The Squat Theatre: Dec. 28-29, 1979

On December 28 & 29, 1979 (33 years ago!), James White & The Flaming Demonics made their their premiere performances at The Squat Theatre at 256 West 23rd Street. The photos in this post, including the astounding find of the Anya Philips guest list from the event, are courtesy of The Squat Theatre.

Besides the two night stand by James & his band, James & Anya had also programmed some dates leading up to the Flaming Demonics shows: "The Little Devils Club Presents a Week of Dance Party: After Hours Dance For Lost Souls," Dec. 24-27, 1979.

  

According to the Squat Theatre website: James previews his new band, which is essentially Defunkt with James as frontman. The only holdover from the old Contortions is Patrick Geoffries on guitar. The Defunkt lineup was augmented by Vernon Reid on guitar and John Purcell on saxophone. There would remain significant overlap between the membership of Defunkt and the Flaming Demonics/James White and the Blacks for the next few months, although eventually James established his own distinct rhythm section so that he could tour.

James White & The Blacks at The 80's

Contortions, CBGB 1978, by Eugene Merinov

The Contortions at CBGB, 1978, by Eugene Merinov.

Merry Xmas from James Chance Official!

The Contortions by Kate Simon

Courtesy of Pat Place, here's a wonderful shot of The Contortions, circa 1978, by Kate Simon.

East Village, late 90's

James Chance in the East Village (CBGB?), late 90's, by Judy Taylor

James, Judy, & Jerry at the Skopje Jazz Festival

James Chance, Judy Taylor, Jerry Agony at the Skopje Jazz Festival, late 90's

New shows for December! NYC & Milwaukee

 
NYC - Wed Dec 19 - solo piano at Zirzamin, 90 W Houston at Thompson (11 PM)
      
Milwaukee - Mon Dec 31 - New Year's Eve DJ'ing - Circle A, 932 E. Chambers, Milwaukee WI (11 PM)

Dance with James...December 15!

This just in: James will be making an appearance at this great event at the Brooklyn Bowl on December 15 with DJ Jonathan Toubin. Dance! Win prizes! Have fun!

Get all of the info here.

James Chance & The Sardonic Sincopaters - "Lotus Blossom" at Tramps, NYC (1999)

James Chance & The Sardonic Sincopaters performing "Lotus Blossom" at Tramps, NYC (1999): James Chance, Simon Chardist, Erik Klarstad, Richard Dwovlzin, Mac Goolehan, AJ Mantas, and Robert Aaron.

James Chance DJ/Sax gig this Thursday at Parkside Lounge!

12.06.12 - NYC - The Molotov Cocktail Lounge-

Parkside Lounge, 317 E Houston
James Chance presents: The Return of the Molotov Cocktail Lounge flaming funk DJ dance party featuring the rarest & funkiest music you've never heard with live sax & vocals by Mr. Chance himself & special preview of new Contortions album "Incorrigible!" plus live set at 10:00 with James Chance at the piano & Robert Aaron on tenor sax.

Contortions for free tonight at Barnard!

This is just a reminder about the free Contortions show tonight at Barnard uptown. We posted about it here a couple of weeks ago, and you can see the event page on Facebook here. Hope to see you at the show!

The Deep Blue Moods (Chance, Zorn, Ribot) at The Cooler, NYC 9.28.95

James Chance, Robert Aaron, AJ Mantas, Ron Miller, Richard Dworkin, John Zorn, and Marc Ribot, performing Ain't Nobodies Business If I Do, Yesterdays, Leave My Girl Alone (with Luther Thomas and Judy Taylor). Filmed by Rich Spezialo. September 28, 1995 at The Cooler in NYC.

James Chance & The Contortions - Max's Kansas City (1978)

The Contortions, CBGB, 1978, by Eugene Merinov

The original Contortions live at Max's Kansas City, 1978, New York NY. James Chance, Jody Harris, Pat Place, George Scott, and Don Christenson.

01. Roving Eye

02. Twice Removed

03. I Can't Stand Myself

04. Disposable You

05. Throw Me Away

06. Bedroom Athlete (excerpt)

Don't forget to follow James Chance!

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My Brother Is James Chance by Jamie Levinson

A short documentary chronicling the musical relationship between David Siegfried and his older brother, James Chance. Directed by Jamie Levinson.

