John McGeoch
Encyclopedia
John Alexander McGeoch, (25 August 1955 – 4 March 2004), was a Scottish guitarist who played with a number of bands of the post-punk
era, including Magazine
, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Visage
and Public Image Ltd.
He was described as "one of the most influential guitarists of his generation" and he was also considered as "the new wave Jimmy Page
". In 1996, he was listed by Mojo
in their "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" for his work on the Siouxsie and the Banshees song "Spellbound
".
, Renfrewshire
, Scotland, and got his first guitar when he was twelve. He first learned to play guitar learning blues songs, including the repertoire of Hendrix
and Clapton
. In 1970 he played in a local band called The Slugband. In 1971 he moved to London with his family, and in 1975 he began to attend Manchester Polytechnic, where he studied art.
McGeoch had a degree in Fine Art and an ongoing interest in photography, painting and drawing. He provided some of the cover art for his future band The Armoury Show
, years later.
introduced him to Howard Devoto
, who had recently left the Buzzcocks
and was looking for a guitarist to form a band which would transcend the limitations of three-chord punk. Devoto found what he was looking for in McGeoch and the pair formed Magazine
, along with Barry Adamson
, Bob Dickinson, and Martin Jackson
.
Magazine released their debut single, "Shot by Both Sides", in January 1978. The music was written by Pete Shelley
with new Devoto lyrics (the Buzzcocks version is known as "Lipstick"), and the single reached number 41 on the UK singles chart
. The same year, he graduated.
McGeoch played on the band's first three albums, Real Life
(1978), Secondhand Daylight
(1979), and The Correct Use of Soap
(1980). He left the band in 1980, shortly after the release of the latter album, frustrated about their lack of commercial success despite being very popular with the music critics.
, McGeoch joined Steve Strange
's electronic group Visage
along with erstwhile Magazine bandmates Barry Adamson
and Dave Formula
, beginning to record songs for their first single "Tar" and later, in 1980, for the ensemble's eponymous album, Visage
, playing guitar and saxophone.
Although he saw Visage as a joke, McGeoch did have the success he craved, however brief. The band's single "Fade to Grey" went to number one in a number of European countries. McGeoch couldn't participate in the group's second album, The Anvil
because he couldn't be present as Visage were recording in London.
Whilst still a member of Magazine and Visage, McGeoch had played with other bands such as Generation X
, for some songs from the "Kiss Me Deadly"
album, and The Skids
, for a late 1980 Peel Session replacing Stuart Adamson
, who was ill. During those days, he left Magazine.
By that time, he collaborated with Ken Lockie
's "The Impossible" album (1981), along with ex-Magazine mate John Doyle
.
He played guitar on the Banshees albums Kaleidoscope
(1980), Juju
(1981), and A Kiss in the Dreamhouse
(1982). The Banshees' hit singles of this era featured some of McGeoch's greatest work, particularly 1980's "Happy House
", "Christine
" and "Israel
". McGeoch's contribution to the band was important in terms of sounds and style. Singer Siouxsie Sioux
later honoured him :
However, McGeoch suffered a nervous breakdown
due to the stresses of touring and drinking and collapsed on stage at a Madrid
concert. This marked the end of his membership in Siouxsie and the Banshees.
(which included Richard Jobson
and Russel Webb
, both ex-Skids
members, and John Doyle
who was McGeoch's bandmate from Magazine), McGeoch joined Public Image Ltd.
in 1986, a decision which may have been partly motivated by financial difficulties incurred during his time with The Armoury Show
. McGeoch had been a great admirer of P.I.L, particularly John Lydon
's lyrics, yet had reportedly turned down an invitation to join the band in 1984 due to prior commitments.
Despite being hit in the face with a bottle during one of his first concerts with the band, McGeoch remained with P.I.L until they disbanded in 1992, making him the longest-serving member apart from Lydon. He worked on the albums Happy?
, 9
and That What Is Not
.
During his time with P.I.L, McGeoch married Denise Dakin, on 14 September 1988. The couple had a daughter in 1989 – Emily Jean McGeoch.
and songwriter/producer Keith Lowndes and also with John Keeble
of Spandau Ballet
, however, neither came to fruition. With John Keeble and vocalist Clive Farrington of When in Rome
he formed the short-lived project Pacific (not the band who recorded an album called "Inference" for Creation Records
in 1990).
