"Mick Harvey" has been added to your list of bookmarked artists
close
Mick Harvey
Biography
Multi-instrumentalist Mick Harvey is best known for his deep roots in the tangled family tree of singer Nick Cave. Playing a pivotal role in the Cave-fronted Boys Next Door (1977-1980), Birthday Party (1980-1983), and Bad Seeds (1984 on), Harvey added intricate detail and anonymous atmospherics that gave life to the singer's ominous narratives. On-stage, in a wardrobe of dark suits, the Bad Seeds flanked Cave, responding to the singer with a choir of baritones. Their collective sound elevated his musical assaults and mournful ballads to points of breathtaking drama. On his own, Harvey made numerous contributions to the Bad Seeds' side projects and composed music for a number of independent films. He came closest to emerging out of Cave's shadow with his two tributes to French singer/songwriter Serge Gainsbourg: Intoxicated Man (1995) and Pink Elephants (1997).

Enthralled by the newly emerging punk rock, Harvey and Cave co-founded the Boys Next Door (with Tracy Pew on bass, Phill Calvert on drums, Rowland Howard on guitar, and Harvey in various roles) in 1977. They made their recorded debut in 1978 (a cover of "These Boots Are Made for Walking") and released one full-length album (1979's Door, Door) before relocating to England in 1980.