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Richard Vernon (musician)

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Richard "Rich" Vernon (born 7 July 1966) is a British musician and songwriter best known as the bass guitarist of 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.

Richard Vernon
Vernon performing in Los Angeles, 2018
Vernon performing in Los Angeles, 2018
Background information
Born (1966-07-07) 7 July 1966 (age 58)
Chichester, England
OccupationBassist
Member of
Formerly of
SpouseNoriko Vernon

Early life

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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

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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

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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

The Mission

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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

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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

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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] a second single, "Busy Giddy Minds", was released on July 31,[31] followed by a third, "All the Way from Blackpool" on 23 September.

Equipment

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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

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Vernon at his graduation ceremony in November 2023

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.[32]

Recorded works

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Richard Vernon in the studio

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

Date Band Title Format Label
1989 Helter Skelter "Last Train" 7"/12" Single Rough Trade Records
1990 Helter Skelter "Consume" 7"/12" Single Island Records
1990 Helter Skelter "Sense" 7" Single Island Records
1990 Helter Skelter Consume Album Island Records
1990 Helter Skelter "Angel" 7"/12" Single Island Records
1994 The One (Peter Perrett) Cultered Palate EP Dwarf Records
1996 The One (Peter Perrett) "Woke Up Sticky" Single Demon Records
1996 The One (Peter Perrett) Woke Up Sticky Album Demon Records
2000 The One (Peter Perrett) Hearts on Fire Album NMC Music
2005 The Mission Lighting the Candles DVD Oblivion
2007 The Mission "Keep It in the Family" Single SPV / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
2007 The Mission God Is a Bullet[33] Album SPV / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
2007 The Mission Blush EP SPV / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
2008 The Mission Dum Dum Bullet Album SPV / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
2008 The Mission The First Chapter: Live at London Shepherd's Bush Empire Album Let Them Eat Vinyl / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
2008 The Mission God's Own Medicine: Live at London Shepherd's Bush Empire Album Let Them Eat Vinyl / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
2008 The Mission Children: Live at London Shepherd's Bush Empire Album Let Them Eat Vinyl / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
2008 The Mission Carved in Sand: Live at London Shepherd's Bush Empire Album Let Them Eat Vinyl / Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
2008 Dead Guitars "Blue" (track from the album, Flags)[34] Album track Echozone
2009 The Mission The Final Chapter DVD Oblivion
2018 The Mission For Ever More - Live at London, Shepherd's Bush Empire CD Box Set Cherry Red Records

References

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  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. ^ "FEATURED VIDEO: Manbird! – "Busy Giddy Minds"". Echoes and Dust. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  32. ^ "Deadbeat Mech". Hotvox. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  33. ^ "God Is a Bullet – The Mission UK". AllMusic. 19 February 2007. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  34. ^ "Dead Guitars 'Blue', Feat. Rich Vernon". Lastfm.com. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
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