Jordan Lawrence, 22, right, belts out a tune as Mark Gallagher, 44, waits behind him in line for auditions on the INXS reality show yesterday at the Mod Club. Below, Natasha Kinne, 37, warms up while waiting her turn. (SUN/David Lucas)

A global search for a New Sensation pulled into Toronto yesterday as the seminal '80s Australian band INXS continued its reality show hunt for a fresh face to front their act.

"I'm here to become the new lead singer of INXS," burly Randy Robertson, 35, said as he stood near the tail end of a lengthy line outside the Mod Club on College St.

"I've always dreamed of being a rock star."

Robertson was one of a few hundred hopefuls who waited hours yesterday to sing a few bars in front of producers with INXS Rock Star, a new Mark Burnett reality show chronicling the quest.

Singer died in 1997

The band lost charismatic front man Michael Hutchence to suicide in 1997 and have toyed with a succession of guest vocalists since.

"This is the only chance in the world I've got because I'm too old for Canadian Idol," said Robertson, a veteran performer from the Maritimes bar circuit. "It's the truth, this is my last chance to be a rock star."

Jordan Scott Lawrence, at 22 too young to know much about INXS's chart-topping days, didn't let that stop him from dreaming of catching on with the group. "You got to have a dream and you've got to go for it," Lawrence said.

Inside the club, an eclectic mix of hairstyles and sideburns mingled as performers waited for their one brief moment.

"We're looking for a great performance so be that rock star you've always dreamed of," urged a producer, speaking to the line of hopefuls, nervously clutching their numbered placards and acoustic guitars.

Most got no more than two verses of their chosen tune, but all got a healthy round of applause.