I AM X
Encyclopedia
IAMX is the solo musical project of Chris Corner
, formerly of Sneaker Pimps
. The lyrics are primarily concerned with subjects such as sex, sexuality, death, emotions, narcotic intoxication, decadence, religion, alienation and allusions to politics. Corner currently lives in Berlin
, where he has found "the spirit to care less about the music industry and take an independent route."
album, dubbed by fans as SP4. Bootleg copies of the original recordings are still available online. On June 17, 2008 Kiss + Swallow was re-released in the US. The album included the previously unreleased track "I-Polaroids" and a remix of "Kiss and Swallow". This release also carries an alternative cover.
IAMX's second album, The Alternative
was released in April 2006 in Europe, October 2007 (digitally) and November 2007 (physically) in the UK and Ireland, and May 2008 on Metropolis Records in the US. UK and US versions feature a slightly different cover with black tape rather than yellow tape. In addition to variant cover artwork, UK and US versions also feature alternate versions of several tracks with re-recorded backing vocals from Janine Gezang as well as a hidden instrumental string version of Spit It Out. The album is generally viewed as an underground classic of its genre by many music critics and the fans
A live album, Live in Warsaw, was released on November 14, 2008. The performance was recorded in front of a live audience for Polskie Radio Program III and later mixed in Berlin at IAMX2 studios.
The third IAMX album, Kingdom of Welcome Addiction, was released on May 19, 2009. A new track entitled "Think of England" was made available for free download on November 7, 2008. A remixed and reworked version of the album entitled Dogmatic Infidel Comedown OK was released on March 19, 2010.
On April 14, 2010, Chris announced on the official IAMX Twitter page that he was working on his fourth studio album, which he referred to as IAMX4. On October 19, 2010, it was announced on the official IAMX Facebook page that IAMX4 was now identified as Volatile Times
. The album was released in Europe on March 18, 2011. It peaked at #68 in the German Media Control Charts
. New songs from the album that were performed on October 22, 2010 at the Prague show at Meet Factory included "Fire and Whispers", "Bernadette", "Oh Beautiful Town", "Music People", "Cold Red Light", keeping alive the cabaret-esque and dark electronic sound Chris Corner has become known for. About a week before the album's release, the track "Fire and Whispers" was made available for free download from the IAMX website.
All albums are performed, produced, mixed and mastered by Corner himself.
, Noel Fielding
and Julian Barratt
of The Mighty Boosh
, James Cook of Nemo and Julia Davis
.
From late 2006 IAMX Live consisted of Chris on vocals, keyboards/synths and guitars; Dean Rosenzweig on guitars and bass, Tom Marsh on drums and Janine Gezang on keyboards/synths, vocals, guitars and bass.
In early 2010 the live band was announced to be Janine Gezang on keyboards/synths, vocals, guitars and bass; Alberto Álvarez on guitars, vocals, drums and bass and Jon Harper
on drums. However on August 3, 2010, Jon had been officially replaced by MAX, the drum machine. On Fire & Whispers Tour 2011, IAMX was joined by the drummer/percussionist, Caroline Weber.
Chris Corner
Chris Corner is an English musician and songwriter. He was a founding member of the band Sneaker Pimps and is now active with the IAMX solo project.He has been living in Berlin since 2006, where he has set up his new IAMX studio for music and visual work....
, formerly of Sneaker Pimps
Sneaker Pimps
Sneaker Pimps were a British trip-hop band formed in Hartlepool, England in 1994. They are best known for their first album Becoming X and particularly the singles "6 Underground", "Spin Spin Sugar", and "Tesko Suicide" from the same album...
. The lyrics are primarily concerned with subjects such as sex, sexuality, death, emotions, narcotic intoxication, decadence, religion, alienation and allusions to politics. Corner currently lives in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, where he has found "the spirit to care less about the music industry and take an independent route."
History
Consisting of 1980s-influenced electro, the debut album, Kiss + Swallow, was released in 2004. However, many of the tracks were originally recorded for a shelved Sneaker PimpsSneaker Pimps
Sneaker Pimps were a British trip-hop band formed in Hartlepool, England in 1994. They are best known for their first album Becoming X and particularly the singles "6 Underground", "Spin Spin Sugar", and "Tesko Suicide" from the same album...
album, dubbed by fans as SP4. Bootleg copies of the original recordings are still available online. On June 17, 2008 Kiss + Swallow was re-released in the US. The album included the previously unreleased track "I-Polaroids" and a remix of "Kiss and Swallow". This release also carries an alternative cover.
