Coil Live
Encyclopedia
Experimental music
group Coil
's live incarnation has a distinct legacy of its own. The initial performances took place in 1983, however they stopped playing live for 16 years after a mere four performances. The first Coil release, a collaboration with Zos Kia titled Transparent
, includes a track from the first Coil performance as well as the last 1983 performance. According to the liner notes of Transparent, during Coil's second performance, which was videotaped by Peter Christopherson
, John Gosling
pees on John Balance
. Nick Cave
, who was in the audience at the time, promptly left http://www.brainwashed.com/coil/main.html. Marc Almond
is also credited for performing that night while Christopherson is only credited for providing back up tapes during the event.
On 1999 December 14 Coil performed elph.zwölf
at Volksbuehne in Berlin. Although the performance lasted just under 18 minutes, it marked the beginning of a new era of what would become a series of legendary performances. Coil would go on to perform nearly 50 more concerts, with varied setlists as well as performers. Like the studio incarnation of Coil, John Balance and Peter Christopherson were the key performers and performed in most of the concerts. Other performers who took part in a significant amount of shows included Thighpaulsandra
, Ossian Brown
(from Cyclobe
) and Tom Edwards. Steven Stapleton
and a few other names also contributed at certain events. Although Coil performed many well known shows at festivals, they were involved in several tours, performing the most in 2002. In 2004 Coil embarked on their final tour titled "Even An Evil Fatigue".
Coil's performances were surrealistic visually as well as soundwise. John Balance, Peter Christopherson, Thighpaulsandra and Ossian Brown were known to dress in fluffy suits, an idea inspired by Sun Ra
. The suits would later be used as album covers for the release Live One - other costumes appear on the covers of Live Two
and Live Three
(straightjacket and mirror-chested hooded jumpsuit respectively). Video screens projected footage and animations created by Christopherson, while fog machines created a thick eerie atmosphere. Balance would often screech and howl during performances, which would add to the effect. However, the overall feeling of an individual Coil performance was extremely varied. Other props were used, such as mini tents for Christopherson and Thighpaulsandra created by the artist Ian Johnstone, as well as a sculpture which would become the cover art for Live Four
, designed by John Balance and Ossian Brown and created by the London dress maker and costumier David Cabaret. Cabaret was also known for working with the performance artist Leigh Bowery
in the 1980s.
Balance's problem with alcohol would often reflect the way in which the Coil performances were carried out. While most live shows revolved around his vocals, Coil did performed more than one without Balance (in an alcohol-caused absence) where Sleazy provided vocals which were fed into a computer and processed. His drinking problem became so well known that during the 2003 All Tomorrows Parties performance a fan asked if there is any "blood in his alcohol", a reference to the Coil song "Heartworms". Balance replies that there is no "alcohol in my blood at the moment", later adding "I've got horse tranquillizer for later".
Many Coil performances were released, including the limited Coil Presents Time Machines
, Live In Moscow, Megalithomania!
and Selvaggina, Go Back Into The Woods
as well as the wider releases of Live Four
, Live Three
, Live Two
, Live One and ...And the Ambulance Died in His Arms
. Many of these releases have also been included in the boxset The Key To Joy Is Disobedience
.
14 video recordings of the Coil Live experience were made available in the Colour Sound Oblivion box set, along with 2 discs containing backing tracks and projections used during the performances.
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
group Coil
Coil (band)
Coil were an English cross-genre, experimental music group formed in 1982 by John Balance—later credited as "Jhonn Balance"—and his partner Peter Christopherson, aka "Sleazy". The duo worked together on a series of releases before Balance chose the name Coil, which he claimed to be...
's live incarnation has a distinct legacy of its own. The initial performances took place in 1983, however they stopped playing live for 16 years after a mere four performances. The first Coil release, a collaboration with Zos Kia titled Transparent
Transparent (album)
Transparent is the first release by the band Coil. It was a collaboration with Zos Kia and credited to "Zos Kia/Coil".The cassette version was released in 1984 on Nekrophile Rekords with catalogue number NRC 05. The CD version was released in 1997 on the label "Threshold House" with catalogue...
