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{{Short description|American musician}}
{{Other people}}
{{Other people}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name = James Chance
| name = James Chance
| image = James Chance 2010.jpg
| image = James Chance at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.jpg
| caption = James Chance in 2010
| caption = Chance at the 2009 [[Tribeca Film Festival]]
| image_size =
| landscape = Yes
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = James Siegfried
| birth_name = James Siegfried
| alias = James White
| alias = James White
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|4|20}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|4|20}}
| birth_place = [[Milwaukee|Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], United States
| birth_place = [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_date =
| origin =
| origin =
| instrument = [[Alto saxophone]], [[keyboard instrument|keyboards]], [[vocals]]
| instrument = [[Alto saxophone]], [[keyboard instrument|keyboards]], [[vocals]]
| genre = [[No wave]], [[avant-funk]], [[punk jazz]], [[dance-punk]], [[post-punk]]
| genre = [[No wave]], [[avant-funk]], [[punk jazz]], [[dance-punk]]
| occupation = Singer, songwriter, musician
| occupation = Musician, singer, songwriter
| years_active = 1976-present
| years_active = 1976-present
| label = [[ZE Records|ZE]], [[ROIR]]
| label = [[ZE Records|ZE]], [[ROIR]]
Line 23: Line 21:
}}
}}


'''James Chance''', also known as '''James White''' (born April 20, 1953 as '''James Siegfried''' in [[Milwaukee|Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], United States),<ref name="Strong">{{cite book |last=Strong |first=Martin C. |title=The Great Alternative & Indie Discography |url=https://archive.org/details/greatalternative0000stro |url-access=registration |year= 1999 |publisher=Canongate |isbn=0-86241-913-1 }}</ref> is an American saxophonist, keyboard player, songwriter and singer.
'''James Chance''', also known as '''James White''' (born '''James Siegfried''', April 20, 1953), is an American saxophonist, keyboard player, and singer.


A key figure in [[no wave]], Chance has been playing a combination of improvisational [[jazz]]-like music and [[punk rock|punk]] in the [[New York City|New York]] music scene since the late 1970s, in such bands as [[Teenage Jesus and the Jerks]], [[James Chance and the Contortions]], James White and the Blacks (as he appeared in the film ''[[Downtown 81]]''), The Flaming Demonics, James Chance & the Sardonic Symphonics, James Chance and Terminal City, and James Chance and Les Contortions.<ref name="Strong" />
A key figure in [[no wave]], Chance has been playing a combination of improvisational [[jazz]]-like music and [[punk rock|punk]] in the New York music scene since the late 1970s, in such bands as [[Teenage Jesus and the Jerks]], [[James Chance and the Contortions]], James White and the Blacks (as he appeared in the film ''[[Downtown 81]]''), The Flaming Demonics, James Chance & the Sardonic Symphonics, James Chance and Terminal City, and James Chance and Les Contortions.<ref name="Strong">{{cite book |last=Strong |first=Martin C. |url=https://archive.org/details/greatalternative0000stro |title=The Great Alternative & Indie Discography |publisher=Canongate |year=1999 |isbn=0-86241-913-1 |url-access=registration}}</ref>


