Ivan Julian
Encyclopedia
Ivan Julian is a guitarist and bassist, founding member of the seminal Punk
/New Wave
group Richard Hell and the Voidoids, The Outsets and Lovelies
.
He has performed with the Isley Brothers, The Clash
, Matthew Sweet
, and Shriekback
.
play but his story is not that simple. Although this day did change him it had nothing to do with Hendrix’s style of playing that influenced him, but what he represented and exuded in his performance- a freedom of expression. Ivan went home and burnt his Chuck Taylor
shoes in his backyard- a symbolic gesture that conformity would not be a part of his life anymore.
Being the child of a Navy officer, he spent his formative years living in such exotic places as Haiti
and Cuba
. He enjoyed spending time alone and was an avid reader of such interesting material as Edgar Allan Poe
, Ovid and he enjoyed putting his own thoughts in writing.
When he was 13, he was a singer in a Led Zeppelin
cover band, which led him to pick up the guitar at 14. Prior to this, he also studied the bassoon and sax. He spent his high school years as a part-time student in a college program studying music theory. And then at the age of 17, the wanderlust spirit took over and Julian found himself in London as a member of The Foundations
with notable hits as “Build Me Up Buttercup” and “Baby Now That I Found You” touring Great Britain, Switzerland and Yugoslavia
.
/ New Wave
group Richard Hell and the Voidoids. Soon after the band recorded an EP that was heralded by the Village Voice as one of the best records of the year. Early traces of Julian’s prowess grace two sides of this historical platter.
Later that year they were signed to Sire/Warner Brothers, and with the band and Richard Gottehrer
producing came the Blank Generation LP. This album set a new standard for a whole generation of guitar players. Two of Julian’s songs (co-written with Richard Hell
), Liars Beware and Betrayal Takes Two appear on side one. He is also credited with writing the intro to the title song, "Blank Generation
". The reviewers gave Blank Generation high accolades and singled out the guitar work praising its merit. The album stands the test of time and today is still considered among the quintessential records of that period.
, playing with Richard Lloyd's band and being impressed. As it turned out Vinny was ready for a change so they started holding auditions for bass and the other guitar. When the word got out, Fred Smith
(Television
, Blondie
), Ted Niceley (producer Girls vs. Boys), Tommy Keene were among the people that came to play. Eventually the positions were filled by Bob Albertson on bass and Simon Chardiet on guitar. Soon after the band went into rehearsals and prepared for live dates at CBGB's, Max's Kansas City
. At this point there were more venues opening up such as the Mudd Club, Danceteria catering to a new minimal, percussive style of music and Ivan wanted to be part of it. The plan as always was to venture out with fresh ideas and to new places, so the first gig was booked at Tier 3, a performance space in Soho
.
After several months the band was signed to Contender Records and released their first single, 'I'm Searchin' For You b/w 'Fever
'. Much has been made of the misprint on the label that incorrectly list the publishing rights for the B side. As a result the record company corrected the mistake after the first pressing which has made it somewhat of a collectors item. (When the band found out about this they were so outraged they gathered all the copies they could find in local record stores and replaced them at a reduced price with disks they had modified by painting on one side in bright yellow, "Under Construction" on the actual vinyl. Though these modified versions are more valuable, if one comes across a copy you are advised not to attempt to play it on your turntable).
Soon it was apparent that the band needed a new engine so Danny Hirsch from Johnny Thunders
' Heartbreakers came in on bass. He proved not only to be an amazing musician but a gifted writing partner for Julian, as well .
The songs on The Punk/Funk Voodoo Collection were recorded in the basement studio of Giorgio Gomelsky
, Yardbirds producer and early manager of the Rolling Stones. He persuaded Ivan Julian and the band to explore sounds outside of the boundaries of American pop music, most notably Fela Kuti
. The music and the lyrics resound with the rough and tumble immediacy of East Village
New York in the early '80s. Included as Bonus Tracks are remastered versions of The Outsets first single originally released as a 45 on Contender records.
Garland Jeffreys
approached Ivan and offered to produce The Outsets forthcoming EP “The Ice Man”, which also involved Bob Clearmountain
as engineer. During this time he also recorded with Tomas Donker from Defunkt
, Afrika Bambaataa
and Bernie Worrell
of Parliament/Funkadelic fame. Originally released in the U.S. on Plexus Records playing keyboards on the bonus tracks is Marsha Sardy who also played with The Fall.
