, the band released their third single in May 1981, "The Loved One". It was a cover of a 1966 song by Australian group the Loved Ones. The song was recorded at Studios 301 in Sydney.[17] It was produced by Richard Clapton.[19] The song peaked in the Top 20.[13][18][15]

The success of the single led to Clapton and the band returning to Studios 301. Between July and August 1981, they recorded their second album. It was called Underneath the Colours. The album was released in October 1981. It became a hit in Australia peaking at No. 15.[18] Soon after recording sessions had finished, the band members started work on outside projects. Beers, Jon and Andrew Farriss played on Clapton's solo album, The Great Escape. Hutchence recorded "Speed Kills", written by Don Walker of Cold Chisel for the soundtrack of the film Freedom. It was directed by Scott Hicks. The song was his first solo single. It was released by WEA in early 1982.[17] In January, INXS toured New Zealand as support act for Cold Chisel. Murphy was convinced their future was no longer with Deluxe Records.

Artistry

Musical style

The Farris Brothers played progressive rock, similar to early Midnight Oil.

INXS emerged from the Australian pub rock scene. As the Farris Brothers, they played progressive rock, similar to early Midnight Oil.[4] They abandoned the genre to take advantage of their new members. This era of the band has described as ska,[2][21] art pop,[22] post-punk,[21] ska punk[4] and synth-pop.[23] Their self-titled debut album is more ska influenced. Underneath the Colors retains some, but leans more towards punk funk.[24] INXS began to incorporate funk and soul on Shabooh Shabooh. Marcy Donelson of AllMusic said it was "full of dance-rock greatness."[25]

INXS then developed a harder alternative rock,[26] arena rock,[27] dance-rock,[28] funk rock[29] and pop rock sound.[30] Listen Like Thieves and Kick have also been described as hard rock.[2] INXS also added elements from genres outside of rock. This includes disco,[31][32] funk,[31][33] pop,[33][34] blues,[27] R&B[35] and soul.[34] The band got more experimental in the 1990s. Welcome to Wherever You Are saw them maturing, with baggy and world elements, samples and even a 60-piece orchestra. Full Moon, Dirty Hearts was less funk-influenced and a more contemporary mix of hip-hop, techno and grunge.[36] The band's overall sound, throughout its shifts in style, has been characterized as new wave.[2][21][37]

When asked to describe their own music, the members used the terms "white boy dance music," "big, basic dirty noise," and "intoxicating little songs."[38] Michael Hutchence, specifically, told the Sun-Herald that he wanted the band to have "very distinct patches of bright and dark." He continued, "By that, I mean we want to include songs that lyrically cover subjects ranging from the heaviest things we’ve ever done to light-hearted experiences."[39] Jon O'Brien of Classic Pop summarized their musical style as a "punchy blend of new wave, funk and dance-rock." He added that it was "tailor-made for stadiums."[21] Rob Tannenbaum of Rolling Stone noted that INXS's provocative blend of hard rock and funk was groundbreaking.[40]

Influences

INXS is most often compared to the Rolling Stones. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic described their sound as a "slick, professional fusion of disco and the Stones."[32] Most of the band's influences are other rock artists. This includes Roxy Music, The Doors, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Talking Heads, the Police, Queen, Television and AC/DC.[41] The band was also inspired by Motown, specifically Marvin Gaye.[42] Tim Fariss and Kirk Pengilly were previously in the progressive rock band, Guinness. Their influences were Yes, Pink Floyd, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.[43]

INXS's name was chosen by Gary Morris. He was the manager of fellow Australian rock band Midnight Oil. Their name is a combination of IXL, a brand of jam, and XTC, an English new wave band. Morris wanted the band to market themselves as "inaccessible" instead of "in excess."[44]

Band members

Founding members
  • Tim Farriss – lead and rhythm guitar (1977–2012)
  • Kirk Pengilly – rhythm and lead guitar, saxophones, backing and lead vocals (1977–2012)
  • Garry Gary Beers – bass, backing vocals (1977–2012)
  • Andrew Farriss – keyboards, rhythm guitar, harmonica, percussion, backing and lead vocals (1977–2012)
  • Jon Farriss – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1977–2012)
  • Michael Hutchence – lead and backing vocals (1977–1997; his death)

Other members

Touring members

Timeline

Discography

Main page: INXS discography

INXS Media

  • Lead singer Michael Hutchence in 1986

  • The members of INXS collaborated with several Australian singers before settling on Jon Stevens as a replacement for Hutchence.

