Noiseworks

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Noiseworks
Noiseworks, 1990.
Noiseworks, 1990.
Background information
OriginSydney, New South Wales, Australia
GenresHard rock, pub rock, AOR
Years active1986–1992, 1999, 2004, 2007–2008, 2011, 2015–present
LabelsCBS, Epic, Sony, Columbia, Sony BMG
Associated actsRose Tattoo, Blackfeather, Swanee, Kevin Borich, The Party Boys, John Farnham, The Dead Daisies
Websitehttp://www.noiseworks.com.au/
Past membersSteve Balbi
Stuart Fraser (deceased)
Kevin Nicol
Justin Stanley
Jon Stevens
Chris Becker
Barbara Griffin
Scott Aplin

Noiseworks are an Australian hard rock band formed in Sydney in 1986 with bass guitarist Steve Balbi, guitarist Stuart Fraser, drummer Kevin Nicol, keyboardist Justin Stanley and lead vocalist Jon Stevens. They had four Australian Top 10 albums, Noiseworks (No. 6, 1987), Touch (No. 5, 1988), Love Versus Money (No. 1, 1991) and Greatest Hits (No. 4, 1992). They produced three Top 10 singles, "Take Me Back", "Touch" and "Hot Chilli Woman" before disbanding in 1992. Reunion tours occurred in 1999, 2004, 2007–2008 and 2011.

Formation[]

New Zealand-born pop singer Jon Stevens had released a solo album and several hit singles (including a duet with Sharon O'Neill) before relocating to Sydney in 1981.[1] Stevens recorded a self-titled album for the Big Time label, two singles were issued but neither was successful. In 1983, Stevens formed The Change with guitarist Stuart Fraser, who had played in 1970s hard rock act Blackfeather (later called Feather) and then with fellow member Swanee. Bass player Steve Balbi, who was a member of Kevin Borich Express and played with The Change on their 1984 single "Forever Young". The following year, Stevens and Fraser hired Balbi and drummer Kevin Nicol (ex-Dial X). United States-born Justin Stanley was Balbi's song writing partner and joined the group in 1986, the band was renamed as Noiseworks.[2]

History[]

Noiseworks was formed in Sydney with the line up of Steve Balbi on bass guitar and backing vocals; Stuart Fraser on guitar and backing vocals; Kevin Nicol on drums; Justin Stanley on keyboards, harmonica and backing vocals; and Jon Stevens on lead vocals.[3] After quickly establishing a solid following on Sydney's pub rock circuit, Noiseworks was signed by CBS.[1] Their first single, "No Lies", reached the Top 40 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart.[4] "Take Me Back" was more successful, making No. 7, and became one of the band's best known songs.[4]

In June 1987 they released their debut self-titled album, Noiseworks, which was produced by Mark Opitz (The Angels, Cold Chisel) and engineered by Alan Wright (INXS, Icehouse, Ratt).[3][4] It peaked at No. 6 on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart.[4] "Love Somebody" and "Welcome to the World" were also lifted from the album, but neither made the Top 40.[4] Noiseworks sold more than 210,000 copies (3× platinum) in Australia.[1] "Burning Feeling" was released as the album's fifth single in early 1988, and missed the top 50.[4]

On 11 November 1988, their second album Touch was released and debuted at No. 5 on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Albums Chart.[4] The album was produced by Chris Kimsey (The Rolling Stones, Killing Joke, Marillion) and Noiseworks, and engineered by Al Wright (Hoodoo Gurus, Jimmy Barnes, Divinyls).[3] The title track preceded it as the first single, peaking at No. 12 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[4] Subsequent singles "Voice of Reason", "Simple Man" and "In My Youth" failed to make the Top 40. Nevertheless, Noiseworks was now one of Australia's most popular live rock acts.[1]

The third album, Love Versus Money, had production started by Noiseworks but was initially rejected by their new label, Sony. Sony brought in Randy Jackson to assist in the album's production.[1] Love Versus Money featured guest appearances by Michael Hutchence of INXS, Vika and Linda Bull and Penny Ford of the techno group Snap!. The first two singles, "Freedom" and "Miles & Miles" were moderate hits, but the third, the hard-rocking "Hot Chilli Woman", reached No. 7 and propelled the album to the top of the chart when it was released on 5 July 1991.[4] Late in the year, a fourth single "R.I.P. (Millie)", a tribute to Stevens' mother who had recently died from cancer, was also released.

Stevens joined the cast of the Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar in early 1992 in the role of Judas. Noiseworks disbanded following a final show in Sydney in March 1992. Later that year, the Greatest Hits compilation appeared, featuring a cover of The Beatles hit "Let It Be" which was released as a single. It had been recorded live at their last performance. The compilation climbed to No. 4 nationally.[4]

Aftermath[]

Balbi and Stanley formed the psychedelic pop group Electric Hippies in 1993 and had top 30 success with the single, "Greedy People", and debut album, Electric Hippies both released in 1994.[5][6] Electric Hippies were producers for different artists including, Vincent Stone, Jenny Morris and Nikka Costa (Stanley's wife).[6][7] By 1997, Balbi had formed another band, Universe.[6] Stanley and Costa returned to the US.[7]

Stuart Fraser was also guitarist on Jesus Christ Superstar 1992 Australian Cast Recording The Album and the concerts events. After in 1993 Fraser joined The John Farnham band and has remained as a touring and recording member Fraser has recorded on these Farnham albums Romeo's Heart in 1996, 33.1/3 in 2000, The Last Time in 2002, I Remember When I Was Young in 2005, Jack in 2010 and The Acoustic Chapel Sessions 2011 all albums and most tours was alongside John Farnham's longtime guitarist Brett Garsed who shared lead guitar duties with Fraser. On Sunday 1 December 2019, Fraser died after battling lung cancer since 2016.[8]