Soon after Julian’s close friend and partner in The Outsets and Lovelies
died. His friend had a white Stratocaster that was literally broken in pieces that he never fixed but kept around. Ivan decided to put it together and keep it as a remembrance of their friendship. Oddly, his playing took a noticeable difference with this guitar.
were at Electric Lady Studios
recording what would become the Sandinista!
LP. Mick Jones
and Joe Strummer
wanted Julian to join them in the studio but he was touring with his band, The Outsets. Upon his return he recorded with them and help to develop the only single from Sandinista! entitled “The Call Up” backed with “Ivan Meets G. I. Joe.”
The English bands Shriekback
, founded by Dave Allen
from the Gang of Four
and Barry Andrews of XTC
, asked Julian on two tours of the North America and Europe.
Julian’s thoughts on being compared to Hendrix? “I never wanted to emulate him because he is someone that can’t be touched, but I am honoured that people would say that about me.” With his influences being such notable figures as Charlie Parker
, Albert Ayler
and Charlie Christian
it is no wonder that he has developed a distinct style all his own. Julian states, “There is a piece of their soul in every note they play.” During most of the nineties Julian recorded and toured the world with Matthew Sweet
as lead guitarist earning him three Gold Record Awards.
Ivan Julian continues to write and produce music at his analog tape/digital recording studio, NY HED where he has produced the last 2 The Fleshtones
LP’s, mastered Five Dollar Priest among others. His production skills have been praised being compared to George Clinton
and Joe Boyd
. To summarize what you can see is that the one thing he does is make music.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
/New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
group Richard Hell and the Voidoids, The Outsets and Lovelies
Lovelies
The Lovelies were a rock band from New York City fronted by former Bush Tetras vocalist Cynthia Sley and former Voidoid Guitarist Ivan Julian. Mad Orphan is their one and only release. This release is characterized by percussive downtown NYC post-punk....
.
He has performed with the Isley Brothers, The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
, Matthew Sweet
Matthew Sweet
Sidney Matthew Sweet is an American alternative rock/power pop musician. He was part of the burgeoning Athens, Georgia music scene in the early and mid-1980s before gaining commercial success during the early 1990s...
, and Shriekback
Shriekback
Shriekback are an English rock band, formed in 1981 in Kentish Town by Barry Andrews, formerly of XTC and League of Gentlemen , and Dave Allen, formerly of the Gang of Four , with Carl Marsh, formerly of Out On Blue Six soon added to the line-up. They were joined by Martyn Barker on drums in 1983...
.
Early life and career
It would be easy to say that Ivan Julian was inspired the day he saw Jimi HendrixJimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
play but his story is not that simple. Although this day did change him it had nothing to do with Hendrix’s style of playing that influenced him, but what he represented and exuded in his performance- a freedom of expression. Ivan went home and burnt his Chuck Taylor
Chuck Taylor All-Stars
Chuck Taylor All Stars, or Converse All Stars, also referred to as "Chuck Taylors", "Converses", "All Stars", "Chucks" or "Cons", are canvas and rubber shoes produced by Converse. They were first produced in 1917 as the "All Star," Converse's attempt to capture the basketball shoe market...
shoes in his backyard- a symbolic gesture that conformity would not be a part of his life anymore.
Being the child of a Navy officer, he spent his formative years living in such exotic places as Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
and Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. He enjoyed spending time alone and was an avid reader of such interesting material as Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
, Ovid and he enjoyed putting his own thoughts in writing.
When he was 13, he was a singer in a Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
cover band, which led him to pick up the guitar at 14. Prior to this, he also studied the bassoon and sax. He spent his high school years as a part-time student in a college program studying music theory. And then at the age of 17, the wanderlust spirit took over and Julian found himself in London as a member of The Foundations
The Foundations
The Foundations were a British soul band, active from 1967 to 1970. The group, made up of West Indians, White British, and a Sri Lankan, are best known for their two biggest hits, "Baby Now That I've Found You" , written by Tony Macaulay and John MacLeod; and "Build Me Up Buttercup" The Foundations...
with notable hits as “Build Me Up Buttercup” and “Baby Now That I Found You” touring Great Britain, Switzerland and Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
.
