Matchbox Twenty singer Rob Thomas recently hooked up with INXS in Australia and laid down vocals for a newly recorded version of that band's 1988 hit 'Never Tear Us Apart'.

Thomas, still a member of Matchbox Twenty, is currently promoting a brand-new solo album called 'Cradlesong'.

INXS, on the other hand, are currently without a lead singer - this after reality TV show winner JD Fortune quit/talked his way out of the band under rather bizarre circumstances earlier in the year.

For Rob Thomas - no stranger to guest shots (witness Smooth with Carlos Santana) - it's not the first time he's tackled an INXS number. On Matchbox Twenty's tour of Australia last year, the group played a couple of INXS tunes, including 'Never Tear Us Apart' (with INXS drummer Jon Farriss sitting in, see video below) and 'Don't Change'.

В 
INXS are in the process of recording a new CD with various singers reinterpreting their greatest hits. There is no word on when the album will be released - and even less word on the band's search for a singer to replace Fortune.