Colby Watkins, also known as the Cole Bastard, and performed live music as Cbas, has died today.
Colby was the founder of various outrageous performance groups, including the Atone Pain Tribe who did live ritual piercing, fire breathing, fire juggling and suspension shows from coast to coast, perfoming annually with Noomoon Tribe at the Land of Nod Stage, at the New Olreans Voodoo Experience. They were also an annual event at House of Shock, booked for this year.
Colby Watkins was also the founder of Sunken City Circus, his latest invention and incarnation of the Pain Tribe experience, but taken many steps further. It had only really just begun, and already pushed the previous limits, which were already far enough to make their shows famous.
Colby had performed electronic music in New Orleans and elsewhere under various names and with various groups and events. Cbas was well known in local circles.
I first met Colby at Sin City, about ten years ago. Jimmy May & I were the only ones who would allow him to do his “show” right there in the bar, and he promised to ‘up our business’ if we gave him a go.
This lead to many strange evenings and many remarkable ones. I watched him help a woman off with her coat, who then sat at the bar completely naked, covered in liquid latex. Colby & Jimmy sold tiny peices they peeled off of her, while I got completely swamped at the bar.
Another night I arrived to see Colby outside the door with a blanket in his arms. I asked him what it was for.
“To cover her up if the cops come” he said.
At that moment, a woman dressed only in a g-string, came swinging out the front door on Colby’s trapeze, then back inside again. The bar was packed. And totally insane.
While body peircing displays are not for everyone, Colby was brilliantly good at it, watching every detail and taking constant care of the subjects.
His shows at the Land of Nod Voodoo Stage are legendary.
Buono Viaggio, Mio Fratello.
Your were an incredibly creative man, Colby.
You will be surely missed.
love;
Lord David
Photograph by Lady Robin
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
And yes.
I’m getting really tired of writing these.
No more, please.
Sucks, doesn’t it. He will be missed.
So what happened? How did Colby die?
Colby was one of my students @ Remington College. I remember standing outside The Hideout one evening talking to my friend Felina when i hear a voice in the distance screaming “Mr. Walley! Mr. Walley!!” I look towards it and here comes Colby, bounding at full speed in ridiculous shoes, from The Dervish and up to me. Excitedly telling everyone in the Hideout that I was one of his professors…and that he always secretly knew i was one of the freak crowd. I remember so much of his. A truly sweet sweet soul. I will miss him.
~ T.
I stopped counting post deluge funerals after it passed forty of them in my circles.
Breaks my heart…
I just spoke to Colby the week of Decadence.
Whats going on people?
I am getting tired of watching the people I grew up with die.
I shall miss you brother!
I never really met him. I had seen him around here and there but we never really spoke. To all those who knew him, I send my sincere condolences.
Repose en paix.
I CANT BELEIVE IT,ANOTHER GREAT INTELLIGENT SOUL TAKEN FROM US TO SOON,WETHER IT WAS SELF INFLICTED OR NOT,HE’S GONE WAY TO EARLY,IT WAS AND IS MY TO HAVE TAKEN THE STAGE WITH C-BAS$ AT GRANT STREET DANCEHALL IN LAFFYETTE ,U WILL BE REMEMBERD EVERYTIME I GO THERE AND HIT THE STAGE!! MUCH LUV TO U AND YOUR FAMILY BRA=EKTO D UNHOLY(GHOST)AND SWAMP TALK RECORDS
I knew Colby from his days in Austin, and travelled to NOLA with him
many times to do shows and just to hang out. I heard the news last night, and it literally knocked the breath out of me. It’s strange too, as just a month ago I was in Seattle and met someone who knew Colby and had seen him recently in New Orleans. He’d been in my thoughts regularly since returning. To his friends and loved ones, I can only offer my sincere condolences.
Colby, we’ll miss you brother. Rest in peace.
I had only recently met Colby and Lisa this past summer when we arranged through him to perform at the Hi Ho Lounge together. Our first New Orleans performance in fact is thanks entirely to his efforts and the support of his crew and friends in New Orleans and at the Hi Ho Lounge specifically.
When we came to down to NOLA we first met he and Lisa at Aunt Tiki’s and we instantly became good friends… as if we had always known each other. Perhaps we actually did know each other from when he was in Austin previously and just didn’t remember between all the lost years between… perhaps this was just his way with everyone but to me it stood out as significant and personal. We didn’t hang out but only for a couple days but that was after weeks of phone conversations leading up to our tour and it was a solid couple of days. He seemed like one of those comfortable souls… supportive, experienced and knowledgeable and confident but open minded. He was extremely passionate, full of life, and a generous supportive friend so much so that I can’t imagine how this event could have come to an end like this. I know I did not know him well but this story is beyond disturbing. I’m still in disbelief, I’m expecting him o call me today and tell me it was all just a practical joke and come to Austin to perform with us as we had started talking about. And now I will never be able to repay him personally.