The Voidoids, Blank Generation
In 1977 Julian returned to the U.S. to New York, where he was a founding member of the seminal PunkPunk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
/ New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
group Richard Hell and the Voidoids. Soon after the band recorded an EP that was heralded by the Village Voice as one of the best records of the year. Early traces of Julian’s prowess grace two sides of this historical platter.
Later that year they were signed to Sire/Warner Brothers, and with the band and Richard Gottehrer
Richard Gottehrer
Richard Gottehrer is an American songwriter, record producer and record label executive.-Career:Gottehrer came to prominence as a songwriter in the 1960s with his most notable songs being "My Boyfriend's Back" and "I Want Candy". As Feldman-Goldstein-Gottehrer , he wrote various songs including...
producing came the Blank Generation LP. This album set a new standard for a whole generation of guitar players. Two of Julian’s songs (co-written with Richard Hell
Richard Hell
Richard Hell is a singer, songwriter, bass guitarist, and writer.Richard Hell was an innovator of punk music and fashion. He was one of the first to spike his hair and wear torn, cut and drawn-on shirts, often held together with safety pins...
), Liars Beware and Betrayal Takes Two appear on side one. He is also credited with writing the intro to the title song, "Blank Generation
Blank Generation (song)
Blank Generation is the title track of The Voidoids' debut album Blank Generation. Richard Hell wrote the song during his time with the band Television, and performed it live with another band, The Heartbreakers. The Sex Pistols' song "Pretty Vacant" was directly inspired by "Blank Generation"....
". The reviewers gave Blank Generation high accolades and singled out the guitar work praising its merit. The album stands the test of time and today is still considered among the quintessential records of that period.
The Outsets (1980-85)
Ivan formed The Outsets just after the breakup of Richard Hell and the Voidoids in 1980. The first step would be to scour the clubs looking for the 'right' drummer. He remembered seeing Vinny DeNunzio, of The FeeliesThe Feelies
The Feelies are a rock band from Haledon, New Jersey. They formed in 1976 and disbanded in 1992 having released four albums. The band reunited in 2008 and most recently released an album in 2011....
, playing with Richard Lloyd's band and being impressed. As it turned out Vinny was ready for a change so they started holding auditions for bass and the other guitar. When the word got out, Fred Smith
Fred Smith (bassist)
Fred Smith is an American bass guitarist, best known for his work with Television. He was the original bassist with Blondie until he replaced Richard Hell when Hell left Television in 1975 to form The Heartbreakers. At the time, Television played at CBGB along with Blondie...
(Television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
), Ted Niceley (producer Girls vs. Boys), Tommy Keene were among the people that came to play. Eventually the positions were filled by Bob Albertson on bass and Simon Chardiet on guitar. Soon after the band went into rehearsals and prepared for live dates at CBGB's, Max's Kansas City
Max's Kansas City
Max's Kansas City was a nightclub and restaurant at 213 Park Avenue South, in New York City, which was a gathering spot for musicians, poets, artists and politicians in the 1960s and 1970s.-Origin of name:...
. At this point there were more venues opening up such as the Mudd Club, Danceteria catering to a new minimal, percussive style of music and Ivan wanted to be part of it. The plan as always was to venture out with fresh ideas and to new places, so the first gig was booked at Tier 3, a performance space in Soho
Soho
Soho is an area of the City of Westminster and part of the West End of London. Long established as an entertainment district, for much of the 20th century Soho had a reputation for sex shops as well as night life and film industry. Since the early 1980s, the area has undergone considerable...
.
After several months the band was signed to Contender Records and released their first single, 'I'm Searchin' For You b/w 'Fever
Fever
Fever is a common medical sign characterized by an elevation of temperature above the normal range of due to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and shivering.As a person's temperature increases, there is, in...
'. Much has been made of the misprint on the label that incorrectly list the publishing rights for the B side. As a result the record company corrected the mistake after the first pressing which has made it somewhat of a collectors item. (When the band found out about this they were so outraged they gathered all the copies they could find in local record stores and replaced them at a reduced price with disks they had modified by painting on one side in bright yellow, "Under Construction" on the actual vinyl. Though these modified versions are more valuable, if one comes across a copy you are advised not to attempt to play it on your turntable).
