Give Me the Stage, God Knows My Life Needs Staging

Transformation is at the core of Chris Corner’s music and outlook. Ever since leaving wildly successful trip-hop group Sneaker Pimps, Corner’s process of becoming IAMX beginning in 2004 has been theatrical, transcendent, and communal. Androgynous and visceral, IAMX has metamorphosed from small-town blue-collar kid to international pop star in the late 1990’s to creator of raw art that disrupts gender and genre in the 2000’s. Fuelling electronic experimentation with punk energy and confessional lyricism, Corner’s dark alternative electronic sound, fashion, performances, videos, and persona are larger than life, iconoclastic, and shockingly intimate.

I Forget That There’s a World Outside

Growing up as a self-described socially anxious geek, Corner’s interest in music was stoked by a “weird uncle” who would play “strange music” to him. Interest became obsession, and obsession a means through which Corner explored his growing fascination with technology. The interest lingers to this day, as IAMX not only writes and performs, but also produces his own music.

I’ve Seen Attention – See Through Me

Corner’s adolescent curiosity moved to a new level in his teens when he connected with his older sister’s boyfriend Liam Howe, who became a friend and collaborator. Their first band F.R.I.S.K. released two bedroom-produced EPs – Soul of Indiscretion, World as a Cone – that provided an early sonic template for trip-hop in general. The pair also performed as DJs under the alias Line of Flight. In 1995, Corner and Howe formed Sneaker Pimps in Hartlepool, England with support from Kelli Dayton (vocals), Joe Wilson (bass) and Dave Westlake (drums). The newly formed band took rave culture and the pop charts by storm with their 1996 debut album, Becoming X, which featured dancefloor classics “6 Underground” and “Spin Spin Sugar”, sold over a million copies, led to extensive touring, and attracted the attention of Virgin Records who signed them.

There’s Something That’s Stirring Deep in Me

In 1998 the band’s changing creative direction led to Corner taking over vocals from Kelli, and Splinter was released on Clean Up records in 1999. Splinter fostered a bourgeoning cult fandom, who continued with Sneaker Pimps through the band’s third album Bloodsport (Tommy Boy) and beyond. Soon, Chris realised the band was no longer the right vehicle for where his music was headed, and from this awareness IAMX was born.

I Know You’re Aching to Be Saved

Even though some of the songs on IAMX’s 2004 debut Kiss + Swallow were originally slated to be on the Sneaker Pimps’ fourth album (and IAMX is itself a reference to Becoming X), shades of Chris’ old life quickly faded as his theatrical and gender-bending alias emerged with full force. From 2004 onward, IAMX maintained a hectic recording and touring schedule, moving to Berlin in 2005 at the peak of its electronic renaissance. IAMX released his sophomore album, The Alternative in 2006, followed in 2008 by Live In Warsaw. Kingdom Of Welcome Addiction and its anagram remix album Dogmatic Infidel Comedown OK followed in 2009 and 2010, chronicling a dark phase in Corner’s life. As dark energy seductively does, it produced compelling work, including 2011’s Volatile Times and 2013’s The Unified Field albums, the latter of which is considered a milestone in IAMX’s creative development as a musician and performer. Eventually, however, dark energy claims its toll.

The World Outside May Still Be Beautiful – But I Love This Cell

Following a successful world tour in support of The Unified Field, Corner fell into a depressive and insomniac state. His ordeals – detailed in his personal blog – prompted him to move to Los Angeles in sunny California for a change of scenery. “I stopped listening to music for about a year. I stopped making music and it was almost unbearable to listen to music. For instance, I couldn’t watch TV, I couldn’t even drive as it would invoke these waves of existential panic, depression, and exhaustion. I thought I would never be able to make music again but that my enjoyment of it was over. That was a very scary idea,” he explained.

In The Sunlight and The Dust Of California

The move was a good decision and yielded one of IAMX’s best albums, Metanoia in 2015 and the mini-album Everything Is Burning (Metanoia Addendum) in 2016. Having poured his heart out lyrically on two successful albums and rigorous world tours, IAMX released Unfall (German for accident), an instrumental album to cleanse his creative palette. In 2017, Corner emerged from his depression into a state of euphoria captured on his album Alive In New Light.

The Boys with Their Toys Are Bringing the Void Our Way

In addition to his success as a songwriter, producer, and touring artist, IAMX is one of the most licensed musicians on ABC TV’s runaway hit show, How To Get Away With Murder. By the beginning of 2019, IAMX had synced 16 of his songs to its soundtrack, becoming one of the most recognisable composers on television thanks to the show’s creator Pete Nowalk being a superfan of IAMX.