==Biography==
== Biography ==
Born and raised in Milwaukee and [[Brookfield, Wisconsin]], Chance attended [[Michigan State University]], then the [[Wisconsin Conservatory of Music]] in Milwaukee.<ref name="Strong" /> There, Chance joined a band named Death, which performed covers of [[the Stooges]] and [[the Velvet Underground]] before moving toward original songs. At the end of 1975, Chance dropped out and moved to [[New York City]] after the dissolution of the band and the death of its singer.<ref>Reynolds, 2009, p. 132</ref> He quickly became active in both the [[free jazz]] and [[no wave]] punk rock scenes.<ref name="Masters, Marc 2007, pp. 83-95">Masters, Marc, 2007, pp. 83-95</ref> His first band in New York in 1976 was an instrumental quartet with violin, drums and bass called Flaming Youth. After studying for a short time under David Murray, Chance formed [[The Contortions]], who fused jazz improvisation and [[funky]] rhythms, with live shows often ending in violence when Chance would confront audience members.<ref name="Strong" /> The Contortions reached a wider audience with their contribution to the [[Brian Eno]]-compiled ''[[No New York]]'' collection of No Wave acts.<ref name="Strong" /> The band appeared in [[Rosa von Praunheim]]'s film ''Das Todesmagazin'' in 1979.
Born and raised in [[Milwaukee]] and [[Brookfield, Wisconsin]], Chance attended [[Michigan State University]], then the [[Wisconsin Conservatory of Music]] in Milwaukee.<ref name="Strong" /> There, Chance joined a band named Death, which performed covers of [[the Stooges]] and [[the Velvet Underground]] before moving toward original songs. At the end of 1975, Chance dropped out and moved to New York City after the dissolution of the band and the death of its singer.<ref>Reynolds, 2009, p. 132</ref> He quickly became active in both the [[free jazz]] and [[no wave]] punk rock scenes.<ref name="Masters, Marc 2007, pp. 83-95">Masters, Marc, 2007, pp. 83-95</ref> His first band in New York in 1976 was an instrumental quartet with violin, drums and bass called Flaming Youth. He started [[Teenage Jesus and the Jerks]] with [[Lydia Lunch]] the same year. In 1977, after studying for a short time under [[David Murray (saxophonist)|David Murray]], Chance formed [[The Contortions]], who fused jazz improvisation and [[funky]] rhythms, with live shows often ending in violence when Chance would confront audience members.<ref name="Strong" /> The Contortions reached a wider audience with their contribution to the [[Brian Eno]]-compiled ''[[No New York]]'' collection of No Wave acts.<ref name="Strong" /> The band appeared in [[Rosa von Praunheim]]'s film ''Das Todesmagazin'' in 1979.


While Chance was professionally and romantically linked with No Wave musical luminary [[Lydia Lunch]], the duo created seminal No Wave group Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, whom Chance soon left.<ref name="Strong" />
While Chance shared an apartment with No Wave musical luminary [[Lydia Lunch]], the duo created seminal No Wave group Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, whom Chance soon left.<ref name="Strong" />
⚫
Chance was noted for engaging in physical confrontations, from forcing the audience out of their seats and getting in fist fights with his New York City audience, including rock critic [[Robert Christgau]]. At first, this was just an attempt to engage the passive New York audience, but this practice is reported to have somewhat diminished after audiences came to expect the physical confrontations.<ref>{{cite web| last =Georgopoulos| first =Alexis| title =The Blow Up: James Chance| publisher =The Blowup, LLC.| url =http://www.theblowup.com/06/Projects/james_chance/| access-date =January 3, 2008| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080106164745/http://theblowup.com/06/Projects/james_chance/| archive-date =January 6, 2008| df =mdy-all}}</ref>
⚫
[[File:James White 1981 2.jpg|thumb|left|James White 1981, SO 36, Berlin.]]
⚫
In 1979, Chance collaborated with [[Arto Lindsay]], Bradley Field, and George Scott on the soundtrack to [[Diego Cortez]]'s film ''Grutzi Elvis''.<ref name="Strong" />