, includes a track from the first Coil performance as well as the last 1983 performance. According to the liner notes of Transparent, during Coil's second performance, which was videotaped by Peter Christopherson
Peter Christopherson
Peter Martin Christopherson, a.k.a. Sleazy was a musician, video director and designer, and former member of the influential British design agency Hipgnosis....
, John Gosling
John Gosling
not to be confused with John Gostling John Gosling , is an English classically trained organist and pianist....
pees on John Balance
John Balance
John Balance , born in Mansfield, England, was the founder of the experimental music group Coil, along with his partner Peter Christopherson...
. Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nicholas Edward "Nick" Cave is an Australian musician, songwriter, author, screenwriter, and occasional film actor.He is best known for his work as a frontman of the critically acclaimed rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, established in 1984, a group known for its eclectic influences and...
, who was in the audience at the time, promptly left http://www.brainwashed.com/coil/main.html. Marc Almond
Marc Almond
Marc Almond is an English singer-songwriter and musician, who originally found fame as half of the seminal synthpop/New Wave duo Soft Cell...
is also credited for performing that night while Christopherson is only credited for providing back up tapes during the event.
On 1999 December 14 Coil performed elph.zwölf
Elph.zwölf
elph.zwölf is one of two releases credited purely to ELpH, although the name is merely an alias for the group Coil. This CD was number twelve in the series 20' to 2000, published on the German label Raster-Noton....
at Volksbuehne in Berlin. Although the performance lasted just under 18 minutes, it marked the beginning of a new era of what would become a series of legendary performances. Coil would go on to perform nearly 50 more concerts, with varied setlists as well as performers. Like the studio incarnation of Coil, John Balance and Peter Christopherson were the key performers and performed in most of the concerts. Other performers who took part in a significant amount of shows included Thighpaulsandra
Thighpaulsandra
Thighpaulsandra is a Welsh experimental musician and multi-instrumentalist known mostly for performing on synthesizers and keyboards. As Tim Lewis, he began his career working with Julian Cope. A collaboration with Cope in 1993 followed, as the experimental duo Queen Elizabeth...
, Ossian Brown
Ossian Brown
Ossian Brown is an English musician and artist.Brown is notable for being a full time member of the music groups Coil and Cyclobe.Ossian Brown's first book 'Haunted Air' was published in 2010 by Jonathan Cape in the United Kingdom, with an introduction by David Lynch and an afterword by Geoff...
(from Cyclobe
Cyclobe
Cyclobe are a music duo based in London, formed by Stephen Thrower and Ossian Brown. They make hallucinatory electronic soundscapes by mixing sampled and heavily synthesized sounds with acoustic arrangements for strings and woodwind. Their approach draws upon diverse forms, including acousmatic,...
) and Tom Edwards. Steven Stapleton
Steven Stapleton
Steven Peter Stapleton is a British musician and the only constant member of experimental improv outfit Nurse with Wound...
and a few other names also contributed at certain events. Although Coil performed many well known shows at festivals, they were involved in several tours, performing the most in 2002. In 2004 Coil embarked on their final tour titled "Even An Evil Fatigue".
Coil's performances were surrealistic visually as well as soundwise. John Balance, Peter Christopherson, Thighpaulsandra and Ossian Brown were known to dress in fluffy suits, an idea inspired by Sun Ra
Sun Ra
Sun Ra was a prolific jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesizer player, poet and philosopher known for his "cosmic philosophy," musical compositions and performances. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama...
. The suits would later be used as album covers for the release Live One - other costumes appear on the covers of Live Two
Live Two
Live Two was a CD by Coil which documents their live performance on 15 September 2001 at DK Gorbunova in Moscow, Russia. This CD was one of four releases in a series. Its counterparts are Live Four, Live Three and Live One...
and Live Three
Live Three
Live Three was a CD by Coil which documents their live performance on 6 April 2002 at Teatro delle Celebrazioni in Bologna, Italy. This CD was one of four releases in a series. Its counterparts are Live Four, Live Two and Live One...
