Biography
An Australian electronic rock outfit active during the 1990s, Def FX acquired their moniker when the manager randomly stacked compact discs and extracted a title from the uppermost pair—a Def Jam anthology paired with a BBC sound-effects collection. Their sound fused house rhythms with heavy-metal textures and lyrics steeped in surfer-hippie imagery. Founder Sean Lowry, who handled keyboards, sampling, and backing vocals, later asserted that he constructed tracks by digitally altering a database of Top 40 hits so the resulting pieces retained enough familiarity to connect with audiences. Embedded in the material were the neo-pagan perspectives of lead singer Fiona Horne, who later gained recognition for her writings on contemporary witchcraft.
Alongside Horne and Lowry, the initial roster featured Martyn Basha on bass, Blake Gardner on guitar, and Larry Van Kriedt, an AC/DC alumnus, on saxophone. Phantom Records issued the first two EPs, Water and Surge, in 1991. The following year the group delivered a third EP, Blink, and their debut full-length, Light Speed Collision, via EMI. American pressings and the accompanying tour appeared under the adjusted name Definition FX after objections that the original title too closely resembled that of the hip-hop act Das EFX. While preparing for the U.S. dates, guitarist Blake Gardner departed and was succeeded by Dave Stein. EMI later compiled the early EPs into the 1993 collection Baptism, which preceded the Post Moronic EP marking Martyn Basha’s exit. Larry Van Kriedt shifted from saxophone and occasional programming to temporary bass duties until Peter Tasker joined.
Operating independently after leaving EMI, the band formed Cicada Music and issued the more experimental Ritual Eternal in 1995. Lowry assumed nearly total command of its sonic direction, managing most recording and production himself; the album also first reflected Horne’s beliefs as a practicing witch in its lyrics. Internal friction prompted the removal of Tasker shortly after his arrival, with Sean Fonti, previously of Caligula, becoming the fourth bassist. That same year saw the Psychoactive Summer EP. Their final release, the 1996 album Majick, achieved the strongest commercial performance and earned gold certification. Lowry then stunned his colleagues by declaring the project concluded and dissolving the group. He subsequently launched Celebrity Drug Disasters, another venture reportedly built on manipulated hit-song data, while Horne attained prominence through a sequence of books and articles on Wicca, a nude Playboy pictorial, and appearances on reality television programs.
Alongside Horne and Lowry, the initial roster featured Martyn Basha on bass, Blake Gardner on guitar, and Larry Van Kriedt, an AC/DC alumnus, on saxophone. Phantom Records issued the first two EPs, Water and Surge, in 1991. The following year the group delivered a third EP, Blink, and their debut full-length, Light Speed Collision, via EMI. American pressings and the accompanying tour appeared under the adjusted name Definition FX after objections that the original title too closely resembled that of the hip-hop act Das EFX. While preparing for the U.S. dates, guitarist Blake Gardner departed and was succeeded by Dave Stein. EMI later compiled the early EPs into the 1993 collection Baptism, which preceded the Post Moronic EP marking Martyn Basha’s exit. Larry Van Kriedt shifted from saxophone and occasional programming to temporary bass duties until Peter Tasker joined.
Operating independently after leaving EMI, the band formed Cicada Music and issued the more experimental Ritual Eternal in 1995. Lowry assumed nearly total command of its sonic direction, managing most recording and production himself; the album also first reflected Horne’s beliefs as a practicing witch in its lyrics. Internal friction prompted the removal of Tasker shortly after his arrival, with Sean Fonti, previously of Caligula, becoming the fourth bassist. That same year saw the Psychoactive Summer EP. Their final release, the 1996 album Majick, achieved the strongest commercial performance and earned gold certification. Lowry then stunned his colleagues by declaring the project concluded and dissolving the group. He subsequently launched Celebrity Drug Disasters, another venture reportedly built on manipulated hit-song data, while Horne attained prominence through a sequence of books and articles on Wicca, a nude Playboy pictorial, and appearances on reality television programs.
Albums