Stevens returned to his solo career and released further albums; he appeared as the host of the reality TV show The Resort. In 1999, Fraser, Nicol and Stevens reformed Noiseworks (as Noiseworks II) with Chris Becker on bass guitar and Barbara Griffin on keyboards and toured Australia.[1] In 2000 Stevens joined INXS, initially as a touring vocalist, but after being officially installed as a band member in October 2002 he left the band a year later. A single released by this version of the group, "I Get Up", was unsuccessful.[citation needed] At the Gimme Ted benefit concert on 10 March 2001, Noiseworks performed eight songs.[9]

Noiseworks reformed in September 2007, with Scott Aplin on keyboards in place of Stanley, for a national tour with The Choirboys and Balbi's project Move Trees. In December, Stevens announced that Noiseworks planned to return to the studio in 2008 to record their first studio album together in sixteen years.[10] Jon Stevens and the original Noiseworks band members featured on the Red Hot Summer Tour of NSW (in early May 2011) alongside Jimmy Barnes and Thirsty Merc.[citation needed]

It was confirmed on the Noiseworks Facebook page in June 2015 that a new album of material has been recorded and will be released in 2016, followed by a tour. However nothing has been released as yet, as of August 2018.[citation needed]

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
AUS
[4] 		NZ
[11] 		SWE
[12] 		SWI
[13]
1987 Noiseworks 6 6 43 —
  • AUS: 3× Platinum[citation needed]
1988 Touch 5 31 24 20
1991 Love Versus Money 1 — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country.

Compilation albums[]

Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
AUS
[4]
1992 Greatest Hits
  • Released: 2 October 1992
  • Label: Columbia (472119.2)
  • Producer:
 4
2007 The Essential Noiseworks
  • Released: 9 April 2007
  • Label: Sony BMG (88697069612)
  • Producer:
 —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country.

Live albums[]

Year Title
2008 Live + Loud
  • Released: 2008
  • Label: Noiseworks (NW08-LIVE)
  • Producer: Steve Balbi

Singles[]

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[4] 		NZ
[11] 		UK
[19]
1986 "No Lies" 31 15 — Noiseworks
1987 "Take Me Back" 7 — 94
"Love Somebody" 50 — —
"Welcome to the World" 41 — —
1988 "Burning Feeling" 60 — —
"Touch" 12 44 — Touch
1989 "Voice of Reason" 43 — —
"Simple Man" 47 — —
"In My Youth" 44 — —
1990 "Freedom" 30 — — Love Versus Money
"Miles & Miles" 26 — —
1991 "Hot Chilli Woman" 7 32 —
"R.I.P. (Millie)" 26 23 —
1992 "Take You Higher" (with Vika & Linda Bull) 84 — —
"Let It Be" (live) 99 — — Greatest Hits
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country.

References[]

General

  • McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Whammo Homepage". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 5 April 2004. Retrieved 8 February 2010. Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
  • Spencer, Chris; Zbig Nowara; Paul McHenry (2002) [1987]. The Who's Who of Australian Rock. Noble Park, Vic.: Five Mile Press. ISBN 1-86503-891-1.[20] Note: [on-line] version established at White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd in 2007 and was expanded from the 2002 edition.

Specific

  1. ^ a b c d e f McFarlane, 'Noiseworks' entry. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  2. ^ Sergent, Bruce. "Jon Stevens". New Zealand Music of the 60s, 70s and a bit of the 80s. Bruce Sergent. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  3. ^ a b c Holmgren, Magnus. "Noiseworks". passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Australian chart peaks:
    • Top 100 (Kent Music Report) peaks to 12 June 1988: Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 219. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between mid-1983 and 12 June 1988.
    • Top 50 (ARIA) peaks from 13 June 1988: "australian-charts.com > Noiseworks in Australian Charts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
    • Top 100 peaks from January 1990 to December 2010: Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 205.
  5. ^ Electric Hippies chart peaks in Australia:
  6. ^ a b c McFarlane, 'Electric Hippies' entry. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
  7. ^ a b Matteo, Steve (15 October 2008). "Nikka Costa". Crawdaddy!. Paul Williams. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
  8. ^ "Noiseworks and John Farnham guitarist Stuart Fraser dead". 7news.com.au. 1 December 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  9. ^ Holmgren, Magnus. "Gimme Ted – The Ted Mulry Benefit Concerts". Australian Rock Database. Archived from the original on 22 August 2003. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  10. ^ "Noiseworks to make music". The Courier-Mail. Queensland Newspapers (News Limited). 16 December 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  11. ^ a b "charts.nz > Noiseworks in New Zealand Charts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  12. ^ "swedishcharts.com > Noiseworks in Swedish Charts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  13. ^ "hitparade.ch > Suchen nach: Noiseworks (alben)" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  14. ^ "Platterlog : LP & Tape - New Releases > 14 November 1988". Platterlog, via Imgur.com. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  15. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Albums Chart – 1989 (61–100)". ARIA, via Imgur.com. Retrieved 28 April 2016. N.B. The triangle symbol indicates platinum certification.
  16. ^ The ARIA Report. Vol. 76. ARIA. 7 July 1991. p. 20.
  17. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 205.
  18. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Albums Chart – Week Ending 07 Mar 1993 (61–100) (from The ARIA Report Issue No. 161)". ARIA, via Imgur.com. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  19. ^ "Official Charts > Noiseworks". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  20. ^ "Who's who of Australian rock / compiled by Chris Spencer, Zbig Nowara & Paul McHenry". catalogue. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 8 February 2010.

External links[]

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