Add N to (X) were a three-piece British band specializing in electronic music performed on analogue synthesizers, formed in London in 1994.

The band's members were Barry Smith, Ann Shenton and Steven Claydon.

After several releases on small labels, they turned down offers from major labels and signed to large independent label Mute Records in 1998, and achieved a modest commercial success before splitting in 2003.

Most of their songs and video clips have been adult/sex related, their video for "Plug me In" is famous for featuring porn actresses playing with sextoys. While there are rumours about a night/hardcore edit of this clip, its existence has never been confirmed.

Biography

Former Radio Prague DJ Smith met Shenton in 1993, and discovered a shared affinity for vintage synthesizers. Original bandmate Andrew Aveling joined them for the group's debut release, Vero Electronics (1996). Steven Claydon replaced Aveling sometime thereafter, and remained with the group until its dissolution.

1997 saw the band twice awarded Single of the Week by the NME (for The Black Regent and King Wasp).

The group performed live regularly, often augmenting their core three-piece line up with either one or two acoustic drummers, and sometimes additional musicians playing extra synths and/or electric guitar.

They often utilized distinctive artwork for the videos and record sleeves, a fetishistic collage of sexual imagery with analogue electronic equipment, based in part on the movie and book Demon Seed

The band released 4 more albums, On The Wires of Our Nerves, Avant Hard, Add Insult to Injury, and Loud Like Nature. They also released the single Little Black Rocks In The Sun, which was issued on 10 inch hexagonal vinyl. Shenton was reportedly overwhelmed by the pressures of the Loud Like Nature tour, and either left the group or was kicked out. In 2003 Smith and Claydon continued touring the United States without Shenton. The band broke up shortly thereafter. Barry Smith runs the Horseglue Records store and label with his partner Ethan Reid. Ann Shenton has formed a new group, Large Number. Steven Claydon is now known for his artwork and in 2006 was included in a group show at Tate Modern.

Discography (albums)

• Vero Electronics (January 1996)
• On the Wires of Our Nerves (February 1998)
• Avant Hard (April 1999)
• Add Insult to Injury (October 2000)
• Loud Like Nature (October 2002)

External links

• Official page
• Page on blowup.co.uk
• Page on mute.com
• Page on rollingstone.com
• Page on horsegluerecords.com
• Page on UBL
• Stevie's very Little Add N to (X) Shrine
• Ann Shenton interview @ pHinnWeb
• "Add N To (X): The mathematics of Analog Anarchy" CBC Radio 3 Live Concert Session