Noiseworks

All Music Guide:

Australian band Noiseworks formed in Sydney in 1985. Playing hard rock that owed as much to Australian pub bands such as Cold Chisel as it did to American bands like Bon Jovi, Noiseworks went on to become one of the more successful Australian rock acts of the late '80s. The band released their self-titled debut in 1987, and it became an instant success, thanks to the strength of the singles "No Lies," "Welcome to the World," and "Take Me Back." Noiseworks went triple platinum in Australia, selling over 210,000 copies.

Their follow-up, 1989's Touch was not as successful, but still sold over 150,000 units. For 1991's Love vs Money, the band stripped away some of the synthesised elements of their sound, aiming for a mix of straightforward rock and dance grooves. Love vs Money produced two singles in the form of "RIP Millie" and the Cult-influenced "Hot Chilli Woman." Despite this, Love vs Money could not live up to the success of their debut, and the band broke up soon afterwards. A best-of album appeared in 1994.

New Zealand-born lead singer Jon Stevens went on to carve out a successful solo career, while band members Steve Balbi and Justin Stanley resurfaced in the mid-'90s with the short-lived Electric Hippies. In 1999, Stevens and original members Stuart Fraser and Kevin Nichol reformed the group under the moniker Noiseworks II.

Wikipedia:

Noiseworks is an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1986 with bass guitarist Steve Balbi, guitarist Stuart Fraser, drummer Kevin Nicol, keyboardist Justin Stanley and lead vocalist Jon Stevens. They had four Australian Top 10 albums, Noiseworks (No. 6, 1987), Touch (No. 5, 1988), Love Versus Money (No. 1, 1991) and Greatest Hits (No. 4, 1992). They produced three Top 10 singles, "Take Me Back", "Touch" and "Hot Chilli Woman" before disbanding in 1992. Reunion tours occurred in 1999, 2004, 2007–2008 and 2011.

Formation

New Zealand-born pop singer Jon Stevens had released a solo album and several hit singles (including a duet with Sharon O'Neill) before relocating to Sydney in 1981. Stevens recorded a self-titled album for the Big Time label, two singles were issued but neither were successful. In 1983, Stevens formed The Change with guitarist Stuart Fraser, who had played in 1970s hard rock act Blackfeather (later called Feather) and then with fellow member Swanee. Bass player Steve Balbi, who was a member of Kevin Borich Express and then Rose Tattoo, played with The Change on their 1984 single "Forever Young". The following year, Stevens and Fraser hired Balbi and drummer Kevin Nicol (ex-Dial X). United States-born Justin Stanley was Balbi's song writing partner and joined the group in 1986, the band was renamed as Noiseworks.

History

Noiseworks was formed in Sydney with the line up of Steve Balbi on bass guitar and backing vocals; Stuart Fraser on guitar and backing vocals; Kevin Nicol on drums; Justin Stanley on keyboards, harmonica and backing vocals; and Jon Stevens on lead vocals. After quickly establishing a solid following on Sydney's pub rock circuit, Noiseworks was signed by CBS. Their first single, "No Lies", reached the Top 40 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart. "Take Me Back" was more successful, making No. 7, and became one of the band's best known songs.

On 20 July 1987 they released their debut self-titled album, Noiseworks, which was produced by Mark Opitz (The Angels, Cold Chisel)and engineered by Alan Wright (INXS, Icehouse, Ratt). It peaked at No. 6 on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart. "Love Somebody" and "Welcome to the World" were also lifted from the album, but neither made the Top 40. Noiseworks sold more than 210,000 copies (3× platinum) in Australia. "Burning Feeling" was released as the album's fifth single in early 1988, which failed to chart.

On 11 November 1988, their second album Touch was released and debuted at No. 5 on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Albums Chart. The album was produced by Chris Kimsey (The Rolling Stones, Killing Joke, Marillion) and Noiseworks, and engineered by Al Wright (Hoodoo Gurus, Jimmy Barnes, Divinyls). The title track preceded it as the first single, peaking at No. 12 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Subsequent singles "Voice of Reason", "Simple Man" and "In My Youth" failed to make the Top 40. Nevertheless, Noiseworks was now one of Australia's most popular live rock acts.

The third album, Love Versus Money, had production started by Noiseworks but was initially rejected by their new label, Sony. Sony brought in Randy Jackson to assist in the album's production. Love Versus Money featured guest appearances by Michael Hutchence of INXS, Vika and Linda Bull and Penny Ford of the techno group Snap!. The first two singles, "Freedom" and "Miles and Miles" were moderate hits, but the third, the hard-rocking "Hot Chilli Woman", reached No. 7 and propelled the album to the top of the chart when it was released on 5 July 1991. Late in the year, a fourth single "R.I.P. (Millie)", a tribute to Stevens' mother who had recently died from cancer, was also released.

Stevens joined the cast of the Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar in early 1992 in the role of Judas. Noiseworks disbanded following a final show in Sydney in March 1992. Later that year, the Greatest Hits compilation appeared, featuring a cover of The Beatles hit "Let It Be" which was released as a single. It had been recorded live at their last performance. The compilation climbed to No. 4 nationally.

Aftermath

Balbi and Stanley formed the psychedelic pop group Electric Hippies in 1993 and had top 30 success with the single, "Greedy People", and debut album, Electric Hippies both released in 1994. Electric Hippies were producers for different artists including, Vincent Stone, Jenny Morris and Nikka Costa (Stanley's wife). By 1997, Balbi had formed another band, Universe. Stanley and Costa returned to the US.

Stevens returned to his solo career and released further albums; he appeared as the host of the reality TV show The Resort. In 1999, Fraser, Nicol and Stevens reformed Noiseworks (as Noiseworks II) with Chris Becker on bass guitar and Barbara Griffin on keyboards and toured Australia. In 2000 Stevens joined INXS, initially as a touring vocalist, but after being officially installed as a band member in October 2002 he left the band a year later. A single released by this version of the group, "I Get Up", was unsuccessful.

Noiseworks reformed in September 2007, with Scott Aplin on keyboards in place of Stanley, for a national tour with The Choirboys and Balbi's project Move Trees. In December, Stevens announced that Noiseworks planned to return to the studio in 2008 to record their first studio album together in sixteen years. A new album has been hinted in 2011. Jon Stevens and the original Noiseworks band members featured on the Red Hot Summer Tour of NSW (in early May 2011) alongside Jimmy Barnes and Thirsty Merc.