Post by chk on Feb 18, 2006 4:48:50 GMT -5
Here is the text for an artcile in today's Charlotte Observer. Some nice Marty quotes.
Link:
www.kentucky.com/mld/charlotte/entertainment/13893520.htm?source=rss&channel=charlotte_entertainment
INXS gamble on singer pays off
Front man chosen on reality TV revives band on tour and charts
COURTNEY DEVORES Special to the Observer
In 2005 when the five surviving members of INXS announced they'd select a new lead singer on reality TV, "American Idol"-style, fans were skeptical and in some cases outraged. The multiplatinum Australian group who'd scored numerous hits throughout a 20-plus year career, lost their charismatic front man, Michael Hutchence, in 1997.
"For me, INXS were my Rolling Stones," said veteran area DJ Matt Bolick, who first saw INXS at Carowinds in 1984. "My first thought was INXS wasn't INXS without Michael Hutchence."
Despite skeptics, "Rock Star: INXS" premiered on CBS in July.
Bolick warmed to the idea.
"I was excited once the show started because it's obvious that the band still had the passion to make records and perform," he said.
Former Elvis impersonator J.D. Fortune, who went from eager to pompous to sincere during the course of show's filming, took the prize. He'll be on stage when INXS's world tour hits Ovens Auditorium Tuesday. Tickets are sold out. "J.D. was a standout vocally and visually," Bolick noted, adding that Fortune's voice is hauntingly similar to Hutchence, who apparently committed suicide in 1997.
The reformed group recorded their 11th studio album, "Switch." Propelled by the first single "Pretty Vegas," which Fortune performed on the show, "Switch" cracked Billboard's Top 20.
Despite Fortune's win, there were a few losers on "Rock Star." Runner-up Marty Casey, with his band the Lovehammers, opens for INXS. They released their self-titled major-label debut in January.
"I walked away with the best of both worlds," Casey said. "It (was) orchestrated to be a career for J.D. and for myself. We both won the grand prize."
Casey's bandmates of 14 years weren't supportive when he decided to audition.
"Their whole mindset was, `Why would you do that?' " said Casey, 32. "I did it anyway. When it got closer to the end, they were hoping I would take second place. If I had won, they would be back reading meters."
The show served as a springboard for other contestants as well. Jordis Unga is currently working on her Epic Records debut, Casey said. And Deanna Johnston and Suzie McNeil provided backing vocals on "Switch." McNeil sings lead on the album's intimate closer, "God's Top Ten," a dedication to Hutchence.
Keyboardist/guitarist Andrew Farriss admits INXS was a bit uncertain during the first week of the tour.
"We all were a combination of being excited and a little nervous," he said. "We did the first week of shows and (realized) this is going to be fantastic."
So what about those fans who see Hutchence's replacement as sacrilege?
"Most older INXS fans say they're happy to see the band touring," Farriss said, adding that INXS play both old and new songs. "We're trying to stay faithful to both, to be both things. J.D. brings a lot of fans along. He has a charisma that he adds to our band and we help him with our experience."
He said of this second ride, "We're doing something few people have had the opportunity to do. It's amazing." PREVIEW
Link:
www.kentucky.com/mld/charlotte/entertainment/13893520.htm?source=rss&channel=charlotte_entertainment
INXS gamble on singer pays off
Front man chosen on reality TV revives band on tour and charts
COURTNEY DEVORES Special to the Observer
In 2005 when the five surviving members of INXS announced they'd select a new lead singer on reality TV, "American Idol"-style, fans were skeptical and in some cases outraged. The multiplatinum Australian group who'd scored numerous hits throughout a 20-plus year career, lost their charismatic front man, Michael Hutchence, in 1997.
"For me, INXS were my Rolling Stones," said veteran area DJ Matt Bolick, who first saw INXS at Carowinds in 1984. "My first thought was INXS wasn't INXS without Michael Hutchence."
Despite skeptics, "Rock Star: INXS" premiered on CBS in July.
Bolick warmed to the idea.
"I was excited once the show started because it's obvious that the band still had the passion to make records and perform," he said.
Former Elvis impersonator J.D. Fortune, who went from eager to pompous to sincere during the course of show's filming, took the prize. He'll be on stage when INXS's world tour hits Ovens Auditorium Tuesday. Tickets are sold out. "J.D. was a standout vocally and visually," Bolick noted, adding that Fortune's voice is hauntingly similar to Hutchence, who apparently committed suicide in 1997.
The reformed group recorded their 11th studio album, "Switch." Propelled by the first single "Pretty Vegas," which Fortune performed on the show, "Switch" cracked Billboard's Top 20.
Despite Fortune's win, there were a few losers on "Rock Star." Runner-up Marty Casey, with his band the Lovehammers, opens for INXS. They released their self-titled major-label debut in January.
"I walked away with the best of both worlds," Casey said. "It (was) orchestrated to be a career for J.D. and for myself. We both won the grand prize."
Casey's bandmates of 14 years weren't supportive when he decided to audition.
"Their whole mindset was, `Why would you do that?' " said Casey, 32. "I did it anyway. When it got closer to the end, they were hoping I would take second place. If I had won, they would be back reading meters."
The show served as a springboard for other contestants as well. Jordis Unga is currently working on her Epic Records debut, Casey said. And Deanna Johnston and Suzie McNeil provided backing vocals on "Switch." McNeil sings lead on the album's intimate closer, "God's Top Ten," a dedication to Hutchence.
Keyboardist/guitarist Andrew Farriss admits INXS was a bit uncertain during the first week of the tour.
"We all were a combination of being excited and a little nervous," he said. "We did the first week of shows and (realized) this is going to be fantastic."
So what about those fans who see Hutchence's replacement as sacrilege?
"Most older INXS fans say they're happy to see the band touring," Farriss said, adding that INXS play both old and new songs. "We're trying to stay faithful to both, to be both things. J.D. brings a lot of fans along. He has a charisma that he adds to our band and we help him with our experience."
He said of this second ride, "We're doing something few people have had the opportunity to do. It's amazing." PREVIEW
