Paul Roessler

Paul Roessler
Born August 27, 1958
New Haven, Connecticut
Genres Punk rock, Synth punk
Occupation(s) Musician, Producer
Instruments Keyboards
Years active 1978–present
Associated acts The Screamers, Twisted Roots, 45 Grave, Nervous Gender, Geza X, Nina Hagen, The Deadbeats

Paul Roessler (born August 27, 1958) was a prominent member of the L.A. punk scene during the late 1970s and '80s. He played keyboards in bands such as The Screamers, Twisted Roots, 45 Grave, Nervous Gender, SAUPG, Geza X and the Mommymen, Mike Watt and the Secondmen, Nina Hagen and The Deadbeats. Paul has also put out solo recordings such as Abominable and Curator and a rock opera entitled "Burnt Church" with Jeff Parker. He currently works as a producer at Satellite Park Studio in Malibu, CA, with Geza X. Gedeon and singer Josie Cotton. He is the brother of Kira Roessler, formerly of Black Flag, and the son of Carl Roessler, world-renowned underwater photographer.

Biography

Paul Roessler was born on August 27, 1958, in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1974, he moved to West Los Angeles where he met and befriended future members of Germs members Darby Crash and Pat Smear at University High. After graduating from high school, Paul went on to study classical music at California State University, Northridge, for a few semesters before leaving in early 1978 to join innovative synthpunk band, The Screamers. After two successful years, The Screamers found themselves rapidly disintegrating as a band, causing Paul to leave in January 1980, and would then go on to play in Nervous Gender with former Germs drummer Don Bolles as well as in Geza X and the Mommymen. After a few months of going between bands, he was recruited by Nina Hagen to join her for an upcoming European tour. After touring Europe and America with Nina, they recorded Nunsexmonkrock. Before Paul's second tour with Nina, Pat Smear from The Germs joined the band. Later, when Pat left the band, Paul left also. In 1981, he formed the band Twisted Roots with Pat and sister Kira Roessler.[1] During this time, he was playing with 45 Grave, Josie Cotton, DC3 (with Dez Cadena of Black Flag) and Crimony (with Mike Watt) as well. Paul was also doing sessions with many other bands such as the Dead Kennedys and Saccharine Trust. Paul has continued to work with Nina Hagen and Josie Cotton. From 1998 to 2011, Paul worked as the in-house producer at Satellite Park Studio with Geza X. In 2006, Paul put out an autobiographical poetry book entitled Eight Years (Brass Tacks Press, 2006). He continues to write his own music and is currently recording a new album. In 2010, Roessler produced and played keyboards on Nina Hagen's gospel album Personal Jesus (Universal). He has been a member of the Fancy Space People with Don Bolles and Nora Keyes since 2009. In October 2011, they joined the Smashing Pumpkins on their "Other Side of the Kaleidyscope" tour.

In November 2011, he relocated to the newly opened Kitten Robot Studios in the Silver Lake neighbourhood of Los Angeles.

External links

Notes

  1. Twisted Roots (2010). A History Lesson Part 1 (DVD). Historical Records.