ABOUT GARRY GARY BEERS
When they first pickup a musical instrument many dream of becoming an international rock star but only a small number ever do. Garry Gary Beers did.
Garry has been playing bass since 1974. He studied woodwork in High School and electronics at Technical College before surrendering himself to life as a nomadic, full time musician. In 1977, he formed a musical partnership with his schoolmates from the Northern Beaches of Sydney. This band of mates would later rename themselves INXS. The band played around the Northern beaches of Sydney, playing surf club dances, parties and the occasional Aussie pub. “We played anywhere they would have us because we just loved to play and this was the life we wanted.” By this time the band had developed into songwriters and had a full set of decent originals to play.
Soon they were ready for the tough Sydney pub scene where they played before established rock bands such as Rose Tattoo, Cold Chisel, The Angels and Midnight Oil.
Relentless touring and recording followed for the next few years.
“We played pretty much every night, we were young, cocky and hungry. It was a great time for Aussie music and we were right there in the middle of it.”
By the time INXS were writing for their third album, they were looking overseas for new paths and opportunities. Most Australian bands headed to the UK to try their luck but INXS were eyeing off America. “We understood the England / Australia connection both culturally and musically, but we were more of a funk Rock band and most of our influences came from America, so that’s where we headed.”
The hard work eventually paid off with their fifth album, Listen Like Thieves, having a top 5 hit in the US with What You Need and going double-platinum. The sixth album, Kick, was a massive worldwide hit spawning 5 top five hit singles, Need You Tonight, New Sensation, Never Tear Us Apart, Devil Inside and Mystify and going platinum 6 times in the US with 20 million albums sold worldwide!
The rest as you say is history, the band of schoolmates who became one of the biggest bands in the world.
Now Garry’s story continues.
Garry and Louie