CEREBRAL FIX was a Punky Metal band from Birmingham, England.
In our short career we made our mark on the scene from our formation in 1986 to our split in 1993.
Along the way we played with a lot of well-known bands including: SEPULTURA, CATHEDRAL, CANDLEMASS, OBITUARY, NAPALM DEATH, SACRILEGE, CARCASS, BENEDICTION, WHITE ZOMBIE, BOLTTHROWER, PARADISE LOST, HR and SUICIDAL TENDENCIES.
After a few Bass player changes we recorded our first demo in 1987, entitled WE NEED THERAPY, with Paul Adams on Bass. Paul left shortly after the recording to form REPRISAL (which later became BENEDICTION). After a bit of Bullshitting, and a 2nd Demo, PRODUCT OF DISGUST, we managed to blag a record deal from VINYL SOLUTION RECORDS, and, in 1988, they sent us to the Ghostly LOCO STUDIOS in South Wales, with new Bass player Steve Watson, and producer Iain Burgess, to record our debut album, LIFE SUCKS AND THEN YOU DIE.
To promote this album we set about touring the UK with BOLT THROWER. Following this up by playing, up and down country, with many fine underground bands such as DEVIATED INSTINCT, DOOM, ELECTRO HIPPIES, CONCRETE SOX, BOMB DISNEYLAND, HELLBASTARD, ENERGETIC KRUSHER and HARD-ONSGod those were the days!!
After a year of gigging, we were asked by SOUNDS music paper to record two songs for a front cover freebie single, ETERNAL WINTER, and a compilation album, which was never released. (We re-recorded the second track, MAIMED TO BEG, for the BASTARDS album).
Soon after this Ade Jones and Steve Watson left us and formed THE JOHN MERRICK EXPERIENCE, making room for ex-SACRELIEGE members Frank Healy (Bass) and Andy Baker (Drums) to join the band. With the new line up complete we set about writing and recording the TOWER OF SPITE demo and sent it to ROADRUNNER Records. After, what seemed like an eternity, they rang us saying that they were impressed enough with the Demo to offer us a deal and asked if we would like to announce this to the music press at the MARQUEE, supporting SEPULTURA for 2 nights Of course we said yes!! This was a great honour made only better by Max, from SEPULTURA, asking Tony if we would like to join them on the 2nd night to play a DISCHARGE cover, PROTEST & SURVIVE, in their encore. (After seeing Tony in his DISCHARGE T-Shirt!)
The summer of 1990 saw us in the studio again recording our debut album for ROADRUNNER records, TOWER OF SPITE, with Paul Johnson as co-producer at his RHYTHM STUDIOS. We embarked on a tour of the UK, with the mighty NAPALM DEATH, to promote TOWER OF SPITE and great fun was had by all. Sadly by the end of the tour drummer Andy Baker decided to hang up his drum sticks for good, but, being the top bloke that Andy is, he put us in touch with ex-METAL MESSIAH drummer Kev Frost, who, after only 3 rehearsals, played a bunch of shows in Holland with us (The poor lad got the Jason Newsted treatment and we wound him up no end).
The following year the new line-up entered RHYTHM STUDIOS, with Paul, to record the BASTARDS album. Long time friend, Blaze Bailey, joined us, in his Reliant Robin, to do a cover of the DAMNEDs SMASH IT UP as an extra track. With the new album in the stores, we joined OBITUARY on tour around the UK and Ireland.
In 1992 we were in the studio, for the last time, recording DEATH EROTICA, on a new label, MUSIC FOR NATIONS, again with Paul, at RHYTHM STUDIOS. We were joined, for more end of album silliness, by Clint Mansell from POP WILL EAT ITSELF and Barney from NAPALM DEATH, to cover DISCHARGEs NEVER AGAIN. Shane Embury from NAPALM DEATH gave James Brown a run for his money, doing vocals on TOO DRUNK TO FUNK, and Andy Pike of MARSHALL LAW and Tony Mills of SIAM did a cover of JUDAS PRIESTs LIVIN' AFTER MIDNIGHT.
To support this album we toured the UK with PARADISE LOST, but, not long after the tour Frank joined BENEDICTION and Gregg left. With a European tour with CANCER coming up we re-enlisted Steve Watson, this time on Guitar, and borrowed the DISCHARGE bass player Jake Morgan. The final leg of the tour was in the UK, but due to other commitments we lost the services of Kev and Steve. Gregg Fellows rejoined us and Nick Barker, from DIMMU BORGIR and CRADLE OF FILTH, helped out on the drums. Sadly this was the last tour we did, but we met some great people and had some great times.
The Final gig was at "The Royal Standard" in Walthamstow, London on the 15th of April 1994. Line-up: Simon on Vocals, Steve Watson on Guitar, Mark Culley on Bass and Richard Mallatratt behind the kit.
UPDATE:
Well bugger me if we didn't all meet up the other night and agree to reform...
Its early days yet, But CEREBRAL FIX are back!! Over the next few months we are gonna be rehearsing a set of old songs, and also be working on new material for the future. News to follow.........
