Brix Smith

Brix Smith is one of the few true female rock icons of the indie and alternative era, an inspiration for generations of women, not just those who play music. Her best-selling 2016 autobiography, The Rise, The Fall And The Rise,  ( Faber & Faber) detailed a hugely eventful life including the years in which she was married to Fall singer Mark E. Smith and wrote songs and played guitar in the group. Her arrival in the 80s redefined the band’s sound and took it chartward (and brought a touch of LA glamour to the band’s Salford mean streets look). 

During that time, Brix also formed the much-loved Adult Net who released one album in 1989, shortly before her explosive departure from the Fall. What followed was a bravely documented breakdown that left her both anorexic and suicidal. After taking some time out to recuperate Brix rose like a phoenix from the ashes, stronger and more ambitious than ever. She married fashion entrepreneur Philip Start, opened the Start fashion boutique in East London, worked as a stylist, fashion buyer and co-presented Channel 4’s late-noughtiesTV show Gok’s Fashion Fix. In 2014, as she was finishing her memoir, Brix finally picked up a guitar again, and, with a reborn musical drive and passion, she formed Brix & The Extricated in 2015. The band - whose sound consists of elements of vintage Fall, such as strange sonic textures and off-kilter found sounds but also brings the raw power of the Stooges, the pop sensibility of prime Blondie, walls of big glam rock guitars and dollops of psychedelia - released their highly anticipated debut album Part 2 on 22nd September 2017.

Brix Smith released her debut Solo album ‘Valley Of The Dolls’ March 3rd 2023 via Republic of Music. Entirely co-written by Brix and produced by the Grammy Award winning Youth (The Verve, Jesus & Mary Chain, Killing Joke), the album will also feature special guests such as Susanna Hoffs from The Bangles and Siobhan Fahey of Bananarama and Shakespears Sister. 

Currently, Brix is in the studio recording a new Adult Net album with Andy Bell ( Oasis, Ride, Glok) to be released in 2025.

Brix has appeared in multiple films and television shows as both an actor and presenter.