Chris Connelly

Christopher Connelly

Chris Connelly (born 11 November 1964) is a Scottish musician and author. He is notable for his industrial music work of the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly his involvement with the Revolting Cocks and Ministry. Connelly has maintained his involvement within the music industry for over 40 years. He has released over 25 solo albums and 10+ additional albums while fronting other bands (th...

Chris Connelly (born 11 November 1964) is a Scottish musician and author. He is notable for his industrial music work of the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly his involvement with the Revolting Cocks and Ministry. Connelly has maintained his involvement within the music industry for over 40 years. He has released over 25 solo albums and 10+ additional albums while fronting other bands (the vast majority being musical groups of his own creation); as well as lending vocals to dozens of collaborations spanning several genres in the process, resulting in the release of over 600 total songs. Early years Connelly was born in Bruntsfield, Scotland to Michael and Sadie (née King) Connelly near the city centre of Edinburgh. Connelly's father died in a swimming accident early in his life, causing Chris to focus on artistic interests outside the home to help fill the void. Connelly's Scottish ancestry includes Irish descent through the Connellys and Murphys, who originally came from Ireland to Scotland. His mother's side, the Kings and the McCullochs, were from the Highlands and migrated to Glasgow in search of work. Music career Connelly began his music career in 1980 with the formation of Fini Tribe. Through subsequent years he fronted or was heavily involved with numerous notable industrial, dance, and new wave acts. In 2008, Connelly published a memoir of his early years in the music industry, Concrete, Bulletproof, Invisible, and Fried: My Life As A Revolting Cock. It describes his professional debut in Finitribe, meeting Al Jourgensen in London, his involvement with the Revolting Cocks, Ministry, PTP, Acid Horse, Front Line Assembly, Murder, Inc., and Pigface, and the development of his solo career. Connelly's first solo album 'Whiplash Boychild' was released in 1991, and in 1992 'Phenobarb Bambalam' and toured with most of the musicians on the album, except bassist Stuart Zechman. Following the tour Chris put his solo efforts on hold in order to concentrate on Ministry/Revolting Cocks matters, resulting in a successful Ministry slot on the 1992 Lollapalooza tour, as well as heavy involvement in the recording of 1993 Revolting Cocks album 'Linger Ficken' Good'. The subsequent tour was canceled and the Revolting Cocks went on an extended 13 year hiatus, with Connelly not rejoining until 2011. Chris severed ties with Ministry and briefly moved to Kansas City, Missouri. In 1994, the solo album 'Shipwreck' was released during a difficult time in his life, which marked the return of Bill Rieflin on drums, with guitarists Chris Bruce and William Tucker. He took another break from music, except for his appearance on KMFDM's 1996 album 'XTORT'. In 1997, the album 'The Ultimate Seaside Companion' was released under the band name "The Bells". A limited number of local live shows were played to showcase the new album and band before their separation due to other commitments. In 1999, saw the reunion of Chris and Martin Atkins, who had a previous falling-out after the release of Pigface's 'FOOK', Connelly was approached by Atkins to fill the vocalist gap initially turned down by Johnny Rotten, with guitarist Geordie Walker and bass player Jah Wobble, the EP '>1' was released in 2000, followed by 'The Damage Manual'. A double-album remix compilation would be released in 2004. In 2004, 'Night of your Life' was released, featuring guitarist Chris Bruce. The Damage Manual was re-formed with Steven Seibold playing both the guitar and bass guitar tracks. 