A drummer's drummer by any standards, Jon Farriss knows his craft well. A gifted musician, Jon has been a prolific writer and producer inside and outside of INXS for many years. Away from the band, an avid traveler and citizen of the world, Jon leads a life of creative determination and intellectual fulfillment on many levels.



Jonathon James Farriss was born August 10, 1961 in Perth, Western Australia. The youngest of the Farriss brothers, Jon also has a younger sister, Alison. Turning pro at 16, Jon began learning the drums when he was just four years old. "Dad has always been a musical person, we always lived with music," Jon states. As part of cover band Top Cat, Jon gained invaluable experience with different musical styles - from rock to cabaret. A fortuitous jam between members of Jon's brother's two bands (Guiness and Doctor Dolphin) led to him joining them to become The Farriss Brothers. When the Farriss family moved across the continent from Sydney to Perth in 1978 with Jon still in school, the entire band followed in order to stay together until he could graduate and play drums full time for what was to eventually become INXS in 1979.



After endless pub gigs, short regional tours, the recording of two albums and a string of catchy singles in Australia, INXS was elevated to being an international act with the release of Shabooh Shoobah in 1982. With the group's collective chops falling into place and a tangible style developing, this was a real growth period for Jon and the band. Richard Clapton, producer of INXS's second album Underneath The Colours, said "There are some amazing players in INXS, all with a distinctive sound. Obviously Jon is just amazing." Jon, Gary and Andrew played on Clapton's highly regarded The Great Escape that year, which marked the start of Jon branching out on solo work within the band. 'You Never Used To Cry' was the first of a string of compositions by Jon to be used as B-sides to INXS's singles. Others include 'I'm Over You,' 'Everybody Wants U Tonight' and 'Deepest Red' Ð each developing in sophistication as Jon grew as a musician. His co-writing of hot INXS album tracks such as 'Old World New World' (Shabooh Shoobah), 'Red Red Sun' (Listen Like Thieves) 'Faith In Each Other' (X) and 'Back On Line' (Welcome To Wherever You Are) have also yielded hits with 'Disappear' in 1990 (X), and 'The Gift' in 1993 (Full Moon Dirty Hearts).



Outside productions for Jon began in 1985 with a single for Kam Sha ('Work Until You Drop!') and in 1987, an album for Richard Clapton. Jon is particularly proud of his work on Clapton's acclaimedGlory Road, hastily taking over the producer's chair from Mark Opitz. A boost for his confidence, Jon excelled in assembling the material and coaxing the best performances from the players involved. Further guest appearances on Jimmy Barnes' Freight Train Heart ('Seven Days') and Sharon O'Neill's Danced In The Fire ('Physical Favors') also kept him busy between INXS commitments at this time.



In 1990, Jon participated in Absent Friends' likableHere's Looking Up Your Address and Wendy Matthews' award winning 1992 album Lily and it's 1997 follow-up Ghosts. 1995 brought a unique production job for Jon in the form of Chinese singer Ai Jing, and her album Once Upon A Time On Yaffen Street. In 1998, Jon re-teamed with old friend Jimmy Barnes to co-produce and play on Barnes' stunning Love & Fear album. At once loud and soft, the record showcases Jimmy's range as a blistering rock singer and tender soulman, and Jon's uncanny ability to play hard and light between the grooves - well worth investigating!



Having made his home in Hong Kong in the late '80s and early '90s, Jon now lives in the western suburbs of Sydney. His state-of-the-art home studio, called Area 51, is housed deep in the bowels of his beautifully restored home in Woollahra. A fully functional facility, the studio is used for Jon's projects and special productions. Most recently, Jon co-produced and played on new INXS bandmate Jon Stevens' Olympic-themed single 'Carry The Flame' at Area 51. A special limited single, 'Carry The Flame' is an epic song full of all the appropriate pomp and grandeur befitting a paean to The Games.



Since assembling his fabled Racks of Love (a portable digital studio used to compose 'The Gift'), which now lives at Area 51, Jon has been writing, demoing and producing a large batch of solo work with an eye to releasing something in the future. Not rushing anything, the work-in-progress material weaves between softer compositions and tricky INXS-like tunes. Impressively straddling musical styles such as samba, disco and electronic, his music runs the gamut - adept at bass, keyboards and vocals (as well as drums), Jon does it all.



Citing his influences, Jon points to The Beatles and Ringo ("I always thought he was the most underrated drummer"), Sergio Mendes ("I grew up with the kind of Latin music that was popular at the time - Sergio Mendes and Herb Alpert. It had good production, good musical arrangements, and it felt good.") and jazz-fusion outfits like Weather Report.



Aside for his forays in music, Jon delved into acting work in 1998, with a series of commercials for Victoria Tourism. Directed by old friend, noted filmmaker and INXS videographer Richard Lowenstein, Jon played a kind of daring spy-type eluding his pursuers and showing the many beautiful vistas ands views Victoria has to offer along the way.



Visiting Thailand and Bali on a regular basis, Jon enjoys Eastern culture and philosophy very much - as both a source of inspiration and relaxation. When time permits, a round of golf is also satisfying to Jon, as is camping and entertaining at home.