Complex (English band)

Complex were an English band formed in 1968 consisting of lead guitarist Brian Lee, lead vocalist and drummer Tony Shakespeare, bass guitarist Lance Fogg and rhythm guitarist Tony Fisher. After some initial personnel changes, in early 1970 the line-up consisted of Brian, Tony (Shakespeare) and Lance with the addition of Steve Coe on keyboards. They were based in Blackpool in North-West England.

In November 1970 they cut their first album, entitled simply "Complex", which was released in May 1971. Originally devised as a demonstration record (demo) for bringing the band to the attention of major record companies for the purpose of obtaining a recording contract, it was recorded at "107 Studio" in St. Annes, engineered and mixed down by Graham Atkinson. 99 (vinyl) copies of the album were pressed by Craighall Studios in Scotland. The reason for such a limited release was the imposition of Purchase Tax on quantities greater than 99. Due to a manufacturing defect, the sleeve was slightly smaller than the record, so plain white sleeves were used to store both the album and sleeve. The album went on to become quite famous in "psych" album circles - "... one of the 'Holy Trinity' items of rare British psychedelia ..." and at one stage was fetching $6,000 on eBay for each copy.

Later in 1971, they recorded a second album, The Way We Feel, released in August that year.

An unauthorised bootleg was made in 1991 but the quality was poor. A 1999 limited-edition re-release was authorised by the band on Wooden Hill records (Vinyl and CD versions). This was of much better quality soundwise and was quickly sold out. In 2012, Spanish label Guerssen reissued the album on 180g vinyl, with the original artwork.

Discography

• Complex (1970)
• The Way We Feel (1971)

References

External links

• Info on the current Complex
• Info on the original Complex