Until 1995, Alphaville's live appearances were notoriously few and far between;
this was primarily because Ricky and Bernhard weren't keen on playing live.
In 1993, Bernhard and Marian - accompanied by Rudy Nielson and Hansi Behrend -
played in Finland and Beirut. Then, two years later (and more than a decade after
band was formed) Alphaville had their first tour... They've barely stopped since!
The live band's line-up has changed over the years, but here's a rough guide to
the line-up...
1993
Berhard Lloyd - keyboards, Hansi Behrend - drums, Rudy Nielson - guitars, Marian - vocals
1995
Martin Lister - keyboards, David (little Davey) Goodes - Guitars,
Alex (Manmountain) Slavic - bass, Robbie France - drums, Marian - vocals
1999
Martin Lister - keyboards, Rob Harris - Guitars, Alex Slavic - bass,
James Mack - drums, Marian - vocals, Bernhard - keyboards
2000
Martin Lister - keyboards, Rob Harris - Guitars, Shane Meehan - drums, Marian - vocals
2001
Martin Lister - keyboards, Christian Marsac - Guitars, Shane Meehan - drums, Marian - vocals
2004
Martin Lister - keyboards, Christian Marsac - Guitars, Pierson Grange - drums, Marian - vocals
Current Band Members:
Information on this page is taken from the official Alphaville site:
Check www.alphaville.de for more details.
Marian Gold - Vocals
See... Well, just about everywhere else on this website!
Martin Lister - Keyboards and Backing Vocals
Born in Widnes (near Liverpool), lives in London.
Started with the age of 10 to play music (guitar and trumpet).
He was 13 when he took up piano and keyboards and joined
his first band whilst still at school. as member of "The Humans"
he got his first record deal with an indie company and moved
to London. "The Humans" released a couple of singles and
toured all over Europe for 3 years.
Then Martin formed his own
band "The Congress" and had a recording deal with EMI. Again
a couple of singles where released and much touring done.
After that Martin decided to become a 'hired gun', to work for
others as musician and programmer. Martin has now fifteen
years experience in the music industry, which includes touring
extensively throughout Europe, America and the Far East and
numerous recording and programming sessions.
He worked for artists like Peter Andre (live md,
programming/remix), Gabrielle (programming, album
sessions), CJ Lewis (live), Julia Fordham (radio live piano
session), Paul Carrack (writing/ programming), Colorblind
(recording/remix), Cozi (recording/writing), Rage (European
tour), Wired to the Moon (recording), Darkman
(live/programming). In 1995 he became the musical director
for Alphaville's touring band.
Pierson Grange - Drums & percussion
Pierson was born in Luton, UK and started his passion for music and in particular
drums at the age of 5 banging on everything in sight (nothing's changed). He did
his first gig at the age of 13 after moving to Toronto for a year. In 1980 he
returned to London to pursue his career. He was a member of "Rage" who toured
extensively in Europe performing numerous live shows and culminating in a gig
at the Tokyo Dome to 80,000 people. He joined D:REAM in 1995 who had great chart
success in the UK. He has toured with Peter Andre, CJ Lewis, Pauline Henry.
Pierson worked with Alphaville in 1998-99: Along with James Mack and Shane Meehan,
his work can be heard on the fourth Dreamscapes disc.
He uses a mixture of acoustic and electronics in his live set up.
Lives in London.
Christian Marsac - Guitars
Born in France in 1965, where he received a full classical musical education. He moved to london
in 1985, playing sessions for budding artists. He soon got his break with Terence Trent d'Arby,
touring with him halfway around the world for three years. After working for Alison Moyet
(playing electric and acoustic guitars and singing strong backing vocals on tours around europe
and the US) he toured with the Australian guitar band Diesel, supporting acts such as Prince and
Tina Turner in Germany.
More recently he has toured with Ant & Dec in the UK and played on a
couple of their hit singles. he has played sessions for Richard Stannard on projects for the
Spice Girls and Gary Barlow. Other artists Christian has been involved with, either for live,
recording or TV and video work include Connor Reeves, Another Level, 4 Hero and Mary Coughlan.
Former Band Members (From MoonPaper 2&3/95):
Shane Meehan - Drums, percussion
Lives in London.
Studied drums with father Tony Meehan (of The Shadows fame). Left art college
to tour and record for Matt Fretton. Joined London funk band Microgroove in
early 1990 and Brighton's Beats International in 1992. Worked for Eusebe,
speed rapper JC 001, Freddie Jackson, DC Lee and American soul duo Charles
& Eddie. Between 92 and 97 toured extensively with many artists including
Ottis Redding III, opera singer Andrea Botcelli, British soulman Noel Mcoy
and American rappers US3.