McGeoch, who had been a great pioneer in the 1970s and 1980s, found himself stranded in a new era. He retrained as a nurse in 1995, although before his death he had been writing some music for television. He was reported to have died in his sleep.
" by Cream
. Key characteristics of his playing style included inventive arpeggio
, flange effect pedal, string harmonics and an occasional disregard for conventional scales.
During his Magazine days, he played a Yamaha SG 1000 guitar, used along a MXR flanger. He bought his first model in 1977 (or 1976, as he also declared), by the time Magazine got their first recording deal.
When he was in The Armoury Show, he also used a Squier 1957 Stratocaster
.
During his last days with PIL and during his time with Pacific, he played a solid wood Carvin electric guitar.
Johnny Marr
from The Smiths
stated on the BBC Radio 2 in February 2008 that he rated McGeoch very highly for his work with Magazine and Siouxsie and the Banshees (especially on the Banshees' "Spellbound
"). Marr stated about this song : Radiohead
was inspired by him to record "There There": they explained that they were "in heaven" when their producer Nigel Godrich made Jonny Greenwood
sound like McGeoch of Siouxsie and the Banshees for that session. The Edge
of U2
often stated McGeoch as one of his influences. U2 selected the Siouxsie song "Christine" from the Kaleidoscope
album for a compilation made for Mojo.
Other guitarists also mentioned him. Dave Navarro
of Jane's Addiction
said that he learned guitar listening to the albums McGeoch recorded with the Banshees. John Frusciante
of The Red Hot Chili Peppers likewise said that he taught himself to play "learning all John McGeoch's stuff in Magazine and Siouxsie and the Banshees".
Visage
Generation X
Siouxsie and the Banshees
The Armoury Show
Public Image Ltd.
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
era, including Magazine
Magazine (band)
Magazine are an English post-punk group active from 1977 to 1981, then reformed in 2009. Their debut single, "Shot by Both Sides", is now acknowledged as a classic and their debut album, Real Life, is still widely admired as one of the greatest albums of all time...
, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Visage
Visage
Visage are a British New Wave rock band. Formed in 1978, the band became closely linked to the burgeoning New Romantic fashion movement of the early 1980s, and are best known for their 1980 hit "Fade to Grey".-New Wave years :...
and Public Image Ltd.
Public Image Ltd.
Public Image Ltd are an English post-punk band formed by vocalist John Lydon , guitarist Keith Levene and bassist Jah Wobble, with frequent subsequent personnel changes. Lydon is the sole constant member of the band....
He was described as "one of the most influential guitarists of his generation" and he was also considered as "the new wave Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
". In 1996, he was listed by Mojo
Mojo (magazine)
MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
in their "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" for his work on the Siouxsie and the Banshees song "Spellbound
Spellbound (song)
"Spellbound" is a song recorded by British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees in 1981. The track was written by the Banshees and co-produced with Nigel Gray...
".
Early years (1955–1976)
McGeoch was born and brought up in GreenockGreenock
Greenock is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council area in United Kingdom, and a former burgh within the historic county of Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
, Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Renfrewshire, the others being Inverclyde to the west and East Renfrewshire to the east...
, Scotland, and got his first guitar when he was twelve. He first learned to play guitar learning blues songs, including the repertoire of Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
and Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
. In 1970 he played in a local band called The Slugband. In 1971 he moved to London with his family, and in 1975 he began to attend Manchester Polytechnic, where he studied art.
McGeoch had a degree in Fine Art and an ongoing interest in photography, painting and drawing. He provided some of the cover art for his future band The Armoury Show
The Armoury Show
The Armoury Show was a New Wave band formed in 1983 by Richard Jobson on vocals, Russell Webb on bass guitar, John McGeoch on guitar and John Doyle on drums. Each member was known for being in a previously acclaimed band, as Jobson and Webb were in The Skids and McGeoch and Doyle in Magazine. The...
, years later.