⚫
Chance was noted for engaging in physical confrontations, from forcing the audience out of their seats and getting in fist fights with his New York City audience, including rock critic [[Robert Christgau]]. At first, this was just an attempt to engage the passive New York audience, but this practice is reported to have somewhat diminished after audiences came to expect the physical confrontations.<ref>{{cite web| last =Georgopoulos| first =Alexis| title =The Blow Up: James Chance| publisher =The Blowup, LLC.| url =http://www.theblowup.com/06/Projects/james_chance/| access-date =January 3, 2008| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080106164745/http://theblowup.com/06/Projects/james_chance/| archive-date =January 6, 2008| df =mdy-all}}</ref> He has discussed issues of race and working with black musicians in a number of interviews.<ref>{{Cite web |title=James Chance |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/interview/5904-james-chance/ |access-date=March 26, 2022 |website=Pitchfork |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bangs |first=Lester |date=1979 |title=White Noise Supremacists |url=http://www.mariabuszek.com/mariabuszek/kcai/PoMoSeminar/Readings/BangsWhite.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=James White a.k.a. James Chance by Tod Wizon – BOMB Magazine |url=https://bombmagazine.org/articles/james-white-a-k-a-james-chance/ |access-date=March 27, 2022 |website=bombmagazine.org}}</ref>
⚫
Chance's stage and musical persona were finalized by romantic partner and agent [[Anya Phillips]], who died of cancer in 1981. Frictions between Chance and band members eventually led to a breakup of the Contortions in the fall of 1979.<ref name="Masters, Marc 2007, pp. 83-95"/> The Contortions released one album, ''Buy'' in late 1979, and another album, ''Off White'', under the pseudonym James White and the Blacks in 1980 (featuring Lydia Lunch under the pseudonym Stella Rico). Chance re-formed James White and the Blacks with a completely different lineup that appeared on the 1982 album ''Sax Maniac'' which was dedicated to Phillips. The group released one more album, ''Melt Yourself Down'', a very limited Japanese release.

⚫
In 1979, Chance collaborated with [[Arto Lindsay]], Bradley Field, and George Scott on the soundtrack to [[Diego Cortez]]'s film ''Grutzi Elvis''.<ref name="Strong" />
⚫
[[File:James White 1981 2.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|James Chance in 1981]]
⚫
Chance's stage and musical persona were finalized by romantic partner and agent [[Anya Phillips]], who died of cancer in 1981. Frictions between Chance and band members eventually led to a breakup of the Contortions in the fall of 1979.<ref name="Masters, Marc 2007, pp. 83-95" /> The Contortions released one album, ''Buy'' in late 1979, and another album, ''Off White'', under the pseudonym James White and the Blacks in 1980 (featuring Lydia Lunch under the pseudonym Stella Rico). Chance re-formed James White and the Blacks with a completely different lineup that appeared on the 1982 album ''Sax Maniac'' which was dedicated to Phillips. The group released one more album, ''Melt Yourself Down'', a very limited Japanese release.


The first version of the Blacks was set up by [[Joseph Bowie]]. Shortly after, [[Defunkt]] emerged from the Blacks. In 1982 Chance toured with the re-formed James White and the Blacks with his brother David "Tremor" Siegfried and his band David and the Happenings from [[Carbondale, Illinois]], playing Chicago, their hometown Milwaukee, and much of the Midwest.
The first version of the Blacks was set up by [[Joseph Bowie]]. Shortly after, [[Defunkt]] emerged from the Blacks. In 1982 Chance toured with the re-formed James White and the Blacks with his brother David "Tremor" Siegfried and his band David and the Happenings from [[Carbondale, Illinois]], playing Chicago, their hometown Milwaukee, and much of the Midwest.
Line 44: Line 42:
In 1987, he contributed saxophone to The False Prophets' ''Implosion'' album.<ref name="Strong" />
In 1987, he contributed saxophone to The False Prophets' ''Implosion'' album.<ref name="Strong" />


