Richard Vernon (musician)

Last updated

Richard Vernon
Rich Vernon LA.jpg
Vernon performing in Los Angeles
Born (1966-07-07) 7 July 1966 (age 58)
Chichester, England
NationalityBritish
Known forBass guitarist with The Mission
SpouseNoriko Vernon
ChildrenCai Vernon, Gwynfor Vernon

Richard "Rich" Vernon (born 7 July 1966) is a British musician and songwriter best known as the bass guitarist of UK rock band The Mission, and previously with The Only Ones vocalist and cult artist Peter Perrett in The One. He has recorded two studio and four live albums with The Mission including the critically acclaimed God Is a Bullet , [1] as well as two with The One and one with Helter Skelter. He also appeared as a guest musician on The Dead Guitars album Flags, in 2008. In 2024, Vernon formed Manbird with two ex-bandmates, Paul Smith and Steve Hands.

Contents

Early life

Richard Vernon was born in Chichester, England, and relocated with his family to London until the age of two, when his family returned to their native Wales. His first musical instrument was a six-string guitar, followed by a brief dalliance with the drums, and finally bass guitar.

Early career

At the age of 20, Vernon left his home in Wales and moved to London, starting his musical career as a session player in a number of bands including Eddie and the Hot Rods. Over his career, he has played with musicians from The Kinks, Squeeze, The Adventures, The Charlatans, The Waterboys, The Monochrome Set, The Pink Fairies, The Wonder Stuff, The Pretenders, The Damned and many others. A change of pace saw him playing for UK agitpop band A Popular History of Signs on various European tours. Soon thereafter he co-founded Rough Trade and Island Records act Helter Skelter. They recorded a critically acclaimed album and garnered a single of the week award from Melody Maker . They toured Europe to support the album and recorded two BBC Radio 1 sessions, but a combination of limited success and struggles after PolyGram took over of Island Records saw them split shortly after.

The One

Vernon then joined Peter Perrett's group The One. The band made two studio albums and one live album as well as extensively touring around the UK, France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Japan. Their critically acclaimed Woke Up Sticky album received enthusiastic reviews from The Guardian and Daily Telegraph . With equally good reviews for their live shows, the band promised much but after a busy and productive five-year period they drifted apart. Perrett's biographer, Nina Antonia in her book Homme Fatale, [2] puts this down to Perrett's increasingly erratic behaviour, whilst other band members have been quoted that the band had just run its course.

Vernon in rehearsals with Ricky Warwick Rich Vernon in rehearsal.jpg
Vernon in rehearsals with Ricky Warwick

The Mission

Following a call from Perrett's tour manager, Vernon was asked to join The Mission [3] [4] as replacement for departing founder member Craig Adams. [5] During his tenure with the band, Vernon recorded two studio albums ( God Is a Bullet [6] and Dum Dum Bullet). [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] God is a Bullet charted in the UK Top 30 Independent Label Album Chart and UK Top 40 Rock Album Chart. The first single, "Keep it in the Family", charted at number 7 in the BBC 1 Rock Chart. [12] The band also recorded a live album from London's Shepherd's Bush Empire over four consecutive sold out nights, [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] which was billed as the last Mission shows for the foreseeable future. Vernon also recorded two live DVDs with the band as well as touring all over the UK, Europe, America, Canada and South Africa. [18] He also contributed towards the Mission biography, At War with the Gods, published in 2015.

Post-Mission

After leaving The Mission, Vernon decided to spend more time co-writing music and record production, and to focus on his family. He still found time to play live shows, including some with UK band The Sentimentalists, [19] including an appearance at the Glastonbury Festival in 2015. [20]

In November 2016, Vernon replaced Robbie Crane in Ricky Warwick's band The Fighting Hearts for a UK tour, supported by Vice Squad. [21]

Vernon joined MGT on tour [22] for a March 2018 US tour [23] to promote their album "Gemini Nyte [24] ". The band included ex-Mission UK mate, Mark Gemini Thwaite, along with Ashton Nyte and Jared Shavelson; their performances met an extremely positive response. [25]

In March 2022, Vernon continued his role with Ricky Warwick & The Fighting Hearts for a month-long tour of the UK and Ireland, alongside Warwick, guitarist Ben Christo (The Sisters of Mercy) and drummer Jack Taylor (Tax the Heat). [26] Further shows followed in May, with Sam Wood (Wayward Sons) standing in for Christo, and in August, two shows in Dublin and Belfast supporting Stiff Little Fingers. [27] Vernon again performed with the Fighting Hearts in 2023, and further tours and festivals are planned for 2024 and 2025.

