Def FX
| Company type | Group_or_band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990 in Sydney, Australia |
| Founder | Sean Lowry |
| Defunct | 2023 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Albums, EPs, Singles |
Def FX was an electronic rock group originating from Australia, established in 1990 by keyboardist Sean Lowry. The lineup featured lead vocalist Fiona Horne, guitarist Blake Gardiner, and bassist Martyn Basha. Between 1992 and 1996, they produced four albums before disbanding in April 1997. To prevent confusion with other similarly named acts during their United States releases and tours, they adopted the name Definition FX.
Their sound fused components of electronic dance music, grunge, and pop. In 2012 and 2013, Basha and Horne reunited to perform tours under the Def FX name.
History
Def FX came together in Sydney in 1990, featuring Martyn Basha on bass and Blake Gardner on lead guitar—both formerly of Bezerk—alongside Fiona Horne as lead singer (previously with Mothers) and Sean Lowry handling sequencers and samples (formerly of King Prawn). Music expert Ian McFarlane described their objective as combining vigorous dance rhythms with intense grunge rock to craft an electronic sound that was trance-like. Early contributions from Larry Van Kriedt included saxophone, sequencing, and co-writing much of their initial material.
Their first release was the EP Water in June 1991 under Phantom Records, containing four tracks including "Surfers of the Mind," which received national airplay and secured a spot in Triple J's 1991 Hottest 100. Produced by Nick Mainsbridge, the EP earned nominations at the ARIA Music Awards of 1992 for Best Independent Release and Producer of the Year.
Following this, they issued the EPs Surge (November 1991), featuring "Under the Blue," and Blink (June 1992), which included "Sex Game Sucker." Late in 1992, Dave Stein replaced Gardner on guitar. Lowry emphasized that they initially prioritized maintaining creative independence to shape their identity before engaging with major labels.
The debut album, Light Speed Collision, appeared on vinyl via Phantom Records in November 1992 and was released on CD by EMI in February 1993. It featured guest vocals from New Zealand pop artist Margaret Urlich. For the American market, RCA/BMG issued it as Definition FX with a rearranged tracklist incorporating EP songs to distinguish themselves from the US group Das EFX. Lowry highlighted their aim to capture the energy of live performances rather than crafting studio-centric tracks.
Their sophomore album, Baptism (1993), compiled three Australian EPs—Water, Surge, and Blink—alongside the single "Surfers of the Mind." The track "Make Your Stash" was notably scarce. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1993, Blink received a nod for Best Independent Release.
Additional EPs released were No Time for Nowhere (March 1993), Space Time Disco (June), and Post Moronic (September 1994). After Basha left at the end of 1993, Van Kriedt assumed bass responsibilities. The EP Post Moronic reached the top 50 on the ARIA Singles Chart; its song "Masses Like Asses" featured in Triple J's Hottest 100 of 1994.
Their third album, Ritual Eternal (1995), showcased a more experimental style, with some tracks omitting traditional guitars and incorporating didgeridoo played by Charlie McMahon (formerly of Gondwanaland Project), who also joined them on tour. After EMI terminated their contract, Lowry largely produced the album independently; it was released through Cicada Music with distribution handled by Mushroom Records' MDS. This record introduced bassist Peter Tasker, who was later succeeded by Sean Fonti (ex-Massappeal, Caligula). At the ARIA Music Awards of 1995, Ritual Eternal was nominated for Best Independent Release.
In October 1995, they released the EP Psychoactive Summer, which also entered the ARIA top 50. Their fourth album, Majick, followed mid-year, reaching No. 21 on the ARIA Albums Chart and spawning four singles. The band announced their breakup in May that year, with Horne revealing it on ABC-TV’s youth program Recovery.
Post-break-up and reunions
Following the band's initial split, Fiona Horne embarked on solo musical endeavors, achieving success with the charting track "Let's Go Out Tonight" and collaborating with Paul McDermott. She expanded her career into authorship, publishing 15 books focused on Modern Witchcraft, including an autobiography and two oracle card decks. Additionally, Horne has pursued acting and appeared on reality television, releasing her spiritually inspired solo album Witch Web in 2007.
Sean Lowry completed his doctorate at the University of Sydney in 2003 and currently engages in academia, writing, and visual arts. Meanwhile, Sean Fonti established the group Primary alongside his brother Jamie Fonti and vocalist Connie Mitchell.
Def FX reunited original members Horne and Basha for national tours across major Australian cities in 2012 and 2013. The touring lineup featured electronic musician Ant Banister and guitarist Wiley Cochrane, with Jesse Basha making guest appearances. In 2019, the band undertook a sold-out tour along Australia's east coast, introducing new bassist Sian Williams from Sounds Like Winter and True Love Chaos. Another east coast tour took place in 2023.
In 2020, Horne formed the rock ensemble SEAWITCH with Dave Hopkins, formerly of Hellmenn. SEAWITCH released five music videos, an EP, and their debut album Well of Spells through Cheersquad Label in October 2022; the album entered the AIR Record Chart at Number 2.
Albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart position |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Light Speed Collision |
|
96 |
| Baptism |
|
160 |
| Ritual Eternal |
|
- |
| Majick |
|
21 |
Extended Plays
| Title | EP information | Highest chart position |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Water |
|
149 |
| Surge |
|
88 |
| Blink |
|
71 |
| Post Moronic |
|
43 |
| Kill the Real Girls |
|
|
| Psychoactive Summer |
|
42 |
Singles
| Year | Title | AUS Peak Position on Australian (ARIA) Charts |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "No Time for Nowhere" | 67 | Light Speed Collision |
| "Space Time Disco" | 70 | ||
| "Something Inside (No Time for Nowhere)" | — | ||
| 1996 | "Spell on You" | 51 | Majick |
| "I'll Be Your Majick" | 67 | ||
| "Deja Vu"/"Headfuck" | 112 |
ARIA Music Awards
Since 1987, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has annually hosted the ARIA Music Awards to honor outstanding achievement and innovation within the Australian music industry.
!
|-
| 1992
| Water
| Best Independent Release
|