Archive for the no tag

Max Q: Bucket Head + Monday Night By Satellite

Formed in 1989, Max Q was a collaboration between INXS singer Michael Hutchence and underground electronic post-punk composer Ollie Olsen, who met while working on the film Dogs In Space. Their single eponymous album was quite a departure for both musicians. Layering sparse lyrics with themes of politics and paranoia over industrial-tinged post-punk guitars, disco-inspired synths, and sweeping strings, it’s closer to Depeche Mode than the alt-rock of INXS but much more commercial than Olsen’s work with Whirlywirld, The Young Charlatans, and No. Chicago house aficionados might be surprised to find that the record’s final mix was done by famous DJ and producer Todd Terry.

The album produced one top 10 hit in Australia, but it did not sell well and was never reprinted, and sadly seems largely forgotten by all but a handful of old INXS fans. Though Hutchence died in 1997, Ollie Olsen is still around, mostly doing sound design for films and art installations. If you’re into experimental noise/punk, definitely look him up.

The 1984-esque lyrics of “Bucket Head” are delivered in soulful vocals over a minimal bassy background and pop synths that sounded a lot edgier in 1989, but it’s still one of my favorites on here. “Monday Night By Satellite” is a futuristic ballad of long-distance love; pretty, dark, mysterious, and cynical.

Though out of print, there are some used copies available if you look around. Also check out the video for “Way Of The World” to see a time capsule of late ’80s politics.

Official Michael Hutchence Memorial
Ollie Olsen on MySpace