Jinx Titanic

Infobox musical artist
Name = Jinx Titanic


Img_capt = Jinx Titanic 2007 Photo by RVJ Studios Inc.
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = John Patrick Kamys
Alias = Jinx Titanic
Born = birth date and age|1968|9|21 flagicon|United States Chicago, IL, U.S.
Died =
Occupation = Composer Singer Songwriter Recording Artist Author Actor Comedian
Instrument = Voice Piano Keyboards
Genre = Punk rock Pop rock Alternative rock Incidental Music Theater Music
Label = Big Dixie
Associated Acts = Avalanche Rescue Team Charming Beggars Chicago Symphony Orchestra Dead Electric Love Kit John Kamys Moto Polymer

John Patrick Kamys, (born September 21 1968, Chicago, IL) better known by his stage name Jinx Titanic is an American composer, singer, songwriter, recording artist, and author, best known for his outrageous stage persona, and image as the beer-swilling, cigar-smoking, sexually-candid, lead singer of the eponymous rock band. Occasionally he will appear as a stage actor, movie actor, comedian, television personality, or host, and is also considered a notable member of the Queercore and Homocore [Cimenelli, D and Knox, K: "HOMOCORE The Loud and Raucous Rise of Queer Rock", Alyson Books, 2005.] movements, though he has made no statement of affiliation to either.

Biography

Pre Jinx Titanic

Before taking on the persona and public life of Jinx Titanic, Kamys worked regularly in Chicago as a composer and songwriter. His first score for theater was written in 1994 for Teatro Vista’s production of Romulus Linney’s play "Ambrosio". Henry Godinez, Goodman Theatre resident artistic associate and curator of The Goodman’s Latino Theater Festival played the title role. At the time, Godinez was also scheduled to direct Jose Rivera’s new play "Cloud Tectonics" at the Goodman Theatre and asked Kamys to create the score. "Cloud Tectonics" was a critical success, considered one of the 10 best productions of 1995 by the both The Chicago Tribune and The Chicago Sun Times, and Kamys went on to receive a Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for his score. [Jeffawards.org Previous Nominees and Recipients] Though he did not win the award at that time, eventually receiving the "Jeff" in 1998 for his work for "El Paso Blue" at the Next Theater Company, the success of "Cloud Tectonics" initiated a longstanding collaborative relationship between Kamys, Godinez. Teatro Vista, and The Goodman Theatre.

In 1999 he released his first solo recording, a clash of genres and pop-forms titled "Supremacist". According to the review by author and syndicated columnist Gregg Shapiro, then a writer for the Windy City Times, and Outlines, the recording was “unabashedly sexy and powerful,” with “moments of dark and unexpected beauty.” [Shapiro, Gregg: Music Mix, Outlines March 1, 2000.] Though sales of the recording were considerably small, the work was artistically solid enough to garner two GLAMA (Gay and Lesbian American Music Award) nominations for Best New Artist, and Out Song "Trade".cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1428680/20000327/melissa_etheridge.jhtml |title=Indigo Girls, Etheridge Among Nominees for GLAMAs |first=Robin |last=Rothman |date=2000-03-27 |accessdate=2007-07-19 |work=MTV.com/News] "Trade" a blend of alternative rock and Hip Hop would also appear in a Heavy Metal version on both "Super 8 Cum Shot Volume II" and "JINX TITANIC Booted & Cuffed". Also from "Supremacist" the punk song "Your Hearse Is Here" would later be re-recorded for "Super 8 Cum Shot Volume I", and eventually find its way onto the popular MTV show The Real World. "Supremacist" is currently out of print.

In 1999, he also wrote and played the lead (Logan John) in the Alt-Country/Americana musical "Future City Homosexual Tells All" “about a small town boy trying to do the big town thing.” [Kaiser, Bill: On The Purple Circuit, Volume 8, Number 4 1999.] at The Theater Building in Chicago. Though the musical received favorable reviews, “an unforgettable character and some of the best and most memorable songs you are likely to hear for years to come,” [Outlines 1999, Future Shock: Kamys and the Homo World, October 13.] stated Chicago’s Outlines, and “His raspy voice evoking Joe Cocker and his down-home songs recalling John Prine, Kamys offers a true-blue slice of Americana,” [Bommer, Lawrence: Reviews, Chicago Reader October 8, 1999.] declared Chicago Reader theater critic Lawrence Bommer, low attendance and high production costs would close the show in six weeks. However, his exploration of the Alt-Country/Americana sound and some of the songs from "Future City Homosexual Tells All", would inform and inspire his second solo effort "Guns" (2001) and the single "There Just Wont Be a Christmas This Year" (2001) recorded by vocalist and actress Catherine Smitko.

