The Cancer Conspiracy
The Cancer Conspiracy were a progressive rock group from Burlington, Vermont featuring guitarist Daryl Rabidoux, drummer/keyboardist/saxophonist Greg Beadle, and bassist Brent Frattini. Rabidoux and Beadle were veterans of the local hardcore scene, and had broken away from their respective bands out of a need to try something new musically. Their initial plans were to find a vocalist and bassist, but after recruiting Frattini, decided to remain an instrumental trio.
Their style draws heavily upon 70s progressive rock, particularly King Crimson and Yes, as well as fusion, hardcore, and math rock. Their first self-titled 3-song EP was released in 2001, followed by their full-length debut The Audio Medium in 2002. They toured extensively with bandmates on their label Big Wheel Recreation, and also opened for Oysterhead (featuring former Police drummer Stewart Copeland).
In 2003, while at a show in New York, their van was stolen, along with all of their equipment. This was the last and most disasterous in a series of mishaps that had plagued their tours. They called it a day in late 2003. There were reports on the Big Wheel Recreation website that they were working on a second album, but nothing seems to have come of this. Rabidoux is now working full-time as an engineer and producer at Strangeways Recording Studio in Burlington. The whereabouts or activities of Frattini and Beadle are unknown.