Prix
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1975 in Memphis, Tennessee, United States |
| Founder | Tommy Hoehn, Jon Tiven |
| Defunct | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Memphis , United States |
| Products | Music recordings, singles, albums |
Prix was a power pop ensemble originating from Memphis, Tennessee in 1975, founded by Tommy Hoehn and Jon Tiven. Functioning mainly as a studio-based project, their recordings were produced by Tiven alongside former Big Star guitarist and vocalist Chris Bell, who also provided guitar and backing vocals. The band is distinguished by its use of the banjo within their musical arrangements. Contributions to the sessions also came from Alex Chilton and session drummer Hilly Michaels.
Although major record companies such as Mercury Records and Columbia/CBS Records showed interest, Prix's official releases were limited to a double A-side single on Ork Records in 1977 and another single issued by Miracle Records in 1978. Their only live appearance occurred during a CBS Records showcase event in 1976. The group dissolved in 1977, primarily due to Hoehn’s unwillingness to remain in New York combined with artistic disagreements.[1] Additionally, two tracks from their recording sessions were included on Hoehn’s solo debut album Losing You to Sleep, released by London Records in 1978.
In 2002, the Japanese label Air Mail Music compiled all eleven Prix tracks alongside four alternate takes into the album Historix. Music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic lauded the collection as "11 sparkling, diamond-hard pop gems," highly recommended for enthusiasts of power pop.[2] Six of their songs were featured on the 2015 compilation Ork Records: New York, New York, and in 2016, HoZac Records issued a vinyl and CD re-release of Historix.
Discography
Singles
- Girl / Everytime I Close My Eyes / Zero (Ork Records, 1977)
- Love You Tonight (Miracle Records, 1978)
Compilations
- Historix (Air Mail Records, 2002; reissued by HoZac Records, 2016)
- Ork Records: New York, New York (Numero Records, 2015)