May 2001

24.05.2001

INXS Aussie Tour Commences
INXS embarks on a brief 13-date Australian tour starting tomorrow evening in Cairns. As per usual, Jon Stevens will handle lead singing duties. This mini-tour will mark the band's first official tour since Michael Hutchence's death in November 1997.

24.05.2001

Kirk and Andrew to visit US
Allstar reports: INXS might not be embarking on that massive North American tour it had planned with Midnight Oil and Men at Work, but the group's Andrew Farriss and Kirk Pengilly will be doing intimate, acoustic promotional appearances in June. The invite-only shows will start in Los Angeles at Rhino Records on June 19. Rhino is releasing Shine Like it Does (1979-1997): The INXS Anthology on June 5, via Atlantic Remasters. The two will then head to Toronto and New York that same week. As far as a real U.S. tour goes, however, a spokesperson at Rhino says, "They're hoping to put together a tour at a later date, but nothing is set up yet." (Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna)

06.05.2001

INXS Makes VH-1 List
INXS' 1987 clip for "Need You Tonight/Mediate" has been named #88 in a countdown of the top 100 videos ever made, as listed by music video outlet VH-1. Directed by long-time INXS video collaborator Richard Lowenstein, the video included a homage to Bob Dylan's classic "Subterranean Homesick Blues" (which incidentally made the list at #28.) Not unexpectedly, Michael Jackson's epic "Thriller" topped the list. "Need You Tonight/Mediate" was named Best Video at the 1988 MTV Music Videos.

06.05.2001

Mudhead Launches
Mudhead, an elusive project fronted by INXS' Garry Gary Beers and Jack Jones, has finally emerged with its debut self-titled recording. The album launch was held last week at Sydney's La Bar, and Beers recently sat down with Hutchence biographer Mike Gee to discuss the album in a webchat sponsored by the Sydney Morning Herald. The first single, the rocking "Godtank," was released in April to much acclaim. Both the single and album are available commercially at Chaos Music Australia.
 
Mudhead also serves as the first release from Override Records, a new label fronted by Garry Gary Beers and Phantom Records' Sebastian Chase. Three other recent signings include Stella One Eleven, Bonic, and Michael Peters.

06.05.2001

INXS Anthology Feature
Rhino Records' has put up a beautiful feature on INXS in anticipation of the upcoming anthology release. Included is the entire liner notes, including Rolling Stone editor David Fricke's moving essay and Andrew Farriss' song by song commentary. Also included is INXS biographical information and photographs.