History of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in Timeline
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, formed in 1983, are a rock band known for their originality and impact on post-punk and alternative rock. Founded by Nick Cave, Mick Harvey, and Blixa Bargeld, the band has always had an international lineup. Their current members include Cave, Warren Ellis, Martyn P. Casey, George Vjestica, Larry Mullins, Thomas Wydler, and Jim Sclavunos. The band has released eighteen studio albums and embarked on numerous international tours, solidifying their status as a celebrated musical act.
August 1983: Demise of the Birthday Party
In August 1983, the project that evolved into Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds began following the demise of the Birthday Party.
September 1983: Formation of embryonic version of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in London
In September 1983, an early version of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds was formed in London, with Cave, Harvey, Bargeld, Adamson, and Thirlwell. The band was initially a backing band for Cave's intended solo project, Man or Myth?
October 1983: Recording sessions for Man or Myth?
During September and October 1983, the band recorded material with producer Flood for the solo project Man or Myth?, although the sessions were cut short.
December 1983: Formation of temporary lineup in Melbourne
In December 1983, Cave returned to Melbourne and formed a temporary lineup of his backing band, including Pew and Race. They performed their first live show on December 31, 1983.
1983: Formation of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
In 1983, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds were formed in Melbourne by lead vocalist Nick Cave, multi-instrumentalist Mick Harvey, and German guitarist-vocalist Blixa Bargeld. The band has had international members throughout its career.
March 1984: Recording sessions for From Her to Eternity
In March 1984, the band began recording sessions for their debut album, From Her to Eternity, at London's Trident Studios.
May 1984: Renaming to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
In May 1984, the band, previously known as Nick Cave and the Cavemen, was renamed Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, referencing the Birthday Party EP The Bad Seed.
1984: Debut studio album From Her to Eternity
In 1984, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds debut studio album, From Her to Eternity, was released, drawing largely on post-punk, blues, and gothic rock influences.
1985: Move to West Berlin and release of The Firstborn Is Dead
In 1985, the band moved to West Berlin and released their second album, The Firstborn Is Dead, heavily influenced by gothic Americana and blues music.
1986: Releases and member changes
In 1986, the band released Kicking Against the Pricks and Your Funeral, My Trial. Swiss drummer Thomas Wydler joined, and Tracy Pew died from an epileptic seizure. Rowland S. Howard briefly toured with the band as well.
1986: Release of Your Funeral, My Trial and Adamson's departure
In 1986, the band released Your Funeral, My Trial, and Barry Adamson departed from the band. Due to Adamson's departure and an injury to Wydler, Harvey recorded most of the album's instrumentation.
1987: Appearance in Wings of Desire
In 1987, the Bad Seeds appeared in Wim Wenders' film Wings of Desire.
1988: Cave featured in Ghosts... of the Civil Dead
In 1988, Nick Cave was featured in the film Ghosts... of the Civil Dead, which he co-wrote with Race.
1988: Release of Tender Prey
In 1988, the band released Tender Prey, which saw the arrival of Kid Congo Powers and Roland Wolf. The single "The Mercy Seat" gained critical acclaim.
1989: Release of The Road to God Knows Where documentary
In 1989, the documentary film The Road to God Knows Where, directed by Uli M Schueppel, depicts a five-week period of the United States leg of their 1989 tour. Drug-related issues of band members became problematic during this time.
1990: Release of The Good Son
Following drug rehabilitation and relocation to São Paulo, Brazil, Cave began experimenting with piano-driven ballads. This resulted in 1990's The Good Son, which was well-received and featured the singles "The Weeping Song" and "The Ship Song".
1993: Release of Live Seeds
In 1993, the band released the live album Live Seeds, documenting the tour for Henry's Dream and showcasing the new group's aggressive sound.
1993: Recording and Release of Let Love In
In mid-1993, the group returned to London and recorded Let Love In, featuring contributions from various artists, including Howard and Ellis. The album spawned popular songs such as "Red Right Hand" and "Loverman". During the promotional tour, Jim Sclavunos joined the group.
1996: Release of Murder Ballads
In 1996, the band released Murder Ballads, their best-selling album to date. It includes the duet "Henry Lee" with PJ Harvey and "Where the Wild Roses Grow" with Kylie Minogue. The collaboration with Minogue was a hit, winning three ARIA Awards. Warren Ellis began working regularly with the band.
1997: Release of The Boatman's Call
In 1997, The Boatman's Call was released, marking a radical departure from the band's violent narratives, featuring songs about relationships and loss. The album's corresponding tour was later documented on the 2008 live album Live at the Royal Albert Hall. Cave remarried after the album's release.
1999: Reconvening to record improvisations
In 1999, the band reconvened to record improvisations on Anita Lane's Sex O'Clock.
2000: "The Mercy Seat" covered by Johnny Cash
In 2000, Johnny Cash covered "The Mercy Seat" on his album American III: Solitary Man, increasing the group's critical acclaim and commercial attention.
