Originally formed by vocalist and keyboard player Cy Curnin and drummer Adam Woods during their time in college, following a successful advertisement, they later invited guitarist Jamie West-Oram, keyboardist Rupert Greenall, and bassist Charlie Barret to complete the lineup. Initially under the moniker the Portraits, the group made their recording debut on the single “Hazards in the Home” released by Ariola Records. Despite garnering little attention, the group ploughed on, changing their name to the Fixx and recording the single “Lost Planes”.
The Fixx subsequently inked a deal with MCA Records who issued the band’s debut full-length “Shuttered Room” in 1982. Spawning the modest UK hits “Stand or Fall” and “Red Skies” the album epitomised the burgeoning new wave scene, however failed to make any impact in the U.S. Following the release bassist Barret was replaced by Dan K. Brown, who appeared on the group’s sophomore release “Reach the Beach” in 1983. Aided by the groove-producing single “One Thing Leads to Another”, the album reached the Top 10 on the Billboard 200, catapulting the Fixx to U.S. notoriety. Subsequent singles “Saved by Zero” and “Sign of Fire” further augmented this success, paving the way for the group’s third album.
The full-length “Phantoms” arrived in 1984, which despite charting and selling well failed to live up to the success of its predecessor. Maintaining the same synth-inspired formula, the band’s third fourth studio album “Walkabout” was released in 1986. Earning favourable reviews from the critical press, the album’s lead single “Secret Separation” topped the Billboard Album Rock Tracks upon release. The record would prove to be the last with producer Rupert Hine, after which William Wittman was enlisted to infuse a more guitar-driven sound.
“Calm Animals”, the group’s fifth album, was released in 1988, once again spawning a U.S. hit single, “Driven Out”. Featuring the No. 35 single “How Much Is Enough?” the Fixx’s subsequent album “Ink” was issued by MCA in 1991. Following the release Dan K. Brown left the group and was never officially replaced. In the run-up to the new millennium the band issued “Elemental” in 1998 and “1011 Woodland” in 1999, the latter of which was mainly an acoustic album with renditions of previous singles. In 2003, with former Adam and the Ants bassist Gary Tibbs, the Fixx issued their ninth studio album “Want That Life”, followed by “Beautiful Friction” in 2012.
When you go to a concert knowing a handful of songs, and weeks later you find yourself owning the entire back catalogue of the band, you know that they’ve done something right! That was what happened with me after I recently saw The Fixx in concert. I’d always been a fan of their hits, Stand or Fall, Deeper and Deeper, and the such like, but there was so much I had been missing out on! Cy Curnin’s vocals were the thing that initially drew me in – he sounds the same, if not better live, and nails every single note. However, as the night progressed, I began to notice the insane calibre of the band behind the front man. Their insertion of their newer, more mellow work blended wonderfully with the classics.
They really were better than ever in comparison with their earlier recordings, and seem to have matured and progressed with grace. Their interaction with the audience was refreshing, and it was great to hear them speak about the tracks that I had listened to so many times. It was a night to remember, and one I will be repeating if I get the chance.
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