Brix Smith
Encyclopedia
Brix Smith-Start is an American
singer, guitarist
and television
presenter
, best known for being a member of post-punk
band The Fall, and as lead singer and songwriter with The Adult Net
.
. While in Chicago, she formed a band called "Banda Dratsing", and was their bassist/vocalist. Brix studied theatre and literature at Bennington College
in Vermont
.
in 1983, and joined the band on guitar and vocals in the same year. She first appeared on the Perverted by Language
album. During her period with the band she helped introduce a more mainstream, pop-oriented element to the group's sound. She divorced Smith and left The Fall in 1989. She temporarily rejoined the group for Cerebral Caustic
(1995) and The Light User Syndrome
(1996).
, and other contributors (including Mark E. Smith). The band released four singles for The Fall's then label Beggars Banquet Records
in 1985 and 1986, starting with a cover of Strawberry Alarm Clock
's "Incense and Peppermints".
After three years and an album recorded with members of The Smiths
, The Adult Net released The Honey Tangle in 1989 on Phonogram Records
. This line up included Brix along with musicians including Craig Gannon
, The The
member James Eller and Blondie
drummer Clem Burke
.
. She became romantically involved with violin
ist Nigel Kennedy
, and they collaborated on a cover of Donovan
's "Hurdy Gurdy Man" which was released as a single in 1993 on Nettwerk
.
In 1994, Brix had auditioned for Hole
after the death of bassist Kristen Pfaff
, but she decided she didn't want to commit to being in the band full-time.
In 1997, she released the Happy Unbirthday EP on Strangelove. The EP is a collaboration with Marty Willson-Piper
and includes a cover of David Bowie
's "Space Oddity".
In 2007, Brix put out her first solo LP Neurotica which is available as a digital download on Loser Friendly Records.
In recent years, as Brix Smith-Start, she has appeared on numerous British television shows, such as Channel 4
's Gok's Fashion Fix, as a fashion expert. She's also appeared on Animal Planet UK's Top Dog, The Culture Show
on BBC Two
, the John Peel's Record Box
documentary on Channel 4, LK Today's 'What's Hot and What's Not' segment and Sky 1
's Angela and Friends
.
On 27 February 2011 she appeared as fashion expert on Sky
television's coverage of the 2011 Academy Awards
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
presenter
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
, best known for being a member of post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
band The Fall, and as lead singer and songwriter with The Adult Net
The Adult Net
The Adult Net was a British indie pop band formed by the American singer and guitarist Brix Smith and the British musician Simon Rogers in 1985. Formed while they were still members of the British post-punk band The Fall, The Adult Net released seven singles and one album, of which just one of the...
.
Biography
Brix grew up in Los Angeles and ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. While in Chicago, she formed a band called "Banda Dratsing", and was their bassist/vocalist. Brix studied theatre and literature at Bennington College
Bennington College
Bennington College is a liberal arts college located in Bennington, Vermont, USA. The college was founded in 1932 as a women's college and became co-educational in 1969.-History:-Early years:...
in Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
.
The Fall
Brix married Fall vocalist Mark E. SmithMark E. Smith
Mark Edward Smith is the lead singer, lyricist, frontman, and only constant member of the English post-punk band The Fall.-Early life:...
in 1983, and joined the band on guitar and vocals in the same year. She first appeared on the Perverted by Language
Perverted by Language
Perverted by Language is a 1983 album by The Fall. It was the first Fall album to feature Brix Smith, then wife of Mark E. Smith, who performs lead vocals on "Hotel Blöedel"...
album. During her period with the band she helped introduce a more mainstream, pop-oriented element to the group's sound. She divorced Smith and left The Fall in 1989. She temporarily rejoined the group for Cerebral Caustic
Cerebral Caustic
Cerebral Caustic is an album by The Fall, released in 1995 on Permanent Records. It spent one week on the UK charts at number 67, 19 places lower than its predecessor Middle Class Revolt, marking the end of one of the group's relatively more successful periods.The album was most notable for the...
(1995) and The Light User Syndrome
The Light User Syndrome
The Light User Syndrome is an album by The Fall, released in 1996 on Jet Records. It was preceded by 8 minute, 3-part single "The Chiselers" and was the group's first album to feature keyboard player and guitarist Julia Nagle, It was the last to feature Brix Smith and the group were without Craig...
(1996).
The Adult Net
In 1985, Brix started her side project, The Adult Net, with fellow Fall member, Simon RogersSimon Rogers
Simon Rogers is a British musician and composer, notable for his chart success both as a musician and as a producer as well as for his considerable portfolio of television soundtrack work.-Biography:...
, and other contributors (including Mark E. Smith). The band released four singles for The Fall's then label Beggars Banquet Records
Beggars Banquet Records
Beggars Banquet is an English independent record label that began as a chain of record shops owned by Martin Mills and Nick Austin, and is part of the Beggars Group of labels...
in 1985 and 1986, starting with a cover of Strawberry Alarm Clock
Strawberry Alarm Clock
Strawberry Alarm Clock is a psychedelic rock band from Los Angeles best known for their 1967 hit "Incense and Peppermints". The group took its name as an homage to the Beatles' psychedelic hit "Strawberry Fields Forever", reportedly, at the suggestion of their record company Uni Records.They are...
