Fiona Horne (born 24 June 1966 in Sydney) is the former lead singer of 1990s Australian electro-rock band, Def FX, before continuing on to author several best-selling books on Modern Witchcraft. She is a popular radio and television personality, appearing on many programs around the world. She is now a commercial pilot, humanitarian aid worker, world record holding skydiver, professional fire dancer, yoga instructor and freediver.
Musical career
1984–1989: Sister Sludge and The Mothers
Horne started playing in bands when she moved to Adelaide, South Australia, in 1984. Her first band was Sister Sludge, which only lasted for six months until Horne moved back to Sydney. She then formed a punk-thrash band, The Mothers, in 1985. The Mothers started as an all-girl punk band, although the lineup changed a number of times. This was the first band with Horne performing both vocals and guitar. In October 1987, The Mothers, comprising Horne (vocals, guitar), Nat (guitar), Jo Collings (bass) and Rick (drums), released their first single, "Drives Me Wild"/"Get Outta My Life", which was followed in 1989 by the EP, 12-Incher, with the line-up of Horne (guitar, vocals), Rick (drums), Luke (guitar) and Cristina Calero (bass), both of which were released on the Waterfront Records label. The Mothers broke up in 1989.
1990–1997: Def FX
In 1990, Horne formed the industrial-dance-rock band Def FX with Blake Gardner (guitar; ex-Bezerk), Sean Lowry (synthesisers, sequencers, samples; ex-King Prawn), Martyn Basha (bass; ex-Bezerk). The band issued three EPs, Water, in June 1991, Surge, in November and Blink in June 1992 on the Phantom label before signing to EMI. In December 1992 the band released their debut album, Light Speed Collision. At the 1994 Big Day Out Horne made headlines by appearing topless on stage. In September 1994, they released the EP Post Moronic, which reached No. 43 on the Australian charts. The band were dropped from the EMI label. In May 1995 they released their second album, Ritual Eternal, on their own label, Cicada. They then signed with Universal Music Australia's subsidiary label Grudge, which released the band's third album, Majick, in July 1996. Def FX disbanded in May 1997.
1998–2011: Solo career
In 1998 Horne made several appearances on the television series Good News Week, singing duets with the show's host, Paul McDermott. Virgin/EMI subsequently released a single of their duet, "Shut Up/Kiss Me", in November 1998, which reached No. 48 on the Australian singles charts in December.
In October 1999, Horne released her debut single, "Let’s Go Out Tonight", on Air Records. The song was co-written with Pete Farnan (Boom Crash Opera) and Simon Austin (Frente!).
In March 2007, Horne released her first solo album Witch Web. In 2010, she released the spoken word album Magickal Life-Guided Meditations and Spells for Positive Change, on her own label, Mystic Monkey.
2012–present: Def FX reformation and formation of Seawitch
In 2012, Def FX reformed for a national tour in May–June, playing in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide. This was followed by another tour in October - November 2013 with the band playing shows in Adelaide, Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney and Brisbane. The band toured again in 2019 ... originally performed as a farewell tour, the band decided to rename it, 'The Never Say Never Tour'.
In 2022 Horne formed a new band, Seawitch, with Dave Hopkins (ex-Hellmenn) on guitar, Brad Miller on bass, Kenny Watt on keyboards and Adam Sciullo on drums. The band released its debut album, Well of Spells, on 21 October 2022, on Cheersquad Records and Tapes. The first single, "Witches Forever", which was followed by a second single, "Force".
Modelling and acting
In October 1994, she featured in a nude pictorial in Black+White magazine. In 1998 she was featured in the September issue of Ralph, FHM Australia and on the cover of the November issue of Australian Playboy. After moving to Los Angeles in 2001, Horne featured in the October 2005 issue of Playboy.
In 2001, Horne starred in the Australian opening season of Eve Ensler's theatrical production The Vagina Monologues; she also appeared in an episode of the Australian television series Pizza that year. Horne has continued to act, appearing in the 2005 film, Unbeatable Harold, which starred Dylan McDermott and Henry Winkler and the 2007 film Cult, starring Rachel Miner and Taryn Manning. Horne also appeared in the independent fantasy features, Fable-Teeth of Beasts and Ember Days.