Magazine (1977–1980)
In April 1977 McGeoch's flatmate Malcolm GarrettMalcolm Garrett
Malcolm Garrett is a British graphic designer, who has worked for music artists such as Simple Minds, Magazine, Duran Duran and Peter Gabriel...
introduced him to Howard Devoto
Howard Devoto
Howard Devoto is an English rock and roll singer-songwriter, who began his career as the frontman for the punk band Buzzcocks, but then left to form Magazine, one of the first post-punk bands...
, who had recently left the Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks are an English punk rock band formed in Bolton in 1976, led by singer–songwriter–guitarist Pete Shelley.They are regarded as an important influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement, punk rock, power pop, pop punk and indie rock. They achieved commercial...
and was looking for a guitarist to form a band which would transcend the limitations of three-chord punk. Devoto found what he was looking for in McGeoch and the pair formed Magazine
Magazine (band)
Magazine are an English post-punk group active from 1977 to 1981, then reformed in 2009. Their debut single, "Shot by Both Sides", is now acknowledged as a classic and their debut album, Real Life, is still widely admired as one of the greatest albums of all time...
, along with Barry Adamson
Barry Adamson
Barry Adamson is a British rock musician who has worked with rock bands such as Magazine, Visage, The Birthday Party, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and the electronic musicians Pan sonic and Depeche Mode. Adamson created the seven-minute opus "Useless " remix for the latter band in 1997...
, Bob Dickinson, and Martin Jackson
Martin Jackson
Martin Jackson is a British drummer who has played with several New Wave bands from Manchester, although his most successful roles were with Magazine, in 1978 with the release of the influential Real Life album, and Swing Out Sister, in 1986, with the hit song Breakout.-Biography:His earliest work...
.
Magazine released their debut single, "Shot by Both Sides", in January 1978. The music was written by Pete Shelley
Pete Shelley
Pete Shelley is an English singer, songwriter and guitarist, best known as the leader of Buzzcocks.-Biography:...
with new Devoto lyrics (the Buzzcocks version is known as "Lipstick"), and the single reached number 41 on the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The same year, he graduated.
McGeoch played on the band's first three albums, Real Life
Real Life (Magazine album)
Real Life is the debut album by English post-punk band Magazine, released in April 1978 on Virgin Records.- Track listing :- Personnel :* Howard Devoto – vocals* John McGeoch – guitar and saxophone* Barry Adamson – bass guitar...
(1978), Secondhand Daylight
Secondhand Daylight
Secondhand Daylight is the second album by British band Magazine, released by Virgin Records on 30 March 1979.-Track listing:-Personnel:* Howard Devoto - vocals* John McGeoch - guitar, saxophone, keyboards on "The Thin Air"* Barry Adamson - bass...
(1979), and The Correct Use of Soap
The Correct Use of Soap
The Correct Use of Soap is the third album by British post-punk band Magazine, released by Virgin Records in 1980. It marks a return to form of sorts to the punkier riffs and faster rhythms of Real Life after their more experimental album Secondhand Daylight...
(1980). He left the band in 1980, shortly after the release of the latter album, frustrated about their lack of commercial success despite being very popular with the music critics.
Visage (1979–1981)
In 1979, whilst still a member of MagazineMagazine (band)
Magazine are an English post-punk group active from 1977 to 1981, then reformed in 2009. Their debut single, "Shot by Both Sides", is now acknowledged as a classic and their debut album, Real Life, is still widely admired as one of the greatest albums of all time...
, McGeoch joined Steve Strange
Steve Strange
Steve Strange , is a Welsh pop singer, best known as the lead singer and frontman of the 1980s pop group Visage...
's electronic group Visage
Visage
Visage are a British New Wave rock band. Formed in 1978, the band became closely linked to the burgeoning New Romantic fashion movement of the early 1980s, and are best known for their 1980 hit "Fade to Grey".-New Wave years :...
along with erstwhile Magazine bandmates Barry Adamson
Barry Adamson
Barry Adamson is a British rock musician who has worked with rock bands such as Magazine, Visage, The Birthday Party, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and the electronic musicians Pan sonic and Depeche Mode. Adamson created the seven-minute opus "Useless " remix for the latter band in 1997...
and Dave Formula
Dave Formula
Dave Formula, , is an English keyboardist and film-soundtrack composer from Manchester, who played with the post-punk band Magazine, and New Romantic ensemble Visage during the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s and in the "world music" band The Angel Brothers.-Early Years and St...
