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
Mick Karn
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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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Shoutbox
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blackmailman wrote:
great
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nosmokingpistol wrote:
It's been a whole year...
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Other_Voice wrote:
We miss you, Mr. Karn!
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ZootCatchy wrote:
a year without you ...
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nosmokingpistol wrote:
What an incredible musician. He left us far too soon. We miss you, Mick. <3
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Kershlaus91 wrote:
His way of playing on the scene is really something unusual and marvelous ! The way he "Floats" playing along with his bass.. amazing
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boshenta wrote:
he was fantastic bassist... Rest In Peace..
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OggyPopDance wrote:
Mick is nearly to god
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Kershlaus91 wrote:
R.I.P MR. Karn
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ZootCatchy wrote:
http://www.burningshed.com/store/mickkarn/product/120/3213/ get 'Artemis (Version)' mp3 from the upcoming album for £1, all profits will be donated to Mick's son and wife!
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ZootCatchy wrote:
Mick's final work has yet to be released and is a collaboration with Peter Murphy as 'Dalis Car 2'. The duo were reunited in a studio in Oxford at the end of September last year to begin work and four tracks were completed over the ensuing months - a slow process due to Mick's declining health. Steve has just finishing mixing the four tracks which will be released as an EP. More news to follow soon on this including release date. http://www.mickkarn.net/
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Luftkutscher wrote:
Rest In Peace Mick!!!
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Nubystardust wrote:
The only one who can take a Roberto Carlos song and make it infinite times better.
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Szpetny_Leon wrote:
http://www.last.fm/group/Mick+Karn
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psyclonought wrote:
nice playing will listen to more great to here sorry to all his friends
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concretica wrote:
(((
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sashikorosu2 wrote:
Much loved much missed
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dasNeonlicht wrote:
Rest in peace, Mick. You were a fretless bass hero.
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fastlane01 wrote:
Shocked when I heard it. R.I.P. Mick.
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etherealdreamer wrote:
Rest in peace, Mick.
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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
…
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4 Jun 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/mickkarn -
3 Jun 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/mickkarn -
18 Feb 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/mickkarn
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liranran008 and DasBerryBell added Mick Karn to their libraries. yesterday morning
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Self-MadeWolf tagged Mick Karn with funk, jazz and progressive rock. Monday afternoon
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Groups (19)
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Japan the band
50 members
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Japan (as in the band Japan)
89 members
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Blitz Kids
89 members
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The Eighties Habit
1,651 members
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Bassists and their friends
1,598 members
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