Since being chosen as the new lead singer for INXS, J.D. Fortune has been busy giving press interviews in between writing and recording sessions, live promotional appearances, meetings and sleep.
This is what he's been saying about this...
On being part of "Rock Star: INXS"
"I've had doubts throughout the whole thing. My personal life and who I am as a person was flashed across a TV screen for 21/2 months, so there are no flies on me. Everybody knows who I am, and what I'm like, and what I stand for."
"What I've put into this experience, I've gotten back. I never would have been able to be in this band if I was the guy who walked through those doors three months ago."
"If this was [to join] any other band, if this was competing for 10 bajillion dollars on an island somewhere, there's no way I would do it. That reality TV show was the hardest experience of my life because I had to really confront myself, but if they asked me, I'd do it a thousand times over to show them how badly I want to be a member of INXS. And I just followed my heart, and a true heart never needs to make an excuse for what it does, 'cause it's true."
On being chosen as the new lead singer of INXS:
''It's an understatement to say that this is a dream come true. Growing up, INXS albums like Shabooh Shoobah, Listen Like Thieves and Kick were a huge musical influence on me. I'd listen to their songs and wonder what it would be like to be in this band. That they've chosen me to be their new lead singer is just mind-blowing.''
"I've shopped demos and been in other bands for over 15 years. I was literally destitute when this audition came along; this is a dream come true. Michael Hutchence, Andrew Farriss and INXS were some of the main reasons I became a singer-songwriter. To have this come full circle is profoundly beautiful for my life."
"As far as filling the legacy that is Michael Hutchence, I’m ready for a lot of backlash. You need to cut your own stone, though, because no one is replacing him."
On being congratulated by INXS after their first performance as a band on "Rock StarL INXS":
"That was the best moment in my life. The energy was fucking awesome, man."
On the aftermath:
"It's been a whirlwind. My feet haven't touched the ground since this happened. Last night, I got home at 2:45 a.m. and was out the door at 4:30 a.m. We're in the studio cutting tracks because we've got to get this record finished."
"I've had two hours sleep man. It's rock 'n' roll baby. It was intimidating first thing this morning. But I came here to the studio and I walked in and there were five brothers here welcoming me with open arms and we just started to work."
On Switch:
"I'm getting lyrics to some of the songs [on Switch], and we're going over them in little groups."
"After playing ["Easy, Easy"] live, we decided this morning that we probably needed to pick up the tempo a little bit. I think we're recording that on Friday [Sept. 31]."
"I asked to sing ["Pretty Vegas"] [in the studio], just so I could have a copy of it. I laid down a ghost vocal, and we took it from there. It's such an honor that the band would consider keeping that as part of INXS."
On "Pretty Vegas":
"That song reminds me of when I was in Toronto and I was driving this really crappy car and I pulled up [to a stoplight] and there's a guy that pulled up in a brand new Mustang. I was looking at his car and I'm like, 'Wow, that's really nice,' and he couldn't even look at me. And then this guy pulled up in a brand new Ferrari right next to the Mustang and that was like the one-up from him. ... Basically, there's always a bigger fish, so just be happy with my car and let's get to the next light."
On the first week as lead singer of INXS:
"I know they’re (INXS) not finished as artists. Michael’s life will never die, it lives strongly within the band as it does with me and the fans. But everybody’s just being cool. I look to those guys for guidance and they’re really helping me to get my head wrapped around this whole thing."
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This post was updated Oct. 2, 2005