's "Incense and Peppermints".
After three years and an album recorded with members of The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
, The Adult Net released The Honey Tangle in 1989 on Phonogram Records
Phonogram Records
Phonogram Records was started in 1962 as a joint venture between Philips Records and Deutsche Grammophon. In 1972, Phonogram was merged with Polydor Records into PolyGram....
. This line up included Brix along with musicians including Craig Gannon
Craig Gannon
Craig Gannon , is an English guitar player. Previously best known for being the second guitarist in The Smiths, he is now a composer for film and television.-Career:...
, The The
The The
The The are an English musical and multimedia group that have been active in various forms since 1979, with singer/songwriter Matt Johnson being the only constant band member.-Early years :...
member James Eller and Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
drummer Clem Burke
Clem Burke
Clem Burke is an American musician who is the drummer for the band Blondie. Recruited by Chris Stein and Debbie Harry when they were first forming Blondie, Burke remained with the band through its first stage and later returned for its late 1990s reunion and then its extensive 2009 tour.Following...
.
Solo work and other activities
After leaving The Fall and disbanding The Adult Net, Brix went on to tour with The BanglesThe Bangles
The Bangles are an American all-female band that originated in the early 1980s, scoring several hit singles during the decade.-Formation and early years :...
. She became romantically involved with violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist Nigel Kennedy
Nigel Kennedy
Nigel Kennedy is a British born violinist and violist. He made his early career in the classical field, and he has performed and recorded most of the major violin concerti...
, and they collaborated on a cover of Donovan
Donovan
Donovan Donovan Donovan (born Donovan Philips Leitch (born 10 May 1946) is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist. Emerging from the British folk scene, he developed an eclectic and distinctive style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelia, and world music...
's "Hurdy Gurdy Man" which was released as a single in 1993 on Nettwerk
Nettwerk
The Nettwerk Music Group is the umbrella company for Nettwerk Management, Nettwerk Records, Nettwerk One Publishing, Nutone Records, and Artwerk. With over 150 employees, the Vancouver-based company has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Boston, Nashville, and Hamburg...
.
In 1994, Brix had auditioned for Hole
Hole (band)
Hole is an American alternative rock band that originally formed in Los Angeles in 1989. The band is fronted by vocalist/songwriter and rhythm guitarist Courtney Love, who co-founded Hole with former songwriter/lead guitarist Eric Erlandson...
after the death of bassist Kristen Pfaff
Kristen Pfaff
Kristen Marie Pfaff was an American bass guitarist, best known for her work with Hole.-Early life and career:Pfaff was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, attending Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart. She spent a short time in Europe and briefly attended Boston College before ultimately...
, but she decided she didn't want to commit to being in the band full-time.
In 1997, she released the Happy Unbirthday EP on Strangelove. The EP is a collaboration with Marty Willson-Piper
Marty Willson-Piper
Marty Willson-Piper is a guitarist and member of Australian independent rock band The Church.After busking his way around the world, he arrived in Australia...
and includes a cover of David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
's "Space Oddity".
In 2007, Brix put out her first solo LP Neurotica which is available as a digital download on Loser Friendly Records.
Start and fashion
Brix married Philip Start, and the couple launched an East London boutique, Start, in 2002. Since then, they have expanded to four boutiques and an online store.In recent years, as Brix Smith-Start, she has appeared on numerous British television shows, such as Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's Gok's Fashion Fix, as a fashion expert. She's also appeared on Animal Planet UK's Top Dog, The Culture Show
The Culture Show
The Culture Show is a weekly BBC Two Arts magazine programme. It is broadcast in the UK on Thursday nights at 7pm, focusing on the best of the week's arts and culture news, covering books, art, film, architecture, music, visual fashion and the performing arts...
on BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
, the John Peel's Record Box
John Peel's Record Box
John Peel's Record Box is a documentary film made by Elaine Shepherd, released on 14 November 2005 on Channel 4. It was nominated for Primetime Emmy Award....
documentary on Channel 4, LK Today's 'What's Hot and What's Not' segment and Sky 1
SKY 1
The Box is an entertainment channel in New Zealand available on SKY Network Television.The channel shows are a variety of the most recent shows such as from the United States, for example CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Simpsons, Family Guy, World Wrestling Entertainments hit shows, and...
's Angela and Friends
Angela and Friends
Angela and Friends was a British talk show which was produced by Crackit Productions for Sky1.The show aired at 12pm, Monday to Friday, and was presented by actress Angela Griffin, who was joined by three "friends" in each show to discuss the latest news, celebrity gossip as well as other topical...
.
On 27 February 2011 she appeared as fashion expert on Sky
British Sky Broadcasting
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc is a satellite broadcasting, broadband and telephony services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with operations in the United Kingdom and the Ireland....
television's coverage of the 2011 Academy Awards
83rd Academy Awards
The 83rd Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , honored the best films of 2010 and took place February 27, 2011, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles beginning at 5:30 p.m. PST / 8:30 p.m. EST. During the ceremony, Academy Awards ...
.