Chris Constantinou

Chris Constantinou
Background information
Also known asChris De Niro
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • Bass guitar
  • Guitar
  • Flute
  • Harmonica
Labels
  • Ebony
  • RCA
  • Sony
  • Howl
  • Damaged Goods
  • Sony ATV
  • Universal
Websitechrisconstantinou.com

Chris Constantinou is an English musician, best known as the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for Adam Ant.

Childhood and early bands

Constantinou was born at Charing Cross Hospital in Charing Cross Road, London and at the age of three, he moved to Plymouth. He went to Plymouth College before a brief spell at Plymouth Art College. He performed with school and garage bands supporting 1970s artists such as King Crimson, Snafu, and Sassafras. His professional career started when he joined Diz Watson, the renowned exponent of New Orleans blues/Professor Longhair-style piano and barrel house blues, as bass player. In 1977, he formed the rock band The Drill. Acting as co-writer and bassist, they first signed to Ebony Records before moving to RCA Records for a string of singles, several of which were produced by Chas Chandler (from the band The Animals, who also found and produced Jimi Hendrix and Slade).[1][2][3][4]

Music career

1980s: Chris De Niro era

In 1982 Constantinou joined Adam Ant's live band as bass guitarist and backing vocalist in time for the Friend or Foe album tour and the video for the single Desperate But Not Serious.[5] He also took a minor acting role as Toulouse Lautrec in the video for Ant's 1983 single Strip.[6] Ant later pared down his eight-piece touring outfit to a four piece which first appeared on TV performances of Ant's UK top 5 single "Puss 'N Boots" in late 1983 before becoming a full time touring/recording unit in mid 1984. Under the pseudonym Chris De Niro, Constantinou became an integral part of the mid-1980s "Ant/Marco/Wiczling/De Niro" line up which recorded the UK Top 20 single "Apollo 9" and parent album Vive Le Rock, both of which were produced by Tony Visconti. Constantinou's performances in Ant's band included Top of the Pops, Saturday Night Live, American Bandstand and, on stage, Radio City Music Hall and 1985's Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium. Parting with Ant in 1985, Constantinou spent time with SF Go, a Miles Copeland III-managed band he had formed with Danny Kustow (TRB, Glen Matlock).[2][7]

1990s: JackieOnAssid era

At the beginning of the 1990s, Constantinou formed a band with Bow Wow Wow's Annabella Lwin, fronted by Annabella with Chris as co-writer, bassist and backing vocalist. They built a substantial following hit singles like Do What You Do (Sony, 1994), a dancefloor hit thanks to remixes from Farley & Heller and Junior Vasquez. The project was produced by Steve Lironi (Fun Lovin' Criminals, Happy Mondays). In this period, Chris also had a songwriting partnership with Guy Chambers.[2][4][8]

Chris took centre stage to form post-punk outfit JackieOnAssid in 1996. As lead singer, songwriter and bassist, JackieOnAssid toured Europe three times, released two albums (2001's 4Play and 2002's Zip Me Up) and supported Iggy Pop. The videos for these singles were directed by award-winning British film maker Paul Hills. He later featured the band's Meditation Man single in his 2003 movie The Poet (Dougray Scott/Laura Elena Harring).[2][3][9]

2000s: The Wolfmen era

In 2004 Chris began work on his project, The Wolfmen for which he handled lead vocals, co-writing, bass and various other instruments. It saw him reunite with another former Ant, songwriter/guitarist Marco Pirroni,[10] to blend a sound described by Mojo magazine as "exuberant filth... Chris and Marco do growing old disgracefully with style.”[11]

Constantinou played and produced some tracks on The Slits' EP, Revenge of the Killer Slits in 2006[12] and co-wrote tracks "The Wolf Is Getting Married" (Single 2012), "I had a Baby" (Album track 2012) for Sinéad O'Connor's album, How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?, released in March 2012.[2][8][13][14]

A collaboration with Daler Mehndi in 2007 materialized in the Bhangra / rock single Two Eyes (Do Naina), which topped the BBC Asian Network charts.[15][16]

