Representative Albums: "Chicks & Speed: Futurism," "Age of Reason"
Biography
Lead into Gold derives its name from the mystical practice of alchemy. The band is basically a solo project for Paul Barker, a talented and avant-garde bassist who joined forces with Alain Jourgensen in the late '80s to create several influential and powerful Ministry records. Paul and Roland Barker, as well as frequent future collaborator Bill Rieflin, played in a Seattle-based band called the Blackouts. When the Blackouts inked with Wax Trax! Jourgensen (already operating under the Ministry moniker) immediately partnered with Barker and the pair unleashed a multitude of vehicles including RevCo, 1000 Homo DJs, and Lard. Jourgensen and Barker dubbed themselves Hypo Luxa and Hermes Pan (respectfully and respectively) after a pair of free-wheeling Greek prostitutes. In the midst of this plethora of pounding, Lead into Gold emerged as Barker's baby. He wrote and sang each cut on the sole full-length Age of Reason, as well as the extended singles, Faster Than Light, Idiot, and Chicks and Speed: Futurism. ~ Doug Stone, All Music Guide
Lead Into Gold only released two 12 inch singles and one full length studio LP. Idiot was the first release in 1988, followed by the Chicks & Speed: Futurism single and Age of Reason album, both released in 1990. The CD release of Chicks & Speed included the Idiot single in its entirety. There was an EP to be released at some point in the early '90s entitled Low & Slow, but never saw the light of day.[citation needed] The tracks, according to Barker, were called "The Sweetest Kiss", "The Crybaby", "Low & Slow", and a remix of the track "Lunatic/Genius" with additional percussion by Rieflin.
In the video for "Faster Than Light", Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) can be seen playing the guitar. He was rumored to have been in the area for the "Head Like a Hole" video shoot when he made his cameo.
Discography
All songs written by Paul Barker unless noted otherwise.
