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James Chance and the Contortions

From Alfawiki
James Chance and the Contortions
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1977
FounderJames Chance
Defunct2016
Headquarters
New York City
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, live performances

James Chance and the Contortions—initially known simply as Contortions—was a band spearheaded by saxophonist and vocalist James Chance, established in 1977. They played a pivotal role within New York City's late 1970s downtown no wave movement and were prominently featured on the seminal compilation No New York released in 1978. A related project spun off as James White and the Blacks.

Recording history

The group's debut recording, credited to Contortions, was included on the 1978 No New York compilation, which was produced by Brian Eno. In 1979, two albums came out nearly simultaneously through ZE Records: Buy and Off White, both released under the name James White and the Blacks. These records utilized the same lineup of musicians, though individual credits were omitted from the album covers. Additionally, The Contortions appeared in the 1979 film Das Todesmagazin, directed by Rosa von Praunheim.

After a hiatus of nearly three decades, Chance issued "Melt Yourself Down" in 2016, marking his first single with the original Contortions ensemble in many years. The accompanying music video was directed by 19-year-old Dylan Greenberg and gained attention for its striking digital effects, notably transforming Chance’s face to create a melting visual effect.

Band members

Guitarist Pat Place of the original Contortions went on to form the group Bush Tetras. Bassist George Scott collaborated with artists such as Lydia Lunch and Michael Paumgarten in 8-Eyed Spy. Shortly thereafter, guitarist Jody Harris co-founded Raybeats alongside Don Christensen, George Scott III, and Pat Irwin. Keyboardist Adele Bertei established the Bloods and released her solo album Little Lives in 1988. In 1979, George Scott toured with John Cale, an engagement captured on the live album Sabotage Live. Tragically, Scott passed away from a heroin overdose on August 5, 1980. Steven Kramer contributed organ and percussion during the Contortions’ second lineup between 1979 and 1980 before leading the Twin Cities-based funk/polka ensemble The Wallets. Several members of James White and the Blacks, most notably Joseph Bowie, departed to form the band Defunkt.

On November 30, 2010, James Chance reunited with Pat Place, Don Christensen, Jody Harris, Adele Bertei, and Robert Aaron for a performance under the James Chance and the Contortions name at Le Poisson Rouge. Although Robert Aaron was a frequent collaborator with the group, he was not part of its original formation.

James Chance passed away on June 18, 2024, at age 71.

Legacy

In 2023, The Contortions were highlighted at an exhibition held at the Centre Pompidou, curated by Nicolas Ballet. The show—titled Who You Staring At: Culture visuelle de la scène no wave des années 1970 et 1980 (Visual culture of the no wave scene in the 1970s and 1980s)—celebrated their influence within the no wave cultural movement.

Discography

  • No New York (1978) (contribution as Contortions)
  • Buy (1979) (credited 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)

Bibliography

External links

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