The Fixx, originally based in London,
made their debut in 1982, with the release of Shuttered
Room. A collection of their best work to that point, the videos for
"Stand or Fall" and "Red Skies"
were played heavily by MTV and became anthems for yet another generation fed up with the Cold War. Later
that year, The Fixx performed on Long Island for the King Biscuit Flower Hour. Not long after, in 1983,
Reach the Beach was released and immediately took off in the U.S., led by its single
"Saved by Zero", and later by the catchy
"One Thing Leads to Another".
Showcasing singer Cy Curnin's unorthodox vocals and Jamie
West-Oram's rhythm driven guitar against the tight rhythm section of Adam Woods
(drums) and Alfie Agius (bass; would later be replaced by Dan K. Brown,), all complemented
by the synthesizer stylings of Rupert Greenal, the album cemented the band's style. Generous
airplay and a full U.S. tour garnered the band a large following.
Phantoms was released in 1984, and still seems to be a favorite of the band and many of its
fans. Featuring the single "Deeper and Deeper" from the Streets of Fire
soundtrack, this album found the band in an especially productive mode, carrying them across a wider range.
The songs on this album seem a little less angry, more tempered with maturity and diverse in its style.
Several songs, particularly "I Will" and
"Wish", are downright soulful.
"Are We Ourselves" and "Sunshine in the Shade" were released as
singles.
The band's next album, Walkabout, arrived in
1986, with the singles "Treasure
It", "Camphor"
and "Secret Separation". While
"Secret Separation" received a good deal of airplay and the album sold well,
as with Phantoms, MCA seemed unimpressed with its modest sales. React, released in 1987, was the band's
last effort for MCA. Consisting of three new songs--each a solid effort--and a collection of live versions of
their best-known singles, this album came off as a last-ditch effort to settle contractual obligations before
moving on to a new label.
RCA signed The Fixx in short order, and the result was Calm Animals in 1988. This album found the band
picking up the tempo again, with West-Oram's guitar more prominent in the mix and Woods and Brown taking a more
aggressive, driving, and perhaps dance-influenced approach overall.
"Driven Out" received a good deal of airplay, and
"Precious Stone" (with lyrics by Woods, a.k.a. Madman) was also released.
This was The Fixx's only effort for that label.
Their next album would not come until 1991, when, after signing with Impact, Ink, featuring portraits of
the band done up in corporate attire, was released. "How Much is Enough" garnered
some airplay. This was their only effort for Impact.
While the Fixx had carved themselves a niche as a rock band,
executives kept trying to push them as an arena pop band.
These experiences left the band with a true determination to make music on their own terms.
After spending some time writing and recording new music, the band released
a "demo", Happy Landings CD in 1997.
Unlike any previous Fixx recording, Elemental found them older,
wiser and with more power and incisiveness than ever. (And with another bassist, Chris
Tait.) For The Fixx, maturity hasn't meant a staleness or nostalgia.
It has bestowed a mastery of all the best elements of their work, and allowed them to expand and grow further.
The two-CD set 1011 Woodland, named for the studio in which it was
recorded, was released in 1999. The Fixx put forth an earnest effort in re-working the
songs in an even more stripped down, intimate style than was used on
Happy Landings and Elemental. Each
song is cast in a new light, in some cases making the songs finally come together, as in
"Precious Stone" and
"Still Around", both of which make their previous
recorded versions pale in comparison. At the end of the second CD are three concert
recordings made on the Elemental tour. All three are infectious in their enthusiasm
and are sparkling examples of the energy and commitment still felt by the band.
The original “Happy Landings” sessions were later released on Rainman Records as
Happy Landings and Lost Tracks. This CD includes the tracks from the now mpossible to find demo disc,
including "Freeman", an extended version of
"We Once Held Hands", and the light, airy original version of
"Going Without".
The Fixx’s second wind brought them to 2003’s Want That
Life, (Rainman) recorded in Spain at El Cortijo Studios, with Gary Tibbs on
bass. The album continues the band’s tradition of fine
craftsmanship.
The Fixx will continue to write songs, record and tour and it
may very well be that the best is yet to come.
