Defunkt Channel Zero

Founded in 1978 by Trombonist/Vocalist Joseph Bowie (brother of Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and Art Ensemble of Chicago co-founder/trumpeter Lester Bowie), Defunkt has existed as somewhat of an anomaly, a Black band that initially gained notoriety while being active in New York’s No Wave Punk scene. Musical circles alongside noisy Punk legends like James Chance and The Contortions, DNA and Teenage Jesus & The Jerks while remaining steeped in the deep reservoirs of Jazz, Funk and the Avant Garde.

Trombonist Joseph Bowie came out of St. Louis' Black Artists Group (a.k.a. BAG), co-founded by older brother Lester Bowie. In his teens, Joe played with bluesmen Albert King and Little Milton; in his twenties, he got his avant-jazz bona fides in order as well: member of the Human Arts Ensemble with Charles "Bobo" Shaw, duos with Oliver Lake, sideman with Frank Lowe. He moved to New York City, joined the horn section of No Wave legend James Chance's band The Contortions, and then in 1978 spun off his own group, Defunkt, simultaneously funkier and jazzier. A series of stellar Defunkt albums on the Hannibal label made them stars on NYC's underground scene. After many lineup changes, the classic '80s lineup got back together for a 21st century comeback and is still going strong.