The Fox formed in Brighton in 1968 when veterans of several local bands teamed together. Hammond organist Alex Lane, drummer Tim Reeves, and percussionist-singer Nick Apostiledes had been in the mod-soul band the Alex Lane Group. Reeves had also been in the soul band Omega Plus, as had bassist-keyboardist Dave Windross. Songwriter and guitarist Steve Brayne, who had known Lane and Reeves since primary school, completed the first lineup, though Apostiledes was soon replaced by guitarist Winston Weatherill (formerly in Gary Farr & the T-Bones). The band made test recordings at a 12-hour session in Radio Luxembourg Studios, which worked out so well that most of them were issued as For Fox Sake, though a couple tracks were re-recorded. Management interest cooled off, however, and The Fox broke up soon after the album's release.
by Richie Unterberger
The Fox's lone album is essential and worthy of any record collection. Originally released on Fontana Records in 1970, the album is an work of art with some great haunting guitar work and hammond organ. All the songs included here are expertly crafted pop with enough experimentation, psychedelia, and intelligence to make it worth your while and if the works on this album are anything to go by then, they must have been a great live act.
For many of us the Fox were first introduced to us via the fourth Rubble compilation, 'The 49 Minute Technicolour Dream', anyone remember "Butterfly"?, which despite it's majestic sound and liner notes, actually featured no sitar at all!
Top picks from the album include the single, "Secondhand Love" which has some nice guitar and organ interplay; "Glad I Could" has a nice feel to it making it a nice beaty pop number which would have made an excellent single; "Birthday Card" has some really nice harmonies and lovely organ work; "Madame Magical" is real brain stormer and the most psychedelic sounding clocking in at almost ten minutes.
Tracks
1. Second Hand Love (Alex Lane) - 3:10
2. Lovely Day (Steve Brayne) - 3:28
3. As She Walks Away (A. Lane) - 5:32
4. Glad I Could (Steve Brayne) - 3:04
5. Butterfly (S. Brayne, A. Lane) - 3:26
6. Look In The Sky (S. Brayne, A. Lane) - 3:46
7. Goodtime Music (Steve Brayne) - 2:50
8. Mr Blank (Steve Brayne) - 3:26
9. Man In A Fast Car (Steve Brayne) - 3:01
10.Birthday Card (A. Lane, N. Apostiledes) - 4:17
11.Madame Magical (S. Brayne, N. Apostiledes) - 9:48
12.Lovely Day (Bonus Track, Demo) (Steve Brayne) - 3:37
13.Mr Blank (Bonus Track, Demo) (Steve Brayne) - 3:23
The Fox
*Steve Brayne - Lead Guitar
*Alex Lane - Hammond Organ, Piano
*Tim Reeves - Drums
*Winston Weatherill - Lead Guitar, Sitar
*David Windcross - Bass, Piano
*Nick Apostiledes - Composer
Επιτελους!!! Μπραβο ρε Μαριε.
ReplyDeleteThere were many obscure British psychedelic bands who largely disappeared without trace. Some of these bands were quite frankly rubbish which makes their obscurity no surprise and their disappearance was no great loss and they probably should have remained buried. However some of the bands were truly special, producing some amazing music, and their failure can only be described as mysterious, and even a crime. The Fox, of which this is a reissue of their one and only album from 1970, is one of the latter.
ReplyDeleteBritish group combines elements of psychedelia, pop and traces of prog-rock. Lots of typical late 60's, a little Beatles melody, organ sounds and intricate arrangements. Album is ideal for all those who like July, Skip Bifferty, Jason Crest, and generally Koobas music series under the sign of Rubble. One feel the age of the old-fashioned sound of the Hammond organ,studded with psychedelic colors Baroque melodic pop. You can imagine considering the publication year (1970), In This content was a sound that I missed the bandwagon pretty even at the time. Steve Blaine is a leader in terms of the impact in terms of sound Sound from Soft Machine and Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and The Doors and Vanilla Fudge, Cream, Traffic, Small Faces, MC5, nice, early It seems to have received, the more strongly felt throughout the influence from bands such senior. Therefore, rather than music, such as giving the listener a strong impact, if written in aware of the misunderstanding, so that you can mimic a place tasty of the band that people liked psychedelic / acid rock, art-rock was popular at the time for collectors. Coming at the end of the psych era The Fox have a heavier rock vibe underpinning superb songs like "Second hand love". They probably would have ended up as a prog rock band doing 59 minute long flute solos so maybe its best, as they say, to burn brightly then burn out than fade away. "Look in the sky" is another brilliant track, rolling along with plenty of tasty chords and organ. So check them out for fox sake!
Thx Marios :)
Hey Adamos, So glad you enjoyed our music after all this time! I'm still making music and you can check out my band Sonic Blue on Facebook. Thank you, my friend, for your kind words. Steve Brayne
DeleteI remember seeing the Fox a few times and new Alex from school. (I seem to remember cutting his Hammond in half to make it easier to transport!) I loved their music and it was sad they did not gain wider acclaim. I believe a second album was recorded but never released. I think Steve may have had a copy. I would love to hear it!
ReplyDeleteHi Peter, I just came across this site. Thanks for your nice comments. What a surprise! Very glad we cut the Hammond in half, it weighed a tone otherwise! Alas I don't have a copy of the 2nd album. I did have a rough tape once, but who knows where that went and it was never really finished, so a tad disappointing. The band was full of talent and we are all pretty much still playing. Alex is in LA and we are in touch. What are you up to? Best wishes, Steve Brayne
DeleteLinks are down...any chance of a re post. Thanks in advance....great site by the way.
ReplyDeleteandywharris, "The Fox - For Fox Sake" ...reUp.
DeleteThanks Marios
ReplyDeletethanx 4 Fox
ReplyDelete