
Seminal Australian band of the eighties and nineties, DIVINYLS emerged
as a partnership between guitarist Mark McEntee and one of the most
powerful performers to come out of Australia, Christina ('Chrissy')
Amphlett.
Amphlett became the front-woman of rock, embodying a sexy, brash,
punk rock'n'roll ethic, while dressed in her trademark school uniform,
high heels and fishnet stockings. The pair along with Jeremy Paul
(formerly of Air Supply) and Rick Grossman (later of the Hoodoo
Gurus) followed the honest path to rock 'n 'roll's door, starting
out playing small bars in Sydney.
They came to prominence in the early eighties after appearing in
Ken Cameron's film 'Monkey Grip' and releasing the potent single
from the soundtrack, Boys in Town. The single was a hit with fans
and critics, reaching the Top Ten in Australia and winning the band
a record contract with Chrysalis.
DIVINYLS went on to record numerous albums - 'Desperate' (1983),
'What a Life!' (1985) and 'Temperamental' (1988) producing rock
songs that still define the genre today, some of the most memorable
being "Pleasure and Pain", "Boys In Town", Science
Fiction" and "Hey Little Boy".
Their 1991 album 'Divinyls' featured the singles "Make Out
Alright" and the controversial "I Touch Myself" which
was their most successful single, reaching Number 1 in Australia
and Number 4 on the mainstream charts in the USA.
Later in their career, DIVINYLS toured extensively as a duo with
the help of world class session musicians, taking their raw, rock
'n 'roll spirit and blistering, mesmerising live show around the
globe.
1995's darker album 'Underworld' included the singles "Heart
Of Steel", "I'm Jealous" (featured on TV's Melrose
Place), "Sex Will Keep Us Together" and the heart-rending
"Human On The Inside". An overview of their work (plus
covers and rarities) 'Make You Happy (1981-1983)' released in 1997
was followed by a stunning live album, simply titled 'Live' (2001,
as well as a definitive collection 'Pleasure and Pain' (2003).
DIVINYLS sold more than 500,000 albums in Australia and more than
two million worldwide. In a male-dominated world of rock, Amphlett's
role as part of DIVINYLS was a thrilling phenomenon; here was a
woman who expressed both violence and vulnerability in her music,
and whose ardent, sexually charged performances took audiences to
new heights, and who became an icon and an inspiration to women
in rock around the world.
DIVINYLS were popular inductees into the ARIA Hall Of Fame in 2006
and put in a blistering performance in a much-anticipated reunion
set, their first live performance since 1997.
The thrill of that performance has rekindled old energies and this
much-loved iconic Australian band are set to get back in to saddle
for a new album and live performances in 2007.
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