INXS: Access All Areas

As we wrap up our 5-episode deep dive on Elegantly Wasted, we take the unique step of going back to 1997 and beyond and assess the album reviews. Often critical and commercial success are mutually exclusive; however, we place a lens on which reviews actually review the songs and which are only interested in the theatrics that surrounded Michael during this turbulent period.

 

Bee and I literally read out over 15 reviews, with many favorable in their assessment of the album and some less so. It’s rare to hold reviewers and critics to account, and it was fascinating seeing how peripheral some of these “self-proclaimed” know-it-alls failed in the core task of examining the songs vs the optics.

 

Nineteen ninety-seven was a tragic year for the band with Michael’s passing. But, as Tim Peacock from Undercover Music so eloquently explains in his April 2022 re-review some 25 years later, we now have clean air to appreciate and view the songs for what they were: lyrically potent, musically challenging, and melodically excellent.

 

So, buckle up as we put to rest INXS’ last studio album as an original six-piece, “Elegantly Wasted”—which was “Better than Oasis”!

 

Love and Peace ✌️

Haydn

 

https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com Check out our fan engagement page to buy a Hot Ticket! Good Luck!

With a massive surge in downloads for our exclusive interview with Elegantly Wasted’s Recording Engineer Mike Plotnikoff, we round off the discussion in part 2 with one of rock music’s finest producers.

 

Mike opens up about Michael Hutchence’s incredible talent in the studio and bears witness to how he was tracking personally and professionally in what sadly was his last 12 months. Feeling Michael’s rock star vibe and charisma, whether in the studio or socially, he compared his aura favorably with other singing icons such as Steve Tyler from Aerosmith.

 

Mike expands the discussion into several famous identities he has recorded with, namely Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp and Carlos Santana, plus provides unique insights into the intangible energy that permeates a great recording experience and its effect on the finished article.

 

With a news section longer than “War & Peace” but read out faster than Usain Bolt, we at INXS Access All Areas ensure we inform effectively without the waffle!!!

 

So, do yourself a favour and grab your preferred beverage and enjoy another edition of “your” favourite INXS podcast.

 

Love and Peace ✌️

Haydn

 

https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com Check out our fan engagement page to buy a Hot Ticket! Good Luck!

The guests keep coming, with Bee and me proud to welcome legendary recording engineer Mike Plotnikoff to the INXS Access all Areas Podcast. Having paired up in his formative years with famed producer Bruce Fairbairn, he was half of the Canadian duo responsible for some of the biggest-selling records of the 1990s by acts including

AC/DC, Aerosmith, and the Cranberries.

 

Come 1997, both Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence reached out to Bruce and Mike, having put together a wealth of strong material and demos via an extended songwriting session in London where Michael had the best and most honest lyrics of his career.

 

In the first of our two-part series, Mike opens up on the recording process of Elegantly Wasted with huge respect for the professionalism, talent levels, and preparation of Andrew and Michael. Feeling Michael’s rock-star aura and swagger, Mike shares great insights into how great INXS were to work with whilst providing never before seen photos of Michael and the band, both in the studio as well as Spain where recording duties extended.

 

This and a whole lot more! So, sit back and remember an important time and place where Michael’s last musical contribution started and lives on today.

 

Love and Peace ✌️

Haydn

 

https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com Check out our fan engagement page to buy a Hot Ticket! Good Luck!

It’s with great pleasure that we get to deep dive and reviews side 2 of 1997’s Elegantly Wasted by INXS, starting with ‘Girl on Fire‘ at song 7. We take the unique step of also reviewing bonus songs ‘Shine‘ and ‘Let It Ride,‘ both of which were only on international releases (not American).

 

As always, Bee and I get to add some “deep cut” tracks that weren’t singles to our ever-growing Spotify playlist of lesser-known INXS songs that simply showcase the depth of this classy band's songwriting catalogue.

 

Combined with some great fan engagement, the most up-to-date news, and interesting album anecdotes, this is a not-to-be-missed INXS: Access All Areas episode.

 

Love and peace ✌️ Haydn

https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/

Check out our fan engagement page to buy a Hot Ticket. Good Luck!

After much patience and time, we finally get to dive deep with our album review and a broader discussion on INXS’ 1997 Elegantly Wasted, recorded in Vancouver/Dublin by the late Bruce Fairbairn. Having enjoyed the longest recording hiatus of their career since 1993’s underrated Full Moon Dirty Hearts, the band returned with a vibrant, more accessible, and lyrically heartfelt album that has grown in appreciation with time.

