User:DJ High Priest

Nicholas Taylor Birth: Dec 8, 1953 Belleville, Illinois

Moved to New York in 1977. Studying photography at first, he took a very early series of photos of his friend from the MUDD CLUB; Jean-Michel Basquiat. In 1979 he joined GRAY a sound oriented/avant-garde “No Wave” band with Basquiat, Michael Holman, Vince Gallo and Wayne Clifford (Nick Played guitar). Gray opened for groups like The Lounge Lizards and DNA at NY clubs like The Mudd Club and CBGB's. 1981 moved to 39 East 1st Street (where he resides today) having had roommates and guests with the likes of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Suzanne Malhouk, Michael Holman, Danny Rosen, Rene Ricard, Fab Five Freddy, Vince Gallo, Phase 2, George Condo, David Bowes, Stephen Torton. In 1982 he became “DJ HIGH PRIEST” and after experimenting with tape loop DJ’ing he opened for Africa Bambatta, Cool Herc and Jazzy J at Club Negril in the East Village. He turned to using vinyl and acetates and was often the DJ for the NEW YORK CITY BREAKERS touring with acts like SOUL SONIC FORCE and GRAND MASTER FLASH. At THE KITCHEN with Fab Five Freddy’s ESTATE FRESH including Max Roach and the NYC Breakers, he layered sonic textures over Max’s hypnotic rhythms. He’s DJ’d for MC’s Rammellzee, Phase 2, Busy B, and is the steady DJ with the experimental band DEATH COMET CREW, who over the years, toured Japan and Europe. In 1998 his track Suicide Mode was on the BASQUIAT film (New Line Cinema) soundtrack directed by Julian Schnabel, track vocals: William Burroughs and Jeffery Wright. Soundtrack credits also for film “Downtown 81” (GRAY opening track with Debbie Harry). Participated in the 2006 Venice Biennale with Rammellzee. In 2005 released self produced vinyl lp PASSION AND DANGER.

Nick also has a public access television show on MNN/Time Warner/AOL since 1998. Each week his 30 minute show brings to Manhattan viewers his take on “pop-surrealism”: OUTSIDE MY WINDOW 12AM Channel 56, every Monday night.

Since 2004 Nicholas has exhibited photos of Jean-Michel Basquiat/Gray and other underground NYC scenes.

Recent one man photo exhibitions: Jean-Michel Basquiat Through Nicholas Taylor Studio Hz, Copenhagen May 2007

Breaknight Portraits Elliot Smith Gallery West 11 St NY,NY Feb. 2006

An Intimate Portrait Susquehanna Museum Maryland, 2005

An Intimate Portrait Castellani Museum Niagara, NY 2004

Collections: Basquiat Estate, NYC Serralves Museum of Modern Art, Porto, Portugal Deutsch Guggenheim, Berlin Castellani Museum, Niagara University, NY