Noiseworks

Balancing pub-rock bluster and New Wave refinement, Noiseworks formed in Sydney in 1986 with lead singer Jon Stevens’ passionate, raspy vocals front and centre. The band tapped era-defining Aussie producer Mark Opitz (Cold Chisel, Divinyls) for their self-titled debut album a year later, applying chugging guitar riffs and polished choruses to hits like “No Lies” and “Take Me Back”. The 1988 follow-up Touch introduced a bit more grit—especially on the vocal front—while 1991’s swan song Love Versus Money underscored the band’s pub roots with the harmonica-kicked anthem “Hot Chilli Woman”. That final album also features INXS’ Michael Hutchence singing backup on the heady Sly Stone rework “Take You Higher”, foreshadowing Stevens’ own stint fronting INXS a decade later. Noiseworks have reconvened periodically since splitting in 1992, with Stevens and bassist/co-songwriter Steve Balbi each devoting themselves to a far-ranging mix of solo work and collaborations.