Super 8 Cum Shot

.

Super 8 Cum Shot quickly gathered a following among the underground culture, primarily due to the band's DIY punk aesthetic, and the boisterous, wildly sexual and raucous antics of front-man Titanic. Often cited for their superior musicianship, an early review called the players “dedicated rock n’ rollers, with a commanding stage presence, respectable guitar riffs, and a unique sound all their own.” [Bonum, Pat: Cum On Feel The Noize, Unzipped March 2003.] And adding to the mix, were a plethora of surprising and provocative guests, including porn-stars, burlesque dancers, transvestites, circus acts and featured regulars the Lickity Split Radical Cheerleaders, a non-traditional, politically motivated genderfuck squad.

In February 2003 American music critic Jim DeRogatis solidified the band’s credibility by inviting Titanic to be a guest on the popular radio show Sound Opinions. During the show, DeRogatis described Super 8 Cum Shot’s music as "rip roaring garage rock but with a sort of show tune sensibility and these very, very, very funny lyrics,” adding, “the songs are really wonderful melodically and they kick like the best garage rock should,” and closed with, “you have to see Jinx Titanic live!” [Soundopinions.org: Archives, February 2003.] The following month, the band received its first national review in Unzipped, and journalist Pat Bonum crowned Titanic “a force to be reckoned with, both on stage, and in the sack.” [Bonum, Pat: Cum On Feel The Noize, Unzipped March 2003.] In May of 2003 "Super 8 Cum Shot Volume I" received an OMA (Outmusic Award) nomination for Outstanding Recording by a Duo or a Group, [Outmusic.com Members] and in July 2003 Titanic and the band, now a foursome, Jeff Kust having departed late in 2002 to pursue solo efforts, returned to Rax Trax Studios to record "Super 8 Cum Shot Volume II".

In the summer of 2003, looking to create a truly alternative venue for live music, Titanic turned to the popular Chicago Assassination.

magazine columnist David Ciminelli’s top 10 albums of 2005. [Out.com Features: The Best In Music of 2005]

Solo

In January 2005, Titanic, who is openly gay,cite web |url=http://www.wctimes.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=2425 |title=Super 8 Superstar: Jinx Titanic of Super 8 Cum Shot |first=Gregg |last=Shapiro |date=2003-08-06 |accessdate=2007-07-19 |work=Windy City Times] was invited to play the Queer Lounge at the Sundance Film Festival. This event marked the beginning of his affiliation with the Q Television Network, and in June 2005 he began working as a guest host and regular correspondent for the network, continuing to do so until Q Television closed its doors in late 2006. During this period, while retaining a band, Titanic repositioned himself as the solo artist Jinx Titanic. The April 2006 issue of Out magazine named Jinx Titanic one of the top five independent artists in the country. [Out April 2006, Take Note p.78] Stuporstardom!, released in April of 2007 marked his first solo release as Jinx Titanic. It was recorded and mixed by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago, Illinois in December 2006. Musicians performing on the recording are: John Kamys aka Jinx Titanic vocals and keyboards, Mitch Marlow aka Machine Gun Garafalo guitar, Jay Bennett aka Whisky Newman guitar, Pat Mallinger alto and tenor saxophones, Rob Kassinger aka Tamale Ringwald bass, and Timothy Ford aka Posey (t-mint) Parker drums. Artist/writer/video artist Kevin Evans contributed artwork, website and music videos based on several songs.

