Barry Adamson (born June 11, 1958) is an English rock musician who has worked with rock bands such as Magazine, Visage, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and Pan Sonic. He has also worked on film soundtracks for David Lynch, and released numerous solo recordings.

Biography

Born in Moss Side, Manchester, Adamson read comic books from an early age. In school he absorbed himself in art, music and film, writing his first song, "Brain Pain", at the age of 10. His musical influences were diverse, ranging from Alice Cooper to Motown to David Bowie.

Adamson left school and shifted into graphic design but quit shortly after, favouring to venture into the exploding punk rock scene of the late '70s. He joined ex-Buzzcocks singer Howard Devoto's band Magazine, playing bass guitar, scoring one chart single, "Shot by Both Sides". He played on all of Magazine's albums, and contributed to Devoto's solo album and his next band, Luxuria. He also contributed to the studio band Visage, playing in the ensemble's first two albums, Visage and The Anvil.

After Magazine broke up, Adamson worked with another ex-Buzzcock, Pete Shelley, before joining Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. He appeared in four of that band's albums: From Her to Eternity, The Firstborn Is Dead, Kicking Against the Pricks and Your Funeral, My Trial. After his stint in the band, he released his first solo album, Moss Side Story.

His solo work is influenced by John Barry, Elmer Bernstein and Ennio Morricone. Later works have included jazz, electronica, soul, funk, and dub styles. Adamson eventually began composing soundtracks for films, including Gas Food Lodging and Lost Highway.

In 2002, Adamson left his long-term label, Mute Records, and started his own "production home", Central Control International. In 2006, he released Stranger on the Sofa, to critical acclaim.

Discography

Albums

EP's

Singles

Soundtracks

External links

• www.barryadamson.com
• shotbybothsides.com - Unofficial Magazine Site
• Unofficial Adamson Site
• Barry Adamson at IMDB
• Review of Stranger on the Sofa
• Review of Stranger On The Sofa
• January 2007 Interview