Painkiller (also known as Pain Killer) was an avant-garde jazz and grindcore band that formed in 1991. Later albums incorporated elements of ambient and dub.[1]
Harris left the band in 1995 to dedicate himself to computer music. Zorn and Laswell resurrected Painkiller and played with Yoshida Tatsuya of Ruins on drums. Hamid Drake joined the band for Zorn's 50th Birthday shows at Tonic in New York City. That show (which also featured Patton as a guest) was released as a live album by Tzadik.
On June 23, 2008, Painkiller performed Their Last Show In Citè de la musique Paris, France with the original line-up of Zorn, Laswell, and Harris, along with an appearance by Fred Frith and Patton.[4]
Band members
Last lineup
John Zorn – saxophone, voice (1991–1995, 2003, 2004–2006, 2008)
Bill Laswell – bass guitar (1991–1995, 2003, 2004–2006, 2008)