Paul Barker

American bass guitarist

This article is about the musician. For the writer, see Paul Barker (writer). For the Australian Anglican bishop, see Paul Barker (bishop).

Paul Barker

Barker in 2011

Background information
Also known as| Hermes Pan, Ion Barker
Born|  (1959-02-08) February 8, 1959 (age 65)
Palo Alto, California, U.S.
Genres| Industrial metal, alternative metal, post-punk, alternative rock, electronica
Occupation(s)| Musician, producer
Instrument(s)| Bass guitar, programming, keyboards, vocals
Years active| 1980–present
Member of| Lead into Gold, U.S.S.A.
Formerly of| 1000 Homo DJs, Acid Horse, Bells into Machines, The Blackouts, Lard, Ministry, Pink Anvil, Revolting Cocks

Musical artist

Paul Gordon Barker (born February 8, 1959), also referred to as Hermes Pan, is an American musician, best known as the former bass guitarist, producer and engineer for industrial metal band Ministry from 1986 to 2003. Prior to Ministry, he provided bass for the Seattle post-punk ensemble The Blackouts alongside future Ministry drummer Bill Rieflin and his brother, one-time Ministry touring keyboardist/saxophonist Roland Barker, from 1979 until 1985.

## Career

[edit]

### Ministry

[edit]

Beginning as touring bassist for Ministry's 1986 Twitch tour, Barker collaborated with frontman Al Jourgensen and collectively released The Land of Rape and Honey in 1988. Although many musicians briefly contributed to Ministry in the nearly two-decade period after Barker joined the band, he and Jourgensen were the only continuous members. The dynamics between these two different personalities came to shape Ministry's sound, along with a number of side-projects which they were involved in together.

In 2003, Barker left the band a year after the release of their eighth album Animositisomina. The decision was made official after the death of his father. Despite being in Ministry for almost 18 years, Jourgensen did not do anything to spur his departure. "Over the years we've had strained relations as well as good times, and the last tour was no different than any other tour. That means it was extremely difficult and very intense and lots of fun," Barker had said.[1]

It is often believed that Jourgensen and Barker were close bandmates and the latter played a huge creative role in the band. Jourgensen rebuffed these claims saying that their relationship was more like an arranged marriage and "acrimonious." He said that they were never friends but business partners.[2] Since leaving Ministry, Barker has distanced himself from Jourgensen and the two have had almost nothing positive to say about their relationship in the band.

Barker was quoted in a 2011 interview that it was "tough to watch" the band's Fix: The Ministry Movie documentary as he could no longer associate himself with the band.[3] When asked in a 2015 interview if he would ever work with Jourgensen again, he replied, "I'm fairly confident we will not work together. We have zero relationship now." When asked why he left Ministry, he replied he was no longer willing to put up with the stupidity and decided that it was enough.[4]

Barker has since moved on to other things and in 2016, seems to have more or less made peace with Ministry. "Of course, that was a very intense time and extremely rewarding. That was quite a while ago and I rarely think about it. I'm still fascinated with the heaviest, ugliest music and it's now hard to find the time for those pursuits. I am not in direct contact with Al these days."[5]

In 2018, Jourgensen reconciled with Barker after they both made appearances at screenings for the documentary Industrial Accident: The Story of Wax Trax! Records. Jourgensen has stated he is eager to collaborate with Barker very soon.[6] In March 2024, it was announced that Barker would reunite with Jourgensen to write, perform, and produce what is quite possibly the final Ministry album.[7]

### Lead into Gold

[edit]

Lead into Gold is Barker's current solo project.

In Summer of 2018 he released the full length album The Sun Behind The Sun, followed by a North America tour with OhGr (Nivek Ogre) and Omniflux (Mahsa Zargaran).

In Spring of 2023 Barker released another full length album The Eternal Present, followed by a North America tour with Skinny Puppy.

### Post-Ministry

[edit]

Since 2003, Barker has spent his time recording new material, producing such acts as I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness and collaborating with artists such as Stayte (on their 2007 Cognitive Dissonance (The Art of Lying To Yourself) EP). He joined U.S.S.A. with Duane Denison (Tomahawk, ex-The Jesus Lizard) as bassist. The first album from his solo project Flowering Blight,[8][9] entitled The Perfect Pair, was released on November 19, 2008, via the official website.

