Chris Collins (musician)
Encyclopedia
Chris Collins is an American musician, recording engineer/producer and technologist. Collins' work in the New Jersey/NYC music scene has spanned over two decades.
Collins got his start in NYC area pop-punk/garage band Mod Fun
- which was formed late in 1982 with his childhood friends Mick "London" Hale and Bobby "Werner" Strete, with whom he had been playing music since 1979. Although he had experimented with songwriting from early on, Chris' primary contribution to Mod Fun
was as drummer and backing vocalist. The band released two full-length albums, a 3-song EP and two singles between 1984 and 1987. In addition, they honed their performance skills by playing a heavy schedule of club dates at local NYC & NJ venues and touring in support of their records. Their powerful (and sometimes destructive) live sets garnered the band a reputation as one of the New York area's most exciting acts of the burgeoning garage revival scene.
During that same period, Collins also served as the drummer for New York pop-punk outfit "True Colours" which quickly evolved into The Punch Line
- a power pop quartet in which the focus was on vocal harmonies and clean production. The Punch Line
performed live at a handful of local venues and released one single. The recording sessions for that single, coupled with the break-up of Mod Fun
, served as the impetus for Collins' entry into the field of recording engineering.
Collins attended the Institute of Audio Research
in New York City
where he earned a diploma in multi-track recording technology and eventually became an instructor under president Al Grundy. At age 20 he was, at the time, the youngest instructor to have ever taught a full course load at the Institute and was an active member of both the AES
and SMPTE. Simultaneously, he was working extensively as a freelance recording engineer and live sound reinforcement tech - having provided his services to artists such as Liza Minnelli
, Elton John
, Kim Simmonds
(of Savoy Brown
), Crocodile Shop
and others. Home & Studio Recording magazine published a feature article on Collins in its October, 1989 issue.
Collins continued to perform with bands into the early 1990s, playing drums with NYC's The Devil Dogs and, occasionally, with his old friends in The Punch Line
. In addition, he played drums, keyboards and a bit of guitar with long time friends Hale and Strete who had gone on to form Crocodile Shop
- also engineering many of the early recordings for that group. In 1992, after leaving the Institute of Audio Research
and after a songwriting deal with Kevin Henneman and Deborah Gibson
fell through, Collins found himself as the bass player in a short-lived new group featuring Al Scherr of The Incinerators. That act never quite got off the ground and for several years thereafter Collins refocused his energies on computer technology - doing little in professional music.
Late in 1999, Collins did a brief stint as lead singer and occasional drummer for his brother in The Matt Collins Band - taking over full time drumming duties a few years later. In addition, a brief reformation of The Punch Line
led to a headlining performance and the release of a 10-song CD which was recorded in Collins' own 40 track digital studio. Subsequently, Collins served as engineer/producer for New York act "4 Miles Out".
In 2004, Collins' first band Mod Fun
performed a reunion concert at The Saint
in Asbury Park, NJ in celebration of the reissue of their retrospective CD "Past...Forward" by Get Hip Records
. The rekindled friendship among the original members and their renewed interest in making music together has led to gigs in cities as far away as Nashville and Chicago as well as the release of a new double-length CD and multiple performances in an around New Jersey and New York.
In 2006, Collins founded "CC Media Network" - a multimedia production and promotion company to serve as a channel through which his music industry releases could be distributed and various live events could be advertised.
2007 saw Chris Collins produce his first solo album entitled "Eclectic Blue" for limited release through CC Media Network. After catching the attention of BlowUpRadio DJ "Lazlo" and receiving airplay on his Live365 show, much of his original music from that record was showcased in a low key acoustic performance in early 2008.
In 2009, Collins returned to the studio with his bandmates in Mod Fun
to begin the recordings that became the band's new CD "Futurepresent". In addition to handling the drums, percussion, and keyboards on the record, Collins contributed an original track entitled "The Jettison" on which he sings the lead vocal. He also served as recording/mixing engineer for the sessions and assisted with production and mastering.
Collins continues to write original music and perform/record with Mod Fun
and The Matt Collins Band as well as promote and publish music from new artists through his media company. Chris Collins is a writer/publisher member of ASCAP.
Entertainment
Collins got his start in NYC area pop-punk/garage band Mod Fun
Mod Fun
Mod Fun are an American power pop/garage punk band from the New York City area. Mod Fun were originally active in the early to mid 1980s, and played an integral part in New York City's burgeoning garage rock revival scene of the time. By mid 1986 they were widely regarded as one the best known...
