About Noiseworks
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 , Touch , Love Versus Money and Greatest Hits . 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, 2011, 2013. The band later reformed in 2016 and in August 2022, released "Heart & Soul"; their first new song in 30 years. Noiseworks' fourth studio album, Evolution was released in November 2022.
New Zealand-born pop singer Jon Stevens had released a solo album and several hit singles 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 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 . 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 the Top 40 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart. "Take Me Back" was more successful, making No. 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 and engineered by Alan Wright . It peaked at No. 6 on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart. "Love Somebody", "Welcome to the World" and "Burning Feeling" 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 No. 5 on the ARIA Albums Chart. The album was produced by Chris Kimsey and Noiseworks, and engineered by Al Wright . The title track preceded it as the first single, peaking at No. 12 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Subsequent singles "Voice of Reason", "Simple Man" and "In My Youth" 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" 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. Late in the year, a fourth single "R.I.P. ", a tribute to Stevens' mother who had recently died from cancer, was also released.
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