Soon it was apparent that the band needed a new engine so Danny Hirsch from Johnny Thunders
Johnny Thunders
Johnny Thunders, born John Anthony Genzale, Jr. , was an American protopunk guitarist, singer and songwriter.He came to prominence in the early '70s as a member of the New York Dolls...
' Heartbreakers came in on bass. He proved not only to be an amazing musician but a gifted writing partner for Julian, as well .
The songs on The Punk/Funk Voodoo Collection were recorded in the basement studio of Giorgio Gomelsky
Giorgio Gomelsky
Giorgio Gomelsky is a filmmaker, impresario, music manager, songwriter and record producer. He owned the Crawdaddy Club where The Rolling Stones were house band, and he was involved with their early management. He hired The Yardbirds as a replacement and managed them. He was also their...
, Yardbirds producer and early manager of the Rolling Stones. He persuaded Ivan Julian and the band to explore sounds outside of the boundaries of American pop music, most notably Fela Kuti
Fela Kuti
Fela Anikulapo Kuti , or simply Fela , was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, pioneer of Afrobeat music, human rights activist, and political maverick.-Biography:...
. The music and the lyrics resound with the rough and tumble immediacy of East Village
East Village, Manhattan
The East Village is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, lying east of Greenwich Village, south of Gramercy and Stuyvesant Town, and north of the Lower East Side...
New York in the early '80s. Included as Bonus Tracks are remastered versions of The Outsets first single originally released as a 45 on Contender records.
Garland Jeffreys
Garland Jeffreys
Garland Jeffreys is a part African-American, and Puerto Rican American, singer and songwriter, transversing the musical genres of rock and roll, reggae, blues and soul.-Career:...
approached Ivan and offered to produce The Outsets forthcoming EP “The Ice Man”, which also involved Bob Clearmountain
Bob Clearmountain
Bob Clearmountain is an award-winning American music engineer, mixer and producer. He has worked with many prominent names in music including Bruce Springsteen , The Rolling Stones , Bryan Adams , Robbie Williams Bob Clearmountain is an award-winning American music engineer, mixer and producer. He...
as engineer. During this time he also recorded with Tomas Donker from Defunkt
Defunkt
Defunkt is a musical group founded by trombonist/singer Joseph Bowie 1978 in New York, United States, and still active. Their music touches on elements of punk rock, funk and jazz....
, Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa is an American DJ from the South Bronx, New York who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1980s. Afrika Bambaataa is one of the three originators of break-beat deejaying, and is respectfully known as the "Grandfather" and the Amen Ra of Universal...
and Bernie Worrell
Bernie Worrell
George Bernard "Bernie" Worrell, Jr. is an American keyboardist and composer best known as a founding member of Parliament-Funkadelic and for his work with Talking Heads. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic...
of Parliament/Funkadelic fame. Originally released in the U.S. on Plexus Records playing keyboards on the bonus tracks is Marsha Sardy who also played with The Fall.
Soon after Julian’s close friend and partner in The Outsets and Lovelies
Lovelies
The Lovelies were a rock band from New York City fronted by former Bush Tetras vocalist Cynthia Sley and former Voidoid Guitarist Ivan Julian. Mad Orphan is their one and only release. This release is characterized by percussive downtown NYC post-punk....
died. His friend had a white Stratocaster that was literally broken in pieces that he never fixed but kept around. Ivan decided to put it together and keep it as a remembrance of their friendship. Oddly, his playing took a noticeable difference with this guitar.
The Clash, Shreikback, Matthew Sweet & Producer
The ClashThe Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
were at Electric Lady Studios
Electric Lady Studios
Electric Lady Studios, at 52 West 8th Street, in New York City's Greenwich Village, is a recording studio originally built by Jimi Hendrix and designed by John Storyk in 1970...
recording what would become the Sandinista!
Sandinista!
Sandinista! is the fourth studio album by the English punk rock band the Clash. It was released on 12 December 1980 as a triple album containing 36 tracks, with 6 songs on each side...