Recorded for producers Norman Cooke (Fatboy Slim,
Freakpower), Mike McEvoy (Sting, Steve Winwood), Jamie Laing (Tina Turner),
Glen Skinner (Toto). Between 97-98 toured and recorded for Definition of
Sound, Blur's new signing Liz Horseman and British R'n'B diva Elisha Laverne.
Current home recording projects have led to PC based games music and various
ventures. Featured extensively on Twiddly Bits midi file collection.
Rob Harris - Guitars
Lives in Cambridge.
Background: the Pasadenas (touring & recording, 95-96);
Gary Numan (tour 96 & recording 'Exile' album); Colin Blunstone (tour &
recording, 97); Peter Andre (New Zealand tour 97), Mark Owen (European tour &
recording 97-98); Alphaville touring band (since 96). His playing can be heard
on the Scars game for the Sony Playstation 98.
Also on several TV and radio advertisement campaigns in UK. Featured interview
in December 98 issue of Guitarist magazine. Plays: Fender, Musicman electrics
and Washburn acoustic guitars. Uses: Marshall and Fender amplification.
wears: clothes, eats: McDonalds, drinks: Coca Cola or Pepsi, likes: funny
jokes. doesn't like: smoking.
Robbie France - Drums
Robbie France was born in England and emigrated to Australia when 10 years
old. By the time he was 14 he'd turned fully professional. He toured with
big names in Australia as well as playing with International acts such as
John McLauglin and the Drifters. His session clinics include 3 movie
soundtracks, 10 documentaries and hundreds of TV, Radio themes and
commercials. Robbie moved to England in 1983. Performing with Simon
Philips, Steve White, Mel Gaynor, Gary Husband, Vinnie Colainta as well
as touring by himself doing many clinics throughout Europe.
His first gig in England was at Castle Donnington's "Monsters of Rock"
with heavy metal legends "Diamond Head" - from there he played with
"U.F.O." as well as on solo projects by members of Duran Duran, Spandau
Ballet and Van Morrison. He co-formed pop group "One Nation" before being
asked to join "Ellis, Beggs and Howard". After E.B.H. he joined "Wishbone
Ash" and recorded and toured throughout 1990-91 with them. In 1991 Robbie
returned to Australia to record his first solo project "The Gas" as well
as perform clinics throughout the country. He returned to U.K. in 1994 and
was asked to help form "Skunk Anansie" - Britain's most controversial new
band who's album "Paranoid and Sunburnt" recently entered the British
Album Charts at No.8. He left "Skunk" in April and was approached the day
after to join "Alphaville".
David Goodes - Guitar
I started playing guitar when I was 10 years old, playing mainly classical
guitar. I remember seeing my friend walk down our street carrying a box
with what I knew was an electrical guitar in it. I remember thinking to
myself I'm going to have one of those. My early inspirations were, of
course, 'The Beatles' and 'The Rolling Stones'" and 'The Electric Light
Orchestra' for some reason. I played in quite a few local garage bands
without too much success but great fun!
In 1986 I joind my first professional band called 'The Boogie Brothers'.
We played music from the Blues Brothers movie and dressed up like them,
cooool! Not!!! Since then l've worked with East 17, PJ & Duncan, Sean
Maguire, Kym Mazelle, Luke Goss, Bonnie Tyler, Barry Manilow.
I also recently played on Marian's new solo album with Rupert Hine
producing. It was great fun to do and I think its going to be a real hot
album. Music that I listen to at the moment includes Oasis, Red Hot Chilli
Peppers, Soundgarden, William Orbit, The Shamen, Alanis Morisette, Pink
Floyd. That's all folks, take care!
Alex Slavik - Bass
Nickname: The Men Mountain (because of his size and because of the
mountains in his homecountry Austria and because of the enormous
mountains of food he swallows)
Movd to London in January 1995.
Studied Musicology in Vienna, but decided to make music in England because
he thought that this was the place where all his musical heroes were.
Funny enough that he is now playing with a German band. Former activities:
Playing with thousands of unknown Austrian bands, song-writing, producing,
singing in his small, little room.
Phil Charters - Backline technician
After a 4 year student life pretending to be interested in studying Phil
decided to follow the Hippy trail to Nepal but had all his money stolen in
Birmingham (U.K.) and ended up busking in Walsall to earn the money to
move to London. Then the lights, glamour and romantic allure of the world
of Rock'n'Roll beckoned.
Alphaville has saved him from a life of hell and he would personally like
to thank K.P. for the free beer.
Before this year Phil has carried hods for Jesus Jones, Sheep On Drugs,
Brand New Heavies, The Grid and lots of other crap bands none would ever
want to see or hear again.
James Mack - Percussion
[Any information on this man would be appreciated!
See also:
Musicians