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Barry Adamson Biography

barry-adamson
  • Born: June 1, 1958 in Moss Side, Manchester, England
  • Years Active: 1980s-2000s
  • Member of: Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
  • Genre: Rock & Alternative

Barry Adamson's work as a bassist for Magazine and Nick Cave's Bad Seeds gave little indication of the complex, cinematic works he has composed as a solo artist. After leaving the Bad Seeds in 1987, Adamson decided to follow the path of film composers like John Barry, Ennio Morricone, and Bernard Herrmann, whose work had intrigued him since childhood. His first full-length album, 1989's Moss Side Story (he had released one previous EP in 1988), was a tour de force, blending post-punk, industrial, spy guitar, and various classic movie composer quotes into a seamless 54-minute soundtrack to an ominous film noir that didn't exist. This recording led to Adamson's work on soundtracks for actual films in the early '90s, including Delusion, Gas Food Lodging, and Shuttle Cock. Adamson also continued to compose quasi-cinematic recordings for imaginary films like 1996's Oedipus Schmoedipus, although none have matched the sustained excitement of Moss Side Story. As Above, So Below followed in 1998 and a best-of compilation titled The Murky World of Barry Adamson appeared a year after that. Adamson returned in 2002 with The King of Nothing Hill, his first collection of new material in four years. Stranger on the Sofa followed in 2006, Adamson's first for his Central Control International imprint. Back to the Cat, his second album for the label, was released in March 2008. Its title track was used in the popular video game Alan Wake. He also took part in the first of the Howard Devoto's Magazine reunions in 2008, completing one tour before leaving again to concentrate on his own music. In 2010 he issued the digital-only single "Rag and Bone." It was released in physical form as a 12" single in 2011. Adamson followed the single with his next full-length, I Will Set You Free, on his Central Control International label. It was released on Valentine's Day in 2012, followed by a world tour. ~ Richie Unterberger, Rovi

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