In 2001, Chance reunited with original Contortions members [[Jody Harris]] (guitar), Pat Place (slide guitar) and Don Christensen (drums) for a few limited engagements. Original keyboard player [[Adele Bertei]] appeared briefly, but bass player [[George Scott III]] had died of an accidental drug overdose in 1980 and his slot was filled by Eric Sanko. The reunited group has played twice at the [[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]] music festival, and, in 2008, at the [[P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center|PS1 Warm Up]] series. Chance has also recorded with [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]] since coming out of his semi-retirement. Tiger Style records released the 4-CD box set retrospective ''Irresistible Impulse'' to critical acclaim in 2003. A live-DVD ''James Chance - Chance of a Lifetime: Live in Chicago 2003'' was released in 2005.
In 2001, Chance reunited with original Contortions members [[Jody Harris]] (guitar), [[Pat Place]] (slide guitar) and Don Christensen (drums) for a few limited engagements. Original keyboard player [[Adele Bertei]] appeared briefly, but bass player [[George Scott III]] had died of an accidental drug overdose in 1980 and his slot was filled by [[Erik Sanko]]. The reunited group has played twice at the [[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]] music festival, and, in 2008, at the [[P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center|PS1 Warm Up]] series. Chance has also recorded with [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]] since coming out of his semi-retirement. Tiger Style records released the 4-CD box set retrospective ''Irresistible Impulse'' to critical acclaim in 2003. A live-DVD ''James Chance – Chance of a Lifetime: Live in Chicago 2003'' was released in 2005.


In addition to limited engagements with the original Contortions, Chance has occasionally performed and recorded with the Chicago band Watchers. In Europe, he performs with James Chance & Les Contortions, French musicians who have been his backing band since 2006. They played a 15 show Europe tour in April and May 2007 and were back in Europe in October 2007. In May 2012 they released the CD ''Incorrigible!'' on the French label LADTK, comprising seven Chance originals and two covers, all of them brand new recordings.
In addition to limited engagements with the original Contortions, Chance has occasionally performed and recorded with the Chicago band Watchers. In Europe, he performs with James Chance & Les Contortions, French musicians who have been his backing band since 2006. They played a 15 show Europe tour in April and May 2007 and were back in Europe in October 2007. In May 2012 they released the CD ''Incorrigible!'' on the French label LADTK, comprising seven Chance originals and two covers, all of them brand new recordings.
Line 50: Line 48:
In 2009 Chance made occasional appearances playing keyboards in NYC with a trio, with the material restricted to close readings of jazz standards. In June 2012, Chance played in Portland, OR with local group Ancient Heat as his backing band. They played a number of songs from various points in his career, including a new cover of Gil Scott-Heron's "Home is Where The Hatred Is."
In 2009 Chance made occasional appearances playing keyboards in NYC with a trio, with the material restricted to close readings of jazz standards. In June 2012, Chance played in Portland, OR with local group Ancient Heat as his backing band. They played a number of songs from various points in his career, including a new cover of Gil Scott-Heron's "Home is Where The Hatred Is."


[[File: James Chance 2010 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Chance performing in 2010.]]
In 2016, 19-year-old [[Dylan Greenberg]] directed James Chance in the music video for a re-recorded version of Melt Yourself Down, his first music video in nearly 20 years. The video premiered on MOJO.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mojo4music.com/articles/24774/james-chance-premieres-skronky-yelpy-new-song|title=James Chance Premieres Skronky, Yelpy New Song|website=Mojo4music.com|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref>
In 2016, 19-year-old [[Dylan Greenberg]] directed James Chance in the music video for a re-recorded version of Melt Yourself Down, his first music video in nearly 20 years. The video premiered on MOJO.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mojo4music.com/articles/24774/james-chance-premieres-skronky-yelpy-new-song|title=James Chance Premieres Skronky, Yelpy New Song|website=Mojo4music.com|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref>


==Discography==
== Discography ==
[[File:James Chance at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.jpg|thumb|Chance at the 2009 [[Tribeca Film Festival]]]]