- which was formed late in 1982 with his childhood friends Mick "London" Hale and Bobby "Werner" Strete, with whom he had been playing music since 1979. Although he had experimented with songwriting from early on, Chris' primary contribution to Mod Fun
Mod Fun
Mod Fun are an American power pop/garage punk band from the New York City area. Mod Fun were originally active in the early to mid 1980s, and played an integral part in New York City's burgeoning garage rock revival scene of the time. By mid 1986 they were widely regarded as one the best known...
was as drummer and backing vocalist. The band released two full-length albums, a 3-song EP and two singles between 1984 and 1987. In addition, they honed their performance skills by playing a heavy schedule of club dates at local NYC & NJ venues and touring in support of their records. Their powerful (and sometimes destructive) live sets garnered the band a reputation as one of the New York area's most exciting acts of the burgeoning garage revival scene.
During that same period, Collins also served as the drummer for New York pop-punk outfit "True Colours" which quickly evolved into The Punch Line
The Punch Line
The Punch Line is the first 12-inch and third record release by influential American punk rock band Minutemen, and the fourth-ever release from SST Records. Less than half the length of most LPs, the total playing time for all eighteen songs is a mere fifteen minutes...
- a power pop quartet in which the focus was on vocal harmonies and clean production. The Punch Line
The Punch Line
The Punch Line is the first 12-inch and third record release by influential American punk rock band Minutemen, and the fourth-ever release from SST Records. Less than half the length of most LPs, the total playing time for all eighteen songs is a mere fifteen minutes...
performed live at a handful of local venues and released one single. The recording sessions for that single, coupled with the break-up of Mod Fun
Mod Fun
Mod Fun are an American power pop/garage punk band from the New York City area. Mod Fun were originally active in the early to mid 1980s, and played an integral part in New York City's burgeoning garage rock revival scene of the time. By mid 1986 they were widely regarded as one the best known...
, served as the impetus for Collins' entry into the field of recording engineering.
Collins attended the Institute of Audio Research
Institute of Audio Research
The Institute of Audio Research, also known as IAR, is located in New York City. Students of IAR are offered a wide variety of academic programs in the field of music production and audio engineering...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
where he earned a diploma in multi-track recording technology and eventually became an instructor under president Al Grundy. At age 20 he was, at the time, the youngest instructor to have ever taught a full course load at the Institute and was an active member of both the AES
Audio Engineering Society
Established in 1948, the Audio Engineering Society draws its membership from amongst engineers, scientists, other individuals with an interest or involvement in the professional audio industry. The membership largely comprises engineers developing devices or products for audio, and persons working...
and SMPTE. Simultaneously, he was working extensively as a freelance recording engineer and live sound reinforcement tech - having provided his services to artists such as Liza Minnelli
Liza Minnelli
Liza May Minnelli is an American actress and singer. She is the daughter of singer and actress Judy Garland and film director Vincente Minnelli....
, Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Kim Simmonds
Kim Simmonds
Kim Simmonds is a Welsh guitarist, now residing in New York and best known as leader and founding member of the blues/rock band Savoy Brown.-Career:...
(of Savoy Brown
Savoy Brown
Savoy Brown, originally known as the Savoy Brown Blues Band, are a British blues rock band, formed in 1965, in Battersea, South West London...
), Crocodile Shop
Crocodile Shop
Crocodile Shop, , is an electro-industrial, aggrotech, EBM band formed in Berlin, Germany in 1987 by Mick Hale and R. A. Werner.-Background:...
and others. Home & Studio Recording magazine published a feature article on Collins in its October, 1989 issue.
Collins continued to perform with bands into the early 1990s, playing drums with NYC's The Devil Dogs and, occasionally, with his old friends in The Punch Line
The Punch Line
The Punch Line is the first 12-inch and third record release by influential American punk rock band Minutemen, and the fourth-ever release from SST Records. Less than half the length of most LPs, the total playing time for all eighteen songs is a mere fifteen minutes...
. In addition, he played drums, keyboards and a bit of guitar with long time friends Hale and Strete who had gone on to form Crocodile Shop
Crocodile Shop
Crocodile Shop, , is an electro-industrial, aggrotech, EBM band formed in Berlin, Germany in 1987 by Mick Hale and R. A. Werner.-Background:...
- also engineering many of the early recordings for that group. In 1992, after leaving the Institute of Audio Research
Institute of Audio Research
The Institute of Audio Research, also known as IAR, is located in New York City. Students of IAR are offered a wide variety of academic programs in the field of music production and audio engineering...
and after a songwriting deal with Kevin Henneman and Deborah Gibson
Deborah Gibson
Deborah Ann "Debbie" Gibson is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. In 1987 she was pronounced the youngest artist to write, produce, and perform a No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, with her song "Foolish Beat" and she remains the youngest female to write, record, and...
fell through, Collins found himself as the bass player in a short-lived new group featuring Al Scherr of The Incinerators. That act never quite got off the ground and for several years thereafter Collins refocused his energies on computer technology - doing little in professional music.
