Intuitive Music

Johnn Balance (age 42) from the group Coil passed away this Saturday (November 13, 2004). He died in relation with an accident while under the influence of alchohol in which he fell from the first floor landing in his home. He hit his head on the floor when he fell and he subsequently lost consciousness. He died shortly after in the hospital without regaining consciousness.

Born in February 16th 1962 in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, UK. Johnn Balance formed Coil in may 1983 in London as a solo project, and he was later joined by keyboardist Peter Christopherson (Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV). Coil became in 1984 the most significant UK Industrial band with the release of the “Scatology” album and they became a trio two years later with the arrival of Stephen Thrower.
After having mixed industrial stuff with different sources such goth, jazz, classical, ethnic, and Krautrock, the band split in 1990 due to financial troubles, and re-appeared a year later influenced by the emerging Acid-House scene.

In 1995 Stephen Thrower was replaced by Dean McDowall, and the band started a series of new works of experimental electronica under the name of Elph, running their own Eskaton label. In 1999 they released the first album of a series under the title of “Music to Play In the Dark”. Coil has always worked closely with visual arts, videos such as a version of Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” and films working with directors such as Derek Jarman.

Johnn Balance was also a member of the bands 23 Skidoo, Current 93 and Zos Kia. He was one of the most innovative a creative artists of our time and his death is an irreplaceable loss for the world of electronic music.

Coil was also set to have several dates this winter including ATP’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and another in Bilbao, Spain. They were also set to play at the Seed Record’s Birthday party last weekend before it got cancelled by the London Underground.

A book of condolences for Johnn Balance is currently being established at http://www.thresholdhouse.com/ .