Cerebral Fix
| Cerebral Fix | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Birmingham, England |
| Genres |
Thrash metal Crossover thrash |
| Years active | 1986–1993, 2006–present |
| Labels |
Vinyl Solution Roadrunner Records Music For Nations |
| Members |
Neil Farrington (deceased) Gregg Fellows Simon Forrest Frank Healy Tony Warburton |
| Past members |
Paul Adams Andy Baker Nicholas Barker Kev Frost Adrian Jones Jake Morgan Steve Watson |
Cerebral Fix are an English crossover/thrash band formed in Birmingham in 1986. They became members of the UK thrash metal and death metal scenes through four albums, three of which were on major labels before finally disbanding in 1993. In 2006, the band announced its reformation.
History
1986–1988
The band were initially Simon Forrest on vocals, Gregg Fellows on guitar, Adrian Jones on drums and Paul Adams on bass.
After successful demos in 1987, entitled We Need Therapy and Product of Disgust, the band secured a record deal with independent London-based label, Vinyl Solution. Paul Adams then left the band and formed a band called Reprisal, which later went on to become Benediction. His replacement was Steve Watson, and the band entered the Loco Studio in Usk, South Wales to record their first album, Life Sucks... And Then You Die!, which was released in 1988.
The band promoted this album by touring the UK with bands such as Bolt Thrower, Deviated Instinct, Doom, Electro Hippies, Hellbastard, and Hard-Ons – all fairly prominent members of the emerging death metal, crust punk, and hardcore punk scenes. The album gained further exposure by having several tracks played on BBC Radio 1's John Peel show – Peel himself being somewhat of a champion for eclectic music styles.
1989–1990
In 1989, the band recorded two songs for Sounds magazine and a compilation album which was never released. Adrian Jones and Steve Watson left the band and ex-Sacrilege members, Frank Healy and Andy Baker, joined the band which then went on to record a new demo, entitled Tower of Spite. The demo eventually resulted in them winning a contract with Roadrunner Records – a well-known record label specialising in heavy metal and especially the popular thrash metal subgenre. To announce the deal, Roadrunner Records set up a supporting slot for the band with Sepultura at The Marquee Club in London. Tony Warburton played a cover version of a Discharge song with the main act.
In 1990, the album Tower of Spite was released. It was recorded at Rhythm Studios in Leamington Spa with Paul Johnson producing. This set-up continued for all the band's albums to date. To support the album, the band toured with Napalm Death after which Andy Baker decided to retire. Kev Frost, formerly of Metal Messiah, joined the band and they went on to tour the Netherlands.
1991–1993
In 1991, the band's third album, Bastards, was released – again on Roadrunner Records, and with guest vocals by Blaze Bayley. A tour with American death metal band, Obituary, followed.
In 1992, the band's fourth and final album to date, Death Erotica was released – this time on Music For Nations and were joined by members of Napalm Death and Pop Will Eat Itself from nearby Birmingham, who supplied guest vocals on various tracks.
To support the album, the band toured with doom metal band, Paradise Lost. However, shortly after, Frank Healy and Gregg Fellows left the band – the former to play with Benediction. For the European leg of the tour with Cancer, the band enlisted the services of Discharge bass player, Jake Morgan, and original Cerebral Fix member, Steve Watson who took up guitar duties this time round. Returning to the UK for another tour, Gregg Fellows rejoined the band and Nicholas Barker of Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth temporarily filled in on drums. The band split, however, in 1993.
2006
In 2006, the band – with four original members – announced a re-union and the intention to record again in the near future.
2008
On 9 May 2008, Cerebral Fix announced via MySpace that Frank Healy had left Cerebral Fix as he was busy with his other band, Benediction. Scott Fairfax was later announced as the band's new bass player on 24 June 2008.
2009
Drummer Neil Farrington died in the early hours of 20 December.[1]
2013
Cerebral fix announced they are to reform with original bassist Steve Watson and drummer Andy Baker, the rest of the band is Gregg Fellows-guitar, Tony Warburton-guitar and Simon Forrest-vocals. Live shows and a new album are planned.
Current members
- Neil Hadden – vocals
- Gregg Fellows – guitar
- Tony Warburton – guitar
- Chris 'Doss' Hatton - guitar
- Nigel Joiner - bass
- Andy Baker – drums
Former members
- Frank Healy – bass
- Paul Adams – bass
- Jake Morgan – bass (temporary)
- Kev Frost – drums
- Adrian Jones – drums
- Nicholas Barker – drums (temporary)
- Mark Culley - bass (temporary)
- Neil Farrington (deceased) – drums
- Scott Fairfax-bass (temporary)
- Simon Forrest – vocals
Discography
- We Need Therapy (1987) Demo
- Product of Disgust (1987) Demo
- Life Sucks... And Then You Die! (1988) Vinyl Solution
- Tower of Spite (1990) Demo
- Tower of Spite (1990) Roadrunner Records
- Bastards (1991) Roadrunner Records
- Death Erotica (1992) Music For Nations/Under One Flag