'Limited Edition' was released and a fall 2004 tour was planned in support of Pigface, however Connelly had to pull out due to a serious undisclosed illness. The tour was delayed until spring of 2005 without Chris's presence. In 2007, Chris and his previous bandmates formed the "Lake Wandawega Resort Band". The album 'The Episodes' was released later that year, with Tim Kinsella, Ben Vida, and Graeme Gibson all aiding in production, mixing, and arranging. In 2008, the first of Chris's politically active trilogy of albums was released, titled 'Forgiveness & Exile' (with contributions from Shirley Manson), soon followed by 2010's 'How this Ends' (last Connelly contribution by Bill Rieflin), and concluding with 2012's 'Day of Knowledge' (with electronic music by Jim O'Rourke, who also played bass on 1997's 'The Ultimate Seaside Companion'). 2010 also saw the product of collaborative efforts with Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley and Chicago experimental metal bass player and producer Sanford Parker dubbed The High Confessions with the album 'Turning Lead into Gold'. In 2013, he started two more industrial projects: Cocksure, with Jason C. Novak (Czar, Acumen Nation, and DJ? Acucrack), and Bells into Machines, with Paul Barker (Ministry, Revolting Cocks, and Lard), as well as the resurrection of the Cocks sans Al Jourgensen and with Richard 23 of Front 242 in 2016. Cocksure hit 2014 in the form of an EP and their debut album 'TVMALSV'. Soon after releasing 'Corporate Sting' in 2015. Later that year Connelly's first solo album in 3 years, with Drummer Matt Walker who aided in production and collecting the session musicians, most of which were already familiar with Chris Connelly due to being in his David Bowie tribute band 'Sons of the Silent Age' since its inception in 2013. In 2017 'Malekko' was released, where a select few songs date as back to 2012 or later when Chris Connelly was initially asked to participate but was unable to due to scheduling issues. 'Art & Gender' also came to light towards the end of the year, displaying a stark contrast to 'Decibels from Heart' released 2 years prior. In 2017, Connelly released The Tide Stripped Bare, part of his ‘Further Days’ series. The album was self-produced at his home studio, Rock Noir, and featured Connelly performing all instruments. Contemporary reviews noted a shift toward a more atmospheric sound and complex arrangements. In 2019, sees the release of 'Death it to Love', 'Sleeping Partner', and 'Death It...'. Some of the sounds featured were recorded at various galleries, outdoor spaces and islands. In 2020, the sudden death of drummer and multi-instrumentalist Bill Rieflin due to cancer lead to the release of 'Graveyard Sex', recorded and released in Rieflin's honor. Chris Bruce assisted in production and percussion. In 2025, Connelly finds himself in the middle of again called Sevendials, with former Killing Joke drummer Paul Ferguson and Mark Gemeni Thwaite. The album 'A Crash Course in Catastrophe' was released to critical acclaim. Personal life Connelly is now based in Chicago and works at a record store in Wicker Park. He and his wife of almost 20 years, filmmaker Shayna Connelly, reside in the suburb of Oak Park with their two children. Chris has also maintained and recorded all of his solo output since 2016 from his home studio, dubbed 'The Rock Noir'. Band affiliations Acid Horse Atkins & Connelly/(and Friends) Barker + Connelly : Luxapan The Bells Bells Into Machines Chris Connelly & William Tucker : the "Swingin' Junkies" The Cocks Cocksure The Damage Manual Die Warzau Everyoned The Final Cut Fini Tribe The High Confessions The Joy Thieves KMFDM The Love Interest Malekko Ministry Murder, Inc. Pigface Plastic Crimewave PTP Revolting Cocks Sevendials Sons of the Silent Age (David Bowie tribute band) Vocal appearances 1983 Cure for Madness - Fini Tribe Bye Bye to the October Sky - Fini Tribe 1984 Cathedral - Fini Tribe Curling Theme - Fini Tribe Backwards and Forwards we Lean - Fini Tribe 1985 Goose Duplicates - Fini Tribe An Evening with Clavichords - Fini Tribe We're Interested - Fini Tribe Splash Care - Fini Tribe 1986 De Testimony - Fini Tribe Make It Internal - Fini Tribe 1987 I want More - Fini Tribe Idiot Strength - Fini Tribe Stick - Revolting Cocks 1988 Little Visitors - Fini Tribe You goddamned Son of a Bitch - Revolting Cocks Cattle Grind - Revolting Cocks In the Neck - Revolting Cocks TV Mind (remix) - Revolting Cocks You often Forget - Revolting Cocks 1989 So What - Ministry Never Believe - Ministry Cannibal Song - Ministry Breathe - Ministry Stainless Steel Providers - Revolting Cocks (Let's get) Physical - Revolting Cocks No Name, No Slogan - Acid Horse Rubber Glove Seduction - PTP 1990 Smacktime - Die Warzau Can't sit Still - Revolting Cocks Something Wonderful - Revolting Cocks At the Top - Revolting Cocks (Let's Talk) Physical - Revolting Cocks The Image of Red - Pigface Little Sisters (remix) - Pigface I told You not to Stop (In Tight Connelly Mix) - Final Cut 1991 The Breakfast Conspiracy - Pigface Point Blank - Pigface Public Image - Revolting Cocks Careering - Pigface Blood and Sand - Pigface Weightless - Pigface Stowaway - Pigface The Amorous Humphrey Plugg - CC Murder Inc. - Murder, Inc. Mania - Murder, Inc. 1992 I can Do no Wrong - Pigface Ten Ground and Down - Pigface 2000 Light Years from Home - F/i Mrs. Whiskey Name - Murder, Inc. Red Black - Murder, Inc. Supergrass - Murder, Inc. Primal Understanding - Final Cut Tranquilized - Final Cut Fear - Final Cut Trash - CC Souvenir from a Dream - CC TV II - Ministry 1993 Bedazzled - The Love Interest Desperado - Chris Connelly Band Hole in the Wall - Murder, Inc. Uninvited Guest - Murder, Inc. Gambit - Murder, Inc. Sergio - Revolting Cocks Dirt - Revolting Cocks Creep - Revolting Cocks Butcher Flower's Woman - Revolting Cocks 1994 Mr. Lucky - Revolting Cocks The Rockabye - Revolting Cocks Crackin' Up - Revolting Cocks Da Ya think I'm Sexy? - Revolting Cocks Last of the Urgents - Murder, Inc. Motion Sickness - Murder, Inc. ' Songs for Swingin' Junkies ' - CC with William Tucker 1995 Don't bring Harry - Swingin' Junkies Eleanor Rigby - Swingin' Junkies Walk on By - Swingin' Junkies Search and Destroy - Swingin' Junkies Lucky Jim - Swingin' Junkies Cracked Actor - CC & the Shipwreck Band 1996 Ikons - KMFDM Rules - KMFDM Craze - KMFDM Blame - KMFDM Nothing at All - Final Cut Sign of the Cross - Catherine A Mutual Friend - CC 1999 Open Mouth - Bill Rieflin Box - Chainsuck Scissor Quickstep - The Damage Manual Sunset Gun - The Damage Manual Damage Addict - The Damage Manual Blame and Demand - The Damage Manual Leave the Ground - The Damage Manual 2000 King Mob - The Damage Manual Ignore the Noise - The Damage Manual Age of Urges - The Damage Manual Top Ten Severed - The Damage Manual Largo - CC with Bill Rieflin Sea Song - CC with Bill Rieflin Close Watch - CC with Bill Rieflin 2001 Supernaut - Pigface Flowers of Romance - Pigface Stateless - The Damage Manual Expand - The Damage Manual Broadcasting - The Damage Manual The Peepshow Ghosts - The Damage Manual Moonlight feels Right - The Bells Tears for Reep Daggle - Plastic Crimewave 2002 Saliva Bead - CC All Fours - Fini Tribe Me and my Shadow - Fini Tribe Paperself - Fini Tribe Doomsday - VooDou No Man's Land - with Bill Rieflin Partick Roulette - with Bill Rieflin Hard Hearted Alice - CC Niddrie Street Tape Loop Experiment - CC with Andy McGregor 2003 Miss Sway Action - Pigface Insect/Suspect - Pigface King of Negativity - Pigface Friends of Mine - Everyoned First to Know - Everyoned Low End Flight - Everyoned You wear It like Smoke - Everyoned 2004 Where are They Now? - CC Knife Audition - Everyoned Curtains - Everyoned Glass shall Wake - Everyoned Dancer's Legs - Everyoned Memories - The Damage Manual Quiet Life - The Damage Manual South Pole Fighters - The Damage Manual 2005 Limited Edition - The Damage Manual Revenge Fiction - The Damage Manual I am War Again - The Damage Manual Driven Menace - The Damage Manual No Act of Grace - The Damage Manual Subtraction - Jarboe Don't make Me Go - CC Lunatic - CC 2006 Laugh Track - The Damage Manual Mad Dialect - The Damage Manual Exile on Sunset Street - The Damage Manual Fire and Wine - CC Bordell Geist - CC Jubbergait Nurse - CC Ordinary Things - Ahab Rex While the Saints Cry - Ahab Rex Wife - Ahab Rex 2007 Looking for a River - CC 2008 Deva