Epi 210: Milestone Memories: Need You Tonight & Beautiful Girl Anniversaries

With a catalogue as extensive as INXS’, there was bound to be moments in time when certain songs captured the zeitgeist attention of the music buying public and critics. Look no further than January 28th, 1988 when a humble hard working sextet from Australia hit number one on the Billboard Charts with Need You Tonight. A song, that now, sounds so familiar, crisp and radio friendly but then, a new modern twist on funk, soul and pop with sound production so cutting edge, every breath, ooh and aah sounded like Michael Hutchence was singing it to you directly from your living room. Combined with an innovative, breathtaking and cutting edge video clip, Need you Tonight put INXS into the stratosphere of superstardom and success. MTV awards ensued, world tours were booked and the album Kick had the necessary momentum to spawn 4 subsequent hit singles and international acclaim. Five years later in February 1993, a less prominent and commercially successful track was released as the fifth single to Welcome to Wherever You are, namely Beautiful Girl. A self-penned track by Andrew Farriss as an ode to new fatherhood, this restrained, mellow and resonant song showcased a maturity, subtlety and consciousness to both the INXS writing and recording process. Charting steadily if not spectacularly, the film clip by Mark Pellington of U2 and Pearl Jam fame would garner a Grammy nomination for Best Video of the Year losing out to Peter Gabriel’s “Steam” clip. That aside, the social conscious messaging of the clip resonated nicely with the lyrical content whilst Michael’s channeling of Lou Reed, circa The Velvet Underground era only added to its worthiness. So sit back and reminisce as we step back in time and honour two distinct but two important songs in the INXS catalogue that still resonate 37 and 32 years later respectively. Love and Peace Haydn & Bee   https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/episodes https://www.change.org/p/induct-inxs-into-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-2025  

With the passage of time, many in the INXS fan community and wider musical world have had to accept that this great Australian icon of entertainment shall never grace us with his presence again. With numerous tears shed, we like to look at January 22nd each year as a day of celebration. A day when in 1960, Michael Kelland Hutchence entered the world and changed life as many know it. A singer, a friend, a brother, a bandmate, a Father and a beacon of light for his peers. So in today’s episode of INXS: Access all Areas, we revisit a special past episode from way back to episode 88 where we pay homage to the immense contribution Michael had on all of those around him. We miss you Michael! Love and Peace https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/ https://www.change.org/p/induct-inxs-into-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-2025

INXS: Access all Areas steps back into the Time Machine in this latest episode where we interview the wonderful Mal Walker from Guiness, the prequel band to INXS from the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Full of insightful anecdotes and unique moments in time, Mal recounts the early days when Tim, Kirk and Garry collaborated and set out on their musical journey with ambition, work ethic and inspiring drive. Mal shares fascinating moments when the band got to record at ABC Studios, a venue INXS would go on to use on many occasions in the future plus the crossover circumstances of another pre INXS outfit, namely Dr Dolphin. Effusive in his praise for Tim, Kirk and Garry, it came as no surprise to him to see them reach the summit of the global music scene, hence was their inner commitment to making it work. Without a hint of professional jealousy or envy, Mal shares the songs and albums INXS would go on to record & release as his desert island classics! The sense of brotherhood, respect and passion in Mal’s words resonates throughout this episode and we think this is a “not to be missed episode” where listeners can go back to a more innocent, simple but meaningful time when art, ambition and the stars aligned in a perfect way. Love and peace Haydn & Bee https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/ https://www.change.org/p/induct-inxs-into-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-2025

As we welcome in 2025, Bee and I get back to basics where we deep dive into our own individual top 10 “cool INXS moments” where the band set the trend, walked between the raindrops and reigned supreme with sauntering swagger! In popular culture, there is often a time when an artist, actor, athlete or celebrity icon trailblaze their way into our hearts and minds inspiring aspiration and emulation. Throughout INXS’ career such moments were omni present with Michael and the band carving a sleek, slick & cool veneer underpinned with genuine substance and specialness often raising the bar for their contemporaries and emerging acts. So with zero crossover between Bee and I cover a gamut of moments in time when INXS traversed gimmicky trends and artists but rather, set the cultural rock star zeitgeist in their own individual, creative and time honoured way. With a freshly updated news section and hints of forthcoming episodes revealed, buckle up, undust your blue tooth and earbuds and enjoy the first episode of INXS: Access all Areas for 2025!!! Love and peace https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com

We round out 2024 with a special Christmas Edition episode of INXS: Access all Areas where we wrap up a massive year with a detailed news section, reminisce through the best eps of the year and share some exciting updates and developments for 2025! We commenced the year with a deep dive into Michael Hutchence’s posthumous solo album, leading to a long held ambition of chatting to Mark Pellington (Beautiful Girl Video Director, Alex Proyas (Kiss the Dirt), Jon Lamoreaux from The Hustle Podcast amidst many fascinating deep dive episodes including Rockstar INXS, The Switch Album and The Original Sin Project. Most importantly, we culminated the year with the magnum opus review and discussion of the 2014 Never Tear Us Apart Mini Series where we spoke with Nick Masters (aka Tim Farriss) and examined its legacy piece. Bee and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our valued patrons, global listeners, support staff, every tribute/cover band and guests who appeared on INXS: Access all Areas in 2024. Keeping the band’s legacy alive, maintaining momentum in getting them nominated into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and passing on their important musical baton to the next generation of listeners is everything! So enjoy “The Gift” of episode 206 and have a special Xmas with a massive 2025 to surpass all others!! Love and peace Haydn & Bee https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/

