During the late 80s, Sydney (Australia) band Noiseworks made a huge impact on commercial radio with the perfect balance of tough pub rock, anthemic choruses and lush production.
Frontman Jon Stevens had been a successful solo pop star during the late 70s in his native New ZealandΒ – where his older brother, Frankie, was also a popular cabaret performer.
Stevens relocated to Sydney in 1981Β and signed a deal with the Big Time label, recording his second solo LP in Los Angeles with US session-players.
Returning to Sydney, he put together a band called The Change, featuring a number of ex-members ofΒ Feather. Keyboard player Justin Stanley completed the line-up and the group re-launched as Noiseworks in 1986.
The band built up a strong following on the Australian pub and club circuit, eventually signing with CBS.
Their debut, self-titled, album peaked at #2Β on the national chart in July 1987 and produced no fewer than five hit singles:Β LiesΒ (December 1986),Β Take Me BackΒ (May 1987),Β Love SomebodyΒ (September 1987), Welcome To The WorldΒ (November) andΒ Burning FeelingsΒ (1988).
Their second album,Β TouchΒ (November 1988), reached #4Β and yielded four more singles:Β TouchΒ (December 1988),Β Voice Of ReasonΒ (March 1989),Β Simple ManΒ (May) andΒ In My YouthΒ (September).
While Noiseworks barely made a dent in the Top 40 for the whole of 1989, their position as one of the most popular live acts in Australia remained unchallenged.
Jon StevensΒ
Vocals
Stuart FraserΒ
Guitar
Justin StanleyΒ
Keyboards
Steve BalbiΒ
Bass
Kevin NicolΒ
Drums
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