TV Party by Bobby Grossman

James Chance & Anya Philips on the set of Glenn O'Brien's TV Party. By Bobby Grossman.

March 11, 1978

This street poster advertises a “No Wave” rock concert to raise money to print the third issue of X Magazine.  Some of the groups that performed — the Contortions and DNA –  were later recorded by Brian Eno for the seminal “No New York” album.  This poster is not to be confused with the similar-looking, smaller version that was featured as the centerfold in the third issue of X Magazine and thanked the bands for their help. The item for sale here is the original; it is larger, printed on better paper,  and exceedingly rare. Poster available from 98 Bowery.

East Village Eye, May 1979

Issue #1 of the East Village Eye. Available from 98 Bowery.

Chance by Simon, 1981

James Chance by Kate Simon, 1981 (previously unpublished)

The Molotov Cocktail Lounge, Parkside Lounge, 12.6.12

12.06.12 - NYC - Parkside Lounge, 317 E Houston
James Chance presents: The Return of the Molotov Cocktail Lounge flaming funk DJ dance party featuring the rarest & funkiest music you've never heard with live sax & vocals by Mr. Chance himself & special preview of new Contortions album "Incorrigible!" plus live set at 10:00 with James Chance at the piano & Robert Aaron on tenor sax.

Discography page

The James Chance discography page has been updated, and is almost complete, including purchase links. View it here.

I Can't Stand Myself

The original line up of the Contortions performs James Brown's "I Can't Stand Myself" at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City, Nov. 13, 2010.Thanks to Punkcast for the video.

NYC gig, Nov. 30

As promised, here is more info on James' free gig on Nov. 30 up at Barnard:

Friday, November 30, 2012 
7:30pm until 11:30pm

• Diana Event Center Oval, 3009 Broadway, 117th and Broadway

• Household Bouncy, harmonized post-punk: http://household.bandcamp.com/ Midnight Magic Danceable funk-inflected disco: http://soundcloud.com/midnightmagic  James Chance & The Contortions Legendary no-wave jazz/noise/funk punk band http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKz9urG0aB8 FREE / ALL AGES / OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ||||||| take 1 train to 116th street, walk one block north ||||||| http://wbar.org/

Winter 2013 European Tour Dates

These have just come in, and there should be a few more. Please check back!

Feb 14 NANTES - Pole Etudiant (à confirmer )
Feb 15 CREIL - GAM
Feb 16 VERDUN - La Passerelle
Feb 19 Rennes - James DJ set @ Bistro Cité
Feb 20 RENNES - Ubu
Feb 21 PARIS - Silencio
Feb 22 AMSTERDAM - Petrol
Feb 24 TOURNAI - Water Moulin
Feb 25 LONDON - Jazz Café
Feb 26 BRUXELLES - Magasin 4
Feb 27 PARIS - Petit Bain
Feb 28 COLOGNE - Gebaude9
Mar 01 STRASBOURG - Laiterie
Mar 02 Germany, to be confirmed
Mar 06 TOURS - Temps Machine
Mar 07 LYON - Sonic
Mar 08 CLERMONT FD - La Coope
Mar 09 BORDEAUX - I BOAT

James Chance on Google+

James is now also available to follow on Google+. Give him the ol' +1 right here.

James Chance For President

James Chance: Sax Machine

Here's a great short film shot with James in 2010 on the occasion of the release of his album, The Fix Is In. Available here.

Sept 23, 1979: The M-80 Festival, Minneapolis MN

The Contortions (James Chance, Patrick Geoffries, Kristian Hoffman, Melvin Gibbs, Ronnie Burrage, Joe Bowie, Byron Bowie, Steven Kramer, & Bradley Field) performing "Contort Yourself" and "Good Times" by Chic, Sept. 23, 1979, at the M-80 Festival in Minneapolis MN. 

Please visit: https://www.facebook.com/JamesChanceOfficial 

Paul Tschinkel's InnerTube - The Contortions (1979)

New York's premiere no wave band, The Contortions, performing at Max's Kansas City in 1979 as filmed for Paul Tschinkel's Innertube.

Gig news: Nov. 30 at Barnard College

James will be headlining a FREE NYC show with the Contortions at Barnard College on Nov. 30. It will take place at Diana East Oval on 117th & Broadway with support from Midnight Magic & Household. James plays at at 10:00PM. More info to come!

Belgium 1981

Belgium 1981

Coming soon!