, beginning to record songs for their first single "Tar" and later, in 1980, for the ensemble's eponymous album, Visage
Visage (album)
Visage is the eponymous debut album from the British pop group Visage, recorded at Genetic Sound Studios in Reading and released by Polydor Records on 10 November 1980...
, playing guitar and saxophone.
Although he saw Visage as a joke, McGeoch did have the success he craved, however brief. The band's single "Fade to Grey" went to number one in a number of European countries. McGeoch couldn't participate in the group's second album, The Anvil
The Anvil (album)
-References:*...
because he couldn't be present as Visage were recording in London.
Whilst still a member of Magazine and Visage, McGeoch had played with other bands such as Generation X
Generation X (band)
Generation X was a British punk rock band, formed on 21 November 1976 by Billy Idol, Tony James and John Towe.-History:...
, for some songs from the "Kiss Me Deadly"
Kiss Me Deadly (album)
Kiss Me Deadly was the third and final full-length album from Generation X. The band shortened its name to "Gen X" for this release. Following the departure of all original members with the exception of Tony James and Billy Idol and the addition of ex-Clash drummer Terry Chimes, the album featured...
album, and The Skids
The Skids
Skids were an art-punk/punk rock and new wave band from Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, founded in 1977 by Stuart Adamson , William Simpson , Thomas Kellichan and Richard Jobson...
, for a late 1980 Peel Session replacing Stuart Adamson
Stuart Adamson
Stuart Adamson , born William Stuart Adamson, was an English-born Scottish guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, described by legendary music journalist John Peel as “Britain’s answer to Jimi Hendrix”...
, who was ill. During those days, he left Magazine.
By that time, he collaborated with Ken Lockie
Ken Lockie
Ken Lockie born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England is a singer/songwriter and keyboard player, singer of New Wave band Cowboys International.-Cowboys International:...
's "The Impossible" album (1981), along with ex-Magazine mate John Doyle
John Doyle (drummer)
John Doyle is a drummer who was member of New Wave bands like Magazine and The Armoury Show. He reunited with the first band for a tour which will be played in February 2009.-Biography:...
.
Siouxsie and the Banshees (1980–1982)
After joining Siouxsie and the Banshees in early 1980, McGeoch entered a period of both creative and commercial success. During his first session with the Banshees, he began a new way of playing. He later commented : "I was going through a picky phase, as opposed to strumming. "Happy House" was lighter and had more musicality in it. They invited me to join. I was sad leaving Magazine but the Banshees were so interesting and it felt like a good move."He played guitar on the Banshees albums Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope (Siouxsie album)
Kaleidoscope is the third studio album by English post-punk band Siouxsie and the Banshees, released in 1980. Following the departure of two band members, the band regrouped and redirected their sound for their third record. Departing from their previous work, the Banshees incorporated synthesizers...
(1980), Juju
Juju (Siouxsie & the Banshees album)
Juju is the fourth studio album by Siouxsie and the Banshees and was released in June 1981 through Polydor Records. After a slightly electronic bent made on a few tracks of their last album, the Banshees returned to a guitar-based sound for Juju, due to the now-official guitarist, John McGeoch...
(1981), and A Kiss in the Dreamhouse
A Kiss in the Dreamhouse
A Kiss in the Dreamhouse is the fifth studio album by English post-punk band Siouxsie and the Banshees and was issued by Polydor Records in the UK in 1982. It was reissued, remastered, and expanded in 2009...
(1982). The Banshees' hit singles of this era featured some of McGeoch's greatest work, particularly 1980's "Happy House
Happy House
"Happy House" is a song recorded by British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees. The song was written by Banshees members Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin and it was released as the first single from the band's third album Kaleidoscope....
", "Christine
Christine (song)
"Christine" is a song recorded by British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees. The song was written by Banshees members Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin and it was released as the second single from the band's third album Kaleidoscope....
" and "Israel
Israel (song)
"Israel" is a song recorded by British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees in 1980. The track was written by the Banshees and co-produced with Nigel Gray. "Israel" returned the band to a more rock-oriented sound....