In 2011, Barker remixed the Deadly Apples song "Self Inflicted Oppression" with samples from Ministry's Psalm 69. The remix was featured on the soundtrack for the documentary film Fix: The Ministry Movie.[10]

Barker released Fix This!!! on April 10, 2012. This album features guests such as Chris Connelly, Ogre, Taylor Momsen, Puscifer, Deadly Apples, Alexis Marshall, Joshua Bradford, and Devix Szell.[11]

In 2015, Barker joined the touring lineup of rock supergroup Puscifer as their bassist.[12]

Barker is also one of the founders of Malekko Heavy Industry Corporation, a manufacturer of synthesizer modules and guitar effect pedals.[13]

## Bands

[edit]

* The Blackouts (1979–1985)
* Ministry (1986–2003, 2024)
* Pailhead (1987–1988)
* Revolting Cocks (1987–1993, 2016–present)
* Lard (1988–2000)
* Lead into Gold (1988–1990, 2015, 2017–present)
* 1000 Homo DJs (1988, 1990)
* Acid Horse (1989)
* PTP (1989)
* Pigface (1990)
* Pink Anvil (2001, 2003)
* U.S.S.A. (2006–present)
* Flowering Blight (2008)
* Bells into Machines (2013–2022)
* Puscifer (2015, tour)

## Discography

[edit]

### Studio albums

[edit]

#### Blackouts

[edit]

* Exchange of Goods (1981)
* Lost Souls Club (1985)
* History in Reverse (2004)

#### Lard

[edit]

* The Power of Lard (1989)
* The Last Temptation of Reid (1990)
* Pure Chewing Satisfaction (1997)
* 70's Rock Must Die (2000)

#### Lead Into Gold

[edit]

* Chicks and Speed: FUTURISM (1990)
* Age of Reason (1990)
* Low & Slow (2015)
* A Savage Gift (2018)
* The Sun Behind the Sun (2018)
* The Eternal Present (2023)

#### Ministry

[edit]

* The Land of Rape and Honey (1988)
* The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste (1989)
* In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up (Live) (1990)
* Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs (1992)
* Filth Pig (1995)
* Dark Side of the Spoon (1999)
* Sphinctour (Live) (2002)
* Animositisomina (2003)

##### Pailhead

[edit]

* I Will Refuse (1987)
* Trait (1988)

##### Pigface

[edit]

* Gub (1991)

##### Revolting Cocks

[edit]

* Beers, Steers, and Queers (1990)
* Linger Ficken' Good (1993)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (January 22, 2004). "Founding Bassist Paul Barker Leaves Ministry". MTV News. Archived from the original on October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
2. ^ Jourgensen, Al & Wiederhorn, Jon (July 9, 2013). Ministry: The Lost Gospels According To Al Jourgensen (loan required). Boston, MA: Da Capo Press. pp. 68–69. ISBN 978-0-306-82218-6 - via the Internet Archive.
3. ^ Baltin, Steve. "Ex-Ministry Bassist Says 'Ministry Movie' Tough to Watch". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
4. ^ keating, kevin. "An Interview with Paul Barker (11/20/15)". San Francisco Bay Area Concerts. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
5. ^ Rambo, Nick. "The Darkest Place in Portland: Malekko Heavy Industry". Tone Report. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
6. ^ "Ministry's Al Jourgensen and Paul Barker Bury the Hatchet, Consider Future Music Plans". Billboard.
7. ^ Metal Hammer (March 13, 2024). ""It'll be something you haven't heard in 20 or 30 years – it's the perfect way to go out": Al Jourgensen is reuniting with a legendary ex-bandmate for Ministry's final album". Metal Hammer. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
8. ^ "Ministry – Homepage". Retrieved June 19, 2016.
9. ^ "Flowering Blight website". Archived from the original on August 7, 2008. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
10. ^ "FIX: The Ministry Movie". ReGen Magazine. September 27, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
11. ^ "Ministry – Homepage". Retrieved June 19, 2016.
12. ^ "Paul Barker, Formerly Of Ministry, Joins Puscifer -". mxdwn Music. August 18, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
13. ^ "Malekko Heavy Industry". Retrieved June 19, 2016.

## External links

[edit]

* Paul Ion Barker official website

* v
* t
* e

Ministry

* Al Jourgensen
* John Bechdel
* Cesar Soto
* Paul D'Amour
* Roy Mayorga
* Monte Pittman

* Martin Atkins
* Paul Barker
* Max Brody
* Tony Campos
* Jason Christopher
* Chris Connelly
* Stephen George
* Zlatko Hukic
* John Monte
* Nivek Ogre
* Casey Orr
* Paul Raven
* Bill Rieflin
* Aaron Rossi
* Mike Scaccia
* Louis Svitek
* DJ Swamp
* Tommy Victor
* Rey Washam
* Derek Abrams
* Sin Quirin
* London May

Studio albums|

* With Sympathy
* Twitch
* The Land of Rape and Honey
* The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste
* Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs
* Filth Pig
* Dark Side of the Spoon
* Animositisomina
* Houses of the Molé
* Rio Grande Blood
* The Last Sucker
* Relapse
* From Beer to Eternity
* AmeriKKKant
* Moral Hygiene
* Hopiumforthemasses

Live albums|

* In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up
* Sphinctour
* Adios... Puta Madres
* Toronto 1986

