PiL live 1984
Bret Helm
Born:
1959. Encino, California, USA
PiL:
Bass live 1984-85
Bio:
Hired from rehearsal's – infamously as second choice to Flea
(Red Hot Chili Peppers) – Helm played in the 1984 live band
which toured North America, Australia and Japan. His only official PiL
appearance comes on the obscure Japanese only 'Anarchy
Movie 85' live video.
A classically trained musician with no previous interest in 'punk' or PiL, prior to PiL Helm had played bass in a San Diego band along with guitarist Jennifer Batten (who later played with Michael Jackson). He left the band when he landed the PiL job.
Helm was dropped – along with the other members of the 1984 band – after initial recording sessions in New York due to producer Bill Laswell's insistence on using his own musicians; coupled with PiL's concerns about the live band's studio inexperience; and the impact that could have on the recording budget.
Post PiL, Helm set up his own record label 'Cash Only Records'. Inspired by the idea of fusing the DIY punk ethic together with trained musicians he put together his own experimental band Doc Tahri, releasing the critically acclaimed album 'Einstein was a bullfighter' in 1997. Helm still remains on good terms with Lydon – and although press reports of Lydon appearing unaccredited on the album were untrue – Doc Tahri were reportedly lined up as support for Lydon's aborted US 1997 solo tour.
Helm has also worked on a variety of other musical projects, including many film/TV and advert scores (Note: This Bret Helm is not to be mixed up with another Bret Helm who is the singer of a Gothic band called Audra). 2005 saw Helm returning to music with his latest band Smug; who have since released several records through Cash Only Records.
Fodderstompf Links:
External Links:
Smug - Official website
MySpace - myspace.com/smugband
Jebin Bruni
Born:
USA
PiL:
Keyboards & guitar live 1984-85
Bio:
A member of the 1984-85 live band, Bruni's only official appearance comes
on the obscure Japanese 'Anarchy
Movie 85' live video. Bruni co-wrote three tracks
for 'Album' but
was dropped – along
with the other members of the 1984 band – after initial recording sessions in New York due to producer
Bill Laswell's insistence on using his own musicians; coupled with PiL's
concerns about the live band's studio inexperience;
and the impact that could have on the recording budget.
Bruni
played with PiL throughout the whole 'This is What You Want… tour
' and seemed to have made a positive impact, co-writing 'Fishing', 'Ease'
and 'Bags', until unfortunately circumstances dictated he couldn't continue
with the band.
He later joined Girlschool in 1987, then from 1995-96 became a member
of Tears For Fears. Bruni
is now a much demanded session player and has worked with the likes of
Liz Phair, Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann, Don Henley, and Lauri Kranz. He is
also one of the musicians on Vonda Shepard's 'Songs From Ally McBeal'
album.
2002 saw Bruni appear on the CD 'Sometimes a Circle' by singer-songwriter Louise Goffin, plus 'Lost In Space' by Aimee Mann. Bruni continues to work with Mann; and also appeared on her 2005 DVD 'Live at St Ann's Warehouse' and studio albums 'The Forgotten Arm' & '@#%& Smilers'. He is credited on Iggy Pop's 2009 album 'Préliminaires'. 2010-2011 saw him playing live with Abby Travis.
External Links:
Aimee Mann - Official website
Mark Schulz
Born:
Canada
PiL:
Guitar live 1984-85
Bio:
A member of the 1984-85 live band, Schulz's only official appearance comes
on the obscure Japanese 'Anarchy
Movie 85' live video. Schulz co-wrote three tracks
for 'Album'
but was dropped – along
with the other members of the 1984 band – after initial recording sessions in New York due to producer
Bill Laswell's insistence on using his own musicians; coupled with PiL's
concerns about the live band's studio inexperience;
and the impact that could have on the recording budget.
Schulz played with PiL throughout the whole 'This is What You Want… tour ' and seemed to have made a positive impact, co-writing 'Fishing', 'Round' & 'Bags', until unfortunately circumstances dictated he couldn't continue with the band.
Prior to PiL, Schulz had briefly played guitar with The Subhumans before landing the PiL job via auditions when he was only 19. Post PiL, Schulz played and toured with Big Car and Stan Ridgeway. He also worked as a session guitarist; playing with the likes of Empty Set and Bernard Sauser-Hall. 1998 saw him land a small role in Hollywood movie 'Living Out Loud', playing a guitarist (of course).
In the same year Schulz played guitar on several tracks on Robert "Judge Judy" Williams 'Date with the Devil's Daughter' album. The record which contained 'John Liar' the petty swipe Williams wrote about John Lydon. Given what happened back in 1984, perhaps it's commendable that Schulz didn't play on that particular song. He now writes scores for movies, but also plays guitar, drums and keyboards with the art project Skin.
External Links:
Skin - Official website
Jebin Bruni © unknown
Bret Helm © unknown
Mark Schulz © unknown