NOISEWORKS

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. 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, 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). Justin Stanley was Balbi's song writing partner and joined the group in 1986, the band was renamed as Noiseworks.

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. After quickly establishing a solid following on Sydney's pub rock circuit, Noiseworks was signed by CBS. Their first single, "No Lies", reached #31 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart. "Take Me Back" was more successful, making #7, and became one of the band's best-known songs.

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). It peaked at #6 on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart. "Love Somebody'' (#50), "Welcome to the World" (#41) and "Burning Feeling" (#60) were also lifted from the album. 'Noiseworks' sold more than 210,000 copies in Australia.

On 11 November 1988, their second album Touch was released and debuted at #5 on the ARIA Albums Chart. 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). The title track preceded it as the first single, peaking at #12 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Subsequent singles "Voice of Reason" (#43), "Simple Man" (#47) and "In My Youth" (#44) were released. By this stage, Noiseworks had established themselves as one of Australia's most popular live rock acts.

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. '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" (#30) and "Miles & Miles" (#26) were moderate hits, but the third, the hard-rocking "Hot Chilli Woman", reached #7 and propelled the album to the top of the chart when it was released on 5 July 1991. Late in the year, a fourth single "R.I.P. (Millie)" (#26), 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 peaked at #4 on the ARIA charts.

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. In March 2001, Noiseworks performed eight songs at the Gimme Ted benefit concert. In September 2007, Noiseworks reformed, 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.

In 2011, the original members reactivated for the Red Hot Summer tour. They also performed at Stone Fest in Sydney in 2013. In 2016, Noiseworks reformed for the Red Hot Summer tour, with the line-up including original members lead vocalist Jon Stevens, bass guitarist Steve Balbi, keyboardist Justin Stanley and drummer Kevin Nicol. In August 2022, the band released the single "Heart & Soul", their first new single in thirty years. On 11 November 2022, the band released 'Evolution', their fourth studio and first new album in 31 years. The album debuted at #25 on the ARIA Charts. Stuart Fraser died of lung cancer in 2019.

 
Members

Jon Stevens (vocals), Stuart Fraser (guitar), Steve Balbi (bass), Kevin Nicol (drums), 

Justin Stanley (keyboards), Chris Becker (bass), Barbara Griffin (keyboards), Scott Aplin (keyboards)

SINGLES

No Lies

3 NOV '86

#31

Take Me Back

27 APR '87

#7

Love Somebody

24 AUG '87

#50

Welcome to the World

30 NOV '87

#41

Burning Feeling

28 MAR '88

#60

Touch

14 NOV '88

#12

Voice of Reason

6 MAR '89

#43

Simple Man

22 MAY '89

#47

In My Youth

11 SEP '89

#44

Freedom

27 MAY '90

#30

Miles and Miles

4 NOV '90

#26

Hot Chilli Woman

30 JUN '91

#7

R.I.P. (Millie)

15 SEP '91

#26

Take You Higher

23 FEB '92

#84

Let it Be (Live)

25 OCT '92

#99

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noiseworks

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/