INXS / Scott Stapp
Rosemont Theatre Rosemont, IL
May 23, 2006
INXS
Scott Stapp
INXS
Story and Photos By Andy Argyrakis
In the wake of Michael Hutchence's 1997 death, INXS
has struggled to find its footing, going through a
handful of forgettable lead singers and simply
rehashing greatest hits compilations to pass the years
away. Of course, going the reality TV show route to
find a new front man lit a spark in the fire, which
despite the questionable practice had America glued to
the contest as if it were "American Idol."
Chicago's very own Marty Casey (of the Lovehammers)
may not have taken the top prize, but fellow
contestant J.D. Fortune scored the crown and has
seemed to step in the late great's shoes as well as
could be expected (given the Hutchence's iconic
status).
For all the diehard INXS fans freaking out at the
personnel change, this isn't the first time a
historic act has been faced with the challenge of a
departed lead singer. The Doors had to deal with the
dilemma and even more recently so did Queen, two tours
met with varying degrees of acceptance. But regardless
of the motivations, the re-tooled INXS has staged
quite a comeback, selling out the Chicago Theatre
earlier this year, cruising up the charts with the
singles "Pretty Vegas" and "Afterglow," while
adequately recalling a rich catalogue that bands like
The Bravery, The Killers and countless other 80s
streakers have borrowed from as influences.
The curtain dropped to the opening harmonica cries of
"Suicide Blonde," a certified smash that rang
through the Rosemont Theatre like thunder.
Fortune
(now showing off some scruff) kicked into gear with
the deep bellied soul of Hutchence and explosive stage
mannerisms, but was also careful to interject his own
stamp on the re-creative experience. The group's
surviving original members Andrew Farriss (keyboards,
guitar) Tim Farriss (guitar) Jon Farriss (drums),
Garry Beers (bass) and Kirk Pengilly (guitar, sax)
were also in fine form, obviously rejuvenated by the
most publicity they've seen since the first
singer's passing. But this reforming of sorts
didn't come across like the gimmick so many have
unjustifiably tagged to INXS circa 2006. Rather, the
sextet seared with a blistering ninety-minute set
leaving no necessary stone turned unturned when it
came to the hits and sprinkling in mostly endearing
material from last year's Switch CD.
When it came to the basics, the gang moved through its
entire two and a half decade career, crushing through
the new-wave inspired "Original Sin," "What You
Need" and evening finale "Don't Change" while
also spending ample time in the band's bookend
albums Kick and X. Highlights off the former included
the fiery "Need You Tonight," sleazy "Devil
Inside" and power ballad "Never Tear Us Apart,"
while the other disc's "By My Side" made the
ladies swoon. Out of the recent cuts, the guys dug out
the overlooked "Taste It" (off Hutchence's last
album of significance Welcome To Wherever You Are) in
addition to Switch segments such as the anthemic
"Afterglow," the somewhat half-baked "Never Let
You Go," plus the party oriented pair "Devil's
Party" and "Pretty Vegas."
Opener Scott Stapp hasn't had as much luck kick
starting his career once again, thanks in part to a
series of embarrassing personal incidents and the fact
that Creed's sound is the central component of last
year's solo record. Though he mixed a fair amount of
from The Great Divide with the group's familiar
moments, there was nothing immediate about the new
tunes that hadn't been heard before and the older
tracks have been so overplayed that they were almost
burdensome to sit through. Recent offerings like
"Let Me Go" and "Justify" were sugar coated
with cliches custom tailored for arena rock statue
while "My Sacrifice" and "With Arms Wide Open"
appeared weathered (no pun intended) and long past
their point of relevance.
INXS
Scott Stapp
INXS
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