J. J. Burnel

J.J. Burnel

Jean-Jacques Burnel on stage with The Stranglers in 2005
Background information
Birth name Jean-Jacques Burnel
Born 21 February 1952 (1952-02-21) (age 60)
Origin London, England
Genres Rock, new wave, punk, Euro-pop, folk
Occupations Bass guitarist, composer
Instruments Bass guitar
Years active 1974–present
Associated acts The Stranglers

J. J. Burnel (born Jean-Jacques Burnel, 21 February 1952, London), is a Franco-English musician producer and songwriter, best known as the bass guitarist with the British rock band The Stranglers.

Contents

Life and career

Jean-Jacques Burnel was born in Notting Hill, London, to French parents. He moved with his parents to Godalming, Surrey when he was about twelve and attended the Royal Grammar School, Guildford and read history at the University of Bradford and Huddersfield Polytechnic.[1] Burnel originally trained as a classical guitarist, but adopted the bass guitar as his instrument within The Stranglers.[2] He has also sung lead vocals on about a quarter of their songs.

Burnel has been with The Stranglers since their inception in 1974, but has also made two solo albums, Euroman Cometh in 1979, and Un Jour Parfait in 1988, as well as a collaborative album with fellow Stranglers member Dave Greenfield, Fire and Water (Ecoutez Vos Murs) in 1983.[3] Burnel has also produced and appeared as a guest musician for a number of artists, such as Lizard and ARB from Japan, Polyphonic Size (from Belgium) and Taxi Girl's album, Seppuku, in 1981, as well as Laurent Sinclair's "Devant le Miroir" maxi single. Burnel also formed a Rhythm and blues covers band The Purple Helmets who played a number of concerts and released two albums in the late 1980s.

Despite only having lived there for a short period, Burnel received his call-up papers for National service in France. He succeeded in avoiding this service by arguing that his absence would indirectly damage The Stranglers as a band, and therefore the careers of the other members.

Burnel has composed and performed music for the anime, Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo, including both the opening and ending themes, "We Were Lovers", and "You Won't See Me Coming" respectively.

Equipment and sound

Burnel is noted for his distinctive bass guitar sound and melodic basslines. These are particularly prominent on earlier Stranglers recordings produced by Martin Rushent, such as the hit singles "No More Heroes" and "Peaches". In the early days Burnel's distinctive aggressive sound was created using a Fender Precision Bass with RotoSound roundwound strings played with a plectrum very close to the bridge, through Hiwatt all-valve amplification.[4] Later on he used a Wal pro bass, a Yamaha BB2000, a Steinberger 2L (headless), a Fender Jazz, a Fender Musicmaster, and a Kinkade acoustic bass. He currently plays Shuker JJ Burnel signature basses custom built in England by Jon Shuker. He was one of the first bassists to use Trace Elliot amplification when the company began production in 1980. He now uses custom-built amplifiers designed by Mark Gooday of Ashdown Engineering. Burnel has been a RotoSound endorsee since the early 1980s, and has featured in their advertising.

Leisure

Burnel is a black belt 6th dan karate expert and is head of Shidokan UK.[5] He is also a motorcyclist and has owned many Triumph motorcycles in the past[6] besides the one he rides at present. He is fluent in French and writes many of his songs in the language.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Production and guest appearances

Burnel has also produced a number of artists as well as appearing as a 'guest' musician on a number of recordings, as follows:

Quotations

“ We're due for tyranny. You may laugh but it's going to happen. ”

NME – January 1977[8]

References

Notes

  1. ^ Buckley 1997, pp.16–18.
  2. ^ Buckley 1997, p.17.
  3. ^ Buckley 1997, pp.136–137.
  4. ^ Buckley 1997, p.90.
  5. ^ "Interview: Jean Jacques Burnel, bass guitarist and founder of the Stranglers". Scotland on Sunday. http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/spectrum/Interview-Jean-Jacques-Burnel-bass.5513521.jp. Retrieved 11 June 2010. 
  6. ^ Buckley 1997, p.18.
  7. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 86. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
  8. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 296. CN 5585. 

Bibliography

  • Buckley, David. No Mercy – The Authorised and Uncensored Biography of The Stranglers. London. Hodder and Stoughton. 1997. ISBN 0-340-68062-8

Further reading

External links

The Stranglers
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilations
Special projects

Laid Black · Clubbed to Death
DVD releases
Related

Discography · The Purple Helmets · Faith Band · Soulsec · Martin Rushent · Celia and the Mutations