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Welsh alternative rock / Britpop trio 60 Ft. Dolls was formed in 1992 by Richard Parfitt (formerly of ‘80s mod group The Truth) and bassist Michael Cole. It took a while before they found drummer Carl Bevan – the son of a preacher –and they began playing local venues. The group’s early manager was Huw Williams, who was the leader of indie pop band The Pooh Sticks and the son of Rockpile / Dire Straits drummer Terry Williams. The band started to receive press and build an audience, joining the NME’s BratBus tour in 1995 (alongside Marion, Veruca Salt, and Skunk Anansie). They released two singles – “Happy Shopper” (1994) and “White Knuckle Ride” (1995) – before signing with Indolent Records and releasing their debut album, The Big 3, in 1996. The album landed in the Top 40 on the UK Albums chart, which caught the attention of an international audience. Signing to Geffen Records in the US, they released the Supernatural Joy EP (1996) before their debut album was finally released in the States in 1997. The trio toured internationally throughout 1997 before returning home to work on their second album. Released in 1998, Joya Magica was released but was not a commercial success. Shortly after the album’s release, Indolent Records dropped the band and 60 Ft. Dolls split up. Richard Parfitt went on to work with several other artists and was a significant influence on future Welsh pop star Duffy. Drummer Carl Bevan also worked with younger bands on the Welsh music scene. Although largely forgotten by the masses, the band’s legacy was celebrated in 2015 by an expanded two CD edition of their debut album, The Big 3. Drummer Carl Bevan died on August 9, 2024, at the age of 51.
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