Episode 179: Part 1; When Musicians Respect Musicians. Interview with Fun Lovin Criminals Frank Benbini

We are privileged to be joined by patrons Darren Joseph, Brett Williams and Dr Jim along with good friend of the podcast Darren Jones, to discuss and celebrate the 40th anniversary of INXS’ commercial breakout album, The Swing! Musical tendencies and tastes often formulate during those halcyon teenage years and today’s panel deep dive into the joys of this album evoke true feelings of nostalgia, sentimentality and happiness. We discuss which songs resonated upon release in 1984 and still to this day, the importance of VHS/Video on each songs impact and the album cover/contents that were of its time. Having sold over 2,500,000 copies globally, we tackle the albums mysterious initial commercial failings in the USA market which were likely due to the albums overtly political and racially charged lyrics that stalled radio and MTV support. That aside, American fans post Kick went back and re-discovered this gem leading to platinum status accreditation and embrace songs such as Original Sin, Burn for You and I Send a Message when played “live” over the years. Having previously reviewed The Swing album in episode 13 and explored (Ep. 68, 121 and 122) with Nick Launay (Producer) and Philip Mortlock (A&R), this episode is a true joy and trip down memory lane to a time and place where INXS raised their game from underground, alternative darlings to true, versatile and musical players about to make their mark globally! Love and Peace for more info check out ourwebsite.  https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com and don't forget to sign the petition to help get INXS into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  https://www.change.org/p/induct-inxs-into-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-2025  

After confidence boosting performances with Terence Trent D'Arby, the Tim Rice Extravaganza and closing out the 2000 Olympic Games, INXS sought an old mate to take the frontman duties in ex Noiseworks lead singer, Jon Stevens. Having carved a 20 plus year career as a soloist, frontman and pivotal member of the 1992/93 Jesus Christ Superstar revival stage show throughout Australia, Jon’s credentials were bonafide and deserving. With domestic tours throughout Australia, subsequent ones to the USA, Latin America and Europe, it looked like INXS had overcome the inner uncertainty that plagued their previous 4 years. Armed with a plan to assert themselves across the globe in both a “live concert” and recording sense, optimism was high. Despite strong reviews of Jon’s contribution to the band particularly in the performing sense, Jon would get disheartened with the lack of band creativity in the studio. With the sole single “I Get Up” released in 2003 to coincide with the Rugby Union World Cup the only fresh material, Jon would decide to leave INXS to pursue his own musical interests. That aside, Jon’s contribution to the healing, morale and confidence for INXS to continue as a going concern entity cannot be underestimated and should be appreciated. We also go back to the year 1998 with a little pleasure and pain segment highlighting the sheer disparity of great and not so great songs that permeated the airwaves. So sit back, pour yourself a favourite tipple and enjoy a jam packed episode 182 of INXS: Access all Areas. Plus the all important comp comes to an end and we see who will win the 2 tickets to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  for more info check out our website https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/

Nobody loves a good list more than Haydn. In today’s episode of the INXS Access All Areas podcast, Bee allows him to indulge his longstanding wish to prosecute the case of which 25 INXS songs have had the most impact and importance within the cultural zeitgeist. With a recording career that started in 1980 via their eponymous debut album, and culminated in 2010’s Original Sin reworking of old material, the band has written over 300 songs. So determining the top 25 that will still resonate in 100 years was a massive undertaking with many songs landing at '26!' Impact and importance are different criteria to favourite or best song. It's about which 25 songs, more than others, resonate with the public consciousness, whether it's the charts, fan enjoyment, legacy, musicianship or simply propelled the band forward in their progression from Aussie touring band to international superstardom. So sit back, enjoy, agree, disagree, prosecute or revel in what might be our most controversial topic ever!!! Love and peace. Haydn and Bee. Entry to the Competition ends on 31st March.  Check our website make a donation or become a patron to the show to enter, check out the website for all the details and more. https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/  

In episode 131, we embarked on a deep dive into INXS compilation albums (1982’s INXSIVE and 1994 Greatest Hits) with attention and detail.  In the 2001-2002 period, INXS Management undertook the release of two distinct compilation albums for two different regions. “Shine like it Does” under their USA label Rhino, a 42 song extravaganza covering 1979-1997 released primarily in the USA. Secondly, “The Years:1979-1997” for their Australian market, a 41 song deep dive catalogue representation covering their Australasian and global career. With the band in a holding pattern, both releases served to remind old fans and new ones, the deep musical contribution INXS made to the sonic soundscapes since the inception. Both these releases overcame the shortfalls of 1994’s Greatest Hits releases in the USA, UK and Australia respectively and provided true fans with a thorough representation of their singles, appropriate album deep cuts and liner notes within to die for! Often, complication albums can be a cynical record company cash grab exploiting each albums continued sale prospects. Pleasingly, this isn’t one of these exercises as both discs cover nearly 95% of the band’s recording successes. So for collectors without these double discs, for those unaware of their existence and to those who share a fondness and musical memory of these immense releases, do yourself a favour and listen in as we dive deep on all the interesting anecdotes and facts about these two mighty releases. Also listen out to our Fan Engagement section, with Bee & Danyelle, when they thank the fans who have contributed to the socials over the past week. Not forgetting you can WIN 2 x Tickets to the Rock and Roll Induction Ceremony in the USA, just email the podcast [email protected] once you become a Silver Patron or above. Check out our webstite for more details. INXSAccessAllAreas.Com 

