I'm pretty excited about this. I love the no wave scene. Oh and I forgot to say this about James Chance:
FUCKING CLASSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
― lilsoulbrother, Friday, 1 April 2011 15:29 (thirteen years ago) link
http://www.ica.org.uk/28673/Film/Vivienne-Dick.html
― xyzzzz__, Friday, 1 April 2011 21:28 (thirteen years ago) link
One of the best bands that ever walked
― ford lopatin (dog latin), Friday, 1 April 2011 21:55 (thirteen years ago) link
James Chance will be doing a Q+A after tonight's screening of Blank City at the IFC center in NYC. OK?
― dan selzer, Monday, 18 April 2011 16:39 (thirteen years ago) link
I just discovered these today on youtube, so in case they have not come to others' attention: here's lovely footage of James White and the Blacks at Hurrah in 1980.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRINgi1F5MI
― Wants to impose Sriracha law in America (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 29 September 2016 18:52 (seven years ago) link
this is from the "Almost Black" era, is there any discussion about that song and how "fraught" it is ...?
― sarahell, Thursday, 29 September 2016 20:49 (seven years ago) link
amazing footage!
― A bear made of Tetris blocks (stevie), Friday, 30 September 2016 08:39 (seven years ago) link
thanks for this!
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Friday, 30 September 2016 08:46 (seven years ago) link
New album, The Flesh Is Weak, coming out in November. Credited to James Chance & the Contortions, though it's almost all new bandmembers except for guitarist Tomás Doncker. Includes a new version of "Melt Yourself Down" and covers of "Home Is Where The Hatred Is," "That's Life," and "I Who Have Nothing." It's really good.
― Don Van Gorp, midwest regional VP, marketing (誤訳侮辱), Thursday, 20 October 2016 17:58 (seven years ago) link
awesome
― sarahell, Thursday, 20 October 2016 17:59 (seven years ago) link
Nov. 10th NYC gig
Nov. 12 in Austin
Dec. 10 in Toronto
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 20 October 2016 18:43 (seven years ago) link
Listening to the new album and per Don Van Gorp's post just above, very good indeed. Even better -- they're touring the West Coast here in a couple of weeks, and the SF show is just a couple of blocks up the road from where I live. See you there!
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 11 March 2017 22:03 (seven years ago) link
Here's the full tour details:
March 14 - Austin TX - SxSWMarch 18 - San Diego - The HideoutMarch 19 - Los Angeles - The EchoMarch 22 - San Francisco - The KnockoutMarch 24 - Portland - Star TheaterMarch 25 - Seattle - LoFi
Plus a KEXP session a couple of days after the Seattle show.
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 11 March 2017 22:04 (seven years ago) link
it's apparently sold out. I snoozed. I also feel like a dork asking my friends whose bands are opening for a coveted guest list spot because I'm sure those are already taken too.
― sarahell, Saturday, 11 March 2017 23:22 (seven years ago) link
Can't be sold out, I snagged two tickets for Kate and I an hour ago:
http://jameschanceandthecontortions.brownpapertickets.com/
Unless my doing that made it sold out. :-D
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 11 March 2017 23:25 (seven years ago) link
I just tried and bought one!
FYI this was posted on the fb event page on Thurs.Savoir Faire BookingMarch 9 at 12:41am · The show has sold out. We will release 15 tickets at the door day of show.
― sarahell, Saturday, 11 March 2017 23:32 (seven years ago) link
Weird. Guess we'll find out! But might not hurt to double check beforehand.
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 12 March 2017 00:09 (seven years ago) link
Yeah apparently there was a ticket glitch and they were quite apologetic! Waiting to see how this gets resolved!
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 12 March 2017 01:24 (seven years ago) link
Okay looks like they're honoring the sales -- apparently the idea was to hold some spaces open for walk ups on the day but those were the ones you and I (and others!) got. Guess it all evens out!
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 12 March 2017 01:49 (seven years ago) link
Fundraiser for or James Chance and Judy Taylor
https://uk.gofundme.com/f/for-james-chance-and-judy-taylor
― stirmonster, Tuesday, 8 September 2020 14:35 (four years ago) link
whoa!!!