". McGeoch's contribution to the band was important in terms of sounds and style. Singer Siouxsie Sioux
Siouxsie Sioux
Siouxsie Sioux is an English singer-songwriter. She is best known as the lead singer of the critically acclaimed rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees and of its splinter group The Creatures . The Banshees produced eleven studio albums and a string of hit singles including "Hong Kong Garden",...
later honoured him :
However, McGeoch suffered a nervous breakdown
Nervous breakdown
Mental breakdown is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, time-limited phase of a specific disorder that presents primarily with features of depression or anxiety.-Definition:...
due to the stresses of touring and drinking and collapsed on stage at a Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
concert. This marked the end of his membership in Siouxsie and the Banshees.
PIL (1986–1992)
Following three years in The Armoury ShowThe Armoury Show
The Armoury Show was a New Wave band formed in 1983 by Richard Jobson on vocals, Russell Webb on bass guitar, John McGeoch on guitar and John Doyle on drums. Each member was known for being in a previously acclaimed band, as Jobson and Webb were in The Skids and McGeoch and Doyle in Magazine. The...
(which included Richard Jobson
Richard Jobson (television presenter)
Richard Jobson is a Scottish singer-songwriter and film-maker, best known as a television presenter, film director, producer and screenwriter.-Early life:...
and Russel Webb
Russell Webb (musician)
Russell Webb is a New Wave bass guitarist who was member of bands like Slik, PVC2 , The Zones, The Skids, The Armoury Show and Public Image Ltd., and collaborated with Richard Jobson and Virginia Astley, and The Who.-Slik and PVC2:In 1977, future Ultravox and Live Aid face, guitarist and singer...
, both ex-Skids
The Skids
Skids were an art-punk/punk rock and new wave band from Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, founded in 1977 by Stuart Adamson , William Simpson , Thomas Kellichan and Richard Jobson...
members, and John Doyle
John Doyle (drummer)
John Doyle is a drummer who was member of New Wave bands like Magazine and The Armoury Show. He reunited with the first band for a tour which will be played in February 2009.-Biography:...
who was McGeoch's bandmate from Magazine), McGeoch joined Public Image Ltd.
Public Image Ltd.
Public Image Ltd are an English post-punk band formed by vocalist John Lydon , guitarist Keith Levene and bassist Jah Wobble, with frequent subsequent personnel changes. Lydon is the sole constant member of the band....
in 1986, a decision which may have been partly motivated by financial difficulties incurred during his time with The Armoury Show
The Armoury Show
The Armoury Show was a New Wave band formed in 1983 by Richard Jobson on vocals, Russell Webb on bass guitar, John McGeoch on guitar and John Doyle on drums. Each member was known for being in a previously acclaimed band, as Jobson and Webb were in The Skids and McGeoch and Doyle in Magazine. The...
. McGeoch had been a great admirer of P.I.L, particularly John Lydon
John Lydon
John Joseph Lydon , also known by the former stage name Johnny Rotten, is a singer-songwriter and television presenter, best known as the lead singer of punk rock band the Sex Pistols from 1975 until 1978, and again for various revivals during the 1990s and 2000s...
's lyrics, yet had reportedly turned down an invitation to join the band in 1984 due to prior commitments.
Despite being hit in the face with a bottle during one of his first concerts with the band, McGeoch remained with P.I.L until they disbanded in 1992, making him the longest-serving member apart from Lydon. He worked on the albums Happy?
Happy? (Public Image Limited)
Happy? was Public Image Ltd's sixth studio album, released in 1987.-Cover artwork:The cover art by Richard Evans is a homage to the style of Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and an acknowledgement is made in the liner notes....
, 9
9 (Public Image Limited album)
-Personnel:*John Lydon: vocals*John McGeoch: guitar*Allan Dias: bass*Bruce Smith: drums-Track-by-track commentary by the band:"Happy?":*John Lydon : “'Happy?' was much more militant in its approach, kind of pissed off at the world. That was the attitude. But this one is much more happy, much more...
and That What Is Not
That What Is Not
That What Is Not was Public Image Ltd's eighth, and to date final album, released in 1992.-Track listing:# "Acid Drops"# "Luck's Up"# "Cruel"# "God"# "Covered"# "Love Hope"# "Unfairground"# "Think Tank"# "Emperor"# "Good Things"-Personnel:...
.
