Bigelf

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Bigelf is a progressive rock/progressive metal band formed in Los Angeles, CA in 1991. They have since released four studio albums.^[1]

Biography

Bigelf were formed as a psychedelic/glam-tinged hard rock outfit in 1991 in Los Angeles, California by Damon Fox and Richard Anton. They initially gained a large underground following. Bigelf's original line-up included Damon Fox (vocals/keyboards/guitar), A.H.M. Butler-Jones (vocals/guitar), Richard Anton (vocals/bass) and Thom Sullivan (drums).

The quartet recorded 6-track EP "Closer To Doom" in spring 1995 co-produced by Sylvia Massy. "Closer To Doom" was released in 1996 and established them as 'fathers' of the psychedelic doom movement that spawned the L.A. stoner-rock scene. The first line-up change came when Steve Frothingham replaced Sullivan in late '95; soon afterward founding member Richard Anton would exit the band.

Continuing on as a three-piece, they recorded "Money Machine" in summer 1997. Swedish label, Record Heaven would eventually release it in the autumn of 2000. This led the Elves to tour Scandinavia where they would become a quartet again with addition of Finnish bass player Duffy Snowhill. In 2001, Ace Mark (also from Finland) would join the ranks replacing Butler-Jones (he left after 6-track EP Goatbridge Palace including four live tracks recorded in Sweden in December 2000). Now with a solid formation and regaining focus Bigelf signed with Warner Music Sweden in 2002 and recorded "Hex" next year. The band attained cult status overseas, most notably in Northern Europe.

August 2008 saw Bigelf release "Cheat The Gallows", the band's debut release for Linda Perry's Custard Records. It includes the lead single "Money, It's Pure Evil". ^[2]

In 2009, Bigelf toured with Dream Theater on their Progressive Nation 2009 tour. They were originally billed alongside Opeth and Unexpect on the European leg of the tour from September to November, but after Pain of Salvation and Beardfish were forced to drop out due to the bankruptcy of SPV, their record label's (Inside Out) distributor, Bigelf were also added to the North American tour as opening acts alongside bands Scale the Summit and Zappa Plays Zappa between July and August^[3].

Discography

• Closer To Doom (EP) (1996, Third Hole Records; in Europe issued in August 2001 with 4 bonus tracks on Record Heaven)
• Money Machine (October 2000, Record Heaven)
• Goatbridge Palace (EP) (2001, Record Heaven)
• The Madhatter (EP) (2003, Record Heaven)
• Hex (2003, Record Heaven; in U.S.A in October 2007 on Custom Heavy Records)
• Cheat The Gallows (August 2008, Custard Records)

Current line-up

• Damon Fox - vocals, keyboards, guitar
• Ace Mark - guitar
• Duffy Snowhill - bass
• Steve Frothingham a.k.a. Froth - drums

References

1. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gnfyxqtdldae~T1
2. ^ http://www.100xr.com/100_XR/Artists/B/Bigelf.htm
3. ^ http://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/m2346174.aspx

External links

• Official site
• Bigelf's Official Myspace Page

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