Compilations
and remixes|

* Twelve Inch Singles (1981–1984)
* Tapes of Wrath
* Greatest Fits
* Early Trax
* Side Trax
* Rantology
* Rio Grande Dub Ya
* Cover Up
* The Last Dubber
* MiXXXes of the Molé
* Every Day Is Halloween: The Anthology
* Undercover

Singles|

* "I'm Falling/Cold Life"
* "I Wanted to Tell Her"
* "(Every Day Is) Halloween"
* "Over the Shoulder"
* "Stigmata"
* "Burning Inside"
* "Jesus Built My Hotrod"
* "N.W.O."
* "Just One Fix"
* "The Fall"
* "Lay Lady Lay"
* "Bad Blood"
* "No W"
* "Keys to the City"
* "Thunderstruck"
* "99 Percenters"
* "Double Tap"
* "PermaWar"

Other songs|

* "Thieves"
* "LiesLiesLies"

Related articles|

* Discography
* 1000 Homo DJs
* Acid Horse
* The Blackouts
* Defibrillatour
* Lard
* Lead into Gold
* Pailhead
* Pigface
* PTP
* Revolting Cocks
* Surgical Meth Machine
* Trax! Box

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Pigface

* Martin Atkins

* Steve Albini
* Gry Bagøien
* Paul Barker
* Leila Bela
* Justin Bennett
* Jello Biafra
* Michael Bishop
* Fallon Bowman
* Caspar Brötzmann
* Danny Carey
* Meg Lee Chin
* JS Clayden
* Chris Connelly
* Duane Denison
* Mike Dillon
* Edsel Dope
* Taime Downe
* Hanin Elias
* The Enigma
* En Esch
* Flea
* Black Francis
* Michael Gira
* Chris Haskett
* Marc Heal
* Penn Jillette
* Algis Kizys
* Keith Levene
* Charles Levi
* Lydia Lunch
* Jim Marcus
* Nivek Ogre
* Alex Paterson
* Genesis P-Orridge
* Paul Raven
* Trent Reznor
* Bill Rieflin
* Matthew Schultz
* Günter Schulz
* Louis Svitek
* JG Thirlwell
* Chris Vrenna
* Geordie Walker
* Dean Ween
* Andrew Weiss
* David Yow

Studio albums|

* Gub
* Fook
* Notes from Thee Underground
* A New High in Low
* Easy Listening... For Difficult F***heads
* 6

Remix albums|

* Washingmachine Mouth
* Feels Like Heaven
* Below the Belt
* Dubhead
* Clubhead Nonstopmegamix #1
* Crackhead: The DJ? Acucrack Remix Album
* 8 Bit Head

Live albums|

* Lean Juicy Pork
* Welcome to Mexico... Asshole
* Truth Will Out
* Eat Shit You Fucking Redneck

Compilation albums|

* The Best of Pigface: Preaching to the Perverted
* Pigface vs. the World

EPs|

* Spoon Breakfast

Demo albums|

* Free for All Tour Demo

Related articles|

* Discography

* v
* t
* e

Lard

* Paul Barker
* Jello Biafra
* Al Jourgensen
* Bill Rieflin
* Mike Scaccia
* Jeff Ward

Studio albums|

* The Last Temptation of Reid (1990)
* Pure Chewing Satisfaction  (1997)

EPs|

* The Power of Lard (1989)
* 70's Rock Must Die (2000)

* v
* t
* e

Puscifer

* Maynard James Keenan
* Mat Mitchell
* Carina Round

Studio albums|

* "V" Is for Vagina
* Conditions of My Parole
* Money $hot
* Existential Reckoning

Remix albums|

* "V" Is for Viagra. The Remixes
* Sound into Blood into Wine
* All Re-Mixed Up
* Money Shot Your Re-Load

Extended plays|

* Don't Shoot the Messenger
* "C" Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference Here)
* Donkey Punch the Night

Singles|

* "Cuntry Boner"
* "Queen B."

Related articles|

* Tool
* A Perfect Circle
* Danny Lohner
* Milla Jovovich

* v
* t
* e

Revolting Cocks

* Richard 23
* Luc van Acker
* Paul Barker
* Chris Connelly

* Josh Bradford
* Al Jourgensen
* Phildo Owen
* Sin Quirin
* Bill Rieflin
* Clayton Worbeck

Studio albums|

* Big Sexy Land
* Beers, Steers, and Queers
* Linger Ficken' Good
* Cocked and Loaded
* Sex-O Olympic-O
* Got Cock?

Live albums|

* Live! You Goddamned Son of a Bitch

Remix Albums|

* Cocktail Mixxx
* Sex-O MiXXX-O
* Got Mixxx?

Singles|

* "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?"

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* Czech Republic

Artists|

* MusicBrainz
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