Divinyls

Known for their sexed-up lyrics and vaguely sadomasochistic live performances, Divinyls were an Australian rock band led by vocalist Chrissy Amphlett and guitarist Mark McEntee. Formed in Sydney in 1980, the band got their start by performing in pubs and clubs around the King's Cross area. After signing with WEA, they were asked by director Ken Cameron to record the soundtrack for his 1982 film Monkey Grip. Released later that year, the Monkey Grip EP spawned their first Top 10 single "Boys in Town" and was followed by their studio debut Desperate in 1983. Propelled by the success of the single "Science Fiction," Desperate cracked the Top 5 of the ARIA charts—a feat they repeated once again in 1985 with What a Life! Following the release of Temperamental in 1988, Divinyls moved to Virgin Records and got their big break with the single "I Touch Myself," included in their eponymous 1991 album. Thanks to its overtly sexual content and its controversial video, in which Amphlett could be seen tied up and wearing fishnets, "I Touch Myself" rose to the top of the Australian charts, also reaching the Top 10 in the United States. Despite their newfound international success, the band would break up shortly after the commercial flop of their fifth LP Underworld in 1996. In subsequent years, Amphlett pursued a stage career while McEntee ran a clothing line with his partner in Perth. The pair reconvened for a series of live shows after being inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame in 2006, only to split up again in 2009. A few years later, Chrissy Amphlett died after a long battle with breast cancer.

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