Images and Words

“With more than 30 million records sold worldwide, countless awards from their peers and fans, platinum certifications, and a history peppered with outstanding achievements, the band are arguably Australia’s most successful rock export”.
-from the INXS homepage

The world was at their feet. Sold-out shows and a plethora of chart-topping albums would propel the band to the apex of their musical careers. Led by the charismatic and enigmatic Michael Hutchence (dubbed as the reincarnation of the late, great Jimi Morrison) on vocals, the lads from Down Under were truly one of the quintessential rock supergroups of the 80’s. To borrow from their song titles, they had “Beautiful Girl(s)” and were “Elegantly Wasted” during their halcyon days.

Twenty years into their magical ride, tragedy would fall on the band as the talented but troubled Michael Hutchence mysteriously hanged himself in a hotel room. The remaining members were left with a profound sense of grief and loss as Hutchence was a longtime friend/bandmate aside from being the resonating voice and magnetic face of INXS. For a band used to reaping accolades and adulation, the unexpected loss of their fabulous frontman meant uncertain times ahead.

Fast forward eight years later and the band would once again be shoved into the spotlight as the new CBS reality show “Rockstar:INXS” premiered locally last July 11 on Star World. Produced in collaboration with reality show maestro Mark Burnett, the show centers on finding the next INXS vocalist. Much like Survivor and The Apprentice, the aspirants (15 in total) would have to slug it out until only one remains. Instead of tribal challenges and boardroom battles, the applicants (known as “rockers) must sing a rock tune in front of a live audience with the judges giving a mandatory critique of their performances. The rocker deemed to have pulled off the most rocking rendition will also be asked to do an encore, an ego-boosting kudos if ever there was one in the show.

Serving as the tribal council/big boss (ala Donald Trump) are the boys of INXS and fiery guitarist Dave Navarro of Jane’s Addiction and Carmen Elektra fame. Throw in the sumptuous Brooke Burke in the mix and we’ve got the makings of a delectable television fare. The fab fifteen bunk together in “The Mansion”, a sprawling and historic villa set in the Hollywood Hills and their performances are backed-up by a stellar casts of musicians known as “The House Band”. Indeed, being one of the 15 finalists is a engrossing experience in itself.

The audience factors in the decision as they could vote for their favorite performers thru SMS and online votes. The lowest 3 vote-getters for the week would then have to sing an INXS tune for their survival. Then it’s off to the chopping block as INXS votes off the rocker they felt most unsuited for the group. All in all, it has the clichés (like contestants bunking together, emotional farewells) and other tried and tested formulas of most reality shows.

Call it the louder and less-chessier version of American Idol (sans the ever-scowling Simon Cowell, Dave Navarro doesn’t quite cut it yet), Rockstar:INXS offers sonic-inducing tunes for the casual and true-blue rock fans out there. The 15 finalists (7 guys and 8 girls) are a diverse and talented bunch who may yet be offered the dream job of a lifetime. The path to rock superstardom has never been this well-documented and sensationalized.

Pinoys will be delighted to learn that a kabayan is among the contenders. MiG Ayessa (Philippine-born, current Australian citizen) remains in the thick of the hunt and has been fortunate enough to avoid being relegated to the dreaded bottom 3. Thankfully, Pinoys are known to be impassioned online voters and texters. Credit also MiG for his consistent and inspired shows which has endeared him to the judges and the audience/voters. Jasmine Trias redux? Remains to be seen if Mig could duplicate the unprecedented run of the perky Fil-Hawaiian during her AI stint years back.

A veteran of the musical theater and previously based in London before the Rockstar callup, MiG has been regularly singled out by the judges for his intense and powerful performances along with his funky wardrobe choices and uncanny stage showmanship.

Being a faithful adherent of rock, I have been religiously following the show on TV and the internet for the past 2 weeks. Last night’s episode (August 03) featured performances from all 10 remaining finalists and everyone gave out a tour de force show which elicited well-deserved praises from the judges. Our boy, MiG was the first to go and promptly rocked the house with his awesome version of Queen’s sporting-event staple, “We Will Rock You”.

Judgment day aired early in the morning today and in a surprising twist, 2 of the consistent toppers, Ty and Brandon were relegated to the bottom 3 along with Tara. They were then made to render their version of an INXS tune for their continued survival. When the final note was sung, Tara was the one booted out by the band, thus bringing the total of female cast-offs to 4 (versus the previous 2 guys eliminated). I have this nagging suspicion that INXS isn’t really too keen on a woman fronting for their group. The plot definitely thickens as the rockers are now down to nine.

Methinks that MiG has a great shot at winning it all, with JD and Marty as the other prohibitive favorites. On the distaff side, Jordis is emerging as the clear frontrunner. The audience’s votes will undeniably play a huge role in the selection process but it will eventually boil down to who really possess the vibe, the skills and the total-package to front the legendary band that is INXS.

INXS have once again re-invented themselves by going for the unconventional and unprecedented vocalist-hunting route. Time will tell (along with album sales and concert revenues) if Rockstar:INXS was a revolutionary and daring concept or just another one of those formulaic TV fare that ended up as s cheap Hollywood/rock stunt (remember The Next Action Star and the short-lived Van Halen reunion?).

Calling the rock gods: Hendrix, Morrison and Cobain. Please let MiG snag the gig? Then maybe, just maybe, INXS could stage a concert here in our godforsaken country.

Now wouldn’t that be a better listening activity when ranged against the endless barrage of Congressional inquires and street protests we’ve been so unmercifully bombarded lately? Mr. Ayessa, please give us a reason to cheer, to celebrate the world-class talent of the Pinoy and we will sing in unison with you. Winning Rockstar:INXS might just be the small mercy we so desperately need to momentarily escape the unending troubles plaguing our nation.

In the immortal words of AC/DC, “For those about to rock, we salute you!”

*for more on the show, tune in to Star World every Wednesday and Thursday nights or log on to www.rockstar.msn.com and www.inxs.com