2000: Reconvening to record improvisations
In 2000, the band reconvened to record improvisations on Anita Lane's Sex O'Clock.
2001: Release of No More Shall We Part
In 2001, the band released No More Shall We Part, featuring guest appearances by Kate & Anna McGarrigle, and it was generally well received.
2003: Release of Nocturama and Bargeld's departure
In 2003, the band released Nocturama, marking a return to band-oriented arrangements. Shortly after, Blixa Bargeld left the band to focus on Einstürzende Neubauten.
2004: Release of Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
In 2004, the band released the acclaimed two-disc set Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus, with James Johnston replacing Bargeld. It featured a diversity of arrangement styles.
2005: Release of B-Sides & Rarities
In 2005, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds released B-Sides & Rarities.
2005: The Australian Music Prize Commenced
The Australian Music Prize (the AMP), an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award, commenced in 2005.
2006: Grinderman formed
In 2006, Bad Seeds members Ellis, Sclavunos, and Casey formed Grinderman with Nick Cave as a side project. The band featured Cave playing guitar for the first time and performed garage rock-influenced music.
2006: EG Awards Commenced
The EG Awards, an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music, commenced in 2006.
October 2007: Induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame
In October 2007, Nick Cave was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. During his acceptance speech, he also inducted the members of The Bad Seeds and The Birthday Party.
2007: Release of The Abattoir Blues Tour
In 2007, the band released The Abattoir Blues Tour, a two-CD, two-DVD box set with performances from the album's promotional tour.
2008: Release of 'Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!'
In 2008, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds released their 14th studio album, "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!", which received critical acclaim. Inspired by the biblical story of Lazarus of Bethany, the album continued the punk and garage rock-inspired arrangements explored on the debut Grinderman album. Following the album's release, the group embarked on a North American and European tour.
2008: Release of Live at the Royal Albert Hall
The 1997 tour for The Boatman's Call was documented on the 2008 live album Live at the Royal Albert Hall.
January 2009: Harvey's Departure from the Bad Seeds
In January 2009, after 25 years, Harvey announced his departure from the band citing "a variety of personal and professional reasons". Also in January 2009, Cave and the band curated Australia's first edition of the All Tomorrow's Parties music festival.
2009: Departure of Mick Harvey
Following Mick Harvey's departure in 2009, the band broadened their sound further to include electronic and ambient styles.
2010: O Children Featured in Harry Potter Film
In 2010, the song "O Children" by Grinderman gained attention when it was featured in the film "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1".
December 2011: Grinderman Disbanded
In December 2011, Grinderman disbanded immediately following an Australian tour, with their final performance at the Meredith Music Festival in rural Victoria.
February 2013: Release of 'Push the Sky Away'
In mid-February 2013, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds released their 15th studio album "Push the Sky Away". During the album's recording, former member Barry Adamson rejoined the band as a bassist.
2013: Live from KCRW Recorded
During the Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds summer US tour in 2013, a smaller incarnation of the band recorded "Live from KCRW".
2013: EG Awards Known as Music Victoria Awards
In 2013, The EG Awards became known as Music Victoria Awards, an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music.
2013: Release of Push the Sky Away
In 2013, the band released Push the Sky Away.
2014: North American Tour
In 2014, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds toured North America with Ellis, Adamson, Sclavunos, Casey plus Conway Savage and George Vjestica.
May 2015: Larry Mullins replaces Barry Adamson on tour
In May 2015, Larry Mullins replaced Barry Adamson as a guest touring member for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Adamson has not returned since.
June 2016: Documentary 'One More Time with Feeling' Announced
On June 2, 2016, a documentary film titled "One More Time with Feeling", directed by Andrew Dominik, was announced on the official Nick Cave website.
September 2016: Release of 'Skeleton Tree' and Screening of Documentary
On September 8, 2016, the documentary "One More Time with Feeling" was screened, and on September 9, 2016, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds released their 16th album, "Skeleton Tree".
September 2019: Album 'Ghosteen' Announced
On September 23, 2019, Nick Cave formally announced the album "Ghosteen", which was set to be released at the beginning of October 2019.
October 2019: 'Ghosteen' Premiered
In October 2019, the album "Ghosteen" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds premiered on their YouTube channel.
October 2021: Release of 'B-Sides & Rarities Part II'
On October 22, 2021, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds released "B-Sides & Rarities Part II", a sequel to their 2005 compilation.
June 2022: First Tour Since COVID-19 Onset
In June 2022, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds embarked on their first tour since the onset of COVID-19, after their 2020 Ghosteen tour was cancelled due to the pandemic. They were joined by four additional members and Larry Mullins on tour.
March 2024: Album 'Wild God' Announced and Title Track Released
On March 6, 2024, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds announced their 18th studio album "Wild God" and released the title track as a single on the same day.
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