Richard Vernon (musician)
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Richard Vernon | |
|---|---|
| File:Richard (Rich) Vernon.jpg | |
| Born | 1962 Chichester, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Known for | Bass guitarist with The Mission |
| Spouse | Noriko Vernon |
| Children | 2 |
_Vernon.jpg){kind=link}
Richard "Rich" Vernon (born in in 1962) is a British-born musician and songwriter best known as the bass guitarist of UK rock band The Mission UK and previously with The Only Ones vocalist and cult artist Peter Perrett in The One. He has recorded 2 studio and 4 live albums with The Mission, as well as 2 with The One and 1 with Helter Skelter and appeared as guest bass guitarist with The Dead Guitars. He was also appeared as a guest musician on The Dead Guitars album Flags, in 2008.
Early Life
Rich was born in Chichester, England, and relocated with his family to London until the age of 2 when his family returned to their native Wales. His first musical instrument was a six-string guitar, followed by a brief dalliance with the drums, and finally bass guitar.
Early Career
At the age of 20, Rich left his home in Wales and moved to London, starting his musical career as a session player in a number of bands including Eddie and the Hot Rods. Over his career, he has played with musicians from The Kinks, Squeeze, The Adventures, The Charlatans, The Waterboys, The Monochrome Set, The Pink Fairies, The Wonder Stuff, The Pretenders, The Damned and many others. A change of pace saw him playing for UK agitpop band A Popular History of Signs on various European tours. Soon thereafter he co-founded Rough Trade and Island Records act Helter Skelter. They recorded a critically acclaimed album and garnered a single of the week award from Melody Maker. They toured Europe to support the album and recorded two BBC Radio 1 sessions, but a combination of limited success and struggles after Polygram took over of Island Records saw them split shortly after.
The One
Richard then joined Peter Perrett's long-awaited comeback group The One. The band made two studio albums and one live album as well as extensively touring around the UK, France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Japan. Their critically acclaimed Woke Up Sticky album received enthusiastic reviews from The Guardian and Daily Telegraph and is considered a classic by Perrett fans. With equally good reviews for their live shows, the band promised much but after a busy and productive five-year period they drifted apart. Perrett's biographer, Nina Antonia in her book "Homme Fatale", puts this down to Perrett's increasingly erratic behaviour, whilst other band members have been quoted that the band had just run its course. Alleged and continuing drug use has been cited as a problem by some close to the band.
The Mission
Following a call from Perrett's tour manager, Rich was asked to join The Mission as replacement for departing founder member Craig Adams [1]. During his tenure with the band, Rich recorded two studio albums (God is a Bullet & Dumb Dumb Bullet) and recorded a live album from London's Shepherds Bush Empire over four consecutive sold out nights, which was billed as the last Mission shows for the foreseeable future. Richard also recorded two live DVDs with the band as well as touring all over the UK, Europe, America, Canada and South Africa.
After The Mission
Since leaving The Mission, Rich decided to spend more time co-writing music and record production, and to focus on his family. He still finds time to play live shows, including some with UK band, The Sentimentalists, including an appearance at the Glastonbury festival in 2015.
Equipment
Rich plays bass guitar, guitar and occasionally, drums. Key to his signature bass sound is the use of vintage Fender basses and Trace Elliot backline.
Personal Life
Richard lives in a converted chapel in North Wales with his Japanese wife, their two children, and his father.
Recorded Works
The following represent the body of recorded works that Rich has been involved with:
| Date | Band | Title | Format | Label |
| 1989 | Helter Skelter | Last Train | 7"/12" Single | Rough Trade Records |
| 1990 | Helter Skelter | Consume | 7"/12" Single | Island Records |
| 1990 | Helter Skelter | Sense | 7" Single | Island Records |
| 1990 | Helter Skelter | Consume | Album | Island Records |
| 1990 | Helter Skelter | Angel | 7"/12" Single | Island Records |
| 1994 | The One (Peter Perrett) | Cultered Palate | EP | Dwarf Records |
| 1996 | The One (Peter Perrett) | Woke Up Sticky | Single | Demon Records |
| 1996 | The One (Peter Perrett) | Woke Up Sticky | Album | Demon Records |
| 2000 | The One (Peter Perrett) | Hearts on Fire | Album | NMC Music |
| 2005 | The Mission | Lighting the Candles | DVD | Oblivion |
| 2007 | The Mission | Keep it in the Family | Single | SPV / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings |
| 2007 | The Mission | God is a Bullet [2] | Album | SPV / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings |
| 2007 | The Mission | Blush | EP | SPV / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings |
| 2008 | The Mission | Dumb Dumb Bullet | Album | SPV / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings |
| 2008 | The Mission | The First Chapter: Live at London Shepherd's Bush Empire | Album | Let Them Eat Vinyl / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings |
| 2008 | The Mission | God's Own Medicine: Live at London Shepherd's Bush Empire | Album | Let Them Eat Vinyl / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings |
| 2008 | The Mission | Children: Live at London Shepherd's Bush Empire | Album | Let Them Eat Vinyl / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings |
| 2008 | The Mission | Carved in Sand: Live at London Shepherd's Bush Empire | Album | Let Them Eat Vinyl / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings |
| 2008 | Dead Guitars | Blue (track from the album, "Flags") [3] | Album | Echozone |
| 2009 | The Mission | The Final Chapter | DVD | Oblivion |
References
- ^ "The Mission (band)". Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2016-06-09.
- ^ God is a Bullet
- ^ [http://www.themissionuk.com/wp/2008/09/04/mission-collaborate-on-new-dead-guitars-album/