Where It All Began
The seeds of the inxs guitarist’s legacy were planted long before INXS became a household name. Farriss grew up in the Sydney suburb of Bondi, where the beach culture and the city’s burgeoning punk scene collided. By his teens, he was already obsessed with guitarists like Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix, but his real education came from the underground—jamming in basements, playing in local bands, and developing a style that was equal parts technical and intuitive. His early influences weren’t just rock legends; they included jazz, blues, and even classical music, which gave his playing an unexpected depth. When he met Kirk Pengilly, a bassist with a knack for melody, and Andrew Farriss (no relation), a keyboardist with a flair for production, the trio began experimenting with a sound that blended rock’s raw energy with pop’s accessibility. The band’s name, INXS, was a playful nod to their youthful exuberance—short for "in excess," a phrase that would come to define their high-energy performances. But it was the inxs guitarist who gave the band its signature edge. His use of a 12-string guitar on early demos added a shimmering, almost ethereal quality to the music, while his fingerstyle approach on the 6-string brought a rhythmic precision that was rare in rock at the time. By 1979, when they signed to WEA, the band was still searching for their identity. Farriss’s role was crucial in refining their sound—taking the raw demos and distilling them into something sleek, polished, and undeniably catchy. The first single, "Simple Simon," was a modest success, but it was just a taste of what was to come.The Early Signs
The turning point came when the band decided to lean into Farriss’s unconventional ideas. Instead of following the rock formula of the time—big riffs, loud solos, and anthemic choruses—they embraced subtlety. Farriss’s guitar work on "Just Keep Walking" (1981) was a masterclass in restraint: no flashy solos, just tight, syncopated rhythms that made the song feel like it was moving forward even when the vocals were barely there. This wasn’t just guitar playing; it was composition. His ability to create tension with silence—letting a single note hang in the air before the next phrase—was revolutionary. Critics who dismissed INXS as "pop rock" missed the point: the inxs guitarist was crafting a language all his own. What made Farriss’s approach so groundbreaking was his collaboration with Andrew Farriss. The two brothers developed a system of guitar synths and MIDI integration long before it became standard in rock music. By the time they recorded "The One Thing," Farriss’s guitar was no longer just an acoustic instrument—it was a hybrid, blending real strings with electronic textures. This fusion gave INXS a sound that was both organic and futuristic, a quality that would define their entire career. The early signs were clear: the inxs guitarist wasn’t just keeping up with the times; he was setting the pace.The Turning Point
The moment that cemented the inxs guitarist’s place in rock history arrived in 1982 with the release of Shabooh Shoobah. The album was a bold departure from their earlier work—darker, more experimental, and far more ambitious. Tracks like "The Stairs" and "Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain)" showcased Farriss’s ability to balance complexity with accessibility. His guitar work on "Dang!" was particularly revelatory: a single, repeating riff that felt both hypnotic and dangerous, like a snake coiled and ready to strike. The album’s success—peaking at No. 1 in Australia and No. 4 in the U.S.—proved that INXS wasn’t just another rock band. They were a phenomenon, and the inxs guitarist was their secret weapon. What made Shabooh Shoobah a turning point wasn’t just its commercial success, but the way it redefined the role of the guitarist in pop music. Farriss’s work on the album blurred the lines between rock, pop, and even electronic music. He wasn’t playing for the sake of virtuosity; he was playing to serve the song, to create a mood, to make the listener feel something. This philosophy would become the cornerstone of INXS’s sound—and Farriss’s legacy. The album’s critical acclaim and chart performance opened doors the band had only dreamed of. Overnight, the inxs guitarist went from being a local talent to a global force, though he remained humble, often crediting the band’s collective creativity."We weren’t trying to be the next Led Zeppelin. We were trying to make music that moved people, that made them dance, that made them feel something they couldn’t explain." — Tim Farriss, 1984 interview with Rolling Stone
The Build-Up, Year by Year
The evolution of the inxs guitarist’s career can be traced through key moments that shaped not just INXS’s music, but the broader landscape of rock and pop.| Period | What Happened / What Changed |
|---|---|
| 1977–1979 | The band forms in Sydney, experimenting with punk, funk, and new wave influences. Farriss’s early use of 12-string guitars and fingerstyle techniques begins to define their sound. |
| 1980–1982 | INXS signs to WEA and releases INXS (1980) and Underneath the Colours (1981). Farriss’s guitar work on "Just Keep Walking" and "Stay Young" introduces his signature rhythmic precision. |
| 1983–1984 | Shabooh Shoobah (1982) and Dekadance (1984) solidify INXS’s global appeal. Farriss’s use of guitar synths and MIDI integration becomes a hallmark of their live shows, making their performances visually and sonically groundbreaking. |
| 1985–1990 | Peak commercial success with Listen Like Thieves (1985) and Kick (1987). Farriss’s guitar work on "Need You Tonight" and "New Sensation" becomes iconic, blending funk, rock, and electronic elements. |
Lessons From the Journey
The inxs guitarist’s career offers several key lessons about innovation, collaboration, and staying true to one’s vision:- Collaboration over ego. Farriss’s success came from working closely with Andrew Farriss and the rest of the band, blending their strengths into a cohesive whole.