LP. Mick Jones
Mick Jones (The Clash)
Michael Geoffrey "Mick" Jones is the former lead guitarist, secondary vocalist and co-founder for the British punk rock band The Clash until his dismissal in 1983. He went on to form the band Big Audio Dynamite with Don Letts before line-up changes led to the formation of Big Audio Dynamite II and...
and Joe Strummer
Joe Strummer
John Graham Mellor , best remembered by his stage name Joe Strummer, was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the British punk rock band The Clash. His musical experience included his membership in The 101ers, Latino Rockabilly War, The Mescaleros and The Pogues, in...
wanted Julian to join them in the studio but he was touring with his band, The Outsets. Upon his return he recorded with them and help to develop the only single from Sandinista! entitled “The Call Up” backed with “Ivan Meets G. I. Joe.”
The English bands Shriekback
Shriekback
Shriekback are an English rock band, formed in 1981 in Kentish Town by Barry Andrews, formerly of XTC and League of Gentlemen , and Dave Allen, formerly of the Gang of Four , with Carl Marsh, formerly of Out On Blue Six soon added to the line-up. They were joined by Martyn Barker on drums in 1983...
, founded by Dave Allen
Dave Allen (producer/bassist)
Dave Allen was the bass guitarist for the post-punk band, Gang of Four. In 1981, he left Gang of Four to found Shriekback....
from the Gang of Four
Gang of Four
The Gang of Four was the name given to a political faction composed of four Chinese Communist Party officials. They came to prominence during the Cultural Revolution and were subsequently charged with a series of treasonous crimes...
and Barry Andrews of XTC
XTC
XTC were a New Wave band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , but are perhaps even better known for their long-standing critical success.- Early years:...
, asked Julian on two tours of the North America and Europe.
Julian’s thoughts on being compared to Hendrix? “I never wanted to emulate him because he is someone that can’t be touched, but I am honoured that people would say that about me.” With his influences being such notable figures as Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker
Charles Parker, Jr. , famously called Bird or Yardbird, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer....
, Albert Ayler
Albert Ayler
Albert Ayler was an American avant-garde jazz saxophonist, singer and composer.Ayler was among the most primal of the free jazz musicians of the 1960s; critic John Litweiler wrote that "never before or since has there been such naked aggression in jazz" He possessed a deep blistering tone—achieved...
and Charlie Christian
Charlie Christian
Charles Henry "Charlie" Christian was an American swing and jazz guitarist.Christian was an important early performer on the electric guitar, and is cited as a key figure in the development of bebop and cool jazz. He gained national exposure as a member of the Benny Goodman Sextet and Orchestra...
it is no wonder that he has developed a distinct style all his own. Julian states, “There is a piece of their soul in every note they play.” During most of the nineties Julian recorded and toured the world with Matthew Sweet
Matthew Sweet
Sidney Matthew Sweet is an American alternative rock/power pop musician. He was part of the burgeoning Athens, Georgia music scene in the early and mid-1980s before gaining commercial success during the early 1990s...
as lead guitarist earning him three Gold Record Awards.
Ivan Julian continues to write and produce music at his analog tape/digital recording studio, NY HED where he has produced the last 2 The Fleshtones
The Fleshtones
The Fleshtones are an American garage rock band from Queens, New York formed in 1976.- 1976-1979 :The Fleshtones were formed in 1976 in Whitestone, New York by Keith Streng and Marek Pakulski The Fleshtones are an American garage rock band from Queens, New York formed in 1976.- 1976-1979 :The...
LP’s, mastered Five Dollar Priest among others. His production skills have been praised being compared to George Clinton
George Clinton (musician)
George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and launched a solo career in 1981. He has been cited as one of the foremost...
and Joe Boyd
Joe Boyd
Joe Boyd is an American record producer and former owner of the Witchseason production company. Boyd was instrumental in launching the careers of Nick Drake, Fairport Convention, and The Incredible String Band.-Career:...
. To summarize what you can see is that the one thing he does is make music.
Further reading
- Clinton Heylin. From the Velvets to the Voidoids, Penguin Books (1993) ISBN 0-14-017970-4
- Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain. Please Kill Me, the Uncensored Oral History of Punk, Grove Press (1996) ISBN 0-8021-1588-8
- Al Spicer. The Rough Guide to Punk, Rough Guides/Penguin (2006) ISBN 1-84353-473-8
External links
- Ivan Julian Website: Official Site
- Ivan Julian Official Myspace: Official Myspace