INXS Access All Areas Podcast

21/12/2025

Did you realise that the song 'Kick' from INXS's iconic, best-selling album never had a video? In 2017, Chris Murphy called upon Steve Hanft to make one. We, the INXS Podcast, were fortunate to track Steve down and interview him, gaining insight into the story behind the making of it.

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Kick 2017 Video with Director Steve Hanft “Watch the world argue, argue with itself, who’s going to teach me peace and happiness” (Dancing on the Jetty 1983)...

Never have these words and lyrics been more appropriate as all Australians try to make sense of the abhorrent terrorism at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach. A beach with so many INXS connections that we discuss on this episode. That aside, we dedicate this episode to every person affected by this horrible crime.

We are thrilled to have Steve Hanft, the famed Californian film clip Director and early YouTube content creator, join the INXS podcast family and talk about his iconic 2017 promotional video for the song Kick, the eponymous title track commemorating the 30th anniversary of this juggernaut album’s release.

Having grown up with and worked on Beck’s 1994 Video of the Year track “Loser”, Steve has been a mainstay in the underground and alternative music scene, producing clips for The Cure, Primal Scream and Elliot Smith. Additionally, Steve was at the forefront of YouTube with his award-winning “Sunglasses Catch", which has been named one of “The 10 Most Important YouTube Videos” according to Business Insider.

With a video shot on the beaches and boardwalks of Los Angeles, Steve shares some fascinating insights into the production, cast, Garry Gary Beers cameo and the vision behind the first-ever film clip for this fantastic song, and the influence Chris Murphy had.

As we close out 2025, a big shout-out to our very important patrons who keep this podcast alive, to all our listeners, our amazing support team behind the scenes and every guest who has given up their time. We thank you so much.

Love and peace, and have a great Christmas and New Year's break

We look forward to catching up with some of you soon at our next event on Saturday, 24th January, to celebrate Michael Hutchence's life

Love Haydn & Bee. X

20/12/2025

20 December 1980

"Merry INXSmas" Everybody!!!

The term 'Merry INXSmas' comes from the gig INXS played at the Paris Theatre in Sydney on 20th December 1980.

After the last song 'Far Away' Michael says "Thank You, Good Night, Merry INXSmas".

The track listing for the gig is an interesting mix of covers, very early INXS singles and tracks from their debut album which had been released several months earlier:

1. In Vain
2. Long Time Ago
3. Newsreel Babies
4. Reasons
5. Learn To Smile
6. Simple Simon
7. Roller Skating
8. Feel Good
9. Body Language
10. Can You (Reckless Ways)
11. Doctor
12. I Wont Follow (Follow)
13. The Loved One
14. Scratch
15. Wishy Washy
16. Just Keep Walking
17. Jumping
18. On A Bus
19. We Are The Vegetables
20. Far Away

Sadly the Paris Theatre would be closed not longer after INXS played, before eventually being demolished in 1981.

For fans of early INXS go back and listen to Episode 51 'Raw N Rare' of the AAA podcast in which we interview Peter Toluzzi who recorded similar gigs in late 1979 and early 1980.

In the meantime here is an audio of the Paris Theatre gig:

https://youtu.be/oChNRYnfS-4?si=DmH_9Xmx1p-KokLt

19/12/2025

🎄✨ INXSmas Wish-List ✨🎄

Michael, mid-80s magic, decorating the tree with that unmistakable sparkle ✨

So INXS fans, we want to know 👇
🎁 What’s on your INXSmas list?

A dream vinyl reissue?
Rare photos or unseen footage?
A live concert memory on repeat?
Or simply keeping the INXS spirit alive for another year ❤️

Drop your INXSmas wishes in the comments — let’s hear them 🎶


🎄

18/12/2025

20 December 1989

Very nearly 36 years ago Kylie Minogue and Michael Hutchence arrive together at the Australian premiere of her film 'The Delinquents' at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre.

In a May 2024 interview Kylie admitted that the “custom” Morrissey Edmiston mini-dress wasn’t planned to go perfectly with the late INXS frontman ex but it just worked out that way and she hailed the 1989 red carpet sartorial moment “amazing”.