===Albums===
=== Albums ===
;James Chance and the Contortions
;James Chance and the Contortions
* ''[[Buy (album)|Buy]]'' ([[ZE Records]], 1979) (as Contortions)
* ''[[Buy (album)|Buy]]'' ([[ZE Records]], 1979) (as Contortions)
* ''Live aux Bains Douches'' (Invisible, France 1980)
* ''Live aux Bains Douches'' (Invisible, France 1980)
* ''Live in New York'' ([[ROIR]] [[Compact audio cassette|cassette]], 1981)
* ''Live in New York'' ([[ROIR]] [[Compact audio cassette|cassette]], 1981)
* ''Soul Exorcism'' (ROIR cassette, 1991)
* ''Soul Exorcism'' (ROIR cassette, 1991)
* ''Lost Chance'' (ROIR 1995, recorded 1981)
* ''Lost Chance'' (ROIR 1995, recorded 1981)
* ''Molotov Cocktail Lounge'' (Enemy Records, 1996)
* ''Molotov Cocktail Lounge'' (Enemy Records, 1996)
Line 66: Line 64:
* ''The Flesh is Weak'' (True Groove, 2016)
* ''The Flesh is Weak'' (True Groove, 2016)
;James White and the Blacks
;James White and the Blacks
* ''[[Off White]]'' ([[ZE Records]], 1979)
* ''[[Off White]]'' ([[ZE Records]], 1979)
* ''[[Sax Maniac]]'' (Animal, 1982)
* ''[[Sax Maniac]]'' (Animal, 1982)
* ''Melt Yourself Down'' (Selfish Records, Japan 1986)
* ''Melt Yourself Down'' (Selfish Records, Japan 1986)
;James Chance and Pill Factory
;James Chance and Pill Factory
* ''Theme from Grutzi Elvis'' (EP) (ZE 1979)
* ''Theme from Grutzi Elvis'' (EP) (ZE 1979)
;James White's Flaming Demonics
;James White's Flaming Demonics
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* ''The Fix is In'' (decade 01 / Interbang Records IBR005 2010)
* ''The Fix is In'' (decade 01 / Interbang Records IBR005 2010)
;Solo
;Solo
* ''James Chance - Chance of A Lifetime: Live in Chicago 2003'' (RUNT 2005)
* ''James Chance – Chance of A Lifetime: Live in Chicago 2003'' (RUNT 2005)


===Appears On===
=== Appears On ===
* ''[[No New York]]'' (compilation, 1978) (with The Contortions)
* ''[[No New York]]'' (compilation, 1978) (with The Contortions)
* [[Teenage Jesus and the Jerks]]: ''[[Pre Teenage Jesus and the Jerks]]'' (EP ZE 1978) (prehistory of the band)
* [[Teenage Jesus and the Jerks]]: ''[[Pre Teenage Jesus and the Jerks]]'' (EP ZE 1978) (prehistory of the band)
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| last = Palmer
| last = Palmer
| first = Robert
| first = Robert
| author-link = Robert Palmer (writer)
| author-link = Robert Palmer (American writer)
| title = Medium Cool: Imagination - A Chet Baker Tribute
| title = Medium Cool: Imagination – A Chet Baker Tribute
| journal = [[Rolling Stone]]
| magazine = [[Rolling Stone]]
| issue = 618
| issue = 618
| date = November 28, 1991
| date = November 28, 1991
| url = https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/mediumcool/albums/album/170667/review/5941931/medium_cool_imagination__a_chet_baker_tribute
| url = https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/mediumcool/albums/album/170667/review/5941931/medium_cool_imagination__a_chet_baker_tribute
}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
* ''Somewhere in the City'' (1998)
* ''Somewhere in the City'' (1998)
* [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]]: ''[[No Exit (Blondie album)|No Exit]]'' (album, 1999) guest artist on alto saxophone
* [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]]: ''[[No Exit (Blondie album)|No Exit]]'' (album, 1999) guest artist on alto saxophone
* ''Red Hot Chili Peppers Jukebox''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-Red-Hot-Chili-Peppers-Jukebox/release/373693|title=Various - Red Hot Chili Peppers Jukebox|website=Discogs.com|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> Track "Contort Yourself" (compilation, [[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo Magazine]], 2004)
* ''Red Hot Chili Peppers Jukebox''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-Red-Hot-Chili-Peppers-Jukebox/release/373693|title=Various – Red Hot Chili Peppers Jukebox|website=Discogs.com|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref> Track "Contort Yourself" (compilation, [[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo Magazine]], 2004)
* ''TV Party'' (2005)
* ''TV Party'' (2005)
* Watchers: ''Rabble'' (guest artist) (album, 2006)
* Watchers: ''Rabble'' (guest artist) (album, 2006)
* Watchers: ''Vampire Driver'' (guest artist) (album, 2006)
* Watchers: ''Vampire Driver'' (guest artist) (album, 2006)
* [[Acoustic Ladyland]] - ''[[Skinny Grin]]'' (album, 2006)
* [[Acoustic Ladyland]] – ''[[Skinny Grin]]'' (album, 2006)
* [[Kirin J. Callinan]] - Bravado (album, 2017)
* [[Kirin J. Callinan]] – Bravado (album, 2017)


