Miscellaneous PiL Drummers

Karl Burns

Born:
England

PiL:
Drums September 1979

Bio:
Briefly Richard Dudanski's replacement in September 1979, Burns was brought in to help finish the 'Metal Box' sessions at the Manor, Oxfordshire. However, he does not appear on the album. Despite not playing on 'Metal Box' he does appear on 'Seaside Special' from Wobble’s 'Betrayal' album: recorded around the same time.

Burns left the band after just a few weeks due to a personality clash with Keith Levene; and an unfortunate incident at the Manor – with "Wobble"  "a bed"  and "some lighter fluid" – where he quite literally lived up to his name.

Pre PiL Burns had drummed with Mark E Smith's The Fall. He later rejoined them (several times) and became one of their longest serving members; until he finally left in 1998 after an infamous on-stage fight with Smith.

Richard Dudanski

Born:
Queenborough, Kent, England

PiL:
Drums April-September 1979

Bio:
(aka Richard Nother). One of PiL's many early drummers – and along with Martin Atkins and Jim Walker – probably one of their most respected. Dudanski played on the majority of ‘Metal Box', as well as appearing live at the Manchester, Russell Club (Factory) and Leeds, Futurama Sci-Fi Festival gigs.

Dudanski left soon after the Leeds show disillusioned with PiL's working ethos. Even going to the extent of sending a letter to the editor of 'NME' to explain his actions. PiL simply blamed his departure on his inability to keep time; due to nerves live on stage. Levene also claimed he became increasingly difficult to deal with due to an amphetamine habit; a claim which Dudanski venomously denies: "I never had, and was never near to having, an amphetamine habit! (which doesn't mean to say that I've never taken the stuff). People can say what they like about why "I left/was thrown out" of PIL, ie not being able to keep time, but it is a bit ironic having the drugs bit thrown at me, when in fact the effects of a much more insidious drug on another member were in fact from my point of view the main reason for the band's stagnation at that point, and the reason for my leaving"...

The brother-in-law of Palm Olive of The Slits, prior to PiL, Dudanski had drummed for Joe Strummer's 101ers; then later Bank of Dresden, Tymon Dogg & The Fools, and The Raincoats. After leaving PiL he rejoined The Raincoats, and also had stints with Dennis Morris' PiL-esque Basement 5, then later with the Tesco Bombers. 1986-88 saw him play with The Decomposers.

After moving to Granada, Spain, in 1988 Dudanski co-founded Por Si Las Moscas; and also collaborated with the Morrocan group Al Jaima. He ran a small recording studio in Granada (Mano Grande Producciones), and contributed production work for Spanish TV. 2002 saw him involved with Spanish percussion and vocal project Taller de Compas de Almanjayar; who released the album 'Cale Cale', however, Dudanski does not actually play on the record.

After the death of Joe Strummer in 2002 Dudanski reunited with the 101ers to play a couple of tribute shows for the new charity "Strummerville" set up on behalf of Joe Strummer. Dudanski is currently writing a book of his experiences in late 70s early 80s; and has his own "punky/pop/folk/garage" band El Doghouse; along with Tom Lardner on guitar and lead vocals; and his teenage son Maki on bass.

Eddie Edwards

Born:
April 1951. England

PiL:
Drums Manchester, Kings Hall, Belle Vue, 23.2.79

Bio:
(aka John Edwards). In early 1979 PiL were using rehearsal rooms ran by Pat Collier of The Vibrators. Through this connection Eddie Edwards was brought in as a 'one off' drummer for the Manchester, Kings Hall, Belle Vue, 23.2.79 show.

It took Fodderstompf until 2007 to find out just who played drums at this show. No one we asked could ever remember (or still cared!).

A founder member of The Vibrators Eddie still plays with them from time to time.

David Humphrey

Born:
September 1959. Highgate, London, England

PiL:
Drums Early 1979

Bio:
With virtually no information about him existing, Humphrey’s short time with PiL was always a bit of a mystery; until he got in touch with Fodderstompf in 2003 to clear things up...

After Jim Walker left (but before Dudanski joined etc etc) Humphrey was brought into play drums for the ‘Metal Box’ sessions at the Manor, Oxfordshire, and the Townhouse, London. Contrary to previous reports Humphrey did not play with PiL at the Manchester, King's Hall gig on February 23rd 1979 (we don’t know who did!). He does however, play on ‘Death Disco’ and 'Albatross‘ from 'Metal Box'.

