Painkiller Members, Gear & Sound

US avant-garde jazz/grindcore band

Genre

Avant-garde Free jazz Noise rock Free improvisation Grindcore Experimental dub metal american grindcore jazzcore

Members

Select a Painkiller band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Bill Laswell

Roles:

Bassist Music Producer

Groups:

Praxis Possession Tabla Beat Science New York Gong Activities of Dust Flying Mijinko Band Cymatic Scan Charged Astral Night Rollers Blind Light Phantom City The Big Guns Transmutation Timezone Divination Autonomous Zone The Ginger Baker Band Third Rail Method of Defiance Equations of Eternity Mandingo Griot Society Two Against One Blixt Axiom Funk Curlew The Blood of Heroes Toy Killers Radioaxiom The Phillip Wilson Project Surds Psychonavigation Bladerunner Automaton Soup Arcana The Golden Palominos Material Massacre Shango Dubadelic Cobra Strike Shin.e Mandingo Buck Jam Tonic IZA Sypher Tokyo Rotation K2 Henry Threadgill & Make a Move Deadline Sacred System Somma Purple Trap Last Exit Bill Laswell India Project Outland Niels and the New York Street Percussionists Second Nature Blue Buddha Kai Bass Invaders

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Mick Harris

Roles:

Drummer Composer

Groups:

Napalm Death Extreme Noise Terror Equations of Eternity Scorn

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John Zorn

Roles:

Music Producer Saxophonist

Groups:

Naked City Weird Little Boy Locus Solus Company 91 Buck Jam Tonic Brötzmann Clarinet Project Electric Masada Toy Killers Hemophiliac Moonchild New Electric Masada Bladerunner John Zorn Ensemble Masada

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Hamid Drake

Roles:

Singer Drummer

Groups:

Spaceways Incorporated Brötzmann Chicago Octet Natural Information Society Peter Brötzmann Chicago Tentet Plus Two Peter Brötzmann Chicago Tentet Hamid Drake & Bindu Bass Invaders Charged Mandingo Griot Society

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About

Painkiller is an avant-garde musical group known for their intense fusion of free jazz, noise rock, and grindcore. Formed in 1991, the group consists of John Zorn (alto sax), Bill Laswell (bass), and Mick Harris (drums). Each member brings a unique background to the ensemble: Zorn is a noted figure in bebop and free jazz circles, Laswell is an accomplished bassist and producer with a diverse portfolio spanning jazz, metal, and pop, and Harris, a former drummer for Napalm Death, contributes his grindcore expertise. Painkiller's music challenges traditional genre boundaries, creating a soundscape that is both experimental and aggressive.

How to Sound Like Painkiller

Painkiller’s sonic landscape is characterized by its raw, aggressive energy and avant-garde experimentation. The group's sound is a chaotic blend of intense saxophone improvisation, deep bass lines, and frenetic drumming, creating a visceral listening experience. Laswell's bass, often a Fender Precision Bass, provides a powerful low-end foundation, while his use of the Ampeg SVT-CL Classic amplifies the depth and richness of his tone. The saxophone screams and wails through Zorn's avant-garde approach, adding a layer of unpredictability and intensity. Harris’ drumming, supported by the use of electronic elements like Steinberg Cubase, brings a relentless, driving force that propels the music into uncharted territories. Painkiller's sound is a testament to the power of musical innovation and the breaking down of genre barriers.

Discography

Buried Secrets

1992

Execution Ground

2001

Guts Of A Virgin - Buried Secrets

2009

Guts Of A Virgin

2009

Get the Painkiller Sound

Want to sound like Painkiller? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.