In June 2024, Vernon played bass for German goth band The Last Decade at their debut show at the Mystic Festival in Poland, alongside Tim Vic (Nosferatu) and Michelle Darkness (End of Green). [28]

Manbird

In 2024, Vernon joined forces with Paul Smith (The Doctor's Children, Helter Skelter), and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Steve Hands (The Band of Holy Joy, Peter Perrett, The Only Ones) to form a new band, Manbird. [29] A video for a new track, "Bowie's in Newcastle" was released in June. [30]

Equipment

Vernon plays bass guitar, guitar and occasionally, drums. Key to his signature bass sound is the use of vintage Fender basses and Trace Elliot backline.

Personal life

He lives in a converted chapel in North Wales with his Japanese wife, their two children, Cai and Gwynfor, and his father. More recently, he has been heavily involved with politics, aiming to keep the U.K. in the European Union via his campaigning work with Wales for Europe. He gained a 1st class honours degree (BSc) in Psychology from the Open University in November 2023.

Vernon's son Gwynfor is also a musician, forming Deadbeat Mech in 2023. [31]

Recorded works

Richard Vernon in the studio RichVernon.jpg
Richard Vernon in the studio

The following represent the body of recorded works that Vernon has been involved with:

DateBandTitleFormatLabel
1989Helter Skelter"Last Train"7"/12" SingleRough Trade Records
1990Helter Skelter"Consume"7"/12" SingleIsland Records
1990Helter Skelter"Sense"7" SingleIsland Records
1990Helter SkelterConsumeAlbumIsland Records
1990Helter Skelter"Angel"7"/12" SingleIsland Records
1994The One (Peter Perrett)Cultered PalateEPDwarf Records
1996The One (Peter Perrett)"Woke Up Sticky"SingleDemon Records
1996The One (Peter Perrett)Woke Up StickyAlbumDemon Records
2000The One (Peter Perrett)Hearts on FireAlbumNMC Music
2005The MissionLighting the CandlesDVDOblivion
2007The Mission"Keep It in the Family"SingleSPV / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
2007The Mission God Is a Bullet [32] AlbumSPV / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
2007The MissionBlushEPSPV / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
2008The MissionDum Dum BulletAlbumSPV / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
2008The MissionThe First Chapter: Live at London Shepherd's Bush EmpireAlbumLet Them Eat Vinyl / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
2008The MissionGod's Own Medicine: Live at London Shepherd's Bush EmpireAlbumLet Them Eat Vinyl / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
2008The MissionChildren: Live at London Shepherd's Bush EmpireAlbumLet Them Eat Vinyl / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
2008The MissionCarved in Sand: Live at London Shepherd's Bush EmpireAlbumLet Them Eat Vinyl / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
2008Dead Guitars"Blue" (track from the album, Flags) [33] Album trackEchozone
2009The MissionThe Final ChapterDVDOblivion
2018The MissionFor Ever More - Live at London, Shepherd's Bush EmpireCD Box SetCherry Red Records

Related Research Articles

<i>Nocturne</i> (Siouxsie and the Banshees album) 1983 live album by Siouxsie and the Banshees

Nocturne is a live double album and video by English rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees, released on 25 November 1983 by Polydor Records. Co-produced by Mike Hedges, Nocturne features performances recorded at two shows at the Royal Albert Hall in London, on 30 September and 1 October 1983, featuring Robert Smith on guitar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helter Skelter (song)</span> 1968 song by the Beatles

"Helter Skelter" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1968 album The Beatles. It was written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. The song was McCartney's attempt to create a sound as loud and dirty as possible. It is regarded as a key influence in the early development of heavy metal. In 1976, the song was released as the B-side of "Got to Get You into My Life" in the United States, to promote the Capitol Records compilation Rock 'n' Roll Music.

<i>Radiation</i> (album) 1998 studio album by Marillion

Radiation is the tenth studio album by the British neo-prog band Marillion, released in 1998. Recorded at The Racket Club between November 1997 and June 1998, it was co-produced and mixed by Stewart Every. The album was remixed by Michael Hunter in September to November 2012 and a reissued remastered version was released in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who Feels Love?</span> 2000 single by Oasis

"Who Feels Love?" is a song by English rock band Oasis, written by the band's lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. It became the second single to be released from the album Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, peaking at number four on the UK Singles Chart and entering the top 20 in Ireland, Italy, and Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Champagne Supernova</span> 1996 single by Oasis

"Champagne Supernova" is a song by English rock band Oasis, written by Noel Gallagher. It is the closing track on the band's second studio album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995), and was released as the sixth and final single from the album in Australia and New Zealand on 13 May 1996 by Helter Skelter. Paul Weller appears as a guest guitarist and backing vocalist on the track. A music video for the song, directed by Nigel Dick, was released in 1996. The single was not released in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Almighty (band)</span> Scottish rock band

