Bigelf

Bigelf is a Los Angeles-based American group that forms in 1991. Their music combines progressive rock and progressive metal with psychedelic, glam and hard rock influences, and they are also associated with stoner rock and psychedelic doom. The band starts in the Los Angeles underground scene and builds a following there before moving on to releases with international reach.

Formation and early releases

Bigelf is founded by Damon Fox and Richard Anton. The original lineup includes Fox on vocals, keyboards and guitar, Anton on vocals and bass, A.H.M. Butler-Jones on vocals and guitar, and Thom Sullivan on drums. Their debut EP, Closer to Doom, is recorded in 1995 and released in 1996, with Sylvia Massy as co-producer. It helps establish the group as an early part of the psychedelic doom movement around the Los Angeles stoner rock scene.

In late 1995, Steve Frothingham replaces Sullivan on drums, and Anton leaves soon after. The band continues as a trio, later joined by Finnish bassist Duffy Snowhill. In 1997, Bigelf records Money Machine, which is eventually issued in 2000 by the Swedish label Record Heaven and leads to touring in Scandinavia. During this period the group also records the EP Goatbridge Palace in 2000.

Line-up changes and later albums

During a 2001 tour in Sweden, Butler-Jones falls into a diabetic coma and remains unconscious until his death in 2009. Guitarist Ace Mark replaces him, and Fox becomes the band’s main singer and songwriter. Bigelf signs with Warner Music Sweden in 2002 and releases Hex in 2003, which earns the group a cult following in Northern Europe.

In 2008, the band releases Cheat the Gallows on Linda Perry’s Custard Records. The album includes the single “Money, It’s Pure Evil”. After being dropped by Custard Records, Bigelf goes on indefinite hiatus following festival performances in Japan in August 2010.

The group returns in 2013 with a deal with Inside Out Music and releases Into the Maelstrom. That album features guest drummer Mike Portnoy and guitarist Luis Maldonado. Portnoy and John Wesley of Porcupine Tree also appear as guest performers on the band’s 2014 European tour.

Collaborations and notable appearances

Bigelf records a cover of John Lennon’s “Mother” with Christina Aguilera in 2007 for the compilation Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur. The band also tours extensively in 2009 and 2010, supporting Dream Theater on the Progressive Nation tours across Europe, North America, Mexico, Canada and South America, and supporting Porcupine Tree in the United States.

Line-up

The group includes A.H.M. Butler-Jones, Damon Fox and Thom Sullivan. Its history also includes Richard Anton, Steve Frothingham, Duffy Snowhill, Ace Mark, Mike Portnoy, Luis Maldonado and John Wesley in recording or touring roles.