John McGeoch: Wizard of Bleak Arpeggios

Old notes on John McGeoch. Born on this day in 1955. Gone in 2004.

I found this messy sketch I did of John a while ago, mapping out his legacy and the bands he was part of: Magazine, Visage, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Public Image Ltd. Digging it up felt like reason enough to write a bit.

John McGeoch. Wizard of bleak arpeggios. Artist of textures. Far removed from conventional guitar sounds, flashy solos, posturing and the lame "rock star" attitude that often hides a lack of talent or original ideas behind speed or toughness. McGeoch helped write the blueprint for British post-punk and shape the new wave landscape of the late '70s and early '80s.

Just look at the bands and the landmark records he helped craft with that unmistakable guitar sound:

Magazine.
Visage.
Siouxsie and the Banshees.
Public Image Ltd.

And many collaborations along the way.

"John McGeoch was my favourite guitarist of all time. He was into sound in an almost abstract way. I loved the fact that I could say, 'I want this to sound like a horse falling off a cliff', and he would know exactly what I meant. He was easily, without a shadow of a doubt, the most creative guitarist the Banshees ever had."
— Siouxsie Sioux