While rehearsing with his jazz fusion outfit Seventh Seal in early 1979, the 19 year old Humphrey was offered an audition for PiL; who were also using the same rehearsal studios. He then spent the next couple of months (most likely March-April) recording with the band; laying down the foundations of ‘Metal Box’. Despite striking up a decent rapport and working relationship with Wobble he was "asked to leave" after other commitments got in the way of his work with PiL. Although relishing his time with the band, Humphrey feels he never quite got the chance to show his real ability; and blames youthful inexperience on his decisions at that time.

Humphrey later played with Mike Oldfield and Sparks (appearing on 'TOTP' with both bands). After a long break from the music scene he returned to live and session work; 2007 saw him begin posting completely self-produced solo tracks on MySpace.

He is also a professional drum tutor and runs classes. Fodderstompf readers could save 20% on lessons by contacting him direct!

Vivian Jackson ?

Born:
?

PiL:
Drums January 1979 ?

Bio:
The almost mythical Vivian Jackson! The first in a long line of mysterious temporary PiL drummers. According to reports in the music press Jackson was brought in to replace Jim Walker in January 1979. It seems he only rehearsed with PiL, and never appeared or recorded with them; then left as quickly as he arrived. Keith Levene can't remember him being in the band, so that maybe sums up Jackson's contribution. John Lydon remembers him being a "nutter", and Wobble "vaguely" remembers them rehearsing with a "reggae drummer" one day; but thinks that it was very early on; possibly even before Jim Walker joined.

The only thing certain about Jackson is that he is definitely not the Jamaican reggae producer Vivian 'Yabby You' Jackson!

There are very few press references to Jackson, though according to 'Melody Maker' he had previously worked with dub-poet Linton Kwesi Johnson on his 'Dread Beat An' Blood' album. However, this seems unlikely as LKJ has since said he doesn't remember him; and he is not credited on the album. The plot thickens…

Vivian where are you!

Bruce Smith

Born:
Bristol, England

PiL:
Drums & Percussion 1986-90

Bio:
Originally recruited for the 1986 'Album' tour, Smith stayed with PiL for nearly four years; playing on two studio albums (‘Happy?' & ‘9') and forming an important part of the "new" PiL. After excessive touring he finally left at the beginning of 1990. (Recording the track 'Criminal' for the 'Point Break' soundtrack just before leaving). By his own admission he did a lot of "partying and drugs" and it seems things just finally came to a head.

Prior to PiL Smith was drummer for The Pop Group (1977-81) & The Slits (1979-81), New Age Steppers (1980-81) & African Head Charge (1982). Married Neneh Cherry for three years and moved to Sweden. Formed Rip Rig & Panic (1981-84) & Float Up C.P. (1984-86).

Despite joining PiL in spring 1986, Smith simultaneously did session work for Terrence Trent D'Arby (1987), Guided By Voices (1989) amongst others. Post PiL, more session work followed including The The (‘Dusk', 1993), Björk (‘Debut',1993).

Bruce is still actively involved in and around the music scene composing and producing for various recording artists, films, documentaries, commercials etc. He has most recently been playing and recording with Sade's backing band Sweetback; appearing on their first album in 1996, and their follow up released spring 2004. He currently lives with his family in Soho, New York, USA.

Sam Ulano

Born:
August 8th 1920. New York, USA

PiL:
Drums New York, The Ritz, May 15th 1981

Bio:
A respected and well-known jazz drummer since the 1940s, Keith Levene and Ed Caraballo met Ulano at The Bowery in New York, and recruited him for PiL's infamous "Riot Show" at The Ritz, May 15th 1981.

Ed Caraballo: "We met Sam in a bar and asked him if he wanted to play the gig. Keith took out his bank roll and slipped him a couple of hundred bucks. So we just told him to be there Friday." Of course Ulano didn't know what was awaiting him; and after two numbers the venue was smashed apart by the audience. Perhaps the most dangerous couple of hundred bucks Ulano ever earned!

Since 1985 Ulano has played regularly with his jazz outfit The Red Blazer's. Nicknamed "Mr Rhythm" Sam is also a respected drum tutor who has published over 2000 books on drum technique! 1997 saw him receive the "Drum Master Award". Incidentally, his son Mark Ulano works in Hollywood as a soundman, and received an Oscar for ‘Titanic' in 1999. Now in his eighties Sam still plays live regularly in New York.