The Almighty are a Scottish hard rock/heavy metal band from Glasgow formed in 1988. After disbanding for the first time in 1996, they were reunited from 1999 to 2002, again from 2006 to 2009 and reformed for the third time in 2023. Three of the founding members, Ricky Warwick, Stump Monroe and Floyd London were friends who met at school. Although the band members musical roots were in punk, the Almighty adopted a more heavy metal/hard rock oriented musical direction in their early years. Later albums saw the band's musical style move towards the band members' original punk roots. They have released seven studio albums, two anthologies and one live album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Warwick</span> Northern Irish singer and guitarist

Ricky Warwick is a Northern Irish musician and the lead singer of the rock bands Black Star Riders and Thin Lizzy. He is also the frontman for the Scottish hard rock band The Almighty, with whom he achieved chart success in the UK throughout the 1990s. Warwick has released several solo albums and performed with a variety of other bands and artists, and also fronts his own band, The Fighting Hearts, to showcase his solo material.

<i>U</i> (Incredible String Band album) 1970 studio album by the Incredible String Band

U is a double album, the seventh studio album overall, by the British psychedelic folk group the Incredible String Band (ISB) and was released on Elektra Records in October 1970. The majority of the material featured on the album was taken from the mixed-media production of the same name, which saw the band backed by the dancing troupe the Stone Monkey. The concept of U derived from the ISB's fascination and subsequent conversion to Scientology in 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">And Also the Trees</span> English post-punk and gothic rock band

And Also the Trees are an English rock band, formed in 1979 in Inkberrow, Worcestershire. They are characterised by their poetic lyrics and evocative music which are strongly influenced by the native English countryside.

<i>Carnival of Sins Live</i> 2006 live album by Mötley Crüe

Carnival of Sins: Live is a 2-CD live album by American rock band Mötley Crüe. It was released in 2006 on Mötley Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circus Diablo</span> American rock band

Circus Diablo is an American rock band formed in early 2006 by Billy Morrison (vocals), Billy Duffy and Ricky Warwick. Fuel frontman Brett Scallions and Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum subsequently joined the band on bass and drums, respectively. To date, Circus Diablo have released one studio album, entitled Circus Diablo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rusty Anderson</span> American guitarist

Rusty Anderson is an American musician best known for his work as lead guitarist for Paul McCartney's touring band since 2001. He has worked with an extensive list of other artists in addition to his own solo career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Action (I Believe in Love)</span> 1981 single by The Human League

"Love Action (I Believe in Love)" is a song by the British synth-pop group The Human League, released as a single in the UK in July 1981. It became the band's first Top 10 success, peaking at number three in the UK Singles Chart.

<i>The North Star Grassman and the Ravens</i> 1971 studio album by Sandy Denny

The North Star Grassman and the Ravens is a 1971 album by English folk rock singer-songwriter Sandy Denny. Built mostly around her own compositions, The North Star Grassman and the Ravens is distinguished by its elusive lyrics and unexpected harmonies.

<i>Rendezvous</i> (Sandy Denny album) 1977 studio album by Sandy Denny

Rendezvous is the fourth and final studio album by English folk rock singer-songwriter Sandy Denny, released on Island Records in May 1977, and the final album released during her lifetime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashton Nyte</span> South African musician

Ashton Nyte is a South African-born singer, songwriter, producer, composer, author, actor, and frontman of the band The Awakening. Nyte has released seven solo albums, in addition to eleven albums as The Awakening and several other projects and collaborations. He is considered to be a pioneer of alternative music in South Africa, and has been described as "something of a musical genius" for his typical method of composing, playing and recording each instrument himself on most of his releases. Nyte is widely known in South Africa for his chart-topping cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence" and several other top singles. His signature style combines baritone vocals, garnering comparisons to David Bowie and Johnny Cash, with instrumentation that ranges from lyric-driven acoustic folk, to alternative rock, to post-punk and electronic music, as well as a penchant for the theatrical. Nyte has been based in the US since 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Thwaite</span> British guitarist

Mark Gemini Thwaite, also known as MGT, is an English musician who has been the guitarist for a number of rock bands and artists, including The Mission, trip hop pioneer Tricky, Peter Murphy of Bauhaus, New Disease, Spear of Destiny & Theatre of Hate, Mob Research, and Canadian band National Velvet plus various live and recorded appearances with Gary Numan, Al Jourgensen of Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Roger Daltrey of the Who, P.J. Harvey, Alanis Morissette, Raymond Watts and PIG, Primitive Race, Ricky Warwick of Thin Lizzy, Ginger of The Wildhearts, Stan Lee of Marvel Comics, Franz Treichler of The Young Gods, Miles Hunt & The Wonder Stuff, Burton C. Bell of Fear Factory, American rapper DMX, Laurence "Lol" Tolhurst and Porl Thompson of The Cure and Ville Valo of Finnish band HIM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Mission (band)</span> English gothic rock band