Discography

*"Stuporstardom!" (2007) as Jinx Titanic

*"Booted & Cuffed" (2005) with band JINX TITANIC

*"Anal Sunshine" (2005) with band JINX TITANIC

*"Super 8 Cum Shot Volume II" (2003) with band Super 8 Cum Shot

*"Super 8 Cum Shot Volume I" (2002) with band Super 8 Cum Shot

*"Guns" (2001) as John Kamys

*"Supremacist" (1999) as John Kamys

Music For Theater

*"Suenos Bebes y Vampiros", play by Teatro Vista Collaborative Ensemble, directed by Sandra Marquez – Teatro Vista 2004
*"A Christmas Carol" book by Charles Dickens, adapted by Tom Creamer, directed by Henry Godinez (1999, 2000, 2001), and Kate Buckley (2002) – Goodman Theater 1999 – 2002
*"The Winter's Tale" play by William Shakespeare, Directed by Henry Godinez – Missouri Repertory Theater 2002
*"Icarus" play by Edwin Sanchez, Directed by Eddie Torres – Teatro Vista 2002
*"Future City Homosexual Tells All" Play by John Kamys, Directed by Tab Baker – The Theater Building Chicago 1999
*"Wrong For Each Other" play by Norm Foster, Directed by Gary Griffin – Victory Gardens Theater 1999
*"Straight As A Line" play by Luis Alfaro, Directed by Henry Godinez – Goodman Theater 1998
*"The Boiler Room" by Reuben Gonzalez, Directed by Eddie Torred – Steppenwolf Theater/Teatro Vista
*"El Paso Blue" play by Octavio Solis, Directed by Henry Godinez – Next Theater/Teatro Vista
*"Romeo and Juliet" Play by William Shakespeare, Directed by Henry Godinez – Colorado Shakespeare Festival 1997
*"Santos and Santos" Play by Octavio Solis, Directed by Henry Godinez – Teatro Vista 1996
*"Cloud Tectonics" Play by Jose Rivera, Directed by Henry Godinez – Goodman Theater 1995
*"Ambrosio" play by Romulus Linney, Directed by Eddie Torres – Teatro Vista 1994

Filmography

*"Masterz in Motion" (2007)
*"Hot Chicks" (2006)

*"Jean Genet in Chicago" (2006)

Awards and Award Nominations

*2005 Chicago Free Press Pressie Award – Best Chicago Musician
*2004 OMA - Outstanding Producer "Super 8 Cum Shot Volume II"
*2004 OMA Nomination – Outstanding Recording by a Band "Super 8 Cum Shot Volume II"
*2003 OMA Nomination – Outstanding Recording by a Duo or a Group "Super 8 Cum Shot Volume I"
*2000 GLAMA Nomination - Best New Artist – John Kamys
*2000 GLAMA Nomination - Out Song "Trade"
*1998 Joseph Jefferson Award – Best Original Music "El Paso Blue"
*1996 Joseph Jefferson Award Nomination – Best Original Music "Cloud Tectonics"

Notable Performances

The Empty Bottle, Folsom Street Fair, Gay Games VII - Closing Ceremonies, Knitting Factory, North Halsted Market Days, NXNE, PrideFest (Milwaukee), Pride Week (Toronto), Sundance Film Festival - Queer Lounge, Troma Films - Tromathon, Whisky A Go Go, Willamette Week – MusicFest NW

Trivia

Jinx Titanic is represented by Ford Models.

The anthem, "You Make Me Wanna Cum" from "Super 8 Cum Shot Volume I" has been performed at every live Super 8 Cum Shot and Jinx Titanic showFact|date=July 2007 and is featured in the camp horror film "The Janitor" and in the HBO series "Cathouse: For Love or Money".

Since October 2003, the final song in every live Super 8 Cum Shot and Jinx Titanic set has been "Everybody Here Wants To Fuck You."Fact|date=July 2007 However, the song was not available as a recording until "Stuporstardom!" (2007)

Though billed as co-hosts of the 2005 Outmusic Awards, Lea DeLaria and Jinx Titanic were not scripted to be on stage together until the final award of the evening. Both known for their larger-than-life stage personalities, it was believed by ceremony organizers that DeLaria and Titanic would be incapable of working together. Surprisingly, the two got on well and in their moment together commented that perhaps the organizers feared there would be too much testosterone on stage at one time. Fact|date=July 2007

"Everybody Loves A Muscle Boi" from "Super 8 Cum Shot Volume II" and "JINX TITANIC Booted & Cuffed" is played during the closing credits of the 2007 MTV Movie Award winning spoof "United 300."

Jinx Titanic is the only artist to have been invited to perform at the North Halsted Market Days festival for four consecutive years. 2002 - 2005

External links

* [http://www.jinxtitanic.com/ Jinx Titanic's Official homepage]
* [http://www.myspace.com/jinxtitanic Jinx Titanic's Myspace]
*
* [http://www.johnkamys.com/ John Kamys' Official homepage]

References