(straightjacket and mirror-chested hooded jumpsuit respectively). Video screens projected footage and animations created by Christopherson, while fog machines created a thick eerie atmosphere. Balance would often screech and howl during performances, which would add to the effect. However, the overall feeling of an individual Coil performance was extremely varied. Other props were used, such as mini tents for Christopherson and Thighpaulsandra created by the artist Ian Johnstone, as well as a sculpture which would become the cover art for Live Four
Live Four
Live Four was a compilation CD of live Coil songs. This CD was the first of four releases in a series. Its counterparts are Live Three, Live Two and Live One. This album was later released as part of Coil's box set The Key To Joy Is Disobedience.The performance dates for "Bang Bang" and "An...
, designed by John Balance and Ossian Brown and created by the London dress maker and costumier David Cabaret. Cabaret was also known for working with the performance artist Leigh Bowery
Leigh Bowery
Leigh Bowery was an Australian performance artist, club promoter, actor, pop star, model and fashion designer, based in London. Bowery is considered one of the more influential figures in the 1980s and 1990s London and New York art and fashion circles influencing a generation of artists and...
in the 1980s.
Balance's problem with alcohol would often reflect the way in which the Coil performances were carried out. While most live shows revolved around his vocals, Coil did performed more than one without Balance (in an alcohol-caused absence) where Sleazy provided vocals which were fed into a computer and processed. His drinking problem became so well known that during the 2003 All Tomorrows Parties performance a fan asked if there is any "blood in his alcohol", a reference to the Coil song "Heartworms". Balance replies that there is no "alcohol in my blood at the moment", later adding "I've got horse tranquillizer for later".
Many Coil performances were released, including the limited Coil Presents Time Machines
Coil Presents Time Machines
Coil Presents Time Machines was a live CD by Coil. This CD was produced in a limited amount of 1,000 copies and was given away with the initial mail orders of Musick To Play In The Dark Vol. 2. The CD is a live performance which took place on April 2, 2000 at the Cornucopia festival in the Royal...
, Live In Moscow, Megalithomania!
Megalithomania!
Megalithomania! was an official CD-R release by Coil limited to a pressing of 230 copies, 123 of which were available in their box set The Key To Joy Is Disobedience...
and Selvaggina, Go Back Into The Woods
Selvaggina, Go Back Into The Woods
Selvaggina, Go Back Into The Woods was originally released in CD-R format by Coil in a limited edition of 230 copies. The release is a live performance in Jesi, Italy on 11 June 2004...
as well as the wider releases of Live Four
Live Four
Live Four was a compilation CD of live Coil songs. This CD was the first of four releases in a series. Its counterparts are Live Three, Live Two and Live One. This album was later released as part of Coil's box set The Key To Joy Is Disobedience.The performance dates for "Bang Bang" and "An...
, Live Three
Live Three
Live Three was a CD by Coil which documents their live performance on 6 April 2002 at Teatro delle Celebrazioni in Bologna, Italy. This CD was one of four releases in a series. Its counterparts are Live Four, Live Two and Live One...
, Live Two
Live Two
Live Two was a CD by Coil which documents their live performance on 15 September 2001 at DK Gorbunova in Moscow, Russia. This CD was one of four releases in a series. Its counterparts are Live Four, Live Three and Live One...
, Live One and ...And the Ambulance Died in His Arms
...And the Ambulance Died in His Arms
...And the Ambulance Died in His Arms was an album recorded live during Coil's performance at All Tomorrow's Parties on April 4, 2003. This album was the last planned release by Coil before the death of John Balance...
. Many of these releases have also been included in the boxset The Key To Joy Is Disobedience
The Key To Joy Is Disobedience
The Key To Joy Is Disobedience was a box set released by the group Coil. It contains the following releases: Live Four, Live Three, Live Two, Live One, ANS and Megalithomania!. The set is often incorrectly referred to as "Live Box". Upon its release, the set cost just under $200...
