Noiseworks
About
Sydney based band 1985-1992
Considered to be one of Australia’s more successful rock bands of the late 1980s, their self-titled debut in 1987 had a series of successful singles, such as “No Lies,” “Take Me Back,” and “Welcome to the World.” The band’s second album, 1989’s Touch, proved to be less successful commercially. Noiseworks disbanded in 1992, shortly after the release of the group’s third album, Love vs Money (1991).
from Wikipedia
History
In 1981 Jon Stevens relocated to Sydney where he signed a deal with the Big Time label. He recorded his second, self-titled album in Los Angeles with American session players. It yielded two singles in 1982, a reworking of “Jezebel” and “Lover My Love”, but neither was successful.
Jon Stevens then formed The Change with guitarist Stuart Fraser (ex Feather and Smith). They played the occasional Sydney pub gig, and with the help of bass player Steve Balbi (on loan from the Kevin Borich Express), recorded an independent single “Forever Young”/”Out There” in 1984. By 1985, drummer Kevin Nicol (ex Dial X) had joined Stevens and Fraser, and they began to lay plans for a new band. They recruited Balbi as a permanent member, and added newcomer Justin Stanley on keyboards. He had been writing songs with Balbi. This new line-up, completed in 1986, was known as Noiseworks.
Noiseworks built up a strong following on the Australian pub-rock circuit, and in 1987 were signed by CBS. Their self-titled debut album was released in July 1987 and peaked at number 2 on the Australian Albums chart. From it came 5 singles.
The second album “Touch” was released in November 1988 and reached number 4 on the Album Charts. Four singles were released from this album.
By the end of 1989, the band had commenced work on its third album. They were now signed to Sony, and when the album was presented to them, they rejected it. The album was reworked and finally made an appearance in July 1991 as “Love Verses Money”. This album debuted at Number 1 on the Album Charts and the single “Hot Chilli Woman” became the band’s biggest hit, reaching number 7 on the Singles Chart. In all, 5 singles came from this album.
At the start of 1992, Jon Stevens, joined the Australian cast of the revived stage musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” in the role of Judas. Jon appeared alongside the rest of the cast on a CD and single from the show. The show ran for 84 nights and was performed across Australia to more than a million people, making Jon a household name.
This stint with the show basically put an end to Noiseworks. The band played its last gig at Selinas in Sydney during March 1992. That gig produced the band’s final single, a cover of the Beatles “Let It Be” (Live). This song appeared on the Greatest Hits CD released in October 1992.
from sergent.com.au
Members
- Jon Stevens – Vocals
- Steve Balbi – Bass
- Stuart Fraser – Guitar
- Kevin Nicol – Drums
- Justin Stanley – Keyboards
Recordings
- Albums
- Noiseworks – 1987
- Touch – 1988
- Love vs. Money – 1991
- Noiseworks – Greatest Hits – 1992
- Videos
- Live At The Hordern – 1992
- Noiseworks Live
- Greatest Hits
Videos
Known Gigs
| Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 13/10/87 | Circular Quay | Sydney Cove Tavern |
| 14/10/87 | Sans Souci | St George Sailing Club |
| 15/10/87 | Cabramatta | Sweethearts – Stardust Hotel |
| 22/10/87 | Preston, VIC | Olympic Hotel |
| 23/10/87 | St Kilda, VIC | The Venue |
| 24/10/87 | Mulgrave, VIC | Village Green Hotel |
| 25/10/87 | Frankston, VIC | 21st Century |
| 09/06/88 | Cabramatta | Sweethearts – Stardust Hotel |
loved the show at Annies Lane in the Clare Valley last week. Country towns are starved of good entertainment, and gigs like that should happen more often. thanks for coming.