==See also==
== See also ==
*[[Mudd Club]]
*[[Mudd Club]]
*[[Tier 3 (nightclub)|Tier 3]]
*[[Tier 3 (nightclub)|Tier 3]]
*[[Just Another Asshole]]
*[[Just Another Asshole]]
*[[New wave music]]
*[[No wave music]]
*[[No Wave Cinema]]
*[[No Wave Cinema]]


Line 112: Line 110:
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Sources==
== Sources ==
* Masters, Marc. ''No Wave''. London: Black Dog Publishing, 2007. {{ISBN|978-1-906155-02-5}}
* Masters, Marc. ''No Wave''. London: Black Dog Publishing, 2007. {{ISBN|978-1-906155-02-5}}
* Moore, Alan W., and Marc Miller (eds.). ''[[ABC No Rio]] Dinero: The Story of a [[Lower East Side]] Art Gallery''. New York: Collaborative Projects, 1985
* Moore, Alan W., and Marc Miller (eds.). ''[[ABC No Rio]] Dinero: The Story of a [[Lower East Side]] Art Gallery''. New York: Collaborative Projects, 1985
Line 120: Line 118:
* Taylor, Marvin J. (ed.). ''The Downtown Book: The New York Art Scene, 1974–1984'', foreword by Lynn Gumpert. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2006. {{ISBN|0-691-12286-5}}
* Taylor, Marvin J. (ed.). ''The Downtown Book: The New York Art Scene, 1974–1984'', foreword by Lynn Gumpert. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2006. {{ISBN|0-691-12286-5}}


==External links==
== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* [http://jameschanceofficial.blogspot.com/ Official website]
* [http://jameschanceofficial.blogspot.com/ Official website]
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027045034/http://geocities.com/pill_factory/ |date=October 27, 2009 |title=Discography }}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027045034/http://geocities.com/pill_factory/ |date=October 27, 2009 |title=Discography }}
Line 142: Line 141:
[[Category:ROIR artists]]
[[Category:ROIR artists]]
[[Category:ZE Records artists]]
[[Category:ZE Records artists]]
[[Category:21st-century saxophonists]]
[[Category:21st-century American saxophonists]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:American male jazz musicians]]
[[Category:American male jazz musicians]]

Latest revision as of 19:48, 21 October 2023

For other people named James Chance, see James Chance (disambiguation).

James Chance
Chance at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival
Chance at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival
Background information
Birth nameJames Siegfried
Also known asJames White
Born (1953-04-20) April 20, 1953 (age 71)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
GenresNo wave, avant-funk, punk jazz, dance-punk
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Alto saxophone, keyboards, vocals
Years active1976-present
LabelsZE, ROIR

James Chance, also known as James White (born James Siegfried, April 20, 1953), is an American saxophonist, keyboard player, and singer.

