Anaphylaxis was spawned as an idea between two jamming guitarist friends for a rock and metal band back January 2020 BC (Before Covid). Knowing a few contacts Rhythm Guitarist Graeme Canty, got hold of a Vocalist/Lead Guitar and a Bassist named Zion Phoenix Wilkins, a Drummer was still yet to be found but had enough to set the ball rolling In March they met up in Ipswich and discussed plans. The band was to be named Allergic Reaction until Zion came up with the more catchy title of Anaphylaxis.
Unfortunatly that year, the great Covid pandemic hit, The restrictions and lockdowns hit and we were unable to get together and practice. Trying our best to keep in touch and discuss songs, it seemed that Anaphylaxis was getting nowhere so it was put on ice until ths Covid situation passed. Graeme was already in a band named Slap Happy so still had that to conentrate on at least, but as 2021 came by only Zion and Graeme were still in touch properly and it felt like this little venture was not going to see the light of day.
Throughout 2021 Graeme kept plugging on with Slap Happy which would later morph into Heatseeker. Then with a change in work commitments making it tough to be in one band let alone two, late that year after a few chats decided to cancel the Anaphylaxis project altogether.
However times would take a change in circumstance in May 2022. Having been suddenly dropped from the now folded Heatseeker, Graeme got back in touch with Zion with a view to revive the project with a new plan and direction. Anaphylaxis was to go full on Heavy Metal/Metalcore/Grunge band, very ambitious, with planned tunes like Paranoid, Breed, Figure It Out, Children of The Grave and Vice Grip it was the intention to make this into something special.
So Graeme and Zion set about rebuilding Anaphylaxis. A lead guitar guy naomed Josh was on board but struggling to find time to commit. A couple of falss starts made progress slow and finding a suitable drummer and singer was tough. Eventually we found a drummer in Rory and a singer named Andi, we soon got things going with songs like Paranoid and Breed finally getting going. The band direction seemed to be changing to straight clean vocal metal and rock. As 2022 wore on into 2023 it was becoming a struggle, Zion eventually decided to leave the band as personal comittments were getting in the way. A bass player named Tom joined before Andi decided he was unable to keep up with the songs we were putting out. A lead guitar guy named Dave Brandon was already laying in wait to join us after a long gap between practice sessions, just needed to get that singer sorted.
After a few social media posts a few singers got in touch. One was named Karla Bartlett and with a session only a couple days away she only had 24 hours to learn a handful of songs. With Dave coming too it was time for Anaphylaxis to do some work. That night with a solid five piece set up onboard certainly felt like things were finally coming together. After the session Graeme decided to keep Dave and Karla on board and prepare for an upcoming gig at the Pykkfest Event in Bury at The Pykkeral.
With a set list sorted and the gig only two weeks away, an unfortunate series of events led to the band not being able to play, so the debut had to wait. In September Anaphylaxis were given an opportunity to play at The Smokehouse in Ipswich supporting Suns Of Icarus on 23rd October. With Rory unavailable for that date, a girl named Emily Saunders was put in his place. With 45 minute set list consisting of bangers like Breed, Paranoid, Dragula and This Means War, Anaphylaxis finally hit the stage with great success. Afterwards it was decided to keep Emily on board but she later decided to pull out due to university commitments. So Karlas husband David took her place as drummer.
With a stable lineup and a first gig under its belt, Anaphylaxis had finally gone live.
