In February 1976, a tremendously innovative and pioneering artist began shaking things up in the Chicago club scene. Skafish (Jim Skafish) and his band hurled a never-before heard or seen sensibility at an unsuspecting public. Skafish's appearance alone--a huge hook nose, meaty 6 foot 3 frame, and the suggestion of breasts that was underscored and emphasized by degradingly gender-bending clothing, stunned audiences. The lyrics and music were equally overwhelming. Autobiographical experiences of childhood abuse, rejection, alienation, and sacrilegious themes were rebelliously flaunted and acted out on stage. A combination of atonal jazz improvisation, 20th century avant-garde, classic pop melody and high-speed frenetic rock, the music was overpowering and disorienting. The reactions were immediate, extreme and violent--and the press took notice. By the summer of 1977, Skafish and his music began to find an audience.
Acknowledged as the sole originator and Godfather of Chicago’s punk, new wave, alternative and indie rock movements, Skafish also co-created these art forms on a worldwide level. Skafish was a pioneer decades ahead of his time, irrevocably changing the face of Chicago music and culture, opening the door for all punk, new wave, alternative and indie rock artists to have their voices heard worldwide.
Announcing the new Skafish CD! |
From the Navigation Bar on the left, select from the following categories:
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Timeline, Press, and Photos:
Represents in text, press reaction, and photographs, the year to year story
from 1961-2000.
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Band and People: Offers
bios of every Skafish band member, important guest artists and associates
who were a part of the project.
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Quotes: Band members, other
artists, music industry insiders and the photographers/videographers who
documented Skafish reflect, in their own words, on the Skafish
experience.
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Discography: Features a
complete listing of released and unreleased Skafish recordings, and
Skafish's personal liner notes about every released and unreleased
track.***Updated***
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Audio: Features
eight complete Skafish songs from 1979 to 1994. **New Audio added**
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Video: A complete
listing of released and unreleased video and clips of the Skafish band
performing in the early days of Chicago. **Under
Construction**
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Bookings: Contact
info to book Skafish for live performances.
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Search: To find anyone on this
website.
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FAQ: Answers questions that
have been repeatedly asked, and allows anyone to email
questions.
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Guestbook: To be placed on our
mailing list.
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Links Offers
addresses of various people on this website and links to other related
sites.
- Info/Contact Us: Offers important updates, contact information and requests for information from skafish.com. Latest updates to the site are listed here! Submit photos for the Skafish fanpage!
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(Color photo at top by Rita Hayle)
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