.
14 video recordings of the Coil Live experience were made available in the Colour Sound Oblivion box set, along with 2 discs containing backing tracks and projections used during the performances.
Performers
- John BalanceJohn BalanceJohn Balance , born in Mansfield, England, was the founder of the experimental music group Coil, along with his partner Peter Christopherson...
: Performed vocals for almost every show, except for a few dates in 2003 where no vocals were present due to Balance's health. - Peter ChristophersonPeter ChristophersonPeter Martin Christopherson, a.k.a. Sleazy was a musician, video director and designer, and former member of the influential British design agency Hipgnosis....
: MacintoshMacintoshThe Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a...
laptop, Ableton LiveAbleton LiveAbleton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and DAW for Mac OS and Windows by Ableton. The latest major release of Live, Version 8, was released in April 2009. In contrast to many other software sequencers, Live is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for...
software http://brainwashed.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5456, synths - Tom Edwards: wooden marimbas
- Massimo & PierceBlack Sun ProductionsBlack Sun Productions is the project of sound, visual and performance artists & activists Massimo & Pierce.-Biography:Black Sun Productions is the project of sound, visual and performance "artivists" Massimo & Pierce, also known as the Anarcocks....
: appeared nude as "stage performers" during many of the 2002 shows. - Ossian BrownOssian BrownOssian Brown is an English musician and artist.Brown is notable for being a full time member of the music groups Coil and Cyclobe.Ossian Brown's first book 'Haunted Air' was published in 2010 by Jonathan Cape in the United Kingdom, with an introduction by David Lynch and an afterword by Geoff...
: Synthesizers - Cliff Stapleton: hurdy gurdyHurdy gurdyThe hurdy gurdy or hurdy-gurdy is a stringed musical instrument that produces sound by a crank-turned rosined wheel rubbing against the strings. The wheel functions much like a violin bow, and single notes played on the instrument sound similar to a violin...
- ThighpaulsandraThighpaulsandraThighpaulsandra is a Welsh experimental musician and multi-instrumentalist known mostly for performing on synthesizers and keyboards. As Tim Lewis, he began his career working with Julian Cope. A collaboration with Cope in 1993 followed, as the experimental duo Queen Elizabeth...
: KorgKorgis a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures electronic musical instruments, audio processors and guitar pedals, recording equipment, and electronic tuners...
synth, ThereminThereminThe theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device... - William BreezeWilliam BreezeWilliam Breeze was born in Paris, France on 12 August 1955 and is an American musician and occultist, best known as a member of Coil and as the current international leader of Ordo Templi Orientis...
: ViolaViolaThe viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
Live Concerts
| Date (Year-Month-Day) | Country-Province-City | Venue | Event | Release status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983-08-04 | UK-England-London | Magenta Club | A Manifestation of the Will | partial release on Transparent Transparent (album) Transparent is the first release by the band Coil. It was a collaboration with Zos Kia and credited to "Zos Kia/Coil".The cassette version was released in 1984 on Nekrophile Rekords with catalogue number NRC 05. The CD version was released in 1997 on the label "Threshold House" with catalogue... |
| 1983-08-24 | UK-England-London | Air Gallery | How To Destroy Angels | Colour Sound Oblivion 1 |
