(pre RUPTURE) formed in late 1988, with Andrew (Gus Chamber) on vocals, Matt (Stumblefuck) on guitar, Neal on bass, and Matt on drums. The band lasted barely more than a year but played many gigs in Perth, and were headlining shows towards the end of their short-lived career. Talentless amateur young punk musicians, ages from 16 to 20, influenced by all sorts of bands from Doom to G-Anx to Conflict to Fear Of God (whose song they stole their band name from), their musicianship improved over the months and they began to veer off in their own musical directions. Neal went on to play in Cuchulainn Powerhead, Matt went on to drum in Fat Lip & Nailed Down, and Gus & Stumblefuck went on to form Rupture at the very end of 1989.
But C.B.F. was where it all started, 25 years ago, at a time when grindy/crusty hardcore was just emerging in Perth. Pestilence (with Kim on guitar, later to form Nailed Down) was perhaps the first band that brought that style of punk to Perth. But Perth has a long legacy of punk, right back to '76/'77 with the excellent Geeks and Cheap Nasties. Where Controlled By Fear fits in to this vibrant colourful lineage, who knows, but they were certainly a hard-working (albeit drunk & stoned) underground band in Perth in '88/'89. Fond but blurry memories for the surviving band members. R.I.P. Andrew/Gus.
