INXS Call It Quits : Music News

It's official! Yes, Australian rock legends INXS have confirmed news that we all assumed happened anyway the moment Michael Hutchence choke-wanked himself to death over a decade ago... INXS is finished!

Officially it ended where it all began almost 35 years ago, in Perth, where INXS drummer Jon Farriss announced to a 15,000 strong crowd (on the final night of their support slot on the Matchbox Twenty Australian tour) that "from this point onwards, INXS would close the curtain as a live touring band".

Therein lie the key words... "As a touring band". A phrase often bandied about by rockers past their prime who go onto release a new album just a few years down the track (which they don't promote with the aid of a live tour... which usually leads to going on a live tour in order to make back all the money lost on the new album not accompanied by a live tour). Because, as we all know, theres no money in selling records... only in TShirts at gigs!

In a final fitting homage to the band, Matchbox Twenty's Rob Thomas (also an average rocker well past his prime and deluded about his viability as a modern day artisit) joined INXS alongside their (187th) new vocalist Ciaran Gribbin (who we can only assume was found busking at a train station) on stage to performed the bands signature closer Don't Change.

The remaining living band members of INXS (who haven't wanked themselves to death) includes, Tim, Andrew and Jon Farriss as well as non-family member Kirk Pengilly and Garry Beers. They issued a statement that can be read below, and in due course, will be read in the future by a rotating list of replacement readers.

"We understand that this must come as a blow to everybody" they say without a hint of irony "but all things must eventually come to an end" they continued... again, we aren't sure if they are talking about themselves or the final episode of Cheers.

"We have been performing as a band for 35 years, it's time to step away from the touring arena... Our music will of course live on and we will always be a part of that"

The statement goes on to say that "We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the friends and family that have supported us throughout our extensive career. Our lives have been enriched by having you all as a part of the journey".

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s INXS forged a famous reputation as one of the world's greatest live bands (we're pretty sure they're the ones who coined that phrase), by touring relentlessly throughout the USA, Europe and South America

All that hard work resulted in headlining iconic venues like Wembley Stadium in front of 80,000, Texas Stadium in front of 60,000, Rio De Janeiro Rock in Rio in front of 120,000... and at some stadium in Perth as a support act for a has been band from the late 1990s in front of 15,0000.

It's interesting to note their statement also points out the loss of their "charismatic and irreplaceable front man Michael Hutchence"...who they've continually attempted to replace since November 1997.

Look, we realise we've been taking the mickey here. INXS have been a great, iconic band... but if we really believed they were handing in the towel to preserve the credibility of the band, then we wouldn't own the box set of the tv series ROCK STAR INXS.

Until next time lads...