But I got sucked in -- as did Maria -- and we're now hooked. Not just by the performances -- the contestants are all top-notch -- but by host Brooke Burke's one-note delivery. And Dave Navarro's always chipper assessments ("Yeah, you forgot a few words, your pitch was off and the arrangement was weak and the energy wasn't there... but awesome job. You rocked the mic! You clearly have what it takes to be a huge rock star.")
As the show moves closer to finale, the musicians in the running to take over lead vocals for INXS vary greatly (including several women in the mix), but they're all pretty good. At the end of the day, though, Maria and I believe the winner is pretty obvious: Mig Ayesa. He's the only candidate from Australia. He's versatile. And he has the same laid-back demeanor as the rest of the band. He'd fit in nicely.
I told Mig exactly that on Sunday night. Yup, I found myself up at the Paramour mansion in Silver Lake, home base for "Rock Star: INXS." A crowd of about 100 had been invited for a jam session featuring the show's contestants, house band and Navarro himself.
Along with Mig, I spoke with several contestants -- and briefly chatted up Navarro, who told me he's enjoying his Saturday night gig on Indie 103.1 with his Camp Freddy bandmates as much as anything he's doing right now.
The open bar offered up "Rock Startinis" and other fine beverages, as people (including Matthew Perry and Seth Green) mingled around the mansion. It's a gorgeous location -- located on top of a Silver Lake hill (near Micheltorina), with jaw-dropping views of the downtown skyline.
Later, the "Rock Star" contestants gathered around a piano and performed stripped-down versions of the songs they've sung on the show. Mig reprised "Baby I Love Your Way," which stole the TV show a week ago; Jordis crooned "The Man Who Sold the World"; Ty belted out "Proud Mary"; and of course, the contestants covered several INXS songs. (Navarro recounts the mansion party on his blog here.)
People mag's Cynthia Wang was smart enough to bring her camera, and I asked her to take some shots for Franklin Avenue:
Cynthia and I flank Mig -- who was pretty cool in person. Cynthia's getting married later this year in Australia, and Mig was quick with the location advice.
Jordis, Raphael (house band member) and Dave Navarro jam on "Knockin' On Heaven's Door."
Ty, with help from Suzie, sings "No Woman No Cry"
Marty, Jordis and Suzie try out Jordis' original song in one of the Paramour living areas
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