Crossing the Threshhold

November 15, 2004 10:38 AM

RIP, Jhonn Balance (of Coil, and many other projects)
posted by qDot (19 comments total)

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posted by drezdn at 10:51 AM on November 15, 2004

Aw, damn....not another one!

*sigh*

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posted by black8 at 10:56 AM on November 15, 2004

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posted by Skygazer at 11:22 AM on November 15, 2004

I have been absolutely staggered by this. Not surprised, as Jhonn's health has been iffy over the past few years, but deeply saddened. This hit the Coil mailing list this morning and I have been in a daze ever since. Thanks qDot for posting it here. Coil have been my favorite artists for 15 years now and it's hard to believe its over.
posted by spartacusroosevelt at 11:50 AM on November 15, 2004

Tragic. Coil made some of the deepest, most beautiful music I've ever heard.
posted by erebora at 11:55 AM on November 15, 2004

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posted by neckro23 at 12:13 PM on November 15, 2004

Argh. :( Well, crap.

Thanks for the musical and philosophical bravery, thanks for the truths, thanks for the magic.

I want to ask myself "why now!?" when the world seems to most need just that sort of healing chaos the most, but perhaps that's just it. Perhaps they need him now even more, for all of us.

We're all on loan here anyway, perhaps even more so for the likes of Jhonn. Enjoy the soup, Jhonn, become the fabric, don't hide in the depths. Ignite. Burn so bright it's unbearable.

"Every man and every woman is a Star."

(now listening to: NASA-Arab (extended mix), Windowpane (minimal mix), Coil vs. Eleph, Selections from Black Light District, Selections from Love's Secret Domain, more.)
posted by loquacious at 1:23 PM on November 15, 2004

Love is the Sky...
posted by loquacious at 1:47 PM on November 15, 2004

Wise words from the departing
Eat your greens, especially broccoli
Remember to say "thank you" for the things you haven't had
By working the soil we cultivate the sky
We embrace vegetable kingdom
The death of your father, the death of your mother
Is something you prepare for
All your life
All their life
posted by Jairus at 1:54 PM on November 15, 2004

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posted by adamgreenfield at 4:09 PM on November 15, 2004

Just in case anyone doesn't know--the dots on this thread are meant to indicate that the posters are at a loss for words because of Mr. Balance's untimely demise, or else it's an ASCII evocation of the rocks left at a gravesite in the Jewish tradition (and perhaps others).

Now, the New York Post would probably, if it were to cover Mr. Balance's death, point out the dramatic irony of someone whose last name was "Balance" falling to his death indoors. But that would be wrong, of course.
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:25 PM on November 15, 2004

Heh, Someone had to point that connection out to me, as it hadn't even crossed my mind. Not that it's so entirely awful or anything, but probably just too distracted by the event itself.

Brainwashed.com has a simple page up.

Weirdly, the friend who introduced me to Coil had his birthday Saturday. He was wearing a Coil T-shirt that day as well. He's a bit shook up.
posted by loquacious at 5:49 PM on November 15, 2004

We (the editors of virginprunes.com) were up very late last night talking about Jhonn and Coil. Our thoughts on his passing can be read on the site. I'm surprised at how much it affected me, seeing that I didn't know him personally. We did exchange some letters in the early 90s - I'll cherish them.
posted by prolific at 5:00 AM on November 16, 2004

Now you see why,
I'm not scared to die.

I saw a vision of an angel
of the world lay down and die.

The earth full of ghosts now
ghosts that sweat and ghost that cry

instead of peace
just stop and cease
a final and a sweet release
posted by blackfly at 10:03 AM on November 16, 2004

damn. damn. damn. one of the most pioneering and innovative artists i've ever admired is gone.

Aye! feast! rejoice! there is no dread hereafter. There is the dissolution, and eternal ecstasy in the kisses of Nu.
- Liber AL II:44

RIP.
posted by malocchio at 12:20 PM on November 16, 2004

Saturday night I was spinning records at Diabolique, Philadelphia's annual fet/rubber ball. My 5 hour set started with a mash-up of "Are You Shivering?" which segued, 15 minutes later, into CTI's "The Need."

Later on I played (of course) Coil's "Tainted Love" and (for the sake of those rubberists needing to dance) "Windowpane."

Say a prayer, cast a spell, *whatever* (wink) for Peter right now...and may the goddesses bless the vultures who are taking care of Mr. Balance.

The heaviness in my chest is incredible right now.
posted by red cell at 12:49 PM on November 16, 2004

When I was at school, he was a couple of years above me, and already involved in the music and life he committed himself to - co-producing a fanzine, playing in groups and spreading the Industrial word. When a group formed that I was a part of, he played on some of our tracks, wrote lyrics for us and generally promoted us. I never knew precisely why, but I was grateful and still am. It was a big part of my life at that time (not very much rock 'n roll mayhem, but a lot of nasty noises and recording, and submergence in the tape scene, the early 80s equivalent of website-'n'-mp3 distribution) and probably wouldn't have happened that way without all the work he did for us.
posted by Grangousier at 1:52 PM on November 16, 2004

artists have to die... it the whole reason they were artists to begin with.

im glad he's exhaled the last sigh
posted by Satapher at 5:43 PM on November 16, 2004

Brainwashed Radio is streaming an all-Coil broadcast, as is my
live365 station.
posted by PaleFire at 12:05 PM on November 17, 2004