Mick Karn
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An English musician (born July 24, 1958, died January 4, 2011), multi-instrumentalist & songwriter, most noted as the bassist for the 1980s art rock band Japan (1974 to 1982).
Karn was born Anthony Michaelides in Nicosia, Cyprus before emigrating to London, England at the age of 3. He has worked with noted New Wave artists Gary Numan, Kate Bush, Midge Ure and Joan Armatrading as well as being a member of Dali’s Car with Peter Murphy of the gothic post-punk group, Bauhaus. In the 1990s he worked with artist David Torn as well as a number of Japanese musicians, including the band NiNa.
He has a distinctive playing style and sound on the fretless bass guitar which makes his playing immediately recognizable not to mention highly influential. With his contribution Japan is often considered one of the most unique and greatest groups of the late glam rock to new wave era. After Mick’s first solo release Titles in 1982, Pete Townshend claimed that “Mick was by far the best bassist in the UK”, and so invited him to join him in a super group to celebrate the engagement of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
Karn played the aluminium neck Travis Bean bass in all Japan albums up to Gentlemen Take Polaroids. In 1981 he moved onto the renowned Wal basses and bought two fretless mk1, one with Tulipwood facings and the other being a Cherry solidbody. Mick recorded Japan’s last studio album Tin Drum with the Wal and has continued to use them, helping further their popularity worldwide. Today Karn is also using a Klein ‘K Bass’.
It is interesting to note that Karn’s mastery of the fretless bass,with his own unique sound,eclectic voicings,and oft strange intervals,belies the fact that he has little to no knowledge of music theory.
Karn was born Anthony Michaelides in Nicosia, Cyprus before emigrating to London, England at the age of 3. He has worked with noted New Wave artists Gary Numan, Kate Bush, Midge Ure and Joan Armatrading as well as being a member of Dali’s Car with Peter Murphy of the gothic post-punk group, Bauhaus. In the 1990s he worked with artist David Torn as well as a number of Japanese musicians, including the band NiNa.
He has a distinctive playing style and sound on the fretless bass guitar which makes his playing immediately recognizable not to mention highly influential. With his contribution Japan is often considered one of the most unique and greatest groups of the late glam rock to new wave era. After Mick’s first solo release Titles in 1982, Pete Townshend claimed that “Mick was by far the best bassist in the UK”, and so invited him to join him in a super group to celebrate the engagement of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
Karn played the aluminium neck Travis Bean bass in all Japan albums up to Gentlemen Take Polaroids. In 1981 he moved onto the renowned Wal basses and bought two fretless mk1, one with Tulipwood facings and the other being a Cherry solidbody. Mick recorded Japan’s last studio album Tin Drum with the Wal and has continued to use them, helping further their popularity worldwide. Today Karn is also using a Klein ‘K Bass’.
It is interesting to note that Karn’s mastery of the fretless bass,with his own unique sound,eclectic voicings,and oft strange intervals,belies the fact that he has little to no knowledge of music theory.
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Titles
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Dreams Of Reason Produce Monsters
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More Better Different
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Bestial Cluster
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commuterlove The night we never met. Just incredible.
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wburris He was 3 months younger than me.
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Kershlaus91 I am just hooked by his composition "Passion in moisture"...
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blackmailman great
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nosmokingpistol It's been a whole year...
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Other_Voice We miss you, Mr. Karn!
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ZootCatchy a year without you ...
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Mick Karn 1958 - 2011
4 Jan 2011 | from blog.myspace.com/mickkarn
It's with profound sadness that we have to inform you that
Mick finally lost his battle with cancer and passed away peacefully
at 4.30pm today, 4th January 2011 at home in Chelsea, London. He
…
- MICK KARN APPEAL 4 Jun 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/mickkarn
- David Bowie Tribute - events, press and track list 3 Jun 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/mickkarn
- The Concrete Twin Release Date 18 Feb 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/mickkarn
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