Paul Ferguson | |
|---|---|
Ferguson performing at the 2009Ilosaarirock festival in Finland | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Matthew Paul Ferguson (1958-03-31)31 March 1958 (age 67) |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1979–present |
Matthew Paul Ferguson (born 31 March 1958) is an English rock drummer, best known for his work in thepost-punk/industrial groupKilling Joke and cult Englishpunk band Pink Parts.[1] Following a stint as the drummer with the London-based Matt Stagger Band in 1978, Ferguson became a founding member of Killing Joke and served as their drummer from 1979 to 1987. He was known as Big Paul Ferguson during this period. Ferguson is known for his tribal drum style.[2][who?]
The last album he recorded with Killing Joke was the 1986 releaseBrighter than a Thousand Suns. Following disagreements with lead singerJaz Coleman about new material and the direction of the band, Ferguson and bassistPaul Raven departed the band in 1987 during the recording of their seventh studio albumOutside The Gate.
He then worked on other musical projects, notably withWarrior Soul (1987–1990),Murder, Inc. (1991–92) andCrush (1992–93) - the latter was mainly a collaboration with formerSiouxsie and the Banshees guitaristJohn Valentine Carruthers. During the following years, Ferguson moved to Puerto Rico, then to the United States, and he became a sculptor and art restorer, specialising in ancient sculptures. He also briefly played withThe Orb and took up guitar.
Ferguson rejoined Killing Joke for their 2008 reunion, and original line-up was together for the first time since 1982.[3] Ferguson recorded with Killing Joke for the first time in 23 years for their 2010 studio albumAbsolute Dissent. He remains with Killing Joke, having played drums on their April 2012 album releaseMMXII and subsequent tour as well as their 2015 releasePylon.
2015 saw the launch of Boneyard, a line of skull-and-bone jewelry designed by Ferguson. Each unique piece is individually cast and hand finished in solid sterling silver.[4]
In 2018, he brought out an EP titledRemote Viewing under the banner BPF - as for the initials of his surname Big Paul Ferguson. The EP was recorded with guitaristMark Thwaite. It included seven tracks of spoken word, with instrumentation.[5] That year, he also recorded drums for Thwaite's band MGT on the albumGemini Nyte.[5]
In 2021, he released his first solo albumVirtual Control onCleopatra Records. It was also conceived with Thwaite, with the help of producerTom Dalgety.[5]Virtual Control was issued in May on vinyl and CD.[6] Two videos were shot to promote the album; one for the leading track "The Unraveling" and one for the second song "Extrapolate". These songs were uploaded on YouTube on the Cleopatra channel.
With Sevendials
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