Fad Gadget
Effectively a monicker for UK-born vocalist and synthesizer player Frank Tovey, Fad Gadget enjoyed cult success with a series of bizarre releases on the Mute label during the early '80s. Tovey's background lay in his study of performance art at Leeds Art College. After moving to London, he transferred this interest into an unpredictable, often self-mutilating stage show. The first artist to sign with Daniel Miller's Mute label, Fad Gadget's Back To Nature was released in 1979. Ricky's Hand further combined Tovey's lyrical skill (observing the darker aspects of life) with an innovative use of electronics. Both these traits were evident on Fireside Favourites, a single and also the title of Fad Gadget's debut album. For the latter, Tovey was joined by Eric Radcliffe (guitar/bass), Nick Cash (drums), John Fryer (noises), Daniel Miller (drum machine/synthesizer) and Phil Wauquaire (bass synthesizer/guitar). After Make Room, (1981), came INCONTINENT, which was more violent, unnerving and disturbing than before. Tovey had also recruited new staff, working with Peter Balmer (bass/rhythm guitar), David Simmons (piano/synthesizer), singers B.J. Frost and Anne Clift, John Fryer (percussion), plus drummer Robert Gotobed of Wire. In 1982 Saturday Night Special and King Of Flies preceded a third album, UNDER THE FLAG. Dealing with the twin themes of the Falklands conflict and Tovey's new-born child, the album featured Alison Moyet on saxophone and backing vocals. The following year saw new extremes as Tovey returned from a European tour with his legs in plaster, having broken them during a show. On the recording front, the year was fairly quiet apart from For Whom The Bell Tolls and I Discover Love. Collapsing New People continued an impressive run of singles at the start of 1984, and was followed by Fad Gadget's final album, GAG. By this time, the band had swelled and supported Siouxsie And The Banshees at London's Royal Albert Hall. But Tovey opted to use his real identity from this point on. In November, he teamed up with American Boyd Rice for EASY LISTENING FOR THE HARD OF HEARING. Since then, Tovey has issued four solo works, each of them as highly distinct and uncompromising as Fad Gadget's material.