Paul Barker

Paul Barker (born February 8, 1958 in Palo Alto, California), also referred to as Hermes Pan, is the former bass guitarist, producer and engineer with the industrial metal band Ministry from 1986 to 2004. Prior to Ministry, Barker provided bass for the Seattle No Wave ensemble The Blackouts alongside future Ministry drummer Bill Rieflin and his brother, one-time Ministry touring saxophonist Roland Barker, from 1979 until 1985. Beginning as touring bassist for Ministry's 1986 Twitch tour, Barker collaborated with frontman Al Jourgensen and collectively released The Land of Rape and Honey in 1988. Although many musicians briefly contributed to Ministry in the nearly two decade period after Barker joined the band, he and Jourgensen were the only continuous members. The dynamics between these two different personalities came to shape Ministry's sound, along with a number of side-projects which they were involved in together. Barker left the band in 2004 for personal reasons.

Since leaving Ministry, Barker has spent his time recording new material, producing such acts as I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness and collaborating with artists such as Stayte (on their 2007 'Cognitive Dissonance (The Art Of Lying To Yourself)' EP). He joined U.S.S.A. with Duane Denison (Tomahawk, ex-The Jesus Lizard) as bassist. The first album from his solo project Flowering Blight, entitled 'The Perfect Pair', was released on November 19, 2008 via the official website.

Paul is also one of the founders of Malekko Heavy Industry Corporation, a manufacturer of synthesizer modules and guitar effect pedals.