PainKiller

Artist

PainKiller

 Favorite

About

Painkiller was formed in 1991 and featured saxophonist John Zorn, bassist Bill Laswell and Napalm Death drummer and Scorn founder Mick Harris on drums. The band began performing a mix of avantgarde jazz and grindcore, though later incorporated ambient and dub elements.

Mick Harris left the group in 1995 to devote himself to his electronic projects, the band has then occasionally performed with Hamid Drake or Ruins' Yoshida Tatsuya on drums.
Still Mick Harris returned to the band for live sets in 2008 and should be considered a true and active member of the band.

Current lineup:
John Zorn – saxophone, voice (1991–1995, 1997–1998, 2003, 2004–2006, 2008, 2024–present)
Bill Laswell – bass guitar (1991–1995, 1997–1998, 2003, 2004–2006, 2008, 2024–present)
Mick Harris – drums, voice (1991–1995, 1997–1998, 2008), electronics, effects (2024–present)

Former members:
Hamid Drake – drums (2003)
Tatsuya Yoshida – drums, vocals (2004–2006)

Guest/session musicians:
Justin Broadrick – guitar, drum machine, vocals (1991) (on Buried Secrets (1992), tracks "Buried Secrets", "The Toll")
G.C. Green – bass (1991) (on Buried Secrets (1992), tracks "Buried Secrets", "The Toll")
Keiji Haino – guitar, vocals (1991) (on Rituals: Live in Japan (1993), tracks "Vapors of Phlegm and Blood", "Tetragrammaton", "Cat's Cradle", "Demonic Possession", "Tokyo Lucky Hole"; on Collected Works (1998), track "Marianne")
Koichi Makigami – vocals (1991) (on Collected Works (1998), track "Marianne")
Buckethead – guitar (1993)
Kevin Sharp – vocals (1993)
Yamatsuka Eye – vocals (1994) (on Live in Osaka (1995) (Execution Ground Japanese bonus CD), tracks "Bodkyithangga", "Black Bile / Yellow Bile / Blue Bile / Crimson Bile / Ivory Bile")
Mike Patton – vocals (2003, 2008) (on 50th Birthday Celebration Volume 12 (2005))
Fred Frith – guitar (2008)

Data provided by Discogs

Top Tracks

Most popular songs on Last.fm · click ▶ to preview on Spotify

1

Scud Attack

Painkiller

2

Tortured Souls

Painkiller

3

Black Chamber

Painkiller

4

Blackhole Dub

Painkiller

5

Guts of a Virgin

Painkiller

Community Feed

Posts from fans about this artist

🎟️ Upcoming Shows

No upcoming shows. Follow to get notified when new dates are announced.

Concert Tickets available at StubHub!

People Also Ask

PainKiller's most-played tracks include Scud Attack, Tortured Souls, Black Chamber, Blackhole Dub, Guts of a Virgin. Listen to these songs and explore more from their catalog on this page.

Painkiller was formed in 1991 and featured saxophonist John Zorn, bassist Bill Laswell and Napalm Death drummer and Scorn founder Mick Harris on drums. The band began performing a mix of avantgarde jazz and grindcore, though later incorporated ambien... Read the full biography on this page.

You can find PainKiller vinyl records, CDs and collectibles on eBay. Browse the selection of new and used releases available for purchase.

Join the community

Follow PainKiller

Get notified about new tour dates, releases, and updates. Join thousands of fans tracking their favorite bands.

Free forever · No credit card required

Follow PainKiller