INXS – KICK

The USA’s only internationally touring tribute to the acclaimed Australian rock band, INXS. KICK has beautifully managed to capture the spirit of INXS in both sound and live performance, faithfully recreating the music in it’s most powerful sense. Hits include “Need You Tonight,” “Devil Inside,” “New Sensation,” “What You Need,” “Never Tear Us Apart,” “Disappear,”
“Suicide Blonde,” “Bitter Tears,” and “The One Thing.”

KICK – The INXS Experience is a unique blend of incredibly talented musicians who bring the highest level of musicianship to the audience while showing a true passion for the music.

Vocalist, guitarist, and singer-songwriter Cory Massi has long held a respect and admiration for the late great Michael Hutchence; seeing INXS perform in Philadelphia in 1988 and 1989 served more than a young man’s yearning to scour the beauties in attendance or to drink in the sobering decadence. These were enlightening moments; Michael Hutchence embodied all that a true entertainer strives to be. He was a natural, nearly impossible to become. That caliber of presence either sends your performer-soul to whimpering or it inspires you to sour.

Cory auditioned for the show Rockstar: INXS in 2004. It was both an honor and a humbling experience for him. He fully appreciated the competition — American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry for one — but more so enjoyed the comradery of his fellow hopefuls. It was clear to him that every person at CBGB’s that day wanted to be a part of reviving INXS. Ultimately, the role was awarded to JD Fortune, who did a fine job during his tenure as the new front man for the band. The next time you see Cory, you should ask him to tell you the story of meeting Little Steven Van Zandt that afternoon — it’s a funny story and so befitting the end of a great trip. Cory loves to recount the tale and will likely whip out the pictures to illustrate.

In July of 2013, while attending an Aerosmith tribute show, “Draw the Line,” at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, it struck him that there was no reason he couldn’t be on that stage in tribute to Michael Hutchence of INXS — an idea he had been tossing around for nearly a decade. Cory had watched the emergence of the tribute scene during that time and after a conversation or two with leading tribute circuit friends — Paul Sinclair of “Get the Led Out” and Rick Murphy of “Hollywood Nights,” and the various life-long friends who backed both these great singers — he found himself inspired to bring his idea to fruition.

Upon returning home in early September, Cory found himself questioning whether or not he could find the caliber of player he was looking for in the small southern town of Greenville, SC — where the preferred genre of music leans heavily to southern rock, the blues, and country. He ran the idea by his friend and fellow Sweet Crude bandmate, Don Leslie, who was, as first, a bit taken aback. Don is an extremely talented bass player whose tastes and past experience reflect the heavier side of rock ‘n’ roll.

It wasn’t long though before Cory was able to enlist his help in searching for players. And, much to their surprise, it was almost magical the ease with which the band came together. In just 10 short months, Cory found himself on that very stage, at the House of Blues, performing with his band.

KICK – The INXS Experience has beautifully managed to capture the spirit of INXS in both it’s sound and live performance. The focus has been on faithfully recreating the music in it’s most powerful sense: an in-the-pocket bottom end from bass player Don Leslie and drummer Johnny Dee, a brilliant combination of piano and synth by Mark Goodnough, the signature guitar tones produced by guitarists Todd King and Jason Taylor, the saxophone by Nottingham, England’s Tom Wheat, and the spot-on lead vocals by Cory Massi, all lend to a powerful high-energy show that is guaranteed to have the entire venue singing and dancing to every song – all night long!

KICK – The INXS Experience will take you back. It will reignite your passion for INXS. It will introduce you to music that is still as fresh today as the day it was written; Original Sin to Elegantly Wasted and everything in between!

So, slide over here… and give me a moment.