The band that was silenced mid-set for being too provocative
In short: Divinyls became a staple of Australian rock through a persona of subversive humor and overt sexuality. However, their most famous hit was so controversial that it led to the band being literally unplugged mid-performance in the United States, highlighting the thin line between artistic rebellion and public censorship.
Formed in Sydney in 1980 by vocalist Chrissy Amphlett and guitarist Mark McEntee, Divinyls quickly established a reputation for high-octane, provocative performances. Amphlett, who often performed in school uniforms and fishnet stockings, used an illuminated neon tube as a prop to project aggression toward both the audience and her bandmates. This brash, overtly sexual persona became a hallmark of the group, which navigated the transition from pub circuits to international stages throughout the 1980s.
The band's commercial peak arrived in 1991 with the album diVINYLS and the single 'I Touch Myself.' While the track reached No. 1 in Australia and cracked the Top 10 in the UK, it faced significant backlash in the US. The controversy was so intense that many US-area markets refused to give it airplay. During a 1991 performance at Austin Aqua Fest in Texas, the organizers actually pulled the plug on the band mid-set due to the song's content.
Despite these hurdles, Divinyls achieved lasting cultural significance. Following a 2001 selection as a premier Australian track, 'Science Fiction' preceded their 2006 entry into the ARIA Hall of Fame. Following Amphlett's death in 2013 from breast cancer and multiple sclerosis, the band's legacy remains a study in the power of subversive performance art. A 2018 attempt to reform the group with a new lead singer was met with significant backlash from former members and fans who viewed it as a mark of disrespect to Amphlett's original role.
Amphlett's journey was marked by both triumph and personal struggle, as detailed in her 2005 autobiography, Pleasure and Pain. She navigated a career that included collaborations with icons like Cyndi Lauper and Chrissie Hynde, while also providing soundtracks for films like Monkey Grip (1982). Her ability to turn childhood pain into a public, subversive spectacle remains the core of the Divinyls' enduring narrative.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Divinyls
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