Steven Severin (born Steven John Bailey, Highgate, London), is an English musician, composer, bassist, producer and co-founding member of Siouxsie and the Banshees. He took the name “Severin” from the Leopold von Sacher-Masoch character who is mentioned in the Velvet Underground song “Venus in Furs”. After the split of Siouxsie and the Banshees in 1996, Severin created his own label RE, and released several instrumental albums via his official website. He regularly performs live in solo, playing music over footage of silent films.

Biography

Siouxsie and the Banshees

Severin—who was known as Steve Havoc when he joined the band— was the co-founder. He was a full contributor to Siouxsie and the Banshees’ musical output from the first release (the B-side to the top 10 single “Hong Kong Garden” was the Severin-penned “Voices”.) Although the entire band often was credited for songwriting, the lyrics were usually indicated as the work of only one or two members. Severin would contribute lyrics to a great many of the album tracks, singles and B-sides produced by the band. He also initially wrote many of the songs recorded by the band, composing earlier versions that the band would work upon in the studio with every member then contributing. In the same way he would add his input into potential tracks contributed by Sioux or others.

He recorded eleven studio albums with the group. Since their split in 1996, he has been supervising the entire back-catalogue, choosing extra-tracks for reissues.

More about Steve’s life.