Fad Gadget

Frank Tovey (September 8, 1956 - April 3, 2002), better known as Fad Gadget, was an influential British avant-garde electronic musician who was a pioneer of the budding genres of N

Frank Tovey (September 8, 1956 - April 3, 2002), better known as Fad Gadget, was an influential British avant-garde electronic musician who was a pioneer of the budding genres of New Wave and electronica.

Fad Gadget's music is characterized by a distinctive use of synthesizers in conjunction with sounds of machinery, including drills and electric razors. His bleak, sarcastic, and darkly humorous lyrics were often layered in meaning, and discussed subjects such as machinery, building construction, human sexuality, and physical violence. His singing style, a droning monotone, influenced later gothic and industrial rock movements.[citation needed] Fad Gadget was known for confrontational live performances which included Tovey covering himself in tar and feathers, leaping into the audience, and playing instruments with his head.