James Chance and the Contortions
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| - | One of the original [[punk jazz]] groups of the New York [[No Wave]] scene, the '''Contortions''' were led by saxophonist [[James Chance]], aka James White. Their first recorded appearance, credited solely as the Contortions, was on the 1978 compilation, ''[[No New York]]''. The following year, two albums were issued almost simultaneously on [[ZE Records]], ''Buy the Contortions'' (an extreme jazz-punk LP) and ''Off White'' (a disco/standards hybrid released under the moniker ''[[James White and the Blacks]]'', with one side vocals, the other side instrumentals). The same line-up recorded both records, although no one aside from Chance appears or is credited on the jacket of the ''Buy'' album. Following Chance and manager [[Anya Philips]]' acrimonious break with many of the original Contortions, the line-up changed frequently. | ||
| - | Chance was romantically linked with another New York No Wave luminary, [[Lydia Lunch]]; in [[1979]] Lunch appeared on the album ''[[Off White]]'' as "[[Stella Rico]]"). Original Contortions guitarist [[Pat Place]] went on to found the group the [[Bush Tetras]]. Guitarist [[Jody Harris]] formed neo-surf combo the [[Raybeats]] with Don Christensen, George Scott III and Pat Irwin. Keyboardist Adele Bertei formed the Bloods. In 1979 George Scott toured with John Cale as documented on the album ''Sabotage Live''. Some of the African-American band members of "the Blacks," notably [[Joseph Bowie]], later separated from Chance and formed the band [[defunkt]]. | + | '''James Chance and the Contortions''' was a short-lived musical group led by saxophonist and vocalist [[James Chance]]. They were one of the original [[punk jazz]] groups of the New York [[no wave]] music scene. |
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| + | ==Recording history== | ||
| + | Their first recording, credited solely as '''''Contortions''''', was on the 1978 compilation, ''[[No New York]]'', produced by [[Brian Eno]]. The following year, two albums were issued almost simultaneously on [[ZE Records]]; ''[[Buy (album)|Buy]]'' and ''[[Off White]]'' under the moniker '''[[James White and the Blacks]]'''. The same musicians recorded both records, though none are credited on the album cover. | ||
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| + | ==Band members== | ||
| + | Original Contortions guitarist [[Pat Place]] went on to found the group [[Bush Tetras]]. Georges Scott played with [[Lydia Lunch]] and Michael Paumgarten in [[8-Eyed Spy]]. Shortly thereafter, guitarist [[Jody Harris]] formed [[Raybeats]] with [[Don Christensen]], George Scott III and [[Pat Irwin]]. Keyboardist Adele Bertei formed the Bloods, after which she released a solo record, ''Little Lives'', in 1988. In 1979 George Scott toured with [[John Cale]], as documented on the album ''Sabotage Live''. Scott died of a heroin overdose on August 5, 1980. Some of the members of [[James White and the Blacks]] - notably [[Joseph Bowie]], later separated from Chance and formed the band [[Defunkt]]. | ||
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| + | On November 30, 2010 [[James Chance]], Pat Place, Don Christensen, [[Jody Harris]], [[Adele Bertei]], and [[Robert Aaron]] reunited as James Chance and the Contortions at [[Le Poisson Rouge]] for a single performance. Robert Aaron wasn't an original member, but frequently collaborated with Chance. | ||
| - | [[Simon Reynolds]], author of ''[[Rip It Up and Start Again : Postpunk 1978-1984 ]]'', wrote | ||
| - | :''And although "affection" is possibly an odd word to use in reference to a bunch of nihilists, I do feel fond of the No Wave people. James Chance's music actually stands up really well, I think. (Listen to James Chance & the Contortions, "Contort Yourself," 1979.)'' [http://www.slate.com/id/2137333/entry/2137334/?nav=tap3] | ||
| ==Discography== | ==Discography== | ||
| - | * ''Buy'' (1979) | + | * ''[[No New York]]'' (1978) |
| + | * ''[[Buy (album)|Buy]]'' (1979) | ||
| * ''Paris 1980 Live Aux Bains Douches'' (1980) | * ''Paris 1980 Live Aux Bains Douches'' (1980) | ||
| * ''Live in New York'' (1981) | * ''Live in New York'' (1981) | ||
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| * ''Lost Chance'' (1995) | * ''Lost Chance'' (1995) | ||
| * ''White Cannibal'' (2000) | * ''White Cannibal'' (2000) | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
| + | *[[Carlo McCormick]], ''The Downtown Book: The New York Art Scene, 1974–1984'', Princeton University Press, 2006 | ||
| + | * Marc Masters, ''No Wave'', London: Black Dog Publishing, 2007, pp. 74-95 | ||
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| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
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James Chance and the Contortions was a short-lived musical group led by saxophonist and vocalist James Chance. They were one of the original punk jazz groups of the New York no wave music scene.
Contents |
Recording history
Their first recording, credited solely as Contortions, was on the 1978 compilation, No New York, produced by Brian Eno. The following year, two albums were issued almost simultaneously on ZE Records; Buy and Off White under the moniker James White and the Blacks. The same musicians recorded both records, though none are credited on the album cover.
Band members
Original Contortions guitarist Pat Place went on to found the group Bush Tetras. Georges Scott played with Lydia Lunch and Michael Paumgarten in 8-Eyed Spy. Shortly thereafter, guitarist Jody Harris formed Raybeats with Don Christensen, George Scott III and Pat Irwin. Keyboardist Adele Bertei formed the Bloods, after which she released a solo record, Little Lives, in 1988. In 1979 George Scott toured with John Cale, as documented on the album Sabotage Live. Scott died of a heroin overdose on August 5, 1980. Some of the members of James White and the Blacks - notably Joseph Bowie, later separated from Chance and formed the band Defunkt.
On November 30, 2010 James Chance, Pat Place, Don Christensen, Jody Harris, Adele Bertei, and Robert Aaron reunited as James Chance and the Contortions at Le Poisson Rouge for a single performance. Robert Aaron wasn't an original member, but frequently collaborated with Chance.
Discography
- No New York (1978)
- Buy (1979)
- Paris 1980 Live Aux Bains Douches (1980)
- Live in New York (1981)
- Soul Exorcism (1991)
- Lost Chance (1995)
- White Cannibal (2000)
References
- Carlo McCormick, The Downtown Book: The New York Art Scene, 1974–1984, Princeton University Press, 2006
- Marc Masters, No Wave, London: Black Dog Publishing, 2007, pp. 74-95