Late in 1999, Collins did a brief stint as lead singer and occasional drummer for his brother in The Matt Collins Band - taking over full time drumming duties a few years later. In addition, a brief reformation of The Punch Line
The Punch Line
The Punch Line is the first 12-inch and third record release by influential American punk rock band Minutemen, and the fourth-ever release from SST Records. Less than half the length of most LPs, the total playing time for all eighteen songs is a mere fifteen minutes...
led to a headlining performance and the release of a 10-song CD which was recorded in Collins' own 40 track digital studio. Subsequently, Collins served as engineer/producer for New York act "4 Miles Out".
In 2004, Collins' first band Mod Fun
Mod Fun
Mod Fun are an American power pop/garage punk band from the New York City area. Mod Fun were originally active in the early to mid 1980s, and played an integral part in New York City's burgeoning garage rock revival scene of the time. By mid 1986 they were widely regarded as one the best known...
performed a reunion concert at The Saint
The Saint (music venue)
The Saint is a music venue located in Asbury Park, New Jersey. It is reminiscent of places like The Cellar Door in Washington, DC, CB's 313 Gallery , and The Living Room in New York City and features live, original music. The Saint opened on November 18, 1994...
in Asbury Park, NJ in celebration of the reissue of their retrospective CD "Past...Forward" by Get Hip Records
Get Hip Records
Get Hip Records is an independent Pittsburgh based music label and distributor formed by Gregg Kostelich in 1986. Kostelich used the label to release music by his own band, The Cynics, as well as other local, indie and retro garage rock bands.-Releases:...
. The rekindled friendship among the original members and their renewed interest in making music together has led to gigs in cities as far away as Nashville and Chicago as well as the release of a new double-length CD and multiple performances in an around New Jersey and New York.
In 2006, Collins founded "CC Media Network" - a multimedia production and promotion company to serve as a channel through which his music industry releases could be distributed and various live events could be advertised.
2007 saw Chris Collins produce his first solo album entitled "Eclectic Blue" for limited release through CC Media Network. After catching the attention of BlowUpRadio DJ "Lazlo" and receiving airplay on his Live365 show, much of his original music from that record was showcased in a low key acoustic performance in early 2008.
In 2009, Collins returned to the studio with his bandmates in Mod Fun
Mod Fun
Mod Fun are an American power pop/garage punk band from the New York City area. Mod Fun were originally active in the early to mid 1980s, and played an integral part in New York City's burgeoning garage rock revival scene of the time. By mid 1986 they were widely regarded as one the best known...
to begin the recordings that became the band's new CD "Futurepresent". In addition to handling the drums, percussion, and keyboards on the record, Collins contributed an original track entitled "The Jettison" on which he sings the lead vocal. He also served as recording/mixing engineer for the sessions and assisted with production and mastering.
Collins continues to write original music and perform/record with Mod Fun
Mod Fun
Mod Fun are an American power pop/garage punk band from the New York City area. Mod Fun were originally active in the early to mid 1980s, and played an integral part in New York City's burgeoning garage rock revival scene of the time. By mid 1986 they were widely regarded as one the best known...
and The Matt Collins Band as well as promote and publish music from new artists through his media company. Chris Collins is a writer/publisher member of ASCAP.
Singles and EPs
- I Am With You b/w Happy Feeling - Mod Fun (single) 1984 New Records
- Hangin' Round - Mod Fun (EP) 1985 Makin' Tyme Records
- Mary Goes 'Round b/w Grounded - Mod Fun (single) 1986 Cryptovision RecordsCryptovision RecordsCryptovision Records, a New York City based independent record label was founded by musicians James “Sweat” Talley, Mike Linn, and Gene Wood in 1979 and dissolved in 1990...
- The Wild Flowers b/w Faster Than I Like - The Punch Line (single) 1987 Synchronic
Entertainment
- Measure by Measure - Crocodile Shop (EP) 1989 Susstones Records
Albums
- 90 Wardour St. - Mod Fun (1985) Midnight Records
- Dorothy's Dream - Mod Fun (1986) Cryptovision RecordsCryptovision RecordsCryptovision Records, a New York City based independent record label was founded by musicians James “Sweat” Talley, Mike Linn, and Gene Wood in 1979 and dissolved in 1990...
- Celebrate The Enemy CD - Crocodile Shop (1994) Tinman Records
- Past Forward CD - Mod Fun (1995) Get Hip Records
- Past Forward CD reissue - Mod Fun (2004) Get Hip Records
- S.E.A. - Self Extracting Archive CD - Crocodile Shop (2004) Danse Assembly Media Network
- ...to get to the other side CD - The Punch Line (2006) Synchronic Entertainment
- Now And Again CD - Mod Fun (2007) Makin' Tyme Records
- Eclectic Blue CD - Chris Collins (2007) CC Media Network
- Futurepresent CD - Mod Fun (2009) Makin' Tyme Records