Jim Sclavunos
Encyclopedia
Jim Sclavunos is an American
rock music
drummer
, percussionist and producer
.
Sclavunos, a half-Greek
and half-Italian
from Brooklyn, New York http://arts.guardian.co.uk/guesteditors/story/0,,1194728,00.html, is well-known for his exceptional height at 6'7". Sclavunos has performed with Sonic Youth
, Tav Falco's Panther Burns
, Lydia Lunch
and was a member of 8 Eyed Spy, The Cramps
, and Alice Texas. Sclavunos, who was memorably described in the pages of The Wire
as an "infamous elegant degenerate," has been a key player in Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
since 1994. During that time, Jim also formed his own musical ensemble, The Vanity Set
.
Sclavunos has long been a prime mover in the New York City’s vibrant underground music
scene, helping to kick-start the vital No Wave
movement (in Teenage Jesus and the Jerks and 8 Eyed Spy), before playing with Sonic Youth and The Cramps. He is currently performing with his own band The Vanity Set, while still performing with Nick Cave in both The Bad Seeds and Grinderman
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
, percussionist and producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
.
Sclavunos, a half-Greek
Greek American
Greek Americans are Americans of Greek descent also described as Hellenic descent. According to the 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimation, there were 1,380,088 people of Greek ancestry in the United States, while the State Department mentions that around 3,000,000 Americans claim to be of Greek descent...
and half-Italian
Italian American
An Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
from Brooklyn, New York http://arts.guardian.co.uk/guesteditors/story/0,,1194728,00.html, is well-known for his exceptional height at 6'7". Sclavunos has performed with Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
, Tav Falco's Panther Burns
Tav Falco's Panther Burns
Tav Falco's Panther Burns, sometimes shortened to Panther Burns, is a rock band originally from Memphis, Tennessee, United States, led by Tav Falco...
, Lydia Lunch
Lydia Lunch
Lydia Lunch is an American singer, poet, writer, and actress whose career was spawned by the New York No Wave scene...
and was a member of 8 Eyed Spy, The Cramps
The Cramps
The Cramps were an American rock band, formed in 1976 and active until 2009. The band split after the death of lead singer Lux Interior. Their line-up rotated much over their existence, with the husband and wife duo of Interior and lead guitarist Poison Ivy the only permanent members...
, and Alice Texas. Sclavunos, who was memorably described in the pages of The Wire
The Wire (magazine)
The Wire is a British avant garde music magazine, founded in 1982 by jazz promoter Anthony Wood and journalist Chrissie Murray. The magazine initially concentrated on contemporary jazz and improvised music, but branched out in the early 1990s to various types of experimental music...
as an "infamous elegant degenerate," has been a key player in Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are an Australian alternative rock band, formed in Melbourne in 1983. The band is fronted by Nick Cave and has featured international personnel throughout their career.-Formation and early releases :...
since 1994. During that time, Jim also formed his own musical ensemble, The Vanity Set
The Vanity Set
The Vanity Set is an indie rock group of mostly second-generation Greek-Americans formed in New York City in 2000. Led by Jim Sclavunos, the drummer/percussionist with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, they describe their music as a blend of "low art, high sass and raw bluster." Their music includes the...
.
Sclavunos has long been a prime mover in the New York City’s vibrant underground music
Underground music
Underground music comprises a range of different musical genres that operate outside of mainstream culture. Such music can typically share common values, such as the valuing of sincerity and intimacy; an emphasis on freedom of creative expression; an appreciation of artistic creativity...
scene, helping to kick-start the vital No Wave
No Wave
No Wave was a short-lived but influential underground music, film, performance art, video, and contemporary art scene that had its beginnings during the mid-1970s in New York City. The term No Wave is in part satirical word play rejecting the commercial elements of the then-popular New Wave genre...
movement (in Teenage Jesus and the Jerks and 8 Eyed Spy), before playing with Sonic Youth and The Cramps. He is currently performing with his own band The Vanity Set, while still performing with Nick Cave in both The Bad Seeds and Grinderman
Grinderman
Grinderman is an alternative rock band formed by Nick Cave , Warren Ellis , Martyn P. Casey and Jim Sclavunos in London, United Kingdom in 2006...
.
Selective list of bands
- The Gynecologists (1978)
- Teenage Jesus and the Jerks (1978)
- Beirut Slump (1978)
- Eight Eyed Spy (1979)
- Devil Dogs (1980)
- In Limbo (1982)
- Sonic Youth (1982)
- Panther Burns (1983)
- Trigger & the Thrill Kings (1983–86)
- Shotgun Wedding (1991)
- The Cramps (1991–92)
- Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (1996-to date)
- Congo Norvell (1990–98)
- The Gunga Din (1999–2000)
- The Vanity Set (2000-to date)
- Grinderman (2006-to date)