Manila, here they come!

INXS, one of the most popular bands in the history of Australian pop music is arriving for a concert at the Araneta Coliseum on Aug. 15. I am sure most of you recall some of the many hits INXS came up with during its peak years in the ‘80s up to the ‘90s. Remember Original Sin, which seems to play and play in your head forever? What about I Need You Tonight?

Others which the band created while using its unique blend of rock and R&B, were What You Need, By My Side, Suicide Blonde, New Sensation, Never Tear Us Apart, Devil Inside, Listen Like Thieves, Mystify, The One Thing and many more. INXS was big and I find it strange that although the members were based in quite-close-to-us Australia, they never came to the Philippines to perform. That is also the reason why we never saw Michael Hutchence perform live. So this show, entitled INXS Switch Tour, marks the group’s very first ever visit to the Philippines.

As most rock lovers surely know, Hutchence died almost 10 years ago. His good looks, sexy vocals and notoriety as tabloid fodder helped bring worldwide attention to the band. From there, it was easy enough for INXS to get recognition for their remarkable talent as rock musicians. But the troubled Hutchence ended his life in 1997 and left INXS hanging in mid-air. Will they fall or rise again?

Deprived of its charismatic lead singer, other INXS members went into semi-retirement, and probably pondered what to do with the music they were still turning out. Their options were: Stay retired elder statesmen of rock and enjoy the fruits of their labors; continue as INXS though it will never be the same without Hutchence; form a new band or bands if they choose to go their own way; stop performing but go on with producing or writing materials for other artists or get a new lead singer and come back again as INXS.

They chose the last option. July of last year saw the launch of the reality TV show Rock Star: INXS, where the remaining members of the band went in search of a new lead singer. Finalists came from all over the world and included Filipino Mig Ayesa. The competition ended in September with INXS choosing Canadian J.D. Fortune. The release of the new album with Fortune followed. It was aptly entitled Switch and included Fortune collaborations like Pretty Vegas and Devil’s Party. And now comes the tour.

The INXS Switch Tour is the band’s first in eight years and the first with Fortune as front man. Arriving with him will be original members Andrew Farriss on guitar and keyboards, Tim Farriss on lead guitar, Jon Farriss on drums, Garry Beers on bass and Kirk Pengilly on sax and guitar. This will be a big treat for those who remember INXS from its early years. I hope the band will do most of the old hits. For those who closely followed the TV contest, this will be a chance to find out if INXS did right to choose J.D. Fortune.

Tickets to the show are available at SM Ticketnet Outlets. Prices are Patron P4,500, Lower Box P3,500, Upper Box A P2,500, Upper Box B P1,000 and General Admission P500.

Marty Casey’s new album

Incidentally Marty Casey, who came in second to Fortune in the Rock Star: INXS search, also has a new album out with his band the Lovehammers. I actually rooted for Casey during the contest. He seemed to be the better singer and songwriter. In retrospect though, I have come to the conclusion that while he may be the better musician, Fortune is the one better suited to INXS. But thanks to the show, Marty and Lovehammers got themselves a record deal and their album is now available.

The whole package is a tight, well-thought-out production with one good rock cut after another. It also shows off Marty’s versatile vocal range. Those who followed the contest will be happy to find out that the CD has Trees, one of Marty’s most memorable numbers. The ballads Eyes Can’t See and Clouds prove how adept he also is with mellow songs. For rockers, the best choices are The Tunnel and Clinic.