| 1983-10-12 | UK-England-London | Recession Studios | ||
| 1983-12-03 | Germany-Berlin | Atonal Festival II | partial release on Transparent Transparent (album) Transparent is the first release by the band Coil. It was a collaboration with Zos Kia and credited to "Zos Kia/Coil".The cassette version was released in 1984 on Nekrophile Rekords with catalogue number NRC 05. The CD version was released in 1997 on the label "Threshold House" with catalogue... |
|
| 1999-12-14 | Germany-Berlin | Volksbuehne | 20' To 2000 | |
| 2000-04-02 | UK-England-London | Royal Festival Hall | Cornucopea | Coil Presents Time Machines Coil Presents Time Machines Coil Presents Time Machines was a live CD by Coil. This CD was produced in a limited amount of 1,000 copies and was given away with the initial mail orders of Musick To Play In The Dark Vol. 2. The CD is a live performance which took place on April 2, 2000 at the Cornucopia festival in the Royal... "Disc A" of Live One |
| 2000-06-17 | Spain-Barcelona | Sonar | "Disc B" of Live One Colour Sound Oblivion 2 |
|
| 2000-09-19 | UK-England-London | Royal Festival Hall | Persistence is All | |
| 2001-03-25 http://brainwashed.com/coil/news/news2001.html | France-Nantes | Le Lieu Unique | ||
| 2001-05-30 | Belgium-Antwerp | Cultural Center Luchtbal | ||
| 2001-06-01 | Netherlands-Amsterdam | Paradiso | Dutch Radio4 Supplement aired 2001-06-18 |
|
| 2001-06-03 | Germany-Leipzig | Wave-Gotik-Treffen | ||
| 2001-08-18 | USA-New York-New York City | Irving Plaza | Convergence | Live In NYC August 18, 2001 Colour Sound Oblivion 3 |
| 2001-09-15 | Russia-Moscow | DK Gorbunova | "Amethyst Deceivers Amethyst Deceivers Amethyst Deceivers is a song by Coil which appears on several of their releases. The name refers to a type of mushroom, Laccaria amethystea.*1998 Autumn Equinox: Amethyst Deceivers - Original release of the song.... " as a hidden track on Moons Milk (In Four Phases) Moons Milk (In Four Phases) Moon's Milk is release by Coil that compiles four of their singles onto a double CD. The two disc album compiles the CD versions of Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice... Live Two Live Two Live Two was a CD by Coil which documents their live performance on 15 September 2001 at DK Gorbunova in Moscow, Russia. This CD was one of four releases in a series. Its counterparts are Live Four, Live Three and Live One... Live In Moscow Colour Sound Oblivion 4 |
|
| 2002-03-30 | France-Limoges | John Lennon Municipal Cultural Centre | Artooz Festival | |
| 2002-04-02 | Belgium-Ghent | Vooruit | ||
| 2002-04-04 | Switzerland-Zürich | Rote Fabrik | ||
| 2002-04-06 | Italy-Bologna | Teatro delle Celebrazioni | Live Three Live Three Live Three was a CD by Coil which documents their live performance on 6 April 2002 at Teatro delle Celebrazioni in Bologna, Italy. This CD was one of four releases in a series. Its counterparts are Live Four, Live Two and Live One... Colour Sound Oblivion 5 |
|
| 2002-04-07 | Germany-München | Muffathalle | ||
| 2002-04-10 | Germany-Hamburg | Fabrik | ||
| 2002-04-12 | Germany-Berlin | Volksbühne | ||
| 2002-04-13 | Germany-Glauchau | Alte Spinnerei | ||
| 2002-04-27 | UK-England-London | The Barbican | Play: Game On/Only Connect | |
| 2002-06-07 | Netherlands-Den Haag | Theater ann het Spui | New Forms III | Colour Sound Oblivion 6 |
| 2002-07-13 | Belgium-Dour | Dour Festival | ||
| 2002-07-26 http://www.comune.fano.ps.it/cultura/violino/ | Italy-Fano | Corte Malatesiana | Il Violino e la Selce | |
| 2002-09-26 | Russia-Moscow | Tochka | Feelee | |
| 2002-09-29 | Russia-Kaliningrad | Vagonka Club | Feelee | Colour Sound Oblivion 8 |
| 2002-10-01 | UK-England-London | Royal Festival Hall | ||
