Biography
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Born
16 February 1962
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Born In
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England, United Kingdom
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Died
13 November 2004 (aged 42)
John Balance (first name also spelled Jhon and Jhonn; born Geoffrey (Geff) Laurence Burton, later taking his stepfather's surname of Rushton; 16 February 1962 – 13 November 2004), born in Mansfield, England, founded the experimental music group Coil, in collaboration with his partner Peter 'Sleazy' Christopherson.
He was responsible for vocals, lyrics, chants, synthetics and various esoteric sound-making instruments and devices. Outside of Coil he collaborated with Nurse with Wound, Death in June, Psychic TV, Current 93, Chris & Cosey, Thighpaulsandra and produced several Nine Inch Nails remixes. His early work and wide-ranging collaborations made him one of the most influential figures in the industrial, experimental minimalist and neofolk music scenes.
Balance died on 13 November 2004, after falling from a two story balcony at his home. Peter Christopherson announced Balance's death on the Threshold House website, and provided details surrounding the tragedy. Balance's memorial service was held near Bristol on 23 November, and was attended by approximately 100 people. Ossian Brown, a long term collaborator and member of Coil, dedicated his first book Haunted Air to Balance.
Discography
Balance first recorded using the alias "Merderwerkers". The Merderwerkers track, "Blue Funk (Scars for E)", was included on the Sterile Records cassette compilation Standard Response. Balance also published an underground zine, Stabmental, and released a track, "A Thin Veil of Blood", also using the nom du guerre Stabmental. "A Thin Veil of Blood" was included on the cassette compilation Deleted Funtime - Various Tunes for Various Loons. Balance then joined up with Peter Christopherson and Boyd Rice to record Nightmare Culture under the moniker "The Sickness of Snakes". Balance subsequently joined Psychic TV and performed alongside Christopherson; however in 1984, Balance and Christopherson left the group to develop Coil.
A short collaboration with Zos Kia produced the split tape Transparent. Credit for the album was shared, and marked Coil's first release. The original Coil / Zos Kia tape, Transparent, was released as a "His-Storical" CD reissue in 1997.
During Coil's 23 year career, Balance collaborated with a number of his peers, including Jim Thirlwell/Clint Ruin (Foetus), Marc Almond, Thighpaulsandra, NON, Current 93, and CoH; appearing on many of these artists' albums.
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