A key figure in no wave, Chance has been playing a combination of improvisational jazz-like music and punk in the New York music scene since the late 1970s, in such bands as Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, James Chance and the Contortions, James White and the Blacks (as he appeared in the film Downtown 81), The Flaming Demonics, James Chance & the Sardonic Symphonics, James Chance and Terminal City, and James Chance and Les Contortions.[1]

Biography[edit]

Born and raised in Milwaukee and Brookfield, Wisconsin, Chance attended Michigan State University, then the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee.[1] There, Chance joined a band named Death, which performed covers of the Stooges and the Velvet Underground before moving toward original songs. At the end of 1975, Chance dropped out and moved to New York City after the dissolution of the band and the death of its singer.[2] He quickly became active in both the free jazz and no wave punk rock scenes.[3] His first band in New York in 1976 was an instrumental quartet with violin, drums and bass called Flaming Youth. He started Teenage Jesus and the Jerks with Lydia Lunch the same year. In 1977, after studying for a short time under David Murray, Chance formed The Contortions, who fused jazz improvisation and funky rhythms, with live shows often ending in violence when Chance would confront audience members.[1] The Contortions reached a wider audience with their contribution to the Brian Eno-compiled No New York collection of No Wave acts.[1] The band appeared in Rosa von Praunheim's film Das Todesmagazin in 1979.

While Chance shared an apartment with No Wave musical luminary Lydia Lunch, the duo created seminal No Wave group Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, whom Chance soon left.[1]

Chance was noted for engaging in physical confrontations, from forcing the audience out of their seats and getting in fist fights with his New York City audience, including rock critic Robert Christgau. At first, this was just an attempt to engage the passive New York audience, but this practice is reported to have somewhat diminished after audiences came to expect the physical confrontations.[4] He has discussed issues of race and working with black musicians in a number of interviews.[5][6][7]

In 1979, Chance collaborated with Arto Lindsay, Bradley Field, and George Scott on the soundtrack to Diego Cortez's film Grutzi Elvis.[1]

James Chance in 1981

Chance's stage and musical persona were finalized by romantic partner and agent Anya Phillips, who died of cancer in 1981. Frictions between Chance and band members eventually led to a breakup of the Contortions in the fall of 1979.[3] The Contortions released one album, Buy in late 1979, and another album, Off White, under the pseudonym James White and the Blacks in 1980 (featuring Lydia Lunch under the pseudonym Stella Rico). Chance re-formed James White and the Blacks with a completely different lineup that appeared on the 1982 album Sax Maniac which was dedicated to Phillips. The group released one more album, Melt Yourself Down, a very limited Japanese release.

The first version of the Blacks was set up by Joseph Bowie. Shortly after, Defunkt emerged from the Blacks. In 1982 Chance toured with the re-formed James White and the Blacks with his brother David "Tremor" Siegfried and his band David and the Happenings from Carbondale, Illinois, playing Chicago, their hometown Milwaukee, and much of the Midwest.

Chance briefly relocated to Paris, returning to New York City in 1983 to record the album James White Presents The Flaming Demonics.[1]

In 1987, he contributed saxophone to The False Prophets' Implosion album.[1]

In 2001, Chance reunited with original Contortions members Jody Harris (guitar), Pat Place (slide guitar) and Don Christensen (drums) for a few limited engagements. Original keyboard player Adele Bertei appeared briefly, but bass player George Scott III had died of an accidental drug overdose in 1980 and his slot was filled by Erik Sanko. The reunited group has played twice at the All Tomorrow's Parties music festival, and, in 2008, at the PS1 Warm Up series. Chance has also recorded with Blondie since coming out of his semi-retirement. Tiger Style records released the 4-CD box set retrospective Irresistible Impulse to critical acclaim in 2003. A live-DVD James Chance – Chance of a Lifetime: Live in Chicago 2003 was released in 2005.