During his time with P.I.L, McGeoch married Denise Dakin, on 14 September 1988. The couple had a daughter in 1989 – Emily Jean McGeoch.
Life after music and later years (1992–2004)
After Public Image Ltd. split up, McGeoch attempted to form projects with Glenn Gregory of Heaven 17Heaven 17
Heaven 17 are an English synthpop band originating from Sheffield in the early 1980s. The trio comprises Martyn Ware , Ian Craig Marsh and Glenn Gregory...
and songwriter/producer Keith Lowndes and also with John Keeble
John Keeble
John Keeble is a British pop musician, who is the drummer with the 1980s band, Spandau Ballet.Spandau Ballet disbanded in 1990, after their final studio album, Heart Like a Sky, failed to live up to the critical and commercial success of their earlier albums, such as True and Parade.In 1999, John...
of Spandau Ballet
Spandau Ballet
Spandau Ballet are a British band formed in London in the late 1970s. Initially inspired by, and an integral part of, the New Romantic fashion, their music has featured a mixture of funk, jazz, soul and synthpop. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s, achieving ten Top Ten singles...
, however, neither came to fruition. With John Keeble and vocalist Clive Farrington of When in Rome
When in Rome (band)
When in Rome are an English New Wave trio, originally consisting of vocalists Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann, and keyboards player Michael Floreale. They are best known for their 1988 single, "The Promise".-History:...
he formed the short-lived project Pacific (not the band who recorded an album called "Inference" for Creation Records
Creation Records
Creation Records was a British independent record label headed by Alan McGee. Along with Dick Green and Joe Foster, McGee founded Creation in 1983. The label lasted until its demise in 1999. The name came from the 1960s band The Creation , whom McGee greatly admired. McGee, Green and Foster were...
in 1990).
McGeoch, who had been a great pioneer in the 1970s and 1980s, found himself stranded in a new era. He retrained as a nurse in 1995, although before his death he had been writing some music for television. He was reported to have died in his sleep.
Playing style
The first guitar riff he learned to play was apparently "Sunshine of Your LoveSunshine of Your Love
"Sunshine of Your Love" is a 1967 song by the British supergroup Cream. The song was originally released on the album Disraeli Gears in November 1967, and was later released as a single in January 1968. It is Cream's only gold-selling single in the United States. It features a distinctive...
" by Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
. Key characteristics of his playing style included inventive arpeggio
Arpeggio
An arpeggio is a musical technique where notes in a chord are played or sung in sequence, one after the other, rather than ringing out simultaneously...
, flange effect pedal, string harmonics and an occasional disregard for conventional scales.
Equipment
His first electric guitar was a red Commodore.During his Magazine days, he played a Yamaha SG 1000 guitar, used along a MXR flanger. He bought his first model in 1977 (or 1976, as he also declared), by the time Magazine got their first recording deal.
When he was in The Armoury Show, he also used a Squier 1957 Stratocaster
Squier Stratocaster
The Squier Stratocaster is an electric guitar based on the Stratocaster, manufactured and sold by Squier, a marque of Fender.-Origins:After Fender's decision to switch Squier's production from strings to guitars in 1982, the Stratocaster was one of the first models to be put under the Squier...
.
During his last days with PIL and during his time with Pacific, he played a solid wood Carvin electric guitar.
Legacy and influence
McGeoch has been cited by many artists as a major influence.Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr is an English musician and songwriter. Marr rose to fame in the 1980s as the guitarist in The Smiths, with whom he formed a prolific songwriting partnership with Morrissey. Marr has been a member of Electronic, The The, and Modest Mouse...
from The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
stated on the BBC Radio 2 in February 2008 that he rated McGeoch very highly for his work with Magazine and Siouxsie and the Banshees (especially on the Banshees' "Spellbound
Spellbound (song)
"Spellbound" is a song recorded by British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees in 1981. The track was written by the Banshees and co-produced with Nigel Gray...
