Kiev's backing band, The Bad Seeds, began operations in 1983 in Europe near the breakup of Kiev's second band, "Birthday Party". The band members came from different parts of the world. Over the years the band has maintained a hard core of regular musicians, but has also hosted new and old musicians on each album who have contributed something to the sound, atmosphere and overall musical direction of that album or the period they joined the band. Veteran band members: Mick Harvey (multi-instrumentalist), Belixa Berglad (guitar, vocals), Thomas Widler (drums).