IAMX's second album, The Alternative
The Alternative (album)
* Lyrics on Tracks 3 and 5 co-written by Sue Denim* Lyrics on Track 8 co-written by Igor Vdovin* Lyrics on Tracks 4, 5 and 10 co-written by Ian Pickering* Lyrics on Tracks 5 and 10 co-written by Liam Howe- Trivia :...
was released in April 2006 in Europe, October 2007 (digitally) and November 2007 (physically) in the UK and Ireland, and May 2008 on Metropolis Records in the US. UK and US versions feature a slightly different cover with black tape rather than yellow tape. In addition to variant cover artwork, UK and US versions also feature alternate versions of several tracks with re-recorded backing vocals from Janine Gezang as well as a hidden instrumental string version of Spit It Out. The album is generally viewed as an underground classic of its genre by many music critics and the fans
A live album, Live in Warsaw, was released on November 14, 2008. The performance was recorded in front of a live audience for Polskie Radio Program III and later mixed in Berlin at IAMX2 studios.
The third IAMX album, Kingdom of Welcome Addiction, was released on May 19, 2009. A new track entitled "Think of England" was made available for free download on November 7, 2008. A remixed and reworked version of the album entitled Dogmatic Infidel Comedown OK was released on March 19, 2010.
On April 14, 2010, Chris announced on the official IAMX Twitter page that he was working on his fourth studio album, which he referred to as IAMX4. On October 19, 2010, it was announced on the official IAMX Facebook page that IAMX4 was now identified as Volatile Times
Volatile Times
Vinyl2-vinyl, it includes the 11-track CD as a bonus....
. The album was released in Europe on March 18, 2011. It peaked at #68 in the German Media Control Charts
Media Control Charts
The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie...
. New songs from the album that were performed on October 22, 2010 at the Prague show at Meet Factory included "Fire and Whispers", "Bernadette", "Oh Beautiful Town", "Music People", "Cold Red Light", keeping alive the cabaret-esque and dark electronic sound Chris Corner has become known for. About a week before the album's release, the track "Fire and Whispers" was made available for free download from the IAMX website.
All albums are performed, produced, mixed and mastered by Corner himself.
Live line-up
Early live incarnations of IAMX had consisted of a revolving cast of players including Sue Denim and Dee Plume of Robots in DisguiseRobots in Disguise
Robots in Disguise are an English electropunk band. The group is composed of Dee Plume , Sue Denim , and a rolling live line-up of backing musicians...
, Noel Fielding
Noel Fielding
Noel Fielding is a British artist, comedian and actor. He is known for his roles as Vince Noir in The Mighty Boosh, which he co-writes with comedy partner Julian Barratt, and as team captain on the music panel show Never Mind the Buzzcocks.-Stand-up comedy:Noel Fielding performed regularly as a...
and Julian Barratt
Julian Barratt
Julian Barratt is an English comedian, musician, music producer and actor. Barratt is best known for playing the character of Howard Moon in the cult comedy The Mighty Boosh, which he also co-writes with comedy partner, Noel Fielding.-The Mighty Boosh:Barratt stars as the character Howard Moon...
of The Mighty Boosh
The Mighty Boosh
The Mighty Boosh is a British comedy troupe featuring comedians Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding. Developed from three stage shows and a six episode radio series, it has since spawned a total of twenty television episodes for BBC Three and two live tours of the UK, as well as two live shows in the...
, James Cook of Nemo and Julia Davis
Julia Davis
Julia Davis is an English comedy writer and performer, best known for writing and starring in the BBC Three comedy Nighty Night.-Background:...
.
From late 2006 IAMX Live consisted of Chris on vocals, keyboards/synths and guitars; Dean Rosenzweig on guitars and bass, Tom Marsh on drums and Janine Gezang on keyboards/synths, vocals, guitars and bass.
In early 2010 the live band was announced to be Janine Gezang on keyboards/synths, vocals, guitars and bass; Alberto Álvarez on guitars, vocals, drums and bass and Jon Harper
Jon Harper
Jonathan Daniel Harper is a session musician and started his musical career as the drummer for Reading-based British Alternative rock band, The Cooper Temple Clause...
on drums. However on August 3, 2010, Jon had been officially replaced by MAX, the drum machine. On Fire & Whispers Tour 2011, IAMX was joined by the drummer/percussionist, Caroline Weber.
Albums
- Kiss + Swallow (Recall) - 13 July 2004 (US re-release: 17 June 2008)
- The AlternativeThe Alternative (album)* Lyrics on Tracks 3 and 5 co-written by Sue Denim* Lyrics on Track 8 co-written by Igor Vdovin* Lyrics on Tracks 4, 5 and 10 co-written by Ian Pickering* Lyrics on Tracks 5 and 10 co-written by Liam Howe- Trivia :...
(61seconds) - 28 April 2006 (US re-release: 6 May 2008) - Kingdom of Welcome Addiction (61seconds) - 19 May 2009
- Volatile TimesVolatile TimesVinyl2-vinyl, it includes the 11-track CD as a bonus....
