INXS To Do It ‘Just For Kicks’ Band Lauch First Multi-Continent Tour In Five Years

FROM: TODD BRODGINSKI/MARCEE RONDAN/MITCH SCHNEIDER

INXS DO IT ‘JUST FOR KICKS’;

BAND LAUNCH FIRST MULTI-CONTINENT TOUR IN FIVE YEARS IN BRAZIL IN ADVANCE OF NORTH AMERICAN TOUR WHICH GETS UNDERWAY MAY 29;

GREATEST HITS ALBUM AND REISSUES TO NOW HAVE SIMULTANEOUS WORLDWIDE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 17

INXS are doing it. Just for kicks.

Ripping into “By My Side,” INXS took to the stage in Rio de Janeiro two weeks ago (5/15), kicking off the group’s first multi-continent tour in more than five years. The “Just For Kicks” 2002 tour will take the multi-platinum funksters to more than 38 cities in eight countries before wrapping up July 12 in China. The North American leg begins today (5/29) in California, bringing INXS into Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver and New York, with five of these shows as co-headlining gigs with Simple Minds.

Because of INXS‘ enormous fan base in South America–they were regulars at the annual Rock In Rio festival–the group decided to begin the tour there. Some of these shows saw the band performing to audiences not accustomed to tours from international artists; in fact, INXS are the first international band to play in Brazil and Argentina this year and only the third band in a decade to perform in Peru. Not surprisingly, the response from the crowds was incredible.

For the “Just For Kicks” tour, the group’s original members–GARRY BEERS, ANDREW FARRISS, JON FARRISS, TIM FARRISS and KIRK PENGILLY–have teamed up with longtime friend, singer JON STEVENS, on vocals. The set list is rife with one smash hit after another, plus a few new songs that are unrecorded thus far.

“We were given an awesome welcome all through South America–we were blown away,” said INXS in a joint statement. “The crowds were huge and the exchange of energy between us and our fans made the gigs really special. It was a fantastic way to being the tour.”

Here are some initial reactions from the press:

EL DIARIO DE HOY (San Salvador): “INXS took the Salvador audience to a musical drunkedness from which it won’t recover…and it wasn’t the alcohol! The show couldn’t have been better.”

LA NACION (Argentina): “The people want the music that they can dance to…from the beginning notes of ‘New Sensation’ the ‘happy hour’ crowd abandoned their elegant and serious faade and let loose.”

CIUDAD.COM (Argentina’s #1 website): “Those who arrived at Luna (the Buenos Aires venue) with skepticism left with a big surprise…And so, Argentina’s romance with INXS returned…”

Meanwhile the Rhino/Atlantic U.S. release of The Best of INXS and three reissues albums–originally due out in June–has been delayed to coincide with the records’ worldwide release through Universal later in the year. The definitive greatest hits collection, plus the expanded and remastered versions of Kick, X and Welcome to Wherever You Are now are scheduled for a September 17 worldwide street date.

The in-progress tour dates are as follows:

* Indicates venue change.

+Indicates show is with Simple Minds

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