Fudge Tunnel
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Alex Newport, David Ryley, Adrian Parkin |
| Defunct | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Nottingham , United Kingdom |
| Products | Noise rock and sludge metal music albums and EPs |
Fudge Tunnel was a British band originating from Nottingham, formed by Alex Newport, David Ryley, and Adrian Parkin. Their musical style merged elements of noise rock and sludge metal, often drawing parallels to groups like Melvins and Nirvana. Between 1989 and 1995, they issued three full-length albums along with three EPs through labels such as Earache Records, Relativity Records, and Columbia Records.
History
Established in 1989, Fudge Tunnel's first release was the EP Fudge Tunnel on Pigboy/Vinyl Solution. Although brief, it earned the title "Single of the Week" from NME in January 1990, recognized for its aggressive guitar-driven sound. Later that year, they put out The Sweet Sound of Excess EP and recorded a Peel Session. Subsequently, they signed with Nottingham-based Earache Records. Their debut album, Hate Songs in E Minor (1991), attracted media attention when local authorities seized its original cover art.
The band became known for their heavy guitar tones coupled with a dry sense of humor, gaining favor within the UK music press. Throughout 1991–92, they toured extensively across Europe, supporting bands such as Fugazi, Silverfish, and The Jesus Lizard, while performing at venues including The Camden Falcon and Camden Underworld. In 1992, they released the Teeth EP; later, Pigboy compiled their initial two EPs into the collection Fudgecake.
Their sophomore album, Creep Diets (1993), reached a broader audience thanks to Earache's partnership with major label Columbia Records. The band's final studio album, The Complicated Futility of Ignorance, arrived in 1994 via Earache. Prior to its release, Fudge Tunnel toured the United States alongside Fear Factory, Clutch, and Sepultura. During this era, Newport collaborated with Sepultura’s Max Cavalera on the side project Nailbomb, which produced one studio album and one live recording.
Regarded by the band as their finest effort, The Complicated Futility of Ignorance preceded their quiet disbandment in late 1995. They issued the compilation In a Word, featuring unreleased tracks and b-sides.
After the breakup, Ryley managed BGR Records before joining Island Apes in the early 2020s. Parkin performed with Tubesurfer until 1996 before returning to his profession as a quantity surveyor in Bolton. Newport pursued a successful career as a producer, relocating to New York where he runs his own studio. His production credits include albums by At the Drive-In, The Mars Volta, and Bloc Party. Additionally, Newport formed Theory of Ruin, releasing an album and an EP on Escape Artist Records, and played with Red Love alongside former Bloc Party drummer Matt Tong.
In May 2020, Fudge Tunnel issued the live compilation Best of the Desk: Volume One, Live in Europe 1993, containing recordings from their European tour. This was followed by another live release titled Sloppy Noise Rock in 2021, featuring performances from 1989–90.
Members
- Alex Newport – vocals, guitar (1989–1995)
- Adrian Parkin – drums (1989–1995)
- David Ryley – bass guitar (1989–1995)
Studio albums
- Fudge Tunnel (1989, Pigboy/Vinyl Solution)
- The Sweet Sound of Excess (1990, Pigboy/Vinyl Solution)
- Hate Songs in E Minor (1991, Earache/Relativity)
- Teeth (1992, Earache/Relativity)
- Creep Diets (1993, Earache/Columbia)
- The Complicated Futility of Ignorance (1994, Earache)
Compilation records
- Fudgecake (1992, Pigboy/Vinyl Solution/Cargo)
- In a Word (1995, Earache)
- Best of the Desk: Volume One, Live in Europe 1993 (2020, Independent)
- Sloppy Noise Rock (2021, Independent)
Singles
- "Sunshine of Your Love" (1991, Earache/Relativity)
- "Ten Percent" (1993, Earache/Columbia)
- "Grey" (1993, Earache/Columbia)
- "The Joy of Irony" (1994, Earache)