1998–2004: The Icarus Line North was one of the original members of The Icarus Line, and toured and recorded with the group as a guitarist between 1998 and 2004. During his time with the band they released two critically acclaimed studio albums (
Mono in 2001 and
Penance Soiree in 2004) and three EPs (
Highlypuncturingnoisetestingyourabilitytohate and
Red And Black Attack in 1998 and
Three Jesus Songs in 2003). The band was known for its chaotic live performances, including a notorious incident in 2002 when, during a performance at the
Hard Rock Cafe in
Austin, Texas, North "liberated" a guitar that had belonged to
Stevie Ray Vaughan by breaking its protective case with the base of a microphone stand. He tried plugging it into his amplifier, but was then quickly set upon by security. The incident resulted in North receiving numerous death threats from outraged Texans, and legal troubles. North quit the band abruptly in 2004, citing a desire to move into a new direction musically.
2005–2007: Nine Inch Nails North joined Nine Inch Nails in 2005 as the lead guitarist in a lineup that featured drummer
Jerome Dillon, former
A Perfect Circle and
Marilyn Manson bass player
Jeordie White and keyboard player
Alessandro Cortini. He has stated that the invitation resulted from a recommendation to band leader
Trent Reznor by producer
Alan Moulder, who had worked with both The Icarus Line and Nine Inch Nails. In
The New Zealand Herald, Reznor described the first time North jammed with Nine Inch Nails: North was with the band for the "
Live: With_Teeth" tour (in support of the 2005 release
With Teeth) and the "
Performance: 2007" tour (the latter stages of which were in support of the 2007 release
Year Zero). While touring with NIN in 2005 North performed as a guest guitarist with the band
Queens of the Stone Age at various acoustic "in-store" performances, and two "regular" shows in Los Angeles. In July 2006, North was named (along with Nine Inch Nails) in a lawsuit brought on by Wisconsin security guard Mark LaVoie. This suit alleged that he "intentionally, and violently" inflicted injury upon the guard while performing at Alliant Energy Center on Oct. 13, 2005. The lawsuit reportedly settled out of court with LaVoie receiving a substantial amount of money. North is included on the live DVD
Beside You in Time and appeared in the music videos for "
The Hand That Feeds" and "
Survivalism". He left the group at the conclusion of the 2007 run.
2007–2008: Jubilee North formed Jubilee in late 2007 with former
Icarus Line band-mate, Troy Petrey, on drums, and bassist
Michael Shuman (
Queens of the Stone Age,
Wires On Fire). The band embarked on a brief
UK tour in January 2008 with members of
Wires On Fire temporarily rounding out the lineup. The band returned to the UK in late 2008 to complete a more extensive tour. Upon their return, they played one show in Los Angeles. This is still the only performance the band has ever played in their native country. Jubilee released two singles in 2008, 'Rebel Hiss' and 'In With The Out Crowd', which were intended to be immediately followed by their debut album. In late 2008, North attempted to form a new lineup of the band and finish the album, but eventually abandoned both due to frustrations around the creative direction of the band. The still unreleased album includes performances from a vast array of drummers and collaborators including
Dave Grohl, Julian Gross,
Nick Jago,
Joey Castillo,
Carla Azar,
Josh Freese, Loren Humphrey,
Kevin Haskins,
Taylor Hawkins,
Josh Homme,
Trent Reznor and
Maynard James Keenan. ==Buddyhead==