Melbourne’s David Graham has been singing INXS hits since the band was “at the height of their powers” in the early ’90s.
Graham will perform in Geelong this weekend as front-man of tribute act INXSIVE.
“The music is fairly timeless which is why they are still so popular today,” he said.
“It’s very danceable music – so it appeals to a lot of girls too.”
Graham said the band would get the crowd going at the Sphinx this Saturday this with tracks like “Need You Tonight” and “New Sensation” .
But the band had been all too happy to perform post-Hutchence songs and tracks from “left-field” in past shows, he said.
“We cover from the first album right up until to Elegantly Wasted. We’re open to crowd requests – we have a very big catalogue of the songs.
“But we often find that people were most interested in what Michael was involved in.”
Graham remembers the death of lead singer Michael Hutchence in 1997. Shortly after, he said, “INXS cover-bands popped up everywhere”.
“I was the only guy in town that had done it before.”
Graham brought his singing experience to INXSIVE in 1997 and has been playing with the band since.
“They’re such a good group of musos to play with,” he said, “we really bounce off each other and it’s so high energy.”
He said the band members were “massive fans” of INXS which was which was “intrinsic in being believable in a tribute.”
“To do what we do you have to love the music – the new line-up is without a doubt the best I’ve played with.“
Graham fondly remembers performing at last year’s Geelong Motor City Music Festival.
“It was probably our best gig of the year,” he said.
“They are always really enthusiastic crowds in Geelong.”
For more information or to book visit sphinxhotel.com.au.
