Genre Psychedelic rock | Active until 1995 Albums Hypnotwister, Whirlpool | |
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Years active 1990 (1990)–1995 (1995) Record labels 50 Seel St. Records, Quigley Records Similar Smashing Orange, The Honey Buzzards, Bang Bang Machine, The Belltower, Spirea X | ||
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 in the North West. The band's name was linked to American actor Vincent Price who starred in House of Wax and the two Dr. Phibes films.
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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.
History
The band, which consisted of Howard King Jr (guitar and vocals) Lee Belsham (bass) and Keith York (drums), grew from meeting on a music course at South Cheshire College of Further Education in late 1989.
They released their first EP Sugarblast in 1990. This was followed up by their first album Whirlpool in 1991. A second EP, called Hazy Lazy Hologram, was released the same year.
The level of success continued with appearances at the Glastonbury Festival in 1992. Dr Phibes also recorded Peel Sessions for the Radio One DJ John Peel in 1991 and 1993. They also recorded some tracks for Mark Radcliffe's late night Radio 1 show. The band would release a further four EPs; their second album Hypnotwister came out in 1993.
Dr Phibes' final live performance was in Manchester in 1995. Shortly afterwards the group folded.
Demise
On 16 February 1997 Howard King Jr was charged by North Wales Police with murdering his mother, Avril Fiona King, two days earlier at their shared home in Connah's Quay in north East Wales. King Jr, who stabbed and beat his mother, was jailed for life at Caernarfon Crown Court.
Discography
Songs
SugarblastWhirlpool · 1991
Hazy Lazy HologramHypnotwister · 1993
MisdiagnosediveHypnotwister · 1993