Mick Karn
Mick Karn |
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Mick Karn (born Anthony Michaelides, 24 July 1958)[1] is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and songwriter, who came to fame as the bassist for the art rock band Japan, from 1974 to 1982.
Biography
Karn was born in Nicosia, Cyprus, before emigrating to London, England, at the age of 3. He was educated at Catford Boys' School, Catford, South East London where he failed academically. After Japan broke up, he recorded a solo album before forming Dalis Car with Peter Murphy of the gothic post-punk group Bauhaus, who recorded one album in 1984.[1] In the 1990s he worked with artist David Torn and a number of Japanese musicians, including the band NiNa. Since then he has worked as a solo artist and as a sculptor, photographer.
Karn's use of the fretless bass guitar, an unusual instrument in modern popular music, produces a distinctive sound and playing style, which makes his playing immediately recognizable.[2]
Karn played an aluminum-neck Travis Bean bass on all Japan albums up to Gentlemen Take Polaroids. In 1981 he moved to the renowned Wal basses, purchasing two Mark I instruments, one with rare African tulipwood facings, the other a cherry solidbody. Karn recorded Japan's last studio album Tin Drum with the Wal and has continued to use them, and now also plays the headless Klein 'K Bass.'
Karn has also played on recordings by other artists, contributing bass guitar and saxophone to Gary Numan's Dance album, and playing with Kate Bush and Joan Armatrading.[2]
In the 1990s he started the Medium Productions label along with Steve Jansen and Richard Barbieri, two of his fellow former Japan-members.[2] Karn left London to live in Cyprus with his wife and son, financially enabling himself to keep working as a musician/artist. In 2009 Mick Karn also released his "autobiography" titled "Japan and self-existence", available through his website, which deals mainly with his music related life before, during and after Japan.
In June 2010, Mick Karn announced on his website that he had been diagnosed with cancer. The specific type and stage were not mentioned. He is accepting donations to help him pay for his medical care and provide extra financial help for him and his family. In addition, there have been several announcements of concerts and auctions, with proceeds going to the appeal. Guests to his website can also leave messages.[3]
Discography
Albums
- Titles (Virgin, 1982) - UK #74[1]
- Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters (Virgin, 1987) - UK #89[1]
- Bestial Cluster (CMP, 1993)
- Polytown (CMP, 1994) - David Torn, Mick Karn & Terry Bozzio)
- The Tooth Mother (CMP, 1995)
- Seed [EP] (Jansen-Barbieri-Karn, Medium UK, 1997)
- Beginning to Melt (Jansen-Barbieri-Karn, Medium UK, 1997)
- Liquid Glass (with Yoshihiro Hanno) (Medium, 1998)
- -ism (Jansen-Barbieri-Karn, Medium UK, 2000)
- Each Eye a Path (Medium, 2001)
- Each Path a Remix (Medium, 2003)
- More Better Different (Invisible Hands Music, 2004)
- Love's Glove EP (MK, 2005)
- Three Part Species (MK, 2006)
- Selected (MK, 2007)
- The Concrete Twin (MK, 2009)
Singles
- "Sensitive" (Virgin, 1982) - UK #98[4]
- "After a Fashion" (1983) - with Midge Ure, UK #39[1]
- "Buoy" (Virgin, 1987) - Mick Karn featuring David Sylvian, UK #63[1]
- "Of & About" (MK, 2006)