Gitane Demone

Gitane Demone

Gitane Demone 2014
Background information
Born May 16, 1958
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Origin Los Angeles, USA
Genres Deathrock, gothic rock, dark cabaret, jazz
Years active 1985–present
Associated acts Pompeii 99, Christian Death, Rozz Williams, Demonix, The Crystelles, +DOG+, Hedone Tears
Notable instruments
Vocals, piano, guitar

Gitane Demone (born May 16, 1958) is a singer and musician. She was a member of Christian Death in the 1980s, and is currently a solo artist.

Pompeii 99 and Christian Death

After answering an ad placed by Valor Kand in 1981, Demone joined his band, Pompeii 99. The pair also become lovers, having a son, Sevan, in 1984, and later a daughter, Zara. Demone stayed with the band when it joined with Rozz Williams in 1983 to become the new lineup of Christian Death.[1][2] Demone split from both Kand and Christian Death in 1989.

Solo History

Demone may have had an obvious background in punk and deathrock/gothic rock, but she also had a passion for jazz and a number of legendary female vocalists, most notably Billie Holiday. Her rubber-clad S&M visual image was no less intriguing, with the fetish theme carried through into her lyrics.

Demone released a couple of EPs early in her solo career (eventually collected on the compilation Facets in Blue). She then renewed her friendship with former bandmate Rozz Williams, touring together and then recording an album, Dream Home Heartache, in 1995, which included both cover versions and their own material. She then paired up with Mark Ickx to produce a full-length album, released under the name Demonix, around the same time.

Demone recorded an album of her own, Am I Wrong?, in 1997. She also continued to provide guest vocals for bands on both sides of the Atlantic, and also released a compilation of the songs she sung in her Christian Death days. A second studio album, Stars of Trash (again self-penned, but recorded with the assistance of the band Dreadful Shadows), followed in 2000.

In 2008 a two-disc DVD titled Life After Death was released by Cult Epics, featuring footage from throughout Demone's career, including a live performance with Williams.

From 2008-2011, Demone was involved in a project called The Crystelles with daughter Zara Kand, and has also performed with the experimental noise band +DOG+.

In 2013, she collaborated with Loopool and Syphilis Sauna under the name Hedone Tears, releasing a digital single, "Moonlit Paradise".[3]

Demone and Rikk Agnew (the influential guitarist of Adolescents and Christian Death) were engaged on May 3, 2013.[4] The couple currently create, record and perform with other musicians including Paul Roessler (The Screamers, etc.) and Debra Erin Benham.

A published writer, Demone's other artistic activities also include composing poetry and painting.

Discography

References

  1. ↑ The rough guide to rock, p. 194 (3d ed. 2003)
  2. ↑ Issit, Michael L. Goths: A Guide to an American Subculture, p. 94 (2011)
  3. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Hedone-Tears-Moonlit-Paradise/release/4533758
  4. ↑ http://www.ocweekly.com/2014-06-19/music/rikk-agnew-adolescents/full/