22/06/2024
This post is just a small memorial to James Chance, who died last week on Tuesday the 18th, aged 71. His music and persona was foundational to the brief but influential No Wave scene of the late 1970's.
The 1980 Underground is one of those influenced by that scene. Our playlists don't frequently reflect the music of No Wave, but the ethic of the movement, its removal of the assumptions, complacency, and dogma surrounding punk (which in many ways makes No Wave more punk than punk), has always been part of our core inspiration.
There are others who knew James Chance and studied his life who are better able to tell his story and describe his contributions to the No Wave scene and to art in general. A short eulogy post is available over at James Chance Official.
More visceral sources of information about the moment in history that was No Wave are the documentary films Kill Your Idols and Blank City. Blank City includes some interview footage with Mr. Chance, and both films include the music of his various bands. Both films document the effects of the broader No Wave movement and the personalities and events involved, and are excellent views into a formative American period not only for punk, but modern introspective/subversive culture and media in general.
The 1980_Underground_ has been using stills from both these films in its flyers since the beginning -_^
Farewell, James Chance, and thank you.
