Perfect Disaster, The

Band leader Phil Parfitt originaly started out in punk band The Varicose Veins releasing the now highly collectable single Incredible in 1978. Then followed releases as The Orange Disaster, The Architects of Disaster, before settling on The Perfect Disaster following its rhythm section's departure to form Fields of the Nephilim. When the group's Velvet Underground-influenced alternative pop/rock failed to break onto the British scene, they moved to France in 1985 and released a self-titled album with a lineup of bandleader/singer/guitarist Phil Parfitt, bassist John Saltwell, guitarist Allison Pates (also ex-The Varicose Veins), and drummer Malcolm Catto. The band continued to struggle, releasing only a few EPs, and by the time The Perfect Disaster finally secured a record deal in the U.K. in 1987, Saltwell and Pates had quit and were replaced by bassist Josephine Wiggs and guitarist Dan Cross. 1988's Asylum Road, based on Parfitt's experiences working in a mental hospital, received favorable reviews, as did 1989's Up. Wiggs left the band during the recording of 1990's Heaven Scent in order to work full-time with Kim Deal's Breeders. Parfitt went on to collaborate with Spiritualized frontman Jason Pierce before drafting in Lead Guitarist Kevin King, bassist Julian Nelson & drummer Richard Geismar, the band then changed their name to Psychotropic Vibration & musical direction, playing a more Post Punk/dub/krautrock style. Psychotropic split around 1992 with Parfitt going on to form Oedipussy.