In addition to limited engagements with the original Contortions, Chance has occasionally performed and recorded with the Chicago band Watchers. In Europe, he performs with James Chance & Les Contortions, French musicians who have been his backing band since 2006. They played a 15 show Europe tour in April and May 2007 and were back in Europe in October 2007. In May 2012 they released the CD Incorrigible! on the French label LADTK, comprising seven Chance originals and two covers, all of them brand new recordings.

In 2009 Chance made occasional appearances playing keyboards in NYC with a trio, with the material restricted to close readings of jazz standards. In June 2012, Chance played in Portland, OR with local group Ancient Heat as his backing band. They played a number of songs from various points in his career, including a new cover of Gil Scott-Heron's "Home is Where The Hatred Is."

Chance performing in 2010.

In 2016, 19-year-old Dylan Greenberg directed James Chance in the music video for a re-recorded version of Melt Yourself Down, his first music video in nearly 20 years. The video premiered on MOJO.[8]

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

James Chance and the Contortions
  • Buy (ZE Records, 1979) (as Contortions)
  • Live aux Bains Douches (Invisible, France 1980)
  • Live in New York (ROIR cassette, 1981)
  • Soul Exorcism (ROIR cassette, 1991)
  • Lost Chance (ROIR 1995, recorded 1981)
  • Molotov Cocktail Lounge (Enemy Records, 1996)
  • Incorrigible! (LADTK, France 2012) (as James Chance et les Contortions)
  • The Flesh is Weak (True Groove, 2016)
James White and the Blacks
James Chance and Pill Factory
  • Theme from Grutzi Elvis (EP) (ZE 1979)
James White's Flaming Demonics
  • James White's Flaming Demonics (ZE 1983)
James Chance and Terminal City
  • The Fix is In (decade 01 / Interbang Records IBR005 2010)
Solo
  • James Chance – Chance of A Lifetime: Live in Chicago 2003 (RUNT 2005)

Appears On[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Strong, Martin C. (1999). The Great Alternative & Indie Discography. Canongate. ISBN 0-86241-913-1.
  2. ^ Reynolds, 2009, p. 132
  3. ^ a b Masters, Marc, 2007, pp. 83-95
  4. ^ Georgopoulos, Alexis. "The Blow Up: James Chance". The Blowup, LLC. Archived from the original on January 6, 2008. Retrieved January 3, 2008.
  5. ^ "James Chance". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  6. ^ Bangs, Lester (1979). "White Noise Supremacists" (PDF).
  7. ^ "James White a.k.a. James Chance by Tod Wizon – BOMB Magazine". bombmagazine.org. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  8. ^ "James Chance Premieres Skronky, Yelpy New Song". Mojo4music.com. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  9. ^ Palmer, Robert (November 28, 1991), "Medium Cool: Imagination – A Chet Baker Tribute", Rolling Stone, no. 618[dead link]
  10. ^ "Various – Red Hot Chili Peppers Jukebox". Discogs.com. Retrieved February 17, 2020.

Sources[edit]

  • Masters, Marc. No Wave. London: Black Dog Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-1-906155-02-5
  • Moore, Alan W., and Marc Miller (eds.). ABC No Rio Dinero: The Story of a Lower East Side Art Gallery. New York: Collaborative Projects, 1985
  • Pearlman, Alison, Unpackaging Art of the 1980s. Chicago: University Of Chicago Press, 2003.
  • Reynolds, Simon. "Contort Yourself: No Wave New York." In Rip It Up and Start Again: Post-punk 1978–84. London: Faber and Faber, Ltd., 2005.
  • Reynolds, Simon. Totally Wired: Post-Punk Interviews and Overviews. London: Faber and Faber, 2009. ISBN 978-0-571-23549-0
  • Taylor, Marvin J. (ed.). The Downtown Book: The New York Art Scene, 1974–1984, foreword by Lynn Gumpert. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2006. ISBN 0-691-12286-5

External links[edit]

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