  • J.D. Fortune performing with the band in July 2011

  • INXS live in Townsville, Australia in 2010

  • Ciaran Gribbin performing with the band in July 2012

References

  1. ↑ Levels of language & pop group names. Analysis of the popgroup name, INXS). Lancaster University. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 McFarlane, Ian. Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop (1999)Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-768-2. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
  3. ↑ Nimmervoll, Ed. INXSHowlspace – The Living History of Our Music. White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd (Ed Nimmervoll). Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Spurrier, Jeff. The Sweet Smell of INXS (in en-US). Los Angeles Times (January 3, 1988). Retrieved November 2, 2025.
  5. ↑ Kent, David. Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (1993). St Ives, Sydney: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988.
  6. ↑ INXS discographyAustralian Charts Portal. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
  7. ↑ INXS > Charts & Awards > Billboard singles. AllMusic. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
  8. ↑ Illegal name entered inxs/inxs/chart "Artist Chart History – INXS – Albums". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/artist/Illegal name entered inxs/inxs/chart. Retrieved 6 March 2008. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 St John, Ed. Burn : The life and times of Michael Hutchence and INXS (1998)Bantam Books, Sydney. ISBN 0-7338-0182-X.
  10. ↑ Bozza, Anthony. INXS Story to Story: The official autobiography (2005)Bantam Books, Sydney. ISBN 0-593-05517-9.
  11. ↑ Biography – Michael Kelland John Hutchence. Michaelhutchenceinfo.com. Retrieved 5 March 2008.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Jenkins, Jeff. Molly Meldrum presents 50 years of rock in Australia (2007). Melbourne: Wilkinson Publishing. ISBN 978-1-921332-11-1. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named McF2.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named s2s2.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 St John, Ed. INXS: The Official Inside Story of a Band on the Road (1992)Mandarin. p. 74. ISBN 1-86330-207-7.
  16. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Jeff2.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Burn2.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Kent2.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ARDb.
  20. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Howl2.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 O'Brien, Jon. INXS – Album By Album (in en-GB). Classic Pop (August 1, 2024). Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  22. ↑ Rowe, Felix. Classic Album: INXS – Kick (in en-GB). Classic Pop Magazine (2023-01-07). Retrieved 2025-11-04.
  23. ↑ INXS (in en). iHeart. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  24. ↑ 40 Years Ago: INXS Heighten Expectations With 'Underneath the Colours' (19 October 2021). Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  25. ↑ AllMusic Staff Picks (in en). AllMusic. Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  26. ↑ Abjorensen, Norman. Historical Dictionary of Popular Music (2017)Rowman & Littlefield. p. 250. ISBN 978-1-5381-0215-2.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Hilburn, Robert. POP MUSIC REVIEW : Good Fortune and Mediocre Rock in INXS (in en-US). Los Angeles Times (June 6, 1988). Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  28. ↑ Huey, Steve. Need You Tonight – INXS | Song Info. AllMusic. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  29. ↑ Britt, Bruce. AUSTRALIAN FUNK-ROCKERS INXS GET A KICK OUT OF TAKING RISKS. The Morning Call (19 March 1988). Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  30. ↑ INXS (in en-US). uDiscover Music (April 24, 2020). Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Schube, Will. INXS Honors Its Club Culture Influence In ‘All Juiced Up’ Remix Series (in en-US). uDiscover Music (January 12, 2024). Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Elegantly Wasted Review. AllMusic. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Richardson, Emma. INXS: The Band That Redefined Australian Rock (in en-US). GigWise (November 2, 2024). Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 INXS - the albums, the singles (in en-GB). Classic Pop (January 25, 2023). Retrieved November 8, 2025.
  35. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. 'INXS – INXSAllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  36. ↑ "Chicago Tribune, Inxs Full Moon, Dirty Hearts, review, Thur, Nov 25, 1993". Chicago Tribune: 104. 1993-11-25. https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-chicago-tribune-inxs-fu/154599296/. Retrieved 2025-02-07. 
  37. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. INXS – Artist Biography. AllMusic. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  38. ↑ INXS (in en-US). M&M Group. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  39. ↑ Peacock, Tim. Michael Hutchence Quotes: The INXS Frontman In His Own Words (in en-US). uDiscover Music (January 22, 2025). Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  40. ↑ Tannenbaum, Rob. The Sweet Success of INXS (in en-US). Rolling Stone (January 14, 1988). Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  41. ↑ INXS: Influences (in en-US). Apple Music. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  42. ↑ Harrington, Richard (March 24, 1988). "The INXS Manifesto" (in en-US). The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286 . https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1988/03/24/the-inxs-manifesto/9cbcc3f0-bfd6-423f-8d1d-43bb22e8f9ca/. Retrieved November 7, 2025. 
  43. ↑ Kachejian, Brian. Complete List Of INXS Band Members (in en-US). Classic Rock History (June 21, 2025). Retrieved November 8, 2025.
  44. ↑ Partridge, Kenneth. 10 Fascinating Facts About INXS (in en-US). Mental Floss (November 7, 2019). Retrieved November 7, 2025.
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