"Trumpet!" as Michael Hutchence used to shout - calling for Kirk to hit his solo during 'New Sensation' (that trumpet actually being a sax) - was a funny thing to say, but that offhanded remark actually says a lot about Kirk Pengilly and his role in INXS and although humorous, it hints at his impressive versatility. A master musician of many talents, Kirk is the linchpin of the INXS sound. Whether it be intricate guitar parts, powerful backing vocals or wild Madness-like sax breaks, Kirk can - and does - play it all.

"I remember Tim and I first jamming on guitars when we were 12 or 13, and somehow we both knew that this would be our life, our future. It was a feeling that became an even stronger reality when the six of us first got together in 1977." Kirk Pengilly

Born 4 July 1958 in Kew, Victoria, Kirk relocated to the Sydney area and hooked up with Tim Farriss to form the band Guiness in high school. Having begun learning the guitar from the age of nine, Kirk was an avid singer and songwriter in early endeavors. When The Farriss Brothers formed in 1977, he gave up the main vocalist responsibilities to Michael Hutchence. In the new band, Kirk slotted into a musically supportive role alongside Michael, Andrew Farriss, Garry Gary Beers, Jon Farriss and old chum Tim and together they eventually morphed into INXS. Once told to be the "nerd" of the group with his big glasses and spiky hair by early management, Kirk jerked and jumped accordingly, playing his parts deftly and developing a unique stage persona in the process, and although it has changed drastically over the years, is still embraced by the devoted and readily acknowledged by his peers.

"I know it's unfashionable to say this, but I have to confess that I really like touring - and I really love doing all the stuff that goes with being in the band. I like meeting people; I like the whole buzz of traveling and playing." Kirk Pengilly

Michael loved telling the story of traveling with Kirk - who he'd just met - across the Australian continent towards Perth in a panel van, stopping to cook up a wok dinner of perfectly chopped veggies stored in Tupperware containers he'd prepared, with kangaroos looking on in bewilderment surrounded by outback desert. In those early years of life on the road, it was Kirk who slapped Christian bumper stickers on their car to deter getting pulled over by curious police.

Co-writing memorable INXS album tracks like 'Golden Playpen' (from Shabooh Shoobah), 'Biting Bullets' (from Listen Like Thieves) and 'By My Side' (from X) shows Kirk's musical mettle within the group - which is considerable - but it is the peppering of INXS b-sides with hot solo numbers like 'On The Rocks', 'Begotten', 'The Sax Thing' and 'Light The Planet', among others, that Kirk's special gifts come to the fore. Kirk is also famed for the creation of the rare 'Happy Christmas' record sent to early '80s fan club members in Australia and the US.

Away from INXS, Kirk keeps busy with lots of projects - both personal and professional. Production chore highlights consist of Crash Politics (with Tim) in 1989, the unreleased Bastardos project in 1998, Brother Drew's band, Coo in 1999, Lior (EP) in 2000, dance project Bastardos, swing artist Hughie in 2002, and more recently, aspiring new artist Andy Clockwise. Key sessions go back to 1981 and include The Igniters (12"), Flaming Hands (album and single), Richard Clapton (Distant Thunder album), Shona Laing (South album) and in 2005, James Blundell (Deluge album).

"Along with our constant desire to change, grow and evolve musically as a band, Michael's greatest wish was that we would "matter" as a band, that our music would leave a mark and mean something." Kirk Pengilly

Still Sydney based in Potts Point, with a farm in Kangaroo Valley, Kirk has a teenage daughter, April, and is the "band biographer" keeping a daily diary of all his and the band's activities from INXS's inception right up to the moment. Along with girlfriend, surfing champ Layne Beachley, Kirk participates in many worthwhile charities at home - and has recently taken up surfing himself! Traveling with Layne for pleasure, and on behalf of INXS for their many press and business needs around the world, Kirk is always on the move. A ceaseless exponent of the band, who has diligently championed INXS through it's many ups and downs, Kirk maintains a philosophical outlook towards the group and to life - shot through with a contagious sense of humor about it all...

"Trumpet!" indeed.