John Fryer

John Fryer (born 1958) is a multi-platinum record producer of international acclaim. Best known for his production work, he has also performed as a musician, as one of the two constant members of This Mortal Coil (along with Ivo Watts-Russell), providing keyboards, strings and synthesizer sequencing for the band, and its offshoot, the Hope Blister.

He is married to musician, artist, and gallerist Trace Fryer.

Career In 1980, he worked as assistant at Blackwing Studios, which was British recording studio created by Eric Radcliffe. The studio would go on to become famous for recording music from the likes of Depeche Mode and other bands. Fryer explained in an interview the environment of the studio: so we were using the ARP and its analogue sequencer, and because it worked on CV and Gate, we devised a way of recording the click from that and feeding it back on itself, so you'd get a couple of chances of running sequences in time with the tape. You'd record a kick and snare on it and everything was played live over the top. The drums were the ARP and then it was Moog bass and so on. We used whatever was available. If it wasn't there, it was hired in.From assistant, he was promoted from engineering to production. One of his first clients as a producer was the Scottish rock band, the Cocteau Twins.

In 2003, he created Something To Listen To Records.

In 2017, Fryer mixed both The Cross and The Dream by the York-based post-punk and industrial rock band, Mary and The Ram. He has since continued to work on various musical projects, including Dark Drive Clinic. In 2025, Fryer and his wife, artist and vocalist Trace Fryer, formed the group Something Romantical and put together the music for the soundtrack for the short film The Winter Solstice Eruption by Lance Page of Page Films.

Views on music In the interview for the article John Fryer: Punk kicked the doors of the industry open, Fryer discussed punk rock: Black Needle Noise 2017 John Fryer (producer/composer), Attasalina (vocalist), and various artists. Something Romantical 2025 John Fryer, Trace Fryer

Discography For more complete discography, please see Albums produced by John Fryer.

Certifications for albums with Fryer as a producer +Pretty Hate Machine by Nine Inch NailsRegionCertificationUnited Kingdom (BPI) PlatinumArgentina (CAPIF)GoldUnited States (RIAA) 3 x Platinum +Razorblade Romance by HIM (Finnish Band)RegionCertificationAustria (IFPI Austria) GoldFinland (Musiikkituottajat) 2 x PlatinumGermany (BVMI) 3 x GoldPoland (ZPAV) Gold Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) Gold United Kingdom (BPI) Silver