The 56-year-old superstar told the British Vogue: “This was such an amazing moment for me. Michael and I didn’t plan to match this well sartorially, but we did! I was wearing a custom Morrissey Edmiston dress with the most gorgeous green satin shoes – I think they were Manolo Blahnik! – and shortly before leaving for the event, the premiere of my first feature film, The Delinquents, the hairdresser had a wig which we decided looked great. I always loved, and still do love, having fun with wigs… changing your look in an instant! I simply liked it and hadn’t given much thought as to the effect the bleached pixie crop would have. Michael and I were wildly in love and with him by my side, I had the best time.”

We think Kylie and Michael rocked their respective outfits, but if you think they looked better in a different set up let us know in the comments!

Photo Credit: Bob King

18/12/2025

Happy Birthday to Keith Richards, seen here with Michael Hutchence, shared from the official INXS page.

Photograph unknown but what a great photo of two great legends.

Michael and Keith Richards 🖤

18/12/2025

18 December 1986

Dogs in Space the Australian film set in Melbourne's "Little Band" post-punk music scene in 1978 released on this day.

It was directed by Richard Lowenstein and starred Michael Hutchence as Sam, the drug-addled frontman of the fictitious band from which the film takes its name.

Dogs in Space centres on a group of young music fans sharing a house in the inner Melbourne suburb of Richmond. Sam (Michael Hutchence) and Tim (Nique Needles) are the key members of a band called Dogs in Space, and share a house with a variety of social misfits, including Sam's girlfriend Anna (Saskia Post), a university student called Luchio (Tony Helou) and a transient and apparently nameless teenager known only as The Girl (Deanna Bond).

"We tried to make it look like a punk version of a Spielberg film, with shafts of light and widescreen Dolby stereo sound. I can’t believe we got away with it,” Lowenstein told The Age in a 2009 interview.

Unfortunately however adiences did not line around the block to see the finished result and Dogs in Space struggled at the box office, generating around $116,000 in its first four weeks of release.

A soundtrack album was released on Chase Records in February 1987. The album came in two versions: a censored version in a white sleeve (with an offensive band name edited) and an "R"-rated version in a black sleeve with all band names in full.

Chase Records went out of business soon after and, despite much effort, the record has never been reissued and has remained unavailable since. It is now a collector's item with all formats - LP, cassette and CD - commanding high prices.

Michael’s tracks - Dogs in Space, Golf Course and Green Dragon - were only his second official solo recordings (after releasing a single in 1982 titled "Speed Kills" from the soundtrack to the film Freedom) and his first with Ollie Olsen. They would later collaborate on the Max Q recordings.

Which scene from Dogs in Space is your favourite? Let us know in the comments.

17/12/2025

🚨 NEW REACTION ALERT: "Do Yourself A Favour!"

Haydn has found another winner! 🏆 Watching people react to INXS for the first time is our new favorite pastime. From the funk of Kick to the raw power of Don't Change, the legacy lives on. This Time 😉 it's first reaction to "Never Tear Us Apart".

Click below to see the latest from "Do Yourself A Favour" . The Latest pick from INXS Access All Areas Podcast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZIcqh30kLQ

PLEASE LIKE & SUBSCRIBE All of the reactions are linked below, so please go over and give them a follow.NOTE TO THE REACTORS - If you prefer that I don't use...

17/12/2025

December 1983

"You might know of the original sin, and you might know how to play with fire"

Original Sin enters the ARIA chart on 12 December 1983 and becomes the first single by INXS to reach the Australian top 10, eventually going on to reach number 1 for two weeks in in February 1984.

To date, Original Sin remains the group's only Number 1 single in Australia. The song also reached No. 20 in Canada and No. 58 in the US.

INXS started their recording sessions for The Swing – the album on which “Original Sin” appears – in September 1983 at Nile Rodgers’ Power Station studio in New York City.

It was the first time the band had ever recorded outside of Australia, but it proved to be a memorable experience as well as a successful one. When putting together “Original Sin,” Rodgers called up his friend Daryl Hall and asked him to contribute backing vocals to the chorus of the song, a decision which flummoxed Hall slightly.