The Mission are an English gothic rock band formed in 1986. Initially known as the Sisterhood, the band was started by frontman Wayne Hussey and bassist Craig Adams, soon adding drummer Mick Brown and guitarist Simon Hinkler. Aside from Hussey, the lineup has changed several times during the years and the band has been on hiatus twice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Star Riders</span> American hard rock band

Black Star Riders is a hard rock band formed in December 2012. The band began when members of the 2011–2012 line-up of Thin Lizzy decided to record new material, but chose not to release it under the Thin Lizzy name. While Thin Lizzy continues on an occasional basis, Black Star Riders is a full-time band, described as "the next step in the evolution of the Thin Lizzy story". The band's first album, All Hell Breaks Loose, was released on May 21, 2013, and the follow-up album, The Killer Instinct was released on February 20, 2015. The band's third album, Heavy Fire, was released on February 3, 2017, and reached number six on the UK Albums Chart.

<i>The Killer Instinct</i> 2015 studio album by Black Star Riders

The Killer Instinct is the second studio album by hard rock band Black Star Riders, released on February 20, 2015. Black Star Riders evolved from the touring version of Thin Lizzy, assembled by guitarist Scott Gorham after the death of Thin Lizzy's leader Phil Lynott. The band's first album, All Hell Breaks Loose, was released in 2013.

References

  1. "The Mission – God Is A Bullet". discogs. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  2. "Homme Fatale by Nina Antonia". Thinmanpress.com. 28 February 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  3. "The Mission World Information Service". Themissionuk.com. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  4. "Rich Vernon". discogs. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  5. "Rich Vernon Interview with and the Dance Goes On". And-the-dance-goes-on.de (in German). 9 June 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  6. "The Mission UK* – God Is A Bullet". discogs. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  7. "The Mission UK releasing 'Dum Dum Bullet' comp with new songs, rare B-sides, remix". Slicing Up Eyeballs . 5 May 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  8. "God is a Bullet album Credits featuring Rich Vernon". AllMusic. 15 June 2007. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  9. "The Mission – 250505 Interviews – Ritchie Vernon". YouTube. 24 October 2006. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  10. "God Is a Bullet". Cooking Vinyl. 7 May 2007. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  11. "God Is a Bullet by The Mission". Rateyourmusic.com. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  12. "God Is A Bullet". and-the-dance-goes-on.de. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  13. "The Final Chapter: Jan–Mar 2008 – The Mission UK". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  14. "Children: Live – The Mission UK". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  15. "God's Own Medicine: Live – The Mission UK". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  16. "Carved in Sand: London Shepherd's Bush Empire 2008 – The Mission UK". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  17. "The Mission / Claytown Troupe". Rockersdigest.com. 28 February 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  18. Vorndran, Daniela (23 May 2007). "The Mission – Bochum 2007". Reflectionsofdarkness.com. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  19. "About The Sentimentalists". Sentimentalists.co.uk. 28 February 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  20. "Glastonbury Festival – 2015". Glastonburyfestivals.co.uk. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  21. "Ricky Warwick and the Fighting Hearts heading out on UK tour". Real Rock 'n' Roll. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  22. "MGT Pays Tribute to Scott Weiland & STP with emotional cover of 'Atlanta'". MGT Official. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  23. "MGT Keep Goth-Rock Alive - Concert Guide Live.com". concertguidelive.com. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  24. "MGT* - Gemini Nyte". Discogs. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  25. "MGT Live". RockRevolt Mag. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  26. "Ricky Warwick & The Fighting Hearts Come Out Defiantly in Dublin". eonmusic. 16 March 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  27. "Live review: Stiff Little Fingers / Ricky Warwick & the Fighting Hearts - The Academy, Dublin 20,08,2022". Backseat Mafia. 23 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  28. "Supergroup The Last Decade plays its very first show at Mystic Festival and supports Ukraine with the single "War"". Mystic Festival. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  29. "A Nod and a Wink from Manbird's new release: Bowie's in Newcastle". Reviewsphere. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  30. "VIDEO PREMIERE: Manbird – Bowie's in Newcastle". XSNoise. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  31. "Deadbeat Mech". Hotvox. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  32. "God Is a Bullet – The Mission UK". AllMusic. 19 February 2007. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  33. "Dead Guitars 'Blue', Feat. Rich Vernon". Lastfm.com. Retrieved 27 August 2016.