My heartfelt appreciation goes out to all his friends and family within and outside of the Pain Tribe. There are a thousand ways to cross a river some of them take longer than others but there is always a way to get across.
To Colby my comrade in arms, my brother you already know that words are not enough.
~sky
sincerely
Sky
I am Colbys Dad. He always brought sunshine to my life, although I did worry about a few things , like when he relay stories to about how well he was doing in San Francisco because had found a grate to sleep on that had warm air blowing through it.
When Colby blessed his Dad with a phone call telling me every thing was going well you would see this old guy with a smile on his face for a week.
I did get a chance to meet Lisa acouple of years ago when come thru Kingman. Thses two really loved each other and were trying to get things squred away so they could marry. My heart really goes out to her and I wish I could be there with her now.
We don’t know what is going to happen yet but my wife Pat and I may be in New Orleans in a while and to get to meet some of his many friends
Love you Uncle Warren
Knew him when he and Arron were doing ICU in Austin. (yogurt!) Those guys did a show every Saturday one summer. I remember his themes of atonement and what a great performance artist he was. He really knew how to balance activity on stage to an ebb and flow. Great talent for composition! I remember ironing a shirt for him once so that he would do well in an interview. He got that coffee house job. I also called to quit a day job for him that he really hated once at a restaurant on the Drag. I had never done that before. I think I said that I was his sister and because he had a family emergency he would not be able to make it back into work, EVER! I made him bathe once because he was really dirty and one of his favorite friends at a piercing parlor commented on how clean he looked. He called me once from jail. I found out later that was in response to another one of his friend’s advice. (nickle!) I also remember him telling me that because they made him take out all of his piercings he fashion plugs for his ears out of tissue. He was so creative. He’s the only person I’ve ever known to taunt a large group of frat boys outside a nightclub on 6th street hoping they would just TRY to beat him up. He had no fear in the face of adversity. Often he welcomed it. He was such a kind soul and always had a lot of great interesting stories to share. We mused a few times about how one had to live an interesting life in order to make interesting art. There is no question that he lived his life to be that way. He confided to me when he made plans to move to New Orleans. That was the last time I spoke to him.
I will remember him fondly.
Most Sincerely,
Marissa
I’ve known Colby for quite some time now, as well as Lisa, and I just heard about this on another site. I see them on most weekends that they would be in town, as I’m the Head of Security over at Jasmine’s on Baronne, and they even performed quite a few events for us. He will sorely missed, as I was lucky enough to call him an actual “friend”, as I have very few these days. Colby and Lisa were supposed to come by Jasmine’s this past Saturday night, but we didn’t see them. Can anyone please tell me what happened?
Dear Mister Watkins:
As a father, myself, I cannot begin to understnd what you must be going through. I also met Jimmy May’s father, during the memorial services for his son, and still can’t find any words of condolence, other then the fact that your son was a dear & beloved friend to myself, and many, many others.
Your son, Colby, was a shining light of creativy, joy and held a special reverence for his friends and tribe, and stood out as such, even among so many brilliantly talented people. If there is any condolence I can offer you, it is that for the brief time that any of us live on this earth, Colby not only spread his own special brand of love and magic where ever he went, but he made the world a better place, simply by being in it.
He was then, and always will be, loved.
I hope that, should you make it to New Olreans at some point, you will look me up, and meet wiht some of the poepl who’s lives were forever changed for the better by the handiwork of your son, Colby Watkins.
With deepest sympathies and best regards;
Lord David
Skull Club
New Orleans
@ Dana Firshing;
I do not know Colby’s blood family. From the words his father posted above, I think they loved and accepted him as he was. As a long term member of his ‘tribal family’, I know I did.
I also know that he would be quite proud of that picture, and of his friend Robin, who photographed him often and well, including the photo here.
Cloby Watkins, in the ten odd years I jnew him, never ever buckled to public pressure, and lived on the cutting edge of acceptability, far beyond the last exit to proper decorum and polite discourse. He di this while all the while spreadiong love, understanding and a sense of belonging to those who felt outcast, simultaeousl;y playing the wild card, the eternal court jester, rattling the cages of The NOrm and setting free the bears of crerativity to run as wild as they pleased.
I’m sorry you don’t like that image of my dear, dear friend, but it is the Man I knew, as He Would Want To Be Remebered. I saw no complaint in his father’s text.
Were he here to read your comment, I guarentee you, he would keep wearing those horns for weeks, just to make a point.
I suggest we celebrate the man and his work, his love and friendship, as non judgementally as he appreciated those around him.
LD
I met Colby in San Diego when He came dowm after Katrina and then Lisa come along couple of months later. Colby was one of the most artistic, creative, beautiful soul that I have ever met. I going to miss him. Lisa Lina I love you!