“[The band] wanted me to sing on it for some reason,” said Hall, in a 1984 interview on the Australian TV show Sounds. “I don’t know why, because they’re good singers. They didn’t need me. But I did it anyway!”

In a 2012 interview with Adelaide Now, Rodgers discussed the song and how it went through some lyrical changes before they laid it down in the studio…changes which, he suspects, could have cost it some chart success.

“The original lyrics were, 'Dream on white boy / Dream on white girl,’” said Rodgers. “I said, 'Why not make it 'black boy / white girl?' I come from an in*******al couple. Psychologically that makes it a bigger statement. Even when I rang up Daryl Hall to sing on it his manager thought it was too controversial. But I think the record would have been bigger had I not talked them into changing the lyrics."

Two music videos for Original Sin exist. For the most part similar, each video opens with the shot of motorcycles and the band members accompanying a convoy of trucks to a vacant lot, where a fairground is set up and later dismantled around them as they play; at the end, the band then rides away with the trucks.

The alternate version (in fact the original one) shows an Asian woman appearing at certain moments and has a slightly different ending.

In 1995 a remix of Original Sin would be released in Europe and the UK as 'Epic Adventure' and the 'Ian Green' mixes - the former featuring on the 2004 Australian only remix compilation 'INXS²: The Remixes'

In 2010, INXS re-recorded "Original Sin" with American vocalist Rob Thomas and Cuban female rapper DJ Yalediys as a dance single. It is featured in the 2010 INXS tribute album Original Sin.

A firm fan favourite, get in touch with your memories of hearing Original Sin for the first time back in 1983.

16/12/2025

Being a part of the official INXS fan club back in the day was truly something special, especially when the holidays rolled around! 🎅

Imagine the excitement of opening your mailbox to find an exclusive Christmas card straight from the band. These weren't just any cards; they were a direct connection to Michael, Andrew, Kirk, Garry, Tim, and Jon. ✨

For example, a card from the iconic KICK era (late 80s) would have been a real treasure. You might have seen a stylish photo of the band members, perhaps with a touch of holiday cheer or their signature cool, all accompanied by a personal-feeling message wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

16/12/2025

This Time - 16 December 1985

"I've seen you before, turn and walk away, you say you won't come back, it's just a game anyway."

We probably all instantly recognise these heartfelt lyrics from Andrew Farriss for 'This Time' which, 40 years ago today, entered the Australian charts - going on to peak at a respectable number 19.

In Australia and New Zealand, This Time was the second single to be released from the Listen Like Thieves album after What You Need.

However, This Time was released as the album's lead single in other overseas territories including in the US where it entered the Billboard chart on 16 November 1985. It would go on to peak at number 81. In the UK This Time would reach only 79 in February 1986.

In a slight departure from using Richard Lowenstein for directing the accompanying video, INXS were persuaded instead to use Godley & Creme (ex 10cc) who, at the time, were consided top directors and producers. The basic theme of the video was to show the band in a 'live' setting but showcase the dynamic lighting effects via the state of the art vari-lite computer controlled system.

What do you think of the track This Time? Do you think the record company missed a trick releasing this as the lead single in the US & UK, and where do you rank the video clip. Let us know in the comments.

16/12/2025

Today, we pause.
This video is shared with love, respect, and deep compassion for the lives lost, the families forever changed, and everyone affected by the tragedy in Bondi.
Our hearts are with the Bondi community and with all who are grieving. In moments like this, words feel small — but standing together, holding space for one another, and honouring those impacted matters.
From all of us at INXS Access All Areas, we send love, strength, and solidarity. 🕊️

Haydn & Bee x

15/12/2025

Who remembers getting those official INXS Fan Club Christmas letters and cards in the mail? 📮 Nothing beat the feeling of tearing open that envelope and reading the holiday updates from the band.

We're throwing it back to relive that holiday nostalgia! What was your favorite piece of memorabilia or news you got in one of those fan club mailouts? Share your best Christmas memory from the old days! 👇