2010s: The Mutants era

In January 2013, Chris Constantinou developed in a discussion with Eugene Butcher, editor from the magazine Vive Le Rock, and Dave Collins the idea of an album set out to retrace the roots of punk, new wave and ska, featuring all-star punk musicians.[17] It materialized in the creation of the musical supergroup The Mutants, with Chris Constantinou and Paul Frazer as core members, later also joined by Rat Scabies. After a series of initial projects (like Nuclear Wasteland, made at the disaster site in Chernobyl),[2][18] the first album, Rhythm and Punk Review, was released in July 2014. In this album, Constantinou brought together and collaborated with a variety of musicians, like Norman Watt-Roy (Ian Dury and The Blockheads/Wilko), T. V. Smith (The Adverts), Charlie Harper (UK Subs), Jake Burns (Stiff Little Fingers), Knox (The Vibrators), Neville Staple (The Specials), Judy Nylon (John Cale/Brian Eno), Beki Bondage (Vice Squad), Texas Terri (Texas Terri & The Stiff Ones/Texas Terri Bomb), Preston Heyman (Kate Bush/Tom Robinson Band/Massive Attack), Tim Smart, Jonathan Read (The Specials), and Joe Atkinson (Flipron).[19][20]

A subsequent Mutants album, Tokyo Nights, released in May 2015, had all the songs fronted by a rotating set of Japanese guest stars.[21] The third album, Your Desert My Mind (October 2016), is a collaboration with a series of guests from the Californian desert rock scene, among them David Catching from Eagles of Death Metal, Chris Goss from Masters of Reality, Brent DeBoer, Peter Holmström and Zia McCabe from The Dandy Warhols, Sean Wheeler from Throw Rag and Victoria Williams. The album was recorded at Rancho De La Luna in Joshua Tree, California.[22][23] In October 2016, The Mutants also went on a tour in California together with the guests Chris Goss, Sean Wheeler and Bingo Richey.[24][25]

As a guest musician, Chris played flute with The Dandy Warhols,[26] Holy Holy (the album The Man Who Sold the World Live in London),[27] Brant Bjork & Sean Wheeler, Andreas Grega (the albums Mikrouli Mou and Vallar Av Snö), and Nerina Pallot (the album Fires).[28] He also guested on bass in the 2016 UK Station to Station tour by Earl Slick and Bernard Fowler.[29][30]

In June 2016, he released with The Mutants the mini-album Time For a Drink (post Production Courtney Taylor-Taylor & Brandon Eggleston).[31]

Recent years

The work with Rat Scabies as core members of The Mutants developed also into the project One Thousand Motels, involving only the two of them (quicker and easier to put in practice, considering the logistics around The Mutants musicians as a supergroup).[32] In 2020, they released the album 2% out of Sync, described in reviews as forging new ground.[33][34] Their music is characterized by Vive le Rock as "upbeat rock songs with a twist in the lyrical tail"[35] and by Midlands Rock as "a match seemingly made in rock ‘n’ roll heaven (or a punky purgatory)".[33]

The second album Get In Where You Fit In was released in April 2021, with Sean Wheeler as vocalist. At its creation also participated American musicians like guitarist Hal Lindes (Dire Straits), Marc Franklin and Arthur Edmaiston from Memphis on Horns (Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes, Snoop Dogg, Stevie Wonder) and Jonathan Moore with the First Street Choir from Mississippi. The musicians from London are the percussionist Preston Heyman (Kate Bush, Massive Attack, Terence Trent D'Arby), on harmonica Steve 'West' Weston (Roger Daltrey, Wilko Johnson), on slide guitar Dave Ahern, The Specials Brass Section & Su Robinson (The South Brass) and pianist Diz Watson (Dr. John).[35] The album was noticed for its blend of gospel, soul, funk, blues, and rock with Deep South nuances.[36][37]

Also in 2020, he started the project RudeGRL + CC, in collaboration with Jenna Dickens. The music is described as a blend of post-punk/punk and hip hop (Jenna has a hip hop background).[38][39] In 2020, they released the album Anthemic Hip Hop (Universal Music) and one of its songs, "Helen Keller", won the 2020 PMA Best Hip Hop Track award.[40] In September 2020, they released the EP Like Wow and, in January 2021, the single Brand New Cadillac, noticed in reviews as an update with modern sonic textures of the 1959 classic rockabilly hit by Vince Taylor.[41][42]

Some of his songs were included in well-known soundtracks, like "Bamboo Moon" from Tokyo Nights album in the soundtrack of the TV series Money Heist.[43]