| 2002-10-05 | Greece-Thessaloniki | Ydrogeios Club | Colour Sound Oblivion 9 | |
| 2002-10-12 | UK-England-London | Conway Hall | Megalithomania | Megalithomania! Megalithomania! Megalithomania! was an official CD-R release by Coil limited to a pressing of 230 copies, 123 of which were available in their box set The Key To Joy Is Disobedience... |
| 2002-10-16 | Denmark-Copenhagen | Amager Bio | 3rd Tsunami/Amager Kulturpunkt | |
| 2002-10-17 | Norway-Oslo | Betong | ||
| 2002-10-19 | Sweden-Stockholm | Fylkingen | ||
| 2002-10-21 | Finland-Helsinki | Tavastia Klubi | ||
| 2002-10-24 | Poland-Gdansk | St. John's Church | ||
| 2002-10-25 | Poland-Gdansk | St. John's Church | ||
| 2002-10-26 | Poland-Lódz | Centrum Filmowe | ||
| 2002-10-27 | Czech Republic-Prague | Palac Akropolis | partial release on Live Four Live Four Live Four was a compilation CD of live Coil songs. This CD was the first of four releases in a series. Its counterparts are Live Three, Live Two and Live One. This album was later released as part of Coil's box set The Key To Joy Is Disobedience.The performance dates for "Bang Bang" and "An... Colour Sound Oblivion 7 |
|
| 2002-10-29 | Austria-Vienna | Flex | partial release on Live Four Live Four Live Four was a compilation CD of live Coil songs. This CD was the first of four releases in a series. Its counterparts are Live Three, Live Two and Live One. This album was later released as part of Coil's box set The Key To Joy Is Disobedience.The performance dates for "Bang Bang" and "An... Colour Sound Oblivion 7 |
|
| 2002-10-30 | Austria-Vienna | Spoiler | Spoiler Talks DVD Series: Coil interview |
|
| 2003-04-06 | UK-England-Camber | Camber Sands | All Tomorrow's Parties All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival) All Tomorrow's Parties is a music festival which takes place at Camber Sands holiday camp in East Sussex and Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset, England.... |
...And the Ambulance Died In His Arms ...And the Ambulance Died in His Arms ...And the Ambulance Died in His Arms was an album recorded live during Coil's performance at All Tomorrow's Parties on April 4, 2003. This album was the last planned release by Coil before the death of John Balance... |
| 2003-05-29 | Canada-Montreal | Mutek 2003 | Colour Sound Oblivion 10 | |
| 2003-06-21 | Portugal-Porto | Casa da Música Festival | Live in Porto | |
| 2003-07-12 http://www.capsule.org.uk/Past_Projects/21.aspx | UK-Birmingham | Custard Factory | Supersonic Festival | |
| 2004-05-23 | France-Paris | La Locomotive | Colour Sound Oblivion 11 | |
| 2004-05-31 | Germany-Leipzig | Wave-Gotik-Treffen | ||
| 2004-06-03 | Netherlands-Amsterdam | Melkweg | Electronation/KinkFM | Colour Sound Oblivion 12 |
| 2004-06-11 http://www.comune.fano.ps.it/cultura/violino/ | Italy-Jesi | Il Violino el la Selce | Selvaggina, Go Back Into The Woods Selvaggina, Go Back Into The Woods Selvaggina, Go Back Into The Woods was originally released in CD-R format by Coil in a limited edition of 230 copies. The release is a live performance in Jesi, Italy on 11 June 2004... Colour Sound Oblivion 13 |
|
| 2004-07-25 | UK-England-London | Ocean | "Broccoli" on the compilation, Not Alone. | |
| 2004-10-23 | Ireland-Dublin-Dublin City Hall | Dublin Electronic Arts Festival | Part of "Going Up" on The Ape of Naples The Ape Of Naples The Ape of Naples is the final album from Coil. It was released after the death of lead vocalist John Balance, who died on 13 November 2004. The title of this album was originally intended to be "Fire of the Mind".... Colour Sound Oblivion 14 |
- Brainwashed.com incorrectly lists the 2001-03-25 as taking place 2001-05-25.
- Brainwashed.com also incorrectly lists the 2002-07-26 performance as taking place 2002-07-28.