Chris Pitman

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Chris Pitman (born February 25, 1976) is a Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. He is currently the keyboardist and sound designer for the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with which he has worked since 1998. Prior to working with Guns N' Roses, he was a founding member of the bands Replicants, ZAUM, and Lusk.

Chris "Mother-Goose" Pitman was born in Independence, Missouri. He currently writes and records privately with Axl Rose, as they have collaborated on many songs for the upcoming Guns N' Roses album Chinese Democracy. He is a multi-instrumentalist on the album, contributing keyboards, guitar, bass, vocals, and programming. He has not been announced as an official band member, however, and mostly does orchestration, synthesizers, and sound effects when they play live. He compliments keyboardist Dizzy Reed on the more complex material that Guns N' Roses play. During portions of live shows with the band, Pittman can be seen sitting down behind his keyboard (apparently because the arrangement of the song requires only one keyboard). However, when he does participate in a song, he's known for his signature keyboard that can sway back and forth to the funky techno beat.

One example of Chris Pitman's unique additions to Guns N' Roses music can be heard in the song "Madagascar." Whereas Slash-era Guns N' Roses songs would typically feature a guitar solo during an instrumental break, Chris Pitman has added a spoken word montage, featuring famous quotes about tolerance and understanding from (among others) slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, and Morgan Freeman's character in the film Se7en .

Since the band's long delayed album "Chinese Democracy" has yet to be released, it's somewhat difficult to measure Pitman's influence over the songwriting process. The only song Pitman has been credited with writing (along with co-keyboardist Dizzy Reed) is a track called Silkworms. It was played during the band's aborted 2002 tour. Since then, it's never been played live again. Axl Rose, the band's front man, has failed to give any explanation, leaving Pitman fans in the dark.

Over the years he's spent with Guns N' Roses, Pitman has developed several differnt styles. During parts of the 2002 tour, he dressed in a sleeveless policeman's uniform that accentuated his tattooed biceps. As of the band's 2006 tour, Pitman has gained weight and has grown a thin moustache ala Boris from the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons. An older (specific date unknown) photo of Pitman shows him with bleached hair, and more of a 'boy band' look.

Outside of Guns N' Roses, Chris was co-founder of Los Angeles-based art coalition 'Priory of the North', which focuses on conceptual/public art, and whose installations have been commissioned in many place around the world, including Rio de Janeiro, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

He studied at the Art Institute of Kansas City, as well as at the University of Missouri-KC. He worked with the controversial and world-renowned artist Les Levine in 1993.

Pitman has also done sound design work for Arturia software synthesizers.

The exact spelling of Pitman's last name is hotly debated among fans, as different spellings of his name have appeared in the press and on official band merchandise, which named him "Pittman". Sources close to Pitman however use the more commonly used "Pitman". The surname Pitman finds its roots in Old English. It is derived from the word "pytt," which means pit, and "Mann," which means man. The name is an example of a topographic surname, which were names assigned to families based on the physical features of their surrounding landscapes (such as mountains, streams, or trees). Historically, Pittmen inhabited low-lying areas resembling pits or hollows.

Chris Pittman does not like to be photographed.

Chris Pitman is sometimes referred to as "Mother Goose" by members of Tool and Guns N' Roses. The origin of this nickname is unclear.

Chris Pitman is also known to do a very accurate impression of film actor Christopher Walken. He's known to crack the band up back stage before shows.

Chris is known for his super funky techno beats, and has recently taken credit for writing all of Chinese Democracy and playing on every instrument.

Chris has an internet fan club known as Eat My Silkworms.

[edit] Collaborations

Dr. Dre (Aftermath) - In 1994 he worked in Dre's home studio.
Medicine - Played live shows with this Brad Laner project.
Replicants (BMG/Zoo) - In 1995, on this band's only release, Pitman played synths, piano, and guitars.
ZAUM - Was guitarist and lead vocalist with Danny Carey of Tool.
Tool (BMG/Zoo) - In 1994/95 Pitman toured with them and in 1996 played synths on the epic song "Third Eye", from Ænima.
Failure - Contributed sound effects and sound mixing.
Lusk (BMG/Zoo) - In 1996/97 Pitman recorded, co-produced, and was the lead singer and multi-instrumentalist in this Grammy-nominated band.
Sony Panic (DogFight) - In 1997 Pitman worked with this L.A. experimental/improvisational band. He played guitars and managed software live.
Blinker the Star (A&M & Dreamworks) - In 1996 Pitman contributed keyboards to the album Bourgeois Kitten. In 1998 he co-wrote the single "Below the Sliding Doors".
Savvy Soviets - In 2003, Pitman was a producer/collaborater in Rio de Janeiro.
Electric Company (Tigerbeat6) - In 2004, he played synthesizer on the album Creative Playthings and played live with this Brad Laner electronic music project.
The Source of Uncertainty - In 2005, he played with Danny Carey and others.
Rock a doodle doo - In 2002 - with Danny Glover and Vigo of Carpathia

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Chris Pitman

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