Bon Harris

Bon Harris (born Vaughan David Harris; 12 August 1965 in Chelmsford, Essex, England)[1] is an English composer, producer, singer and songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He is a founding member of the British EBM group Nitzer Ebb, programming Nitzer Ebb's signature sound.[2] He also played drums and synthesizers for Nitzer Ebb,[3] as well as lending his voice to several tracks such as "Let Beauty Loose."

Bon Harris
Bon Harris from Nitzer Ebb concert on November 2021, Baltimore, MD
Bon Harris from Nitzer Ebb concert on November 2021, Baltimore, MD
Background information
Born (1965-08-12) 12 August 1965
OriginChelmsford, Essex, England[1]
GenresEBM, industrial rock
Occupation(s)Composer, record producer, musician, songwriter, singer
Years active1983–present
LabelsMute
Geffen

Career
Nitzer Ebb Concert in Los Angeles, October 2019. Left to Right: David Gooday, Simon Granger, Bon Harris and Douglas McCarthy
Nitzer Ebb Concert in Los Angeles, October 2019. Left to Right: David Gooday, Simon Granger, Bon Harris and Douglas McCarthy

Since Nitzer Ebb's 1995 release, Harris has become an in-demand collaborator working with Depeche Mode, The Smashing Pumpkins,[4] Evanescence, AFI, Avril Lavigne, Bush, and Billy Corgan, who asked Bon to co-produce his solo album, TheFutureEmbrace. Harris's band, Maven, is on hold as he works on other projects.

Harris also worked closely with Marilyn Manson, programming electronics and recording for his 2000 album Holy Wood.[5][6] Manson appears as a guest on Maven's cover of Nick Cave's "Hard On For Love" and had this to say of his collaborator and some-time inspiration:

"Bon was someone I had always respected and even interviewed in 1989 and was completely blown away by his musical ability and voice. I was fortunate that he took time away from Maven to work with me on my project. He became sort of a sixth member of the group and I don't use that term lightly. I think Maven adds genius songwriting to electronic music in a totally original way."

Harris resides in Los Angeles and continues to work as a film and TV composer. He worked on Bravo's popular shows Project Runway and Top Chef, as well as NBC's Treasure Hunters.

Nitzer Ebb embarked on a worldwide tour in 2006 that continued until 2008 when Harris returned to the studio to work on the album Industrial Complex which was released in 2009.

In July 2020, Harris did a streaming live set from his yard in Eagle Rock, CA, titled “Songs: From the Lemon Tree,” consisting of solo cover songs.[7]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Harris and Douglas McCarthy got together to work on a side project called D-R-A-G.[7]

In November 2021, Harris performed on lead vocals for a Nitzer Ebb show in Palm Beach, Florida and Toronto, Ontario due to bandmate McCarthy falling ill and going to the hospital.[8]

Musical gear

Harris primarily uses vintage analog and modular synthesizers, including Roland System 100M modular, Doepfer A100, Clavia Nord Modular, Korg MS-10 and Oberheim Xpander. He has also used digital synthesizers Roland D50 and Kurzweil K2000.[4] His first synthesizer was an EDP Wasp, which he bought by selling his Mongoose bicycle.[9] On Nitzer Ebb albums he has used the Roland System 700 and System 100M, RSF Kobol and various analog synths of the 70's and the 80's.[9]

References
  1. "www.nitzer-ebb.com ::: the official Nitzer Ebb Website – Archive: News 2009". www.nitzer-ebb.de. 12 August 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  2. Luke Turner (3 January 2019). "The return of pop perverts Nitzer Ebb: 'There was always a lot of sexual energy'". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  3. Bush, John. "Biography: Nitzer Ebb". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  4. "Bon Harris: Techno Pioneer". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  5. "Manson Returns". New Musical Express. 16 December 1999. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  6. Tommy Udo (28 July 2016). "Marilyn Manson: the story of Holy Wood (In The Shadow Of The Valley Of Death)". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  7. "Nitzer Ebb wants fans to join in the chant". Pasadena Weekly. 24 November 2021. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  8. "Nitzer Ebb: Frontmann Douglas McCarthy im Krankenhaus, Tour wird fortgesetzt". www.sonic-seducer.de. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  9. "Bon Harris (Nitzer Ebb) On Synthesizers". Voltage Control Lab. 3 May 2016. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
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