Continuing Part 2... Frank Benbini of the Fun Lovin Criminals joins Bee and I to discuss the profound musical influence INXS had on him and his band mates as musicians. As a hybrid musical act out of New York City, the F.L.C adopted a blended style of music prowess combining rock, blues, hip hop, dance and soul. Uncompromising, unapologetic and unmissable “live”, Frank deep dives and revels in the skill, songcraft and talent of Andrew, Tim and Jon Farriss in particular whilst sharing a chance encounter he had with Michael in 1993 England! Frank’s versatility as a musician has led to regular gigs with UB40 as a touring musician and several respected side projects such as “Uncle Frank”. This allowed Frank to make a magical recording with Sinead O’Connor before she suddenly passed. That and a jam packed news section bringing us right up to date! So sit back, forget about the problems in your life and embrace this latest bumper double episode! Love and peace

INXS: Access all Areas is back with a vengeance this week with a truly original episode in two parts.  Frank Benbini of the Fun Lovin Criminals joins Bee and I to discuss the profound musical influence INXS had on him and his band mates as musicians. As a hybrid musical act out of New York City, the F.L.C adopted a blended style of music prowess combining rock, blues, hip hop, dance and soul. Uncompromising, unapologetic and unmissable “live”, Frank deep dives and revels in the skill, songcraft and talent of Andrew, Tim and Jon Farriss in particular whilst sharing a chance encounter he had with Michael in 1993 England! Frank’s versatility as a musician has led to regular gigs with UB40 as a touring musician and several respected side projects such as “Uncle Frank”. This allowed Frank to make a magical recording with Sinead O’Connor before she suddenly passed. That and a jam packed news section bringing us right up to date! So sit back, forget about the problems in your life and embrace this latest bumper double episode! Love and peace

INXS: Access all Areas listeners were given a unique treat last week that being Part One of Mark Pellington whose industry credits go far beyond the Beautiful Girl video. Left with a cliffhanger as Mark escalated his frustration upon hearing INXS were not in fact, in the Rock Hall of Fame, we share in Part two’s deep dive what that phone call entailed! Additionally, Mark opens up about how a personal family tragedy informed his artistic expression particularly in the year new millennium as he was increasingly chased by emerging artists such as The Fray, Keane, Kings of Leon, The Flaming Lips and The Dave Matthews Band. We get to hear Mark’s interesting foray into acting much at the behest of iconic filmmaker Cameron Crowe (eg. Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous). Plus continued admiration for the musicianship and excellence of INXS and how working with true superstars such as Michael Hutchence and Bono affected Mark as a Director. All that and a whole lot more as we for the rarest of times, welcome a secret third wheel to the hosting duties all the way from Ottawa Canada! Love and Peace https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/newsletter https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/ https://www.markpellington.com/  

Famed USA Video, Film, Doco and TV Director, Mark Pellington joins INXS: Access all Areas to dive deep on his fantastic video for 1993 INXS single “Beautiful Girl” amidst many other broader conversations. Having gotten his start via MTV in 1983, Mark was at the forefront of when the video clip explosion was at the epicenter of the watching audience zeitgeist. Working initially with artists such as Leonard Cohen, De La Soul and PM Dawn, it was his future work with Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy” video that brought Mark’s unbridled talents into the forefront of the music industry heavy hitters. As such, he went on a peerless run Directing for U2 (One), Public Enemy (Shut em Down), REM (Drive), Alice In Chains (Rooster) plus Springsteen, Keane, The Flaming Lips and obviously our beloved INXS. Interestingly, it was INXS that would bring him his sole Grammy nomination eventually losing out to Peter Gabriel’s “Steam” video (Urghhhh). Mark generously opens up how personal grief informed much of creative ideas and we get to dive deep on his work with other artists, feature films and his love of the Australian music industry culminating a cliffhanger moment regarding INXS’ lack of recognition by the Rock Hall of Fame Committee that shall leave you clamouring for an early release of Part Two. So sit back and enjoy the iconic words of Mark Pellington. https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/      

With the year 2000 upon us, the world was entering an exciting new century. Music, cinema, pop culture and the arts were evolving and INXS were starting to take bigger steps in a world without Michael Hutchence. With the dust settling on Michael’s posthumous album release, INXS took the left field move of signing up to the Tim Rice Spectacular Concert Series through Australia. Joining recognized artists such as Iva Davies (Icehouse), David Essex (Rock On) and a bevy of renowned Australian artists re-interpreting Tim’s amazing back catalogue of songs. With confidence slowly returning as an entity, the band continued to surprise teaming up with Jon Stevens (formerly Noiseworks) for two impromptu but sold out gigs in Melbourne and Sydney. With fans traveling as far as Chicago and the UK to attend these gigs, the level of passion and pride at seeing a full-set INXS gig again was palpable! Combined with some private corporate gigs, the band made their long awaited international return headlining the closing ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games with a rollicking updated version of What you Need that had the crowd on their feet. So with small steps, INXS were getting their mojo back in a steady and incremental way against the odds. Love and peace   Contact us at [email protected] if you would like more inforamtion check out our website and socials https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/  

We contiune with part 2 of our nterview with famed hollywood film director Alex Proyras, to talk more about his work with INXS and his film carreer.  https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/ https://www.change.org/p/induct-inxs