We are ecstatic to bring you Nick Masters, aka Tim Farriss from the INXS Mini Series in 2014 for a deep dive into the making and goings on of this seminal production. Shot primarily in Melbourne and throughout select regional spots in Australia, Nick shares great insights into the casting, the rehearsal process and the staggering recreation of Wembley, Suicide Blonde clip and numerous scenes that brought the audience right back to a time and place. Forever, erudite and explanatory, Nick opens up on the bond and shared experiences each cast member built with one another that ultimately reflected in the final product they hit our screens. Additionally, Nick reveals some long held rumours and anecdotes as fact putting to rest long held rumours particularly the “wig” scenario. As a relative rookie screen actor, Nick’s role in portraying Tim Farriss was a pivotal and crucial element to the credibility and quality of INXS: Never Tear Us Apart being the critical and commercial success it was. So sit back, immerse yourself in a truly fascinating 90 minute deep dive! Love and peace Haydn & Bee https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com  

Exciting News for Music Fans: Tim Farriss Releases New Music! In a thrilling announcement, legendary musician Tim Farriss, best known as the guitarist for the iconic band INXS, has just dropped 5 brand-new tracks that showcases his signature style and creative evolution. Fans of his work are in for a treat as Farriss blends his classic rock roots with fresh, modern sounds, delivering a tracks that are both nostalgic and innovative.   This latest release is already generating buzz among fans and critics alike. Tim Farriss proves once again why he remains a dynamic force in the music world, and this announcement has left listeners eager for more. https://www.youtube.com/@tfarriss

It’s that solemn date 0f 22/11 again where we pay homage and respect to the dearly departed Michael Hutchence who left us 27 years ago today. Forever in our hearts and the forefront of our minds, we’d like to do something a little different this year. Instead of hearing from Bee, myself, the INXS fan cohort, band mates and friends, we thought a montage of rare, known and classic Michael interviews would be welcome. Once again, we can be reminded of his fantastic talking voice, articulate thoughts and unique take on INXS place in the musical sphere. So close your eyes, open your heart and ears and enjoy the dulcet spoken words of a long lost, but still loved icon that is Michael Kelland Hutchence. Love and peace All clips used are used with respect to those that originally recorded them. Our podcast is about getting INXS fans together again to celebrate Michael hutchence and the rest of INXS.  INXS Forever! https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/ https://www.change.org/p/induct-inxs-into-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-2025  

INXS: Access all Areas bring to you the most difficult of episodes since our Michael Hutchence funeral episode as we tackle Part Two of the Never Tear Us Apart Mini-Series circa 2014. That part of the INXS journey where Director Daina Reid tackles the wilderness years and unraveling of the band dynamic. Exhilarated but humbled by conquering the UK and European market culminating with the legendary Wembley gig in July 1991, INXS faced an undeserved and unwarranted backlash from their homeland. Episode two captures this and the ensuring dramas associated with trying to remain artistically and commercially relevant in a fast changing musical world with grunge, the Manchester scene and hip hop suddenly dominating the airwaves. This episode manages to capture a band still producing creative and daring material amidst the pressures of fame, family, relationships and Manager pressures and expectations. But with commercial appeal waning and the band members scattered throughout the globe, we get a “warts and all” account from the inside as to the difficulty many bands face when attempting to keep the machine rolling along. This episode respectfully deals with the obvious “elephant in the room” be it November 22nd, 1997 whilst criss-crossing time periods allowing the audience to appreciate the many decisions, compromises, struggles, sacrifices and commitment, INXS had to make during their career. As the show veers from re-creation into real spliced footage of the band traversing the world whist conquering countries, audiences, hearts and minds. Unabashedly and emotionally charged in more ways than one, we permit you to open up your soul and be proud of this Australian sextet who left an indelible footprint on the world. Love and peace Haydn & Bee https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/ https://www.change.org/p/induct-inxs-into-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-2025  

This Week’s Episode: Behind the Scenes of Creative Vandal We’re beyond excited to bring you a special episode featuring an exclusive interview with Peter Pahor, the brilliant director behind Creative Vandalism, the award-winning documentary on our friend and podcast mentor, Nick Egan.   Nick’s journey with INXS started with a shared love of music and a friendship with Michael Hutchence back in the mid-‘80s. That connection paved the way for some of the band’s most iconic visuals, including the unforgettable Kick album cover, which continues to define the INXS legacy. But Nick’s influence didn’t stop there—his creative genius took him on an impressive path, working with legendary artists like Duran Duran, Bob Dylan, Oasis, and Alanis Morissette, just to name a few.   We’re proud to take a deep dive into how this documentary came to life, as Peter reveals the stories, inspirations, and behind-the-scenes moments that make Creative Vandalism a true masterpiece. So sit back, relax, and join us as we uncover the magic behind the making of this gem!   https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/