Paul Barker
Paul Barker | |
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File:Paul-Barker 100323 9948-.jpg | |
Background information | |
Also known as | Hermes Pan, Ion Barker |
Born | Palo Alto, California | February 8, 1959
Genres | Industrial metal, alternative metal, post-punk, alternative rock |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, bass, keyboards, synthesizer, guitar, piano, drum machine |
Years active | 1980–present |
Labels | Sire, Warner Bros., Sanctuary, Alternative Tentacles, Wax Trax! |
Paul Barker (born February 8, 1959 in Palo Alto, California), also referred to as Hermes Pan, is the former bass guitarist, producer and engineer of the industrial metal band Ministry from 1986 to 2004. Prior to Ministry, Barker provided bass for the Seattle No Wave ensemble The Blackouts alongside future Ministry drummer Bill Rieflin and his brother, one-time Ministry touring keyboardist/saxophonist Roland Barker, from 1979 until 1985. Beginning as touring bassist for Ministry's 1986 Twitch tour, Barker collaborated with frontman Al Jourgensen and collectively released The Land of Rape and Honey in 1988. Although many musicians briefly contributed to Ministry in the nearly two decade period after Barker joined the band, he and Jourgensen were the only continuous members. The dynamics between these two different personalities came to shape Ministry's sound, along with a number of side-projects which they were involved in together. Barker left the band in 2004 for personal reasons.
Since leaving Ministry, Barker has spent his time recording new material, producing such acts as I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness and collaborating with artists such as Stayte (on their 2007 'Cognitive Dissonance (The Art Of Lying To Yourself)' EP). He joined U.S.S.A. with Duane Denison (Tomahawk, ex-The Jesus Lizard) as bassist. The first album from his solo project Flowering Blight,[1][2] entitled 'The Perfect Pair', was released on November 19, 2008 via the official website.
Barker released Fix This!!! on April 10, 2012. This album features guests such as Chris Connelly, Ogre, Taylor Momsen, Puscifer, Alexis S.F. Marshall, Joshua Bradford, and Devix Szell.[3]
Paul is also one of the founders of Malekko Heavy Industry Corporation, a manufacturer of synthesizer modules and guitar effect pedals.[4]
Bands
- The Blackouts
- Ministry
- Revolting Cocks
- Lard
- Lead into Gold
- Pink Anvil
- Pigface
- PTP
- U.S.S.A.
- Flowering Blight
- Pailhead
- 1000 Homo DJs
- Acid Horse
- Puscifer
Footnotes
- 1959 births
- American audio engineers
- American bass guitarists
- American industrial musicians
- American record producers
- American rock bass guitarists
- Living people
- Ministry (band) members
- Musicians from the San Francisco Bay Area
- Musicians from Palo Alto, California
- Pigface members
- Alternative metal bass guitarists
- American heavy metal bass guitarists