― sarahell, Tuesday, 8 September 2020 18:44 (four years ago) link
Buy getting reissued I see - is this the best James Chance record?
― clouds (peanutbuttereverysingleday), Friday, 6 May 2022 21:46 (two years ago) link
it's up there.
― stirmonster, Friday, 6 May 2022 21:59 (two years ago) link
Buy and Off White and uh a whole lotta other stuff on the 4-CD Irresistible Impulse(Tiger Style,2006), which I've still got, though haven't played it in a long time. Think I liked most of it---still available, and here's track list:https://www.amazon.com/Irresistible-Impulse-James-Chance/dp/B000089J02
― dow, Friday, 6 May 2022 23:27 (two years ago) link
Yeah, that set is definitely the best option - I like Off White more than Buy, even if starting with two versions of "Contort Yourself" in a row is kind of annoying.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Saturday, 7 May 2022 02:48 (two years ago) link
Bad developments...
Hello Friends and Fans of James,Here is the latest news: At the last update, James' building was taking legal action to force James to move. He has tentatively made an agreement with them to stay, but he has to clean out Judy's room because it's a two person space and the building needs to rent that half of the apartment. Up until now James has been unable to comply in cleaning out her space, because of his physical condition, but Sylvia Reed has generously agreed to help him. I am hopeful that this will resolve things however we need to see significant movement towards this goal before the building will make it official that he can remain there.Unfortunately James' physical health has deteriorated to the point where he can no longer even leave the apartment. He has an aide from social services that comes in 5 days a week to bring him groceries and other supplies. He can get around the apartment with a walker but that's about it, he's afraid to venture out.Another problem that occurred is that the mailman just assumed James had moved and stopped delivering his mail because it was piling up in his mailbox. As a result of this, his Social Security Disability got cut off, which was his only source of income outside of this GoFundMe. I had to step in and pull some funds out of the GoFundMe account to keep him afloat, which I had to arrange through his aide because his bank account had become dormant and they closed it. Thankfully his aide is an honest and trustworthy person and he is not totally alone.As you can tell it's been a challenging time trying to keep James from falling through the cracks. It's difficult because I can only do so much long distance. I hope we can boost some donations to help shore up his funds until we resolve the issue with his SS Disability.Thanks everyone who has donated and reached out, I don't know what the family would have done if not for all of your generosity.
Unfortunately James' physical health has deteriorated to the point where he can no longer even leave the apartment. He has an aide from social services that comes in 5 days a week to bring him groceries and other supplies. He can get around the apartment with a walker but that's about it, he's afraid to venture out.
Another problem that occurred is that the mailman just assumed James had moved and stopped delivering his mail because it was piling up in his mailbox. As a result of this, his Social Security Disability got cut off, which was his only source of income outside of this GoFundMe. I had to step in and pull some funds out of the GoFundMe account to keep him afloat, which I had to arrange through his aide because his bank account had become dormant and they closed it. Thankfully his aide is an honest and trustworthy person and he is not totally alone.
As you can tell it's been a challenging time trying to keep James from falling through the cracks. It's difficult because I can only do so much long distance. I hope we can boost some donations to help shore up his funds until we resolve the issue with his SS Disability.
Thanks everyone who has donated and reached out, I don't know what the family would have done if not for all of your generosity.
― Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 19 April 2023 12:09 (one year ago) link
i came to add this too. please support, if you are able.
― stirmonster, Wednesday, 19 April 2023 14:59 (one year ago) link
Not the ukgofundme, which is a 404 message now, but this one, from xpost Bad Developments: https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-james-chance-and-judy-taylor
― dow, Wednesday, 19 April 2023 16:30 (one year ago) link
He has left us. :(
https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-james-chance-and-judy-taylor?viewupdates=1&rcid=r01-171875274229-2fdebc202dc911ef&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_email%2B1137-update-supporters-v5b
― stirmonster, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 23:25 (three months ago) link
RIP
"Buy" is a phenomenal record
― Saxophone Of Futility (Michael B), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 00:23 (three months ago) link
one of a kind, rip james
― the defenestration of prog (voodoo chili), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 01:27 (three months ago) link
RIP :(
― Billion Year Polyphonic Spree (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 01:28 (three months ago) link
What a performer. I’m trying to remember how many years ago I saw him last, early oughts sometime, and he seemed unwell then. RIP, sax maniac.