 

With 11, 12, and 13 tracks released in different formats for different regions, Michael and Andrew seem refreshed and reignited in their endeavors with songs that explore a range of musical sonics and styles but still remain quintessentially INXS. No mean feat that!!!

 

Bee and I go through Side One with both a 1997 and 2023 lens to see if it still stacks up musically. For now, sit back and enjoy what was Michael’s final musical contribution to the INXS legacy. Enjoy.

 

Love and peace ✌️ Haydn

https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com

After much patience and time, we finally get to dive deep with our album review and a broader discussion on INXS’ 1997 Elegantly Wasted, recorded in Vancouver/Dublin by the late Bruce Fairbairn. Having enjoyed the longest recording hiatus of their career since 1993’s underrated Full Moon Dirty Hearts, the band returned with a vibrant, more accessible, and lyrically heartfelt album that has grown in appreciation with time.

As we wrap up our trilogy of chats with Garry Gary Beers, we are pleased to delve into the latter recording career, particularly the album Switch and we ask more about his book—plus INXS’ prospects of making the Rock Hall of Fame despite missing out on the 2023 induction ballot. I can smell a rant coming!!!!!

 

Furthermore, we have adjusted our podcast format to ensure a better flow of content, and trust you will like the changes. With an exciting news update, we also foreshadow the next album review for episode 139, so pay attention until the end.

 

So, block out all distractions in your life and dive deep and focus on the inimitable INXS Access All Areas Podcast!

 

Love and peace ✌️ Haydn

 

To buy a ticket for the chance to win the 'Michael In Pictures" Coffee Table book by Richard Simpkin follow this link https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/events

This week we attempted to program an Artificial Intelligence to write in Haydn’s style & voice. LOL. Here is what the AI came up with:

 

“G’day mates, it’s your favorite podcast host, and we’ve got a doozy of an episode for you today. We have Garry Gary Beers, the bassist for the legendary band INXS, back in the studio for another yarn!

 

This legend has seen it all, from the Outback to the biggest stages in the world. He’s got tales to tell, and we’re here to listen. We’ll be talkin’ about his journey from playin’ in pubs in Australia to rockin’ the world with INXS. We’ll hear about the good times and the challenges, the hit songs, and the road trips. And of course, we’ll be hearin’ about his mates in the band and what it was like to be a part of one of the biggest musical acts of all time.

 

So grab a cold one, sit back, and enjoy the yarns from one of the true legends of rock and roll. It's gonna be a ripper of a time, I promise ya that.”

 

Love and peace ✌️ HaydnBot

 

To buy a ticket for the chance to win the 'Michael In Pictures" Coffee Table book by Richard Simpkin follow this link https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/events

It’s with great pleasure that INXS Access All Areas welcomes to the podcast founding bass player and inimitable groove merchant Garry Gary Beers. Based in Los Angeles for over a decade, Garry formed a tour-de-force sound, particularly with Jon Farriss.

 

Part One dives deep into the early days when he met other future band partners, his many musical influences and non-INXS activities, such as setting up the legendary Mangrove Studios for other burgeoning artists like Silverchair to come and record at.

 

Still deeply passionate about his craft, Garry shares some fascinating insights into his new bass guitar design, construction, and marketing of this unique guitar business. Forever frank, open, and giving, we hope you enjoy this rare episode where we pick the brains of a key cog in the INXS machine.

 

Love and Peace ✌️

Haydn

 

To buy a ticket for the chance to win the 'Michael In Pictures" Coffee Table book by Richard Simpkin follow this link https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/events

As we commemorate the two-year anniversary of INXS Manager Chris Murphy’s passing we simultaneously pay homage to what would have been Michael Hutchence’s 63rd birthday with a deep dive into their professional but often volatile relationship.

 

In 1995 Chris severed ties after 15 years of committed and trailblazing stewardship of INXS precipitated by what seemed an untenable relationship with Michael.  

 

Both the alpha male type bulls in a paddock, their collective ambitions pushed INXS to the top of world music however creatively they often clashed particularly after INXS’ game-changing performance of the KICK album.

 

 So today we examine the relationship of two dearly departed icons that date wise, cross-over this January 2023.

 

Love and Peace ✌️

Haydn

 

To buy a ticket for the chance to win the 'Michael In Pictures" Coffee Table book by Richard Simpkin follow this link https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/events