Episode 44: Barry Adamson – Magazine, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Barry Adamson. Credit: Supplied.

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I’m going to hazard a guess that even if the name Barry Adamson isn’t one you recognise right off the bat, you’re definitely aware of his contributions to the world of music.

At the age of 19, Barry found himself joining the nascent Magazine as his first band, with wayward Buzzcocks vocalist Howard Devoto recruiting him for the new band. An influential presence in the world of post-punk, the group's short tenure resulted in a handful of well-regarded albums before they split in the early '80s. 

Soon, Barry found himself briefly playing with The Birthday Party, before frontman Nick Cave recruited him for his eponymous new band, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. After a few years and albums there, Adamson found himself again embarking upon a new musical journey, with a solo career kicking off with 1989’s Moss Side Story.

Even then, his career doesn’t peter out there either, because soon enough he was working as a composer as well, working on film soundtracks from time to time, including the likes of David Lynch’s Lost Highway.

Throughout it all though, he’s never stopped being busy, and even in between reunions with Magazine and The Bad Seeds, he continues to make solo albums, with Cut To Black arriving as his latest record just last year.

In only a matter of days, Barry will be down in Australia once more for a tour of the country, and by all accounts, I wouldn’t miss it if I were you.

This week, Barry was kind enough to join me for a chat to discuss his beginning in the world of music, and how he got to where he finds himself today.

But in the meantime, I strongly urge you to check out Barry Adamson’s Cut To Black, and once you’re done giving that a spin, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

Barry Adamson’s Trusty Chords

Barry’s One Influential Artist (And One Honourable Mention!)

1. Jimmy Page

2. Salvador Dali

Barry’s Three Impactful Albums

1. Alice Cooper – School's Out (1972)

2. David Bowie – The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (1972)

3. Wu-Tang Clan – Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)

Barry’s Five Trusty Songs (And One Honourable Mention!)

1. The Temptations – 'Papa Was A Rollin' Stone' (1972)

2. The Doors – 'Touch Me' (1968)

3. Isaac Hayes – 'Theme From Shaft' (1971)

4. King Tubby – 'King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown' (1973)

5. Sparks – 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us' (1974)

6. Sly And The Family Stone – 'Everyday People' (1968)