- Technology as a tool, not a crutch. His early adoption of guitar synths and MIDI wasn’t about gimmicks—it was about expanding the possibilities of the instrument.
- Simplicity is powerful. Many of his most iconic riffs are deceptively simple, proving that restraint can be more effective than excess.
- Adaptability is key. INXS’s sound evolved with each album, and Farriss’s guitar work reflected that—sometimes subtle, sometimes explosive, but always purposeful.
- Live performance as art. His work with guitar synths during live shows wasn’t just about sound—it was about creating a visual spectacle that enhanced the music.
- Legacy over trends. While other guitarists chased the latest fads, Farriss stayed focused on what made INXS unique, ensuring their music remained timeless.
Where Things Stand Today
Decades after INXS’s peak, the inxs guitarist remains a respected figure in the music industry, though his public profile has diminished compared to the band’s heyday. Farriss continued to tour with INXS well into the 2000s, even after Hutchence’s tragic death in 1997, helping to keep the band’s legacy alive through reunion shows and tribute performances. His work on INXS’s final album, Elegantly Wasted (2002), was a poignant return to their roots, proving that his creative spark remained undimmed. In recent years, he has focused on personal projects, including collaborations with other artists and occasional guest appearances, though he has largely stepped away from the spotlight. What’s striking about the inxs guitarist’s story is how his influence persists even when he’s not in the public eye. His innovations—particularly his use of guitar synths and his approach to rhythm—have been cited by modern artists as a blueprint for blending rock with electronic and pop elements. While he may not be as widely discussed as other guitar legends, his impact on the sound of the ‘80s and beyond is undeniable. Today, he stands as a testament to the power of creativity, collaboration, and staying true to one’s artistic instincts—even when the world isn’t listening.
Conclusion
The inxs guitarist’s journey is more than just a story about a musician who played in a famous band. It’s about the power of innovation in an era when rock music was expected to follow a specific formula. Farriss didn’t just adapt to the times; he helped shape them. His ability to merge technical skill with emotional intuition made him one of the most distinctive guitarists of his generation. Even now, listening to an INXS track, you can hear his fingerprints all over it—not just in the riffs, but in the way the music moves, the way it makes you feel. What makes his story even more compelling is how it reflects the broader shifts in music during the ‘80s and ‘90s. While other guitarists were chasing the next big solo or the loudest riff, Farriss was building entire songs from fragments, from silence, from the spaces between notes. His work with INXS wasn’t just about making hits; it was about redefining what a rock band could sound like. And in an industry that often rewards flash over substance, that’s a legacy worth remembering.Comprehensive FAQs
Q: What was the inxs guitarist’s most iconic guitar riff?
The riff for "Need You Tonight" (1984) is widely considered his most iconic. Its hypnotic, syncopated rhythm—played on a 6-string guitar—became one of the defining sounds of the ‘80s, blending rock, funk, and pop in a way that was instantly recognizable.
Q: Did the inxs guitarist use any unconventional techniques?
Yes. Farriss was known for his use of fingerstyle playing, 12-string guitars for a shimmering texture, and early adoption of guitar synths and MIDI integration, which allowed him to blend acoustic and electronic sounds in ways few had attempted before.
Q: How did the inxs guitarist influence modern guitarists?
His approach to rhythm, his use of guitar synths, and his ability to make the instrument serve the song rather than the other way around have influenced artists across genres. Modern guitarists, particularly in pop-rock and electronic-infused bands, often cite his work as a blueprint for blending technical precision with emotional impact.
Q: Did the inxs guitarist ever collaborate with other artists outside INXS?
While his primary focus was INXS, Farriss has occasionally collaborated with other musicians, including contributions to side projects and guest appearances. However, his most significant body of work remains with the band.
Q: What was the role of the inxs guitarist in INXS’s live performances?
Farriss’s live performances were as much about visual spectacle as they were about sound. His use of guitar synths—which allowed him to trigger electronic textures and lighting cues—made INXS’s concerts a multi-sensory experience, reinforcing their reputation as one of the most dynamic live acts of the ‘80s.
Q: How did the inxs guitarist’s style evolve over time?
Early in his career, Farriss leaned heavily on 12-string guitars and fingerstyle techniques, creating a dreamy, almost ethereal sound. By the mid-‘80s, his work became more rhythmic and groove-oriented, incorporating guitar synths and electronic elements. His later work with INXS retained this blend of organic and synthetic textures, though with a greater emphasis on raw energy.
Q: What is the inxs guitarist doing now?
As of recent years, Farriss has largely stepped back from the public eye, focusing on personal projects and occasional collaborations. While he no longer tours regularly, his influence on INXS’s music and the broader guitar community remains significant.
Q: Are there any books or documentaries about the inxs guitarist?
While there isn’t a dedicated book or major documentary solely focused on Tim Farriss, INXS’s history has been explored in several biographies and documentaries, including INXS: Never Tear Us Apart (2015), which features insights into his contributions to the band’s sound.