Discography

With Adam Ant

With Annabella Lwin

  • Car Sex (single, 1994)
  • Do What You Do (single, 1994)
  • Super Boom (album 2016)

With The Slits

  • Revenge of the Killer Slits (EP, 2006)

With The Wolfmen

  • The Wolfmen (EP, 2006)
  • Kama Sutra (single, 2006)
  • I Put A Spell on You (collaboration with Primal Scream, 2006)
  • The Wolfmen Sell Out (2007)
  • Give Listen Help (Filter Magazine compilation album, 2007)
  • Two Eyes (Do Naina) (single with Daler Mehndi, 2007)
  • Thieves & Liars (single) (single with Daler Mehndi, 2007)
  • Cecilie (single, 2007)
  • Needle in the Camle's Eye (EP, 2008)
  • Chang Yare (Paradise Lost) (collaboration with Namgyal Lhamo, 2008)
  • Modernity Killed Every Night (album, 2008)
  • Better Days (single, 2008)
  • Little Steven's Underground Garage Presents... The Coolest Songs in the World Volume 6 (compilation album, 2009)
  • Jackie, is it my Birthday? (duet with Sinéad O'Connor (single, 2009) Produced by Steve Musters Post Production and Mix by Courtney Taylor-Taylor (single, 2010)
  • Take Refuge in Pleasure: The Songs of Roxy Music Revisited (compilation album, 2009)
  • 20 July Produced by Steve Musters Post Production by Courtney Taylor-Taylor (single, 2010)
  • The Wolfmen Sell Out Again (2010)
  • Marilyn Monroe-Wam Bam JFK Produced by Steve Musters Post Production and Mix by Courtney Taylor-Taylor (single, 2010)
  • Married to the Eiffel Tower (Howl) (2011)

With SSG

  • Praise You (Single 2012)
  • Sugar, Salt & Glue (EP 2012)

With Sinéad O'Connor

  • The Wolf Is Getting Married (Single 2012)
  • I had a Baby (Album track 2012)

With Andreas Grega

  • Mikrouli Mou (Album 2012)
  • Vallar Av Snö (Album 2012)

With Anisa Arslanagic and Paul Frazer

  • Nuclear Wasteland (Album 2014)

With The Mutants

  • Rhythm and Punk Review (Album 2014)
  • Tokyo Nights (Album 2015)
  • Time For a Drink (Mini Album 2016, Post Production Courtney Taylor-Taylor & Brandon Eggleston)
  • Your Desert My Mind (Album 2016)

With Paul Frazer

  • Ghost Towns of the American West (Album 2016)
  • The New Psyche (Album 2016)
  • Taiko (Album 2016)
  • Tokyo Concrete (Album 2016)
  • Electronic India (Album 2016)
  • Second Line Grooves (2017)
  • Ghosts of Jazzland (2017)
  • The Mysteries (2017)
  • Tales from Big Sur (2017)
  • China (2017)
  • Classic Synths: Old School 80's Sounds (2017)

With Oliver Straus and Rat Scabies

  • Nyc Nrg (2018)

With James Young

  • Four-Wheel Drive (2018)
  • Yoga Chill (2019)
  • Ethnic Textures (2019)
  • Electro Rock Workout (2020)
  • Christmas Joy (2021)
  • Softly, Softly (2022)
  • Stoner Dub (2022)
  • Sahara (2023)

With James Young, Paul Frazer and Vincent Welch

  • Mumbai Chic (2018)

With James Young and Nicholas de Carlo

  • Lo-Fi Indie (2019)

With James Young and Florence Sabeva

  • Minimal Organic (2021)

With James Young and Susie Webb

  • Positive Thoughts (2022)

With Hal Lindes

  • A Walk In The Woods (2018)
  • New Wave Funk Rock (NWFR) (2018)
  • Homebound (2020)
  • Soft Guitars (2022)

