Faust Suite: Ang Fang Funk - Ang Fang Quartet

Based in Melbourne, Australia, the Ang Fang Quartet was originally formed for the purpose of composing and performing live music for silent films. The Quartet has since leaped into the frightening world of pop and rock with new material to be featured on the upcoming album Anonymity.

Paul approached three of his long-standing friends to provide a soundtrack to ‘Faust’, a 1926 film by German expressionist film-maker F W Murnau: James Hazelden, Harold Lye and Brett Dellavedova. Paul had known James through their mutual involvement in the theatre at Melbourne High School. Paul had lived with both Harry and Brett in a house in Brunswick East.

The score to Faust was premiered at a screening of the Melbourne Cinematheque at the Treasury Theatre in Melbourne, Australia on 9 June 1999.

The following year the band premiered its score to ‘Nosferatu’, another film by Murnau, widely considered to be the first and best vampire film ever made. It is famous for its darkly gothic photography, make-up and set design, and has recently been the subject of a film chronicling its creation – ‘Shadow of the Vampire’.

Brett Dellavedova departed as a regular member of the Quartet in 2002, and was replaced by Yanai Morris. Brett still performs occasional gigs with the Quartet as a bass player.

The Quartet has performed for film societies and festivals in both Victoria and New South Wales, and keeps up a regular presence on the Melbourne live music circuit.

In September 2002 the band was joined by electronic music specialist Pierre Proske to premiere a new score for the Chaplin feature 'The Goldrush', as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival.

The Quartet still performs film scores regularly but is now bringing its trademark instrumentation and compositional style into pop and rock. The most notable change is the move away from being an instrumental ensemble with the introduction of vocalist Floyd Thursby. Floyd replaces Paul Gillett in the live performances of the band, but Gillett retains involvement in composing and producing for the Quartet.

The upcoming release of the Quartet's third album Anonymity (scheduled for late 2004) will showcase an eclectic mix of styles ranging from acoustic instrumental tracks to studio-produced rock and pop, only some of which are works composed for film.

The current line up includes electric and acoustic guitars, drum kit, percussion, electric bass, cello, accordion and vibraphone and vocals. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.