(61seconds) - 18 March 2011
EPs, Remix and Live albums
- Your Joy Is My LowYour Joy Is My LowYour Joy Is My Low is the debut EP by IAMX. It was released in 2004 in Austria, during IAMX's first tour.The album was hand-numbered and limited to 222 copies.-Track listing:# "Your Joy Is My Low" 5:18# "You Stick It In Me" 4:20...
(Recall) - 2004 - Your Joy Is My Low RemixesYour Joy Is My Low Remixes"Your Joy Is My Low" is a song by IAMX, taken from his first studio album Kiss + Swallow. The song was first released on IAMX' debut EP Your Joy Is My Low in Austria during his first tour. A remix maxi-single was released on the Anorak Supersport label...
(Anorak Supersport) - 26 May 2005 - Live in Warsaw (61seconds) - 14 November 2008
- IAMIXEDIAMIXEDIAMIXED is an album of remixes of various tracks from the 2006 album The Alternative by IAMX.-Track listing:#Spit It Out #Spit It Out #The Alternative #The Alternative...
(NoCarbon) - 20 December 2008 - Dogmatic Infidel Comedown OK (61seconds) - 19 March 2010
- Bernadette (Remixes) (BMG/Rough Trade) - 29 July 2011
- Volatile Times (Remix EP) (BMG/Rough Trade) - 23 September 2011
Singles
| Year | Release | Label | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Your Joy Is My Low Your Joy Is My Low Your Joy Is My Low is the debut EP by IAMX. It was released in 2004 in Austria, during IAMX's first tour.The album was hand-numbered and limited to 222 copies.-Track listing:# "Your Joy Is My Low" 5:18# "You Stick It In Me" 4:20... " |
Recall | Kiss + Swallow |
| "Kiss and Swallow" | Tennis Schallplatten / Metropolis Records Metropolis Records Metropolis Records is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based record label, distributor, and mail-order store specializing in the post-industrial field such as electro-industrial, synthpop, futurepop, darkwave, and gothic musical genres.... |
||
| 2005 | "Missile Missile (song) "Missile" is a song by IAMX from the album Kiss + Swallow. It was released as a single in 2005.There have been two music videos released for "Missile." One consists almost entirely of an upside down, overhead shot of Corner in a bathtub, with his head underwater and a strip of tape over his mouth... " |
Tennis Schallplatten | |
| 2006 | "Spit It Out" | 61seconds / Major Records Major Records Major Records is a music label from Hamburg, Germany, focussing on electronic pop music. Currently, their most popular artists include Ladytron, IAMX, X-Perience and Boytronic.- History:... |
The Alternative The Alternative (album) * Lyrics on Tracks 3 and 5 co-written by Sue Denim* Lyrics on Track 8 co-written by Igor Vdovin* Lyrics on Tracks 4, 5 and 10 co-written by Ian Pickering* Lyrics on Tracks 5 and 10 co-written by Liam Howe- Trivia :... |
| "President" / "Spit It Out" | 61seconds / Major Records | ||
| "The Alternative" | Major Records | ||
| 2007 | "Nightlife" | 61seconds / Major Records | |
| 2008 | "The Alternative" | Fiction / No Carbon / Genepool (UK only) | |
| "President" | Fiction / No Carbon / Genepool (UK only) | ||
| "Spit It Out" | Metropolis Records (US only), Fiction / No Carbon / Genepool (UK only) | ||
| "Song of Imaginary Beings" | Metropolis Records (US only) | ||
| "President" | Metropolis Records (US only) | ||
| "Think of England" | 61seconds (Free Download) / Metropolis Records | Kingdom of Welcome Addiction | |
| 2009 | "The Great Shipwreck of Life" | 61seconds | |
| "Tear Garden" | 61seconds / Metropolis Records | ||
| "My Secret Friend My Secret Friend -Song versions:*Album version - 4:06*Radio edit - 3:45*Omega Man remix - 4:45, remixed and additionally produced by Joe Wilson.*The Unfall Broken Waltz rework - 4:41, remixed by Corner under the alias Unfall, this version doesn't include Heap's vocals.*"Mein geheimer Freund" - 4:00, solo acoustic... " (with Imogen Heap Imogen Heap Imogen Jennifer Jane Heap is a Grammy Award-winning English singer, composer and songwriter from Havering, Essex. She is known for her work as part of the musical duo Frou Frou and her solo albums, which she writes, produces, and mixes... ) |
61seconds / Metropolis Records | ||
| 2011 | "Ghosts of Utopia" | BMG / Rough Trade | Volatile Times Volatile Times Vinyl2-vinyl, it includes the 11-track CD as a bonus.... |
| "Bernadette" | |||
| "Volatile Times" |