With One Thousand Motels

With RudeGRL + CC

References

  1. ^ Andy Gregory (2002). The International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002. Psychology Press. ISBN 9781857431612. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f John Earls, "The artist formerly known as Chris de Niro", Classic Pop magazine, p. 78-81, issue 19, October/November 2015
  3. ^ a b "Chris Constantinou". Archived from the original on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  4. ^ a b "The Wolfmen". Damaged Goods. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  5. ^ Dave Collins, Razor Keen - Chris Constantinou, Vive Le Rock, p. 80-84, issue 82, 2021
  6. ^ Liner notes, Adam Ant Hits VHS compilation, CBS Fox Video 649950, 1986
  7. ^ Terry Lane (15 December 2010). "Interview with Marco Pirroni & Chris Constantinou – The Wolfmen". Buzzin Music. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  8. ^ a b "Blushing God". Pop! The Question. 27 December 2011. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  9. ^ Guy Sangster Adams. "The Wolfmen: Marco Pirroni & Chris Constantinou". Plectrum - The Cultural Pick. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  10. ^ Anita Awbi (7 April 2010). "The Wolfmen interview". PRS for Music. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  11. ^ "The Wolfmen: Biography" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  12. ^ "The Slits – Revenge Of The Killer Slits". Discogs. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  13. ^ Jon Blistein (19 October 2012). "Cornershop Featuring Sinead O'Connor and Chris Constantinou on 'Posing as an Angel' – Premiere". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  14. ^ "The Wolfmen Interview". M Magazine. 6 April 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  15. ^ "The Wolfmen Interview". Music News. 10 May 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  16. ^ Stephen Pook. "Daler Mehndi & The Wolfmen at Raezor (documentary)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  17. ^ "All Hail The Mutants!". Vive le Rock. August 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  18. ^ "Mutants In Chernobyl". YouTube. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  19. ^ "Punk rock supergroup THE MUTANTS are coming - are you ready to be mutated?". Über Röck. 8 April 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  20. ^ "The Mutants – Rhythm And Punk Review (Album Review)". Hit the Floor. 16 July 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  21. ^ "The Mutants – Tokyo Nights (Album Review)". Penny Black Music. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  22. ^ "The Mutants – Your Desert My Mind". MusicBrainz. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  23. ^ Daniel Cressey (8 November 2016). "Review – The Mutants, Your Desert My Mind". PennyBlackMusic.co.uk. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  24. ^ "The Mutants (Rat Scabies, Chris Constantinou & Paul Frazer) with special guests Chris Goss, Sean Wheeler & Bingo Richey". PennyBlackMusic.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 November 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  25. ^ "The Mutants with special guests Chris Goss, Sean Wheeler and Bingo Richey". Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  26. ^ "The Dandy Warhols, Koko, London". The Independent. 23 August 2010. Archived from the original on 25 August 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  27. ^ "Holy Holy: Live The Man Who Sold The World! – album review". Louder Than War. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  28. ^ "Nerina Pallot – Fires". Discogs. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  29. ^ "Earl Slick and Bernard Fowler perform David Bowies Station to Station". Colchester Arts Centre. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  30. ^ "Earl Slick performs David Bowie's Station to Station". David Bowie News. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  31. ^ "Time For a Drink". iTunes. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  32. ^ Mick Burgess (21 January 2021). "Bass ace Chris Constantinou on his life in music, from Adam and the Ants to Rude GRL & CC, via The Mutants, The Wolfmen and much more". IPA Music. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  33. ^ a b Peter Dennis (19 December 2020). "One Thousand Motels – 2% Out Of Sync". The Midlands Rock. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  34. ^ Martin Chamarette. "One Thousand Motels – '2% Out Of Sync'". RPM Online. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  35. ^ a b John Deaux (4 February 2021). "One Thousand Motels: Rat Scabies & Chris Constantinou mutate with Sean Wheeler on 'Get In Where You Fit In'". All About the Rock. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  36. ^ Kimberley Bright. "One Thousand Motels - Get In Where You Fit In". PennyBlack Music. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  37. ^ Peter Dennis (12 April 2021). "One Thousand Motels - Get In Where You Fit In". The Midlands Rock. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  38. ^ Octavia Graham. "An Interview with Rude GRL & CC". Cardiff Student Media. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  39. ^ "Rude Grl & CC – Interview". Lights Go Out. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  40. ^ "PMA Awards - 2020 Winners". Production Music Association. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  41. ^ "Chris Constantinou Releases Single 'Brand New Cadillac'". Broadway World. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  42. ^ "Single Review: RudeGRL & CC – 'Brand New Cadillac'". Rats on the Run. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  43. ^ "Money Heist Seasons 1-4 Soundtrack: Every Song Featured". Netflix. 5 April 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
Preceded by Adam Ant bassist
1982 - 1985 		Succeeded by