Chris Connelly (musician)

Chris Connelly (born 11 November 1964) is a Scottish author^[3] and musician who became famous for his industrial music work of the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly his involvement with the Revolting Cocks and Ministry. He has since established himself as an alternative singer-songwriter.

Early years

Connelly was born in Bruntsfield, Scotland to Michael and Sadie (née King) Connelly near the city center of Edinburgh. Connelly's father died in a swimming accident early in his life,^[4] causing Chris to focus on artistic interests outside the home to help fill the void. Connelly's Scottish ancestry includes Irish descent through the Connellys and Murphys, who originally came from Ireland to Scotland. His mother’s side, the Kings and the McCullochs were from the Highlands and migrated to Glasgow in search of work.^[5]

Music career

Connelly began his music career in 1980 with the formation of Finitribe.^[6] Through subsequent years he fronted or was heavily involved with numerous notable industrial, dance, and new wave acts. In 2008, Connelly published a memoir of his early years in the music industry, Concrete, Bulletproof, Invisible, and Fried: My Life As A Revolting Cock (ISBN 0946719950). It describes his professional debut in Finitribe, meeting Al Jourgensen in London, his involvement with the Revolting Cocks, Ministry, PTP, Acid Horse, Killing Joke, and Pigface, and the development of his solo career.

In contrast to his industrial roots, Connelly explored various genres in his solo works. In 2013, he has started two projects more in the vein of industrial: Cocksure, with Jason C. Novak (Czar and Acumen Nation), and Bells into Machines, with Paul Barker (Ministry, Revolting Cocks, and Lard).

Personal life

Connelly manages Reckless Records, a record store in Wicker Park, Chicago.^[7]

Band affiliations

• Acid Horse
• Bells Into Machines
• Chris Connelly and The Bells (not to be confused with the 1970s Canadian band The Bells)
• Catherine
• Chainsuck
• Cocksure
• The Damage Manual
• Die Warzau
• Everyoned
• The Final Cut
• Finitribe
• The High Confessions
• KMFDM
• The Love Interest
• Ministry
• Murder, Inc.
• Pigface
• PTP
• Revolting Cocks
• Sons of the Silent Age (David Bowie tribute band)^[8]
• Thanatos

Solo discography

• Whiplash Boychild (1991)
• Phenobarb Bambalam (1992)
• Shipwreck (1994)
• Songs for Swinging Junkies with William Tucker (1994)
• The Ultimate Seaside Companion with The Bells (1997)
• Blonde Exodus with The Bells (2001)
• Largo with Bill Rieflin (2001)
• Private Education (2002)
• Initials C.C., a collection of rarities and Connelly's personal favorites (2002)
• Night of Your Life (2004)
• The Episodes (2007)
• Forgiveness & Exile (2008)
• Pentland Firth Howl (2009)
• How This Ends (2010)
• Artificial Madness (2011)^[9]
• Day of Knowledge (2012)
• Decibels From Heart (2015)

Music compilation appearances

• "Desperado" on 'Welcome to Our Nightmare: a Tribute to Alice Cooper' (1993)
• "A Mutual Friend" on 'Whore: Various Artists Play Wire' (1996)
• "Hard Hearted Alice" on Mutations – A Tribute To Alice Cooper (2002)
• "What's Left But Solid Gold?" on ...It Just Is (2005)
• "Don't Make Me Go" on Cash From Chaos – A Tribute to the Man in Black, Johnny Cash (2005)
• "Looking for a River" on Whispers From the Offing (A Tribute to Kevin Coyne) (2007)

Bibliography

• "Confessions of the Highest Bidder: Poems and Songwords, 1982-1996" (1999) KB Publishing
• "Concrete, Bulletproof, Invisible and Fried" (2007) SAF Publishing^[10]
• "Ed Royal" (2010) Shipwrecked Industries

Spoken Word

• "New Town Nocturnes" (2016) a collaboration with Michael Begg^[11]

References

External links

• The official Chris Connelly home page
• Interview on Deviant Nation