"). Marr stated about this song : Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
was inspired by him to record "There There": they explained that they were "in heaven" when their producer Nigel Godrich made Jonny Greenwood
Jonny Greenwood
Jonathan Richard Guy "Jonny" Greenwood is an English musician and composer, best known as a member of the English rock band Radiohead. Greenwood is a multi-instrumentalist, but serves mainly as lead guitarist and keyboard player. In addition to guitar and keyboard, he plays viola, harmonica,...
sound like McGeoch of Siouxsie and the Banshees for that session. The Edge
The Edge
David Howell Evans , more widely known by his stage name The Edge , is a musician best known as the guitarist, backing vocalist, and keyboardist of the Irish rock band U2. A member of the group since its inception, he has recorded 12 studio albums with the band and has released one solo record...
of U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
often stated McGeoch as one of his influences. U2 selected the Siouxsie song "Christine" from the Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope (Siouxsie album)
Kaleidoscope is the third studio album by English post-punk band Siouxsie and the Banshees, released in 1980. Following the departure of two band members, the band regrouped and redirected their sound for their third record. Departing from their previous work, the Banshees incorporated synthesizers...
album for a compilation made for Mojo.
Other guitarists also mentioned him. Dave Navarro
Dave Navarro
David Michael "Dave" Navarro is an American guitarist who plays in the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction and cover band Camp Freddy. He has also played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Panic Channel, and many others.- Early life :...
of Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
said that he learned guitar listening to the albums McGeoch recorded with the Banshees. John Frusciante
John Frusciante
John Anthony Frusciante is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, record and film producer. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, with whom he had been for a number of years and recorded five studio albums...
of The Red Hot Chili Peppers likewise said that he taught himself to play "learning all John McGeoch's stuff in Magazine and Siouxsie and the Banshees".
Discography
Magazine- Real LifeReal Life (Magazine album)Real Life is the debut album by English post-punk band Magazine, released in April 1978 on Virgin Records.- Track listing :- Personnel :* Howard Devoto – vocals* John McGeoch – guitar and saxophone* Barry Adamson – bass guitar...
(1978) - Secondhand DaylightSecondhand DaylightSecondhand Daylight is the second album by British band Magazine, released by Virgin Records on 30 March 1979.-Track listing:-Personnel:* Howard Devoto - vocals* John McGeoch - guitar, saxophone, keyboards on "The Thin Air"* Barry Adamson - bass...
(1979) - The Correct Use of SoapThe Correct Use of SoapThe Correct Use of Soap is the third album by British post-punk band Magazine, released by Virgin Records in 1980. It marks a return to form of sorts to the punkier riffs and faster rhythms of Real Life after their more experimental album Secondhand Daylight...
(1980)
Visage
- VisageVisage (album)Visage is the eponymous debut album from the British pop group Visage, recorded at Genetic Sound Studios in Reading and released by Polydor Records on 10 November 1980...
(1980)
Generation X
- Kiss Me DeadlyKiss Me Deadly (album)Kiss Me Deadly was the third and final full-length album from Generation X. The band shortened its name to "Gen X" for this release. Following the departure of all original members with the exception of Tony James and Billy Idol and the addition of ex-Clash drummer Terry Chimes, the album featured...
(1981)
Siouxsie and the Banshees
- Kaleidoscope (1980)
- Juju (1981)
- A Kiss in the DreamhouseA Kiss in the DreamhouseA Kiss in the Dreamhouse is the fifth studio album by English post-punk band Siouxsie and the Banshees and was issued by Polydor Records in the UK in 1982. It was reissued, remastered, and expanded in 2009...
(1982)
The Armoury Show
- Waiting for the FloodsWaiting for the FloodsWaiting for the Floods is the first and only full-length album released by British rock band The Armoury Show, and frontman Richard Jobson's last known venture in music, other than his brief reunion with The Skids in the early 2000s...
(1985)
Public Image Ltd.
- Happy? (1987)
- 99 (Public Image Limited album)-Personnel:*John Lydon: vocals*John McGeoch: guitar*Allan Dias: bass*Bruce Smith: drums-Track-by-track commentary by the band:"Happy?":*John Lydon : “'Happy?' was much more militant in its approach, kind of pissed off at the world. That was the attitude. But this one is much more happy, much more...
(1989) - That What Is NotThat What Is NotThat What Is Not was Public Image Ltd's eighth, and to date final album, released in 1992.-Track listing:# "Acid Drops"# "Luck's Up"# "Cruel"# "God"# "Covered"# "Love Hope"# "Unfairground"# "Think Tank"# "Emperor"# "Good Things"-Personnel:...
(1992)