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John Bechdel (born August 8, 1964) is an American musician whose professional career in the music industry began in 1987. Since 2006, he’s been the keyboardist for industrial metal band, Ministry. He has also played keyboards for Fear Factory, Killing Joke, Murder, Inc., Prong, Abstinence, and Brain Brain. He fronts his own band, False Icons, and collaborates closely with Fear Factory vocalist Burton C. Bell in Ascension of the Watchers.

Early Life
John grew up in Beech Creek, Pennsylvania and started playing Piano at age 5. He listened to The Beatles since he was 4, and in 1976 at age 11, randomly encountered John Lennon at FAO Schwarz in New York City. He started playing guitar at age 12 and played in bands since age 15. In 1981, he bought his first synthesizer, a Micromoog in 1981 at age 17 after seeing a Kraftwerk concert in New York City.

Professional Life
Throughout his career, Bechdel has played on many studio albums and appeared in multiple music videos. He is also known for many other musical endeavors including his own band False Icons, John Bechdel (solo artist), Ascension of the Watchers, Nukes, Heat Wave International, Brian Brain, Her Vanished Grace, and Abstinence.

His remix work includes Static-X, Ministry, Prong, Monster Voodoo Machine, and Mass Dirge. He has also been producing bands including ChmclStr8jckt’s Wrchd Thngs and Drk Prgrssn albums on Cleopatra Records. He received a Certified Gold Record for his work with Fear Factory on their Obsolete album, which featured a remake of Cars with Gary Numan. He received nominated for his work with Ministry for Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. There is a documentary about Bechdel’s career available on Vimeo called “Killing the Joke-The John Bechdel Story” Produced by Darryl Hell.