James Chance and the Contortions

James Chance and the Contortions (initially known simply as Contortions, a spin-off group is called James White and the Blacks) is a musical group led by saxophonist and vocalist James Chance, formed in 1977. They were a central act of New York City's downtown no wave music scene in the late 1970s, and were featured on the influential compilation No New York (1978).[2]

James Chance and the Contortions
James Chance in Berlin, 1981
Background information
Also known asContortions
OriginNew York City, U.S.
GenresNo wave, avant-funk, punk jazz, dance-punk
Years active1977–2016[1]
LabelsZE
Associated actsJames White and the Blacks
Members
Past members

Recording history

Their first recording, credited solely as Contortions, was on the 1978 compilation, No New York, produced by Brian Eno.[3] 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.

In 2016, Chance released his first single with his original Contortions band in nearly 30 years, entitled "Melt Yourself Down". A music video for the single was directed, filmed and animated by 19 year old Dylan Greenberg and is considered the first Contortions music video to make significant use of dramatic digital effects, such as Chance's face being manipulated to appear as if it were melting.[4]

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.[5] 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, 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 was not an original member but frequently collaborated with Chance.[6]

Discography
  • No New York (1978) (compilation contribution, as Contortions)
  • Buy (1979) (as Contortions)
  • Live aux Bains Douches (1980)
  • Live in New York (1981)
  • Soul Exorcism (1991)
  • Lost Chance (1995)
  • Molotov Cocktail Lounge (Enemy, 1996)
  • White Cannibal (2000)
  • The Flesh is Weak (2016)

References
  1. "James Chance & The Contortions – "Melt Yourself Down"". Stereogum.com. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  2. Masters, pp. 74–95
  3. Masters, pp. 8–11
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-11-04. Retrieved 2016-11-03.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. Masters, Marc (2007) No Wave. London: Black Dog Publishing. ISBN 978-1-906155-02-5. p. 41
  6. "James Chance & the Contortions played LPR (pics & video)". Brooklynvegan.com. Retrieved 17 August 2018.

Bibliography
  • 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
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