― The transparently flimsy and misleading (Dan Peterson), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 02:25 (three months ago) link
I was a fan of 1st Contortions no wave punk-funk album & I know the guy later mellowed a bit as a person, but I remember him trying to shove a female audience member & pull her hair upstairs onstage @ dc space circa 1979 until a big guy stepped in & Chance backed off. Set was only 20 minutes long but was exciting ( his attitude & antics then didn't impress, but his music did)
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 03:30 (three months ago) link
my first date with my (now) wife was to see james white and the blacks just off campus. rip.https://spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu/?a=d&d=cs19800414-01.2.12&srpos=1&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-james+white+and+the+blacks------
― Thus Sang Freud, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 10:14 (three months ago) link
i didn't write that, btw. i think drew lived in my dorm and we had a nodding acquaintance but i am easily intimidated.
― Thus Sang Freud, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 10:20 (three months ago) link
rip to the man, i'm digging through my archive of old contortions flacs from dime now. i think there used to be a website that had details on all the lineups of the contortions, but i can't find it... i can only find a very similar one on lydia lunch. perhaps the memory cheats.
― Kate (rushomancy), Thursday, 20 June 2024 19:13 (three months ago) link
Weasel Walter used to have it all on his website but I don't believe it is extant any longer, the nitty gritty details are still on his blog
https://weaselwalter.blogspot.com/2011/11/early-live-history-of-contortions-1.html
― chr1sb3singer, Thursday, 20 June 2024 20:50 (three months ago) link
The Infinite Zero reissue ofBuy was a crucial document document for me, leading to a long obsession with the no wave era. I shared a bill with Chance sometime in 2004 or 2005, it was very strange, but great.
― chr1sb3singer, Thursday, 20 June 2024 20:57 (three months ago) link
i put him on in 2007. He arrived with the rest of the band and his partner Judy Taylor (who sadly died a few years back). They were both pretty out of it, and quite chaotic and i was worried the performance wouldn't happen. He more or less crawled onto the stage and i was expecting a total car crash but the second the band started he was completely transformed and gave one of thee most electrifying performances i've ever seen. he took the roof off the place. it was quite bizarre. I have a recording and he sounds on epic form.
Afterwards JC and Judy were selling merch and my friend had to take over as they were giving everyone more £s back in change than they were paying.
i saw him again in 2015 and he was looking very frail and couldn't move about very easily. But when he started performing he was doing moves that would have put James Brown to shame and at one point even leapt off the stage. What a legend.
― stirmonster, Thursday, 20 June 2024 21:50 (three months ago) link
I saw him around 2015 or 16 and at one point during the set he called Judy on his cellphone and had like a 5 minute conversation with her in between songs - what time he was gonna be home, what he had for dinner, did she need him to pick up anything, etc, the band just patiently standing by waiting for him to re-engage. But when he kicked into performer mode there was no stopping him.
― waste of compute (One Eye Open), Thursday, 20 June 2024 21:58 (three months ago) link
incredible, and can absolutely picture that scenario.
― stirmonster, Thursday, 20 June 2024 22:09 (three months ago) link
Weasel Walter used to have it all on his website but I don't believe it is extant any longer, the nitty gritty details are still on his bloghttps://weaselwalter.blogspot.com/2011/11/early-live-history-of-contortions-1.html― chr1sb3singer
― chr1sb3singer
Thanks. I swear to God I had a tape of that first Max's gig from December 1977 somewhere, but I might just be misremembering.
― Kate (rushomancy), Friday, 21 June 2024 03:20 (two months ago) link
Lucy Sante on James Chance
― Instead of create and send out, it pull back and consume (unperson), Thursday, 4 July 2024 20:06 (two months ago) link
That was great, thanks for linking
― Billion Year Polyphonic Spree (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 4 July 2024 22:10 (two months ago) link