Def FX

Def FX were an Australian pop music group, formed in Sydney. The core of the group was Sean Lowry, Fiona Horne (vocalist and lyrics) and Martyn Basha (bassist and co-writer).

Top 50 ARIA hit "Psychoactive Summer" is exemplary of Def FX's music, combining elements of electronica and heavy-metal instrumentations and grunge vocals. Their music throughout their career can be described as a fusion of elements of psychedelia, industrial, grunge, electronica, and heavy metal, and in their early days, even reggae and disco. In fluctating degrees their sound has similarities to that of, Cliff Burton-era Metallica, Soundgarden, Jesus Jones, The Prodigy, INXS, Garbage, Rammstein, 1990s Wollongong grunge band Tumbleweed, Marilyn Manson, and especially Evanescence.

History

With guitarist Blake Gardner, bassist Martyn Basha, and Larry Van Kriedt on saxophone and programming respectively, the band released their first EP Water in 1990. The release featured the song "Surfers of the Mind", the band's first music video. Their first album Light Speed Collision was released in 1992 (first as a vinyl-only release on the Phantom Records label, followed by CD in 1992 through EMI).The album also featured supplementary vocals by New Zealand pop singer Margaret Urlich. For its release in the United States the band were forced to use the artist name "Definition FX" to avoid any confusion with US band Das EFX.

The next album Baptism, released in 1993, was a compilation of the EPs "Water", "Surge" and "Blink" as well as the 12-inch "Surfers of the Mind" single. It also featured the single "Make Your Stash", which is apparently so rare that Horne had no idea of its existence when presented it for autographing by a dedicated Def FX fan. The single was rather atypical of Def FX, in that it had no cover art and no B-sides, which had characterised their EPs. The band usually preferred to make each release, be it album or EP, a conceptual work that made full use of the compact disc format that had recently come into commercial prominence.

Weeks before the band's second tour of the United States, guitarist Gardner left the band to be replaced by Dave Stein. By the end of 1993, Martyn Basha also departed, replaced by long-time member Larry Van Kriedt.

Ritual Eternal (1995) was a more experimental album, featuring some tracks without the standard guitars, and others featuring Charlie McMahon playing the didgeridoo, with whom Def FX also toured. Recorded and produced almost entirely by Sean Lowry, following the cancellation of their contract with EMI, this album also introduced new bassist, Peter Tasker, who was forced out of the band months later. His replacement was Sean Fonti, formerly of Sydney acts Massappeal and Caligula

1996 saw the release of Majick. It spawned four singles, and became the band's only certified release, going gold in 1997. The band dissolved in May of that year. The split was announced by Horne on ABCTV's Saturday morning youth variety show Recovery.

Post-breakup

Fiona Horne followed her stint with Def FX with musical releases 'Shut Up and Kiss Me' with Paul McDermott and a solo single "Let's Go Out Tonight" (both achieving chart success) before subsequently become a successful author, writing no less than 11 books, including two autobiographies and guides to the various Wicca rituals she practices. See her bibliography here.

She is also an actor, as well as a performer in reality television as both host and contestant; and used to regularly appear on the Hamish and Andy radio programme.

In March 2007 Horne released her first solo CD Witch Web, based on her spiritual practice.

Sean Lowry completed his Ph.D in 2003 at the University of Sydney. Lowry is now an academic, writer & visual artist. Sean Fonti went on to form Primary with brother Jamie Fonti also from Caligula and vocalist Connie Mitchell

2012 reunion

In 2012, the band reunited and embarked on a national tour in May–June 2012, playing shows in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide. Lowry did not participate in the reunion. Horne and Basha were the original members reunited for the tour, joining Horne and Basha was veteran Sydney electronic musician Ant Banister (Lunar Module and Clan Analogue) on keyboards/vocals and Wiley Cochrane on guitar as well as an appearance by Jesse Basha (son of bassist Martyn Basha).

2013 reunion

In October - November 2013 Def FX played shows in Adelaide, Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney and Brisbane. Building on the momentum from their successful reunion tour in 2012, with some rumors of a repeat tour for late 2014.

Charts

Singles

Albums

Awards

Best Dance Act - 1994 Music Awards Readers poll, Rolling Stone, Australia.
Best Keyboards - 1994 Music Awards Readers poll, Rolling Stone, Australia.
ARIA nomination, 1992.

Discography

References

External links

• Fiona Horne's official website
• Def FX at Discogs
• Fiona Horne interview at WickedInfo.com