John Balance British musician, poet Date of Birth: 16.02.1962 Country: Great Britain

1. John Balance: Experimental Musician and Poet
2. Early Life and Influences
3. University and Psychic TV
4. The Austin Osman Spare Connection
5. Coil and Collaborations
6. Tragic End

John Balance: Experimental Musician and Poet

John Balance, born Geoffrey Laurence Burton on February 16, 1962, in Mansfield, England, is renowned as a seminal figure in experimental and industrial music.

Early Life and Influences

Growing up, Balance held a fascination with clay figurines, which he deified and performed sacrifices to. He believed in a non-dualistic relationship between animals and humans, communicating with animals, imaginary creatures, and spirits. This interest led him to witchcraft during adolescence, delving into Aleister Crowley's writings despite parental disapproval. His experimentation with hallucinogenic mushrooms further heightened his interest in the supernatural.

University and Psychic TV

Despite his early fascination with occultism, Balance abandoned mushroom use upon entering university. However, he dropped out after a year and joined the experimental band Psychic TV, alongside Alex Ferguson and Genesis P-Orridge. Through P-Orridge's band Throbbing Gristle, he encountered William S. Burroughs and gained a deeper understanding of "everyday life." Simultaneously, his childhood preoccupation with magic continued to guide his interests and manipulate people.

The Austin Osman Spare Connection

A pivotal moment for Balance was his encounter with the writings of Austin Osman Spare, whom he considered a major inspiration. He believed that if Spare had been alive in the 1980s, he would have been his mentor in Chaos Magic.

Coil and Collaborations

In 1983, Balance co-founded Coil with Peter Christopherson. Coil became a significant force in experimental music, pushing boundaries through its innovative soundscapes and lyrical experimentation. Balance also collaborated extensively with industrial projects such as Current 93, Psychic TV, and 23 Skidoo.

Tragic End

On November 13, 2004, Balance died in an accident at his home. While intoxicated, he lost his balance, fell over the second-floor railing, and landed on his head from a height of approximately 13 feet. He passed away in the hospital without regaining consciousness.