News Archives: News

The scoop on “Concrete” from Mrs. C.

Chris’s wife, Shayna, a talented filmmaker and contributing writer to Time Out Chicago, recently sent an e-mail to family and friends to tout Chris’s book, Concrete, Bulletproof, Invisible and Fried: My Life as a Revolting Cock. Here is her take on the book, and a little background information on the project:

“The book deal happened in typical Chris Connelly fashion. Ever the supportive fan, he was reading a book from SAF publishing, a company specializing in rock biographies and wrote them to say how much he enjoyed it. In a post script he mentioned he was a musician and asked if they would they would be interested in publishing his story. They asked for an outline and a chapter, loved it and Chris began writing. He wrote it on the train to work while I was pregnant. At the same time he was also making another record – ‘The Episodes’ – and working full time – you’d think he’d get grumpy, but he doesn’t!

“Chris is a fabulous, funny storyteller and ‘Concrete’ is written as candidly and charmingly as he speaks. Unlike a lot of other rock bios, his prose reflects his historian’s mind and voracious appetite for literature. Despite living the quintessential rock and roll lifestyle for many years, the part of Chris that is now devoted family man is still recognizable on the page. The reckless part of his rock-and-roll self has mellowed, but the fun part remains and keeps me, Angus and everyone he meets laughing.”

News from Durtro

Durtro has announced the release of Chris’s new CD, The Episodes!

The Episodes For this album, Chris is joined by Joan of Arc’s Tim Kinsella and Town & Country’s Ben Vida (who also produced the record), as well as members of US Maple, Califone and other Chicago jazz and improv luminaries.

This CD will not be available in stores until April, but is available online from the Durtro shop (£10 plus shipping and VAT, where applicable) or Jnana Records ($14.99 plus shipping).

To celebrate the launch of this record, Chris is doing a special one-off show on Saturday, February 17th at 9pm at the Hideout in Chicago.

New Album on a New Label

Chris’s next album, “the episodes”, will be out in January 2007 on a new label, Durtro/Jnana. The track list for the album is as follows:

  1. mirror lips
  2. the son of empty sam
  3. every ghost has an orchestra
  4. henry vs miller
  5. soul boys/hard legends
  6. the son of empty sequel
  7. empty coda

Katrina fundraising update

Thank you! Your orders and donations helped us raise $50.00 for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Help Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

Order from the CC Shop by September 10 and $2.00 from each item ordered will go to the United Way Hurricane Katrina Response Fund.

Chris has some Upcoming Shows…

  • Wednesday, September 21 in St. Louis at The Complex (3515 Chouteau Ave.)

Plus, a redesign is in the works!

Congratulations, Chris and Shayna!

Chris and Shayna Connelly

The new Mr. and Mrs. Connelly tied the knot on September 5 in Chicago. The ceremony was performed by Paul Elledge with family and close friends in attendance.

More photos will be posted shortly. In the meanwhile, visit Converse with Chris and leave the newlyweds your best wishes!

‘Everyoned’ out; new downloads

Why do so many people love Chris? Obviously it’s because of the beautiful music he makes. And to helps us march along this month (ha ha! get it? march along? and it’s March?) we’ve got more music for you.

First, be sure to pick up a copy of Chris’s latest collaborative work, Everyoned. Chris contributes his melodic tones to a band of Chicago-based musicians. Pick it up in our Shop for just $9.00!

Then head over to the Downloads area for some more music… this time we’ve got recordings of Chris live as well as some previously unreleased demos!

You’ll only find stuff this good here at chrisconnelly.com!

Jan. 25, 2003 show online

Tour goodies are rolling in… send yours if you have any! First up, from Nick Wilhelmy, a recording of Chris’s January 25th show at the Warehouse in LaCrosse. There’s at least one more show and some photos to come… stay tuned!

Chris’s music on TV

Did you watch NBC’s Kingpin on Sunday, February 9? If not, you missed Chris’s tune, “No One is Scared” (found on Private Education). Catch a rerun on Valentine’s Day on the Bravo channel!

Whether or not you’ve purchased INITIALS C.C., Chris’s first double-CD retrospective, you’re sure to enjoy reading the director’s comments which are now available. (But seriously, if you haven’t purchased INITIALS C.C. yet, go do it now!)

Finally, Pigface goes on tour in March and Chris will be with them! Check out the tour dates page for information and updates.

Happy 2003 from Chris

A message to say Happy New Year to everyone, I hope you have a great time, and that the year to follow will be disco-pool party after another. A quick mention on the passing of JOE STRUMMER, someone who meant so much to me when I was young, I still listen to the 1st 4 clash albums regularly. The clash, to me had all the integrity that the pistols did not, although I adore the pistols, too quickly they became a cartoon, the clash never did, they changed and burst from any pigeonhole they may have been placed in, often challenging their audience, always bewildering critics, listening to “London Calling” from 1979, it is a remarkable travelogue of music, at once so current to that time, both musically and politically, but at the same time, one of those rare records that transcends, and honestly sounds so fresh today. I was really sad and shocked by Joe’s death, the man had so much conviction and passion that it is hard to believe it has gone now, he will be missed.