Kev Hopper
Encyclopedia
Kev Hopper is primarily known as the bass guitarist with the 1980s band Stump
, but it is more accurate to define him as a composer and multi-instrumentalist playing Musical Saw
, guitar and samplers.
Since the mid 80s, Hopper’s (mainly instrumental) output has been diverse and not easily quantifiable but his work is best described as a blend of experimental and melodic pop styles. His electronic work has lead him to the creation of virtual software instruments (such as sequenced resonators and generative devices) "that 'impose' harmony on multi-harmonious, multi-textural, multi-ambiguous source material". He has played and collaborated with pop bands such as Stereolab
and The High Llamas
and individuals such as guitarist Derek Bailey and drummer Charles Hayward
.
Hopper began his musical career as a bass guitarist with the Anglo/Irish Captain Beefheart
-inspired indie band Stump in the mid 80s. His playing was heavily influenced by the fusion bassist, Percy Jones
; busy triplets, tremolos and stretched harmonics on a fretless Wal bass. After the group’s demise in 1988 his interest moved from bass playing to sequencing odd sound sources and samples resulting in the 1989 recording Stolen Jewels. A concept album
(with a garlic
theme) The Stinking Rose followed in 1992 further exploring sampling.
Around 1994 Hopper began playing on the London Free Improvisation
circuit and with the electronic ensemble Ticklish. The resulting recording from that period, ‘Spoombung’ marked a return to bass playing with extensive new playing (hammering) techniques and ‘preparations’ – clips and other devices attached to the strings to produce overtones. He combined this approach with the tuned percussion of Dominic Murcott and the musical saw
for a more melodic effect and greater tonal scope on the ‘Whispering Foils’ album (2000).
In 2003 he abandoned the experimental bass guitar
element and released a Musical Saw
album, Saurus featuring 6 melodic, original tunes. His last recording to date was‘I Saw Spoombung's Daughter consumed by Kirby Dots’ (2005)under his 'Spoombung' alias; a combination of acoustic and electronic mutated, granular pop with extensive use of the modular software synthesis/sampling package,’Reaktor
’.
Stump (band)
Stump were an Anglo-Irish indie/experimental/rock group featuring former Microdisney members Mick Lynch and Rob McKahey , along with Kev Hopper and Chris Salmon . They formed in London in 1983...
, but it is more accurate to define him as a composer and multi-instrumentalist playing Musical Saw
Musical saw
A musical saw, also called a singing saw, is the application of a hand saw as a musical instrument. The sound creates an ethereal tone, very similar to the theremin...
, guitar and samplers.
Since the mid 80s, Hopper’s (mainly instrumental) output has been diverse and not easily quantifiable but his work is best described as a blend of experimental and melodic pop styles. His electronic work has lead him to the creation of virtual software instruments (such as sequenced resonators and generative devices) "that 'impose' harmony on multi-harmonious, multi-textural, multi-ambiguous source material". He has played and collaborated with pop bands such as Stereolab
Stereolab
Stereolab are an alternative music band formed in 1990 in London, England. The band originally comprised songwriting team Tim Gane and Lætitia Sadier , both of whom remained at the helm across many lineup changes...
and The High Llamas
The High Llamas
The High Llamas are a London-based musical group, formed by the Irish guitarist and songwriter Sean O'Hagan after the demise of his group Microdisney. O'Hagan writes and arranges the music and the rest of the group consists of drummer Rob Allum, keyboardist/cellist Marcus Holdaway, and...
and individuals such as guitarist Derek Bailey and drummer Charles Hayward
Charles Hayward (musician)
Charles Hayward is an English drummer and was a founding member of the experimental rock group This Heat. He also played with Mal Dean's Amazing Band, Radar Favourites, Dolphin Logic, and gigged and recorded with old schoolfriend and "Pooh and the Ostrich Feather" member Phil Manzanera in the...
.
Hopper began his musical career as a bass guitarist with the Anglo/Irish Captain Beefheart
Captain Beefheart
Don Van Vliet January 15, 1941 December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter and artist best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work was conducted with a rotating ensemble of musicians called The Magic Band, active between 1965 and 1982, with whom he recorded 12...
-inspired indie band Stump in the mid 80s. His playing was heavily influenced by the fusion bassist, Percy Jones
Percy Jones
Percy Jones may refer to:* Percy Jones , American baseball player* Percy Jones , Welsh world champion flyweight in 1914* Percy Jones , bass guitarist...
; busy triplets, tremolos and stretched harmonics on a fretless Wal bass. After the group’s demise in 1988 his interest moved from bass playing to sequencing odd sound sources and samples resulting in the 1989 recording Stolen Jewels. A concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
(with a garlic
Garlic
Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and rakkyo. Dating back over 6,000 years, garlic is native to central Asia, and has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent...
theme) The Stinking Rose followed in 1992 further exploring sampling.
Around 1994 Hopper began playing on the London Free Improvisation
Free improvisation
Free improvisation or free music is improvised music without any rules beyond the logic or inclination of the musician involved. The term can refer to both a technique and as a recognizable genre in its own right....
circuit and with the electronic ensemble Ticklish. The resulting recording from that period, ‘Spoombung’ marked a return to bass playing with extensive new playing (hammering) techniques and ‘preparations’ – clips and other devices attached to the strings to produce overtones. He combined this approach with the tuned percussion of Dominic Murcott and the musical saw
Musical saw
A musical saw, also called a singing saw, is the application of a hand saw as a musical instrument. The sound creates an ethereal tone, very similar to the theremin...
for a more melodic effect and greater tonal scope on the ‘Whispering Foils’ album (2000).
In 2003 he abandoned the experimental bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
element and released a Musical Saw
Musical saw
A musical saw, also called a singing saw, is the application of a hand saw as a musical instrument. The sound creates an ethereal tone, very similar to the theremin...
album, Saurus featuring 6 melodic, original tunes. His last recording to date was‘I Saw Spoombung's Daughter consumed by Kirby Dots’ (2005)under his 'Spoombung' alias; a combination of acoustic and electronic mutated, granular pop with extensive use of the modular software synthesis/sampling package,’Reaktor
Reaktor
Reaktor is a graphical modular software music studio of proprietary license developed by Native Instruments. It lets musicians and sound specialists design and build their own instruments, samplers, effects and sound design tools. It is supplied with many ready-to-use instruments and effects, from...
’.
External links
- Hopper maintains an informative website that contains sound files: http://www.spoombung.co.uk