Joe Echo joins INXS

Big news just in. Belfast-born singer-songwriter Joe Echo – or Ciaran Gribbin as per his passport – has just been named as the new lead singer of INXS. The Oz rockers made the announcement via INXS.com and also unveiled their first demo recording with their new vocalist. Entitled 'Tiny Summer', it was written by Echo and Andrew Farriss. You can check it out here (some interesting comments for that soundcloud, everybody seems to think it's Bono).

Gribbin will now collaborate with the group, once fronted by the late Michael Hutchence, on their upcoming studio album release and is also set to embark on his maiden run of shows with his new bandmates this November and December, where he will sing all the classic hits from their extensive back catalogue. Though the run takes in dates around South America, Australia and Europe, no Irish show has yet been confirmed.

Of 'Tiny Summer', Farriss said he "felt magic” again when writing the song with the Irish singer.  “I'm currently writing more songs for INXS with Ciaran, and we as a band hope to share more new music with you all as soon as possible,” said Farriss.

It's been a good couple of years for Gribbin, having picked up a Grammy nomination in 2010 and composed the music for this year's Killing Bono film (slated to hit US cinemas this Autumn). Now he's fronting a band that has sold over 35 millions albums worldwide. The boy from Derry has most definitely done good.