The provocative aesthetics of IAMX are not limited to Corner’s music and fashion. As a video artist, he crafts IAMX’s stunning live visuals and most of their music videos, as well as videos for other acts, most notably his close friend Gary Numan.

Echoes From the Past

In the decompression from the electro-fueled passion that had taken IAMX to 27 countries on the Alive In New Light chapter, an old yearning reawakened; 2019 was to be the year that IAMX returned to the device that had been the initiation of his odyssey as a musician: the acoustic guitar. Eleven acoustic re-imaginings of IAMX’s extensive catalogue, Echo Echo heralded the start of a new—yet familiar tangent—in the enthralling IAMX journey, one which brought the intimacy of his songwriting laid bare.

The Sky Has Opened Up and Now I’m Overcome

Corner’s newfound liberation has led him to explore new paths. Rising from a humble working-class background to capitalistic celebrity, then down to the depths of despair and back into a new light, IAMX’s armor became more permeable and his imagination more stimulated by Los Angeles’ unrelenting optimism. 2021 saw the release of Squaring The Circle, the first Sneaker Pimps album since 2002’s Bloodsport, as well as the experimental live project, Machinate as IAMX, and the beginnings of IAMX’s own record label and production company, UNFALL Productions.

As the touring world had been drastically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, IAMX once again had to dig deep to invent a way to tour while mitigating the risk of catching the virus. The UNFALL team worked under his leadership to craft a unique US Tour playing all outside venues. The Machinate Tour saw performances in spaces from venue rooftops to parking lots. “Silent DJ” headphones were provided to all attendees to ensure high quality sound, while respecting city noise ordinances.

Freaks Are Dying

Through experiences with his own depression, insomnia, and autism, Corner has emerged not just as an uncompromising artist, but also as a fierce advocate in the fight to dismantle the stigma of mental illness and neurodiversity. The HEADNOISE project was founded by Corner along with IAMX collaborator Janine Gezang (performer and certified ADHD coach) to create spaces where open and authentic dialogue about mental health is normalized. Topics range from neurodiversities, like ADHD and autism to sexuality, creative identity, philosophy, artistic survival in the music industry, grief and loss, interspersed with numerous interviews with mental health professional

HEADNOISE gatherings have occurred in small groups before IAMX shows, online, and even at Corner’s home in Southern California. Topics range from neurodiversities, like ADHD and autism, to human sexuality, grief and loss, and interviews with mental health practitioners. These gatherings bring together like-minded fans and create an environment for honest connection and friendships that last long beyond the end of the show.

The impact of HEADNOISE stretches beyond IAMX fans. All proceeds from HEADNOISE events have been donated to mental health organizations serving people around the world, including the You Rock Foundation, Make Music Matter, Mind UK, and Darkest Before Dawn.

The Fractures in our Lives are Becoming Fault Lines

In May of 2023, IAMX released the first of two albums, Fault Lines¹, which was supported with the first full US and European tours, playing regular venues, since the pandemic. New tracks including the powerful single “The X ID” premiered on the setlist and quickly became fan favorites.

Known for his impeccable work ethic, IAMX took little time to rest up, and the tenth studio album Fault Lines² was released on August 30th, 2024. Fault Lines² debuted as the number one album on the Deutsche Alternative charts for six weeks in a row, and delighted longtime and newfound fans alike with stand-out single, “The Ocean,” a ballad over twenty years in the making.

Come To The Mountain

An authentic and devoted relationship between artist and fan is central to IAMX. Since relocating to Southern California, Corner has opened up his property as a creative desert oasis for fellow artists and fans alike. Multiple events for small groups have been held in his converted horse barn, featuring curated art galleries, nature hikes, shared meals cooked by Corner himself, and intimate IAMX performances. Guests have slept out under the stars or made the trek in from nearby small towns to spend time in community with each other and IAMX. The experience is incomparably unique, making a truly behind-the-scenes communion with an artist accessible for fans.

Feel The Collective

Beyond an in-person connection, Corner keeps in touch with the IAMX community virtually through Patreon. He shares personal audio messages, behind-the-scenes content, and hosts live video chats, nicknamed “LOVEstreams.” The IAMX fan base exists in every part of the world, and both unites through and supports IAMX on Patreon.

Life Before Death

From his childhood bedroom in Northeast England to the desert skies of California, Chris Corner’s journey as IAMX has been one of continual metamorphosis. The "I AM" implies identity; the "X" suggests the unknown. And IAMX continues to explore the limits of both—with art that defies genre, disrupts convention, and goes straight for the soul.