Steve Hanley (musician)

Steve Hanley
Hanley in 1980
Hanley in 1980
Background information
Birth nameStephen Hanley
Born (1959-05-29) 29 May 1959 (age 65)
Dublin, Ireland
GenresPost-punk
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Bass guitar, guitar
Years active1976–present
LabelsBeggars Banquet, Phonogram, Rough Trade, Newmemorabilia

Stephen Hanley (born 29 May 1959) is an Irish-born English musician best known as the bass guitarist in the Fall from 1979 to 1998. His distinctive and muscular basslines were a signature part of their sound, often carrying the songs' instrumental melodies. Hanley is second only to Mark E. Smith in longevity in the band. With Peter Hook, Andy Rourke and Gary Mounfield, he is widely considered one of the pre-eminent Manchester bassists of his generation.[1] He has always been very private and rarely interviewed; for this reason his 2014 autobiography The Big Midweek: Life Inside The Fall was highly anticipated. On publication it was met with widespread acclaim for its frank honesty and dry, no nonsense humour.[2]

He is currently a member of Brix & the Extricated with guitarist and vocalist Brix Smith.[3] He also plays bass with The House Of All, consisting of a number of other ex-Fall members, whose debut album was released in January 2023 to widespread acclaim.

  1. ^ "Dave Simpson – The Fallen". Thefallenbook.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  2. ^ Lee, Simon. "After The Fall". Los Angeles Review of Books. Preview: 11 December 2014
  3. ^ Brix & The Extricated Totally Wired Hebden Bridge. Hebden Bridge Trades Club Sat 30 May 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2017