Chris has a new band called The Bells. Their first album will be available September 19, 1997 on the HitIt! label. Stay tuned for more info.

Recording of the new album will commence next month! In the meanwhile, Chris is playing a few shows in the Chicago area (see dates below). A tour of college campuses and bookshops is in the works, to commence at the start of the new year. Stay tuned for details, or write to Kimberly to suggest locations for Chris to play!

October 7 – Double Door in Chicago – with John Cale
November 1 – Normal, IL – with Sister Soleil
November 2 – Champaign, IL – with Sister Soleil
November 8 – Der Rathskeller, Memorial Union, University of Wisconsin-Madison
November 9 – Hyde Park, Chicago – CANCELLED!
November 14 – Milwaukee, WI – Marquette University
November 23 – Chicago, IL – benefit for Filmmakers Co-op

On Friday, July 12, Jonathan Melvoin (keyboardist on the Shipwreck tour) was found dead of a heroin overdose. Jon and Chris were great friends and Chris asked me to post the following for him:

“Jonathan was a great friend and I will really miss him. I was so looking forward to his performing on my new album… I was really relying on him to help with the arrangments and whatnot. Just let everyone know that I loved him dearly and that I will miss him very much.”

Brad submitted a JPEG of the article run by Rolling Stone, which speaks about Jon’s death and Jimmy Chamberlin’s arrest and dismissal from the Smashing Pumpkins.

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Chris has decided (finally) to publish a book of his writings! The book will be made up of about 84 song lyrics and poems that he has written. The title: Confessions of the Highest Bidder: Poems and Songwords 1982-1996. Check back for more information!

Chris participated in an online chat Monday, April 22. He also answered some questions posed by list members. Check out the chat transcript here.

Andy McGregor has informed us that Chris will be travelling to Scotland in late May, and may possibly do some work with Fini Tribe… stay tuned for more!

Chris hasn’t joined KMFDM, but he does appear on their new album. Read this radio interview (4/6/96) with Chris to learn more about it!.

Chris recorded an acapella version of Wire’s “A Mutual Friend” which will be found on a compilation album, Various Artits Play Wire “Whore”, to be released March 5th. See the links page for more info.