Dr Phibes & the House of Wax Equations
Encyclopedia
Dr Phibes and the House of Wax Equations were a psychedelic rock
band based in the north west of England in the early to mid 1990s. They were regulars in the UK Indie Chart
and had some links with other local bands (e.g The Hexmen )in the North West.
The line-up consisted of Howard King Jr (guitar and vocals) Lee Belsham (bass) and Keith York
(drums). The band toured extensively around the UK and mainland Europe, including a major European tour featuring performances at rock festivals in France, Switzerland and Germany.
They recorded an album, Whirlpool, which was released in 1991 and followed it up the same year with a second EP, called Hazy Lazy Hologram.
The level of success continued with appearances at the Glastonbury Festival
in 1992. The band also recorded a Peel Session for the Radio One
DJ John Peel
in 1993.
Later the same year they released their second album, Hypnotwister.
The band's final live performance was in Manchester in 1995.
The name was a homage to the horror films of American actor Vincent Price
who starred in House of Wax
and the two Dr. Phibes films.
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
band based in the north west of England in the early to mid 1990s. They were regulars in the UK Indie Chart
UK Indie Chart
The UK Independent Chart or Indie Chart is a chart of the best-selling independent record releases in the UK.- History :In the wake of punk, small record labels began to spring up, as an outlet for artists that were unwilling to sign contracts with major record companies, or were not considered...
and had some links with other local bands (e.g The Hexmen )in the North West.
The line-up consisted of Howard King Jr (guitar and vocals) Lee Belsham (bass) and Keith York
Keith York
Keith York is a professional session drummer who has toured and sessioned throughout the world and worked with a range of bands, including Pitchshifter, The Lightning Seeds, Bivouac, Ladytron, and Esoteric, Bentley Rhythm Ace , Broadcast and Love Amongst Ruin...
(drums). The band toured extensively around the UK and mainland Europe, including a major European tour featuring performances at rock festivals in France, Switzerland and Germany.
They recorded an album, Whirlpool, which was released in 1991 and followed it up the same year with a second EP, called Hazy Lazy Hologram.
The level of success continued with appearances at the Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
in 1992. The band also recorded a Peel Session for the Radio One
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
DJ John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
in 1993.
Later the same year they released their second album, Hypnotwister.
The band's final live performance was in Manchester in 1995.
The name was a homage to the horror films of American actor Vincent Price
Vincent Price
Vincent Leonard Price, Jr. was an American actor, well known for his distinctive voice and serio-comic attitude in a series of horror films made in the latter part of his career.-Early life and career:Price was born in St...
who starred in House of Wax
House of Wax (1953 film)
House of Wax is a 1953 American horror film starring Vincent Price. It is a remake of Warners' Mystery of the Wax Museum without the comic relief featured in the earlier film, and was directed by André de Toth...
and the two Dr. Phibes films.
Discography
- Sugarblast, EP, 1990
- Hazy Lazy Hologram, 12" single (came with free 7" radio edit single), 1991
- Whirlpool, LP, 1991
- Mr Phantasy (7 inch remix), EP, 1991 (France-only promo EP including "L.A. Woman")
- Misdiagnosedive, EP, 1992
- Hypnotwister, LP, 1993
- Deadpan Control Freak, EP, 1993
- Moment of Truth / Deadpan Control Freak, EP, 1993