Andrew Farriss: The Architect of INXS's Rock Sound
Andrew Farriss is the Australian musician best known as the principal composer and keyboardist for the legendary rock band INXS. Hailing from Perth, Western Australia, Farriss co-founded the group that would achieve global sales exceeding 50 million records, with their 1987 album Kick alone certified six-times platinum in the United States.
Early career
Born in 1959, Andrew Farriss met future INXS frontman Michael Hutchence at school in Sydney in 1971. Their early musical collaboration led to the formation of The Farriss Brothers in 1977, a band that included Andrew's brothers Tim and Jon. The group, soon renamed INXS, signed with Deluxe Records and released their self-titled debut album in 1980, with Farriss's distinctive keyboard and guitar riffs already shaping their new wave rock sound.
Breakthrough
INXS's international breakthrough arrived with their 1985 album Listen Like Thieves, which went platinum in the United States. The album's success was powered by the hit single What You Need, a song primarily written by Andrew Farriss that became the band's first top 5 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This set the stage for their monumental commercial peak two years later.
Key tracks
What You Need — This Farriss-composed track broke INXS in the American market, reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100.
Need You Tonight — Built around Farriss's iconic guitar riff, this song became the band's first and only US number-one single in 1987.
Never Tear Us Apart — Showcasing Farriss's skill in ballad composition, this track became a timeless anthem from the Kick album.
Original Sin — The 1984 single, produced by Chic's Nile Rodgers, highlighted Farriss's adventurous approach to blending rock with funk and dance rhythms.
New Sensation — Another driving rock hit from Kick that exemplifies Farriss's knack for crafting anthemic, radio-friendly hooks.
Following the tragic death of Michael Hutchence in 1997, INXS entered a hiatus. Andrew Farriss subsequently focused on a solo career and other creative pursuits, including songwriting for country artists and composing film scores. He released his debut solo album, a self-titled venture into roots and country music, in 2021. Throughout his career, Farriss has collaborated with artists like Tom Jones and country singer Morgan Evans, demonstrating his versatility beyond the rock genre.
Fans of Andrew Farriss's songcraft may also enjoy the work of similar Australian rock acts. Midnight Oil shares a commitment to potent songwriting and energetic performances. Crowded House offers another perspective on expertly crafted Antipodean pop-rock. Icehouse delivers a synth-infused rock sound from the same era. Jimmy Barnes provides the raw, powerful vocal energy that defined much of Australia's rock scene.
The music of Andrew Farriss and INXS maintains a constant presence on classic rock FM stations and dedicated 80s alternative rock radio stations. Their catalog of hits is a staple on online rock radio streams that celebrate the era's defining sounds, ensuring new generations discover their work.
Listeners can explore the enduring rock legacy of Andrew Farriss by tuning into radio stations featured on onairium.com. His influential songwriting with INXS and his solo work are regularly broadcast, offering a direct channel to experience a key architect of modern Australian music.
