Barry Adamson

Barry Adamson

Barry Adamson is a British bass player, composer and solo artist associated with acid jazz, jazz, experimental music, soundtrack work and alternative music. He begins his career as a member of the punk scene in the late 1970s, after leaving school and studying graphic design at Stockport Art College before leaving to join bands.

Magazine, Buzzcocks and related work

Adamson first joins Magazine, the band led by former Buzzcocks singer Howard Devoto, as bass guitarist. He plays on all of Magazine’s albums and appears on their chart single Shot by Both Sides. In late 1977 he also joins Buzzcocks for a short period as a replacement for Garth Smith. After Magazine breaks up, he works with Pete Shelley and later appears on Devoto’s solo album and with Devoto’s next group, Luxuria.

He also contributes to Visage, playing on the studio project’s first two albums, Visage and The Anvil.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Adamson becomes a founding member of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and appears on five of the group’s albums: From Her to Eternity, The Firstborn Is Dead, Kicking Against the Pricks, Your Funeral, My Trial and Tender Prey.

Solo recordings and soundtrack work

After leaving the Bad Seeds, Adamson begins a solo career. He releases the EP The Man with the Golden Arm and then his first solo album, Moss Side Story, which presents itself as the soundtrack to a fictional film noir. The record uses newscasts and sampled sound effects and includes guest appearances from Marcia Schofield of The Fall, Diamanda Galas, Roland S. Howard and former Bad Seeds colleagues.

His second solo album is the soundtrack to Carl Colpaert’s Delusion, and he goes on to write music for several other films. His third album, Soul Murder, is shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize in 1992.

Adamson’s solo sound draws on film composers including John Barry, Elmer Bernstein and Ennio Morricone. Later releases also include jazz, electronica, soul, funk and dub elements.

Later career and label work

In 2002, Adamson leaves Mute Records and sets up his own imprint, Central Control International. He releases Stranger on the Sofa through it in 2006, followed by Back To The Cat in 2008.

Magazine later announces a reformation for concerts in 2008, with Adamson included in the line-up.