-Cha Cha
@ Dana Firshing:
I’ve read your message here and gotten your emails in which you condemn all of Colby’s co-workers because you have “given my life over to Christ, I’m so grateful to Him for changing my life. I, too, was hopeless at one time. I hate that evil darkness Pain Tribe portrays”
I find it hardly Christian to ‘hate’ anybody, certainly to condemn an entire brand of self expression that dates back to tribal ceremonies older than Chrsitianity, itself.
I also find it commpletely unacceptable that you would splatter your narrow minded belief system all over a memorial to a dead friend.
While I have lost several other people to death in the last month, none were suicides. I find it unforgivable that you would use the deaths of someone’s loved ones to promote your religious beliefs and as a bully pulpit for comdemning those who have a different belief system than yourself.
Especially all of those who worked with & loved Colby over so many years. They have lost a dear friend, and that is too much pain already, without you blaming them for this loss. I am appalled by your selfishness. If you think you can save the world this way, go to the Middle East, or China, and tell them all the non Christians are doomed.
You should be ashamed, but I doubt you will be.
Were Jesus Christ here and reading this, he might very well tell you to let he (or she) who is without sin, cast the first stone. I doubt you’d listen. He might be bearded and dirty, and dressed inappropriately for the Mall.
He would certainly, as the rest of us do, find Colby Watkins worthy of the highest form of love, regardless of his life style.
I suggest, Madam, that you begin your studies over again, without the help of your own narrow and spiteful judgements.
And without posting your hatred for my friends on the interent.
But then, you’ve already said it all:
“Please don’t respond, I don’t understand it, nor want to.”
Lord David
Skull Club
New Orleans
@ Dana Firshing
“I loved the Colby I knew he could be.”
This speaks volumes about your lack of acceptance of another’s choices. Perhaps it is this very repression and recrimination that drives so many creative people to dispair.
Colby’s father and I, his stepmother, dearly loved him irregardless of his alternative lifestyle. We feel blessed that he had so many friends that cared for him, both emotionally, professionally and spiritually. Lord David, thank you for such caring sentiments. In our Bible, our God accepted Colby with loving arms, not only while he was living, but after death, as well. Thanks to all of you for posting your memories of Colby and sharing his life with us.
Pat and Warren Watkins
Dana F has become the third person ever to have her comments removed and is now banned from HumidCity. Disrespect to a dead fried is not tolerated. He will be missed, you will not.
Well Colby you finally got me to use a computer!!! Since we first met on the streets of San Francisco (LITERALLY) with you 18, and I 17 years old we sure have had many adventures over the past 16 years. Some good-some not so good, but each instance you taught me a lesson in this life. Colby, I would not be who I am today if it were not for you, AND I PROMISE TO LOOK AFTER LISA AND LITTLE JOLIET AS I KNOW YOU WOULD WANT ME TO. I’m glad I got to give you a hug good bye last month while visiting Rita in New Orleanz. I’ll always treasure the memories we shared-you were my best friend.
Love,
Melody
The night of the 16th I received a phone call from a mutual friend telling me of Colby’s passing. The weight of the news hit me like a ton of bricks. It is still very very hard to wrap my head around. I met Colby about a decade ago, in Jacksonville, while he was on tour with ICU. I approached him after the show to let him know how wonderful I thought his performance had been. The seeds of our friendship were sown. Sadly we were in and out of touch over the years. A direct result of wander-lust that had gotten us both but carried us in different directions.
In May, we crossed paths again. I would be tattooing at a biker rally in New Orleans just as he was getting back into town. We made plans via the web and were able to spend a good piece of time together before I had to leave town again. It was so so so good to see him. I love that my last memory of Colby is a great one!
He was such a wonderful person. I’ll never be able to convey how much his friendship meant to me.
The day after his passing, I had a dear friend of mine tattoo the Atone symbol on my arm. I hope to carry his memory with me always.
I don’t know if they have computers in the after life but…
Colby, if somehow you can see this know that you are loved and missed always.
Colby has left this world but I am certain he continues his journey with the same zeal that we all came to love and appreciate. His magick has left a timeless impression on anyone who came to know him.
about a month ago i talked w/ my lil bro colby. we hadn’t been in touch for many years. technology is a blessing!!! I was reading E-mail from my dad one evening, I was so excited to see Colby’s #. first we talked on our cell phones. It only took a few minutes to relize we both have a web cam. we also added oneanother on myspace. For a couple hours we shared our life experiances. obvious, we are both creative,just from a differant avenue.
As young children, we never imageined the reality of our journey. I recall one summer a special pond surrounded by alfelpha. about everyday we walked a mile to get there. I was determined to teach him abc’s , colors, and to spell his name.
I enjoy my peaceful garden and house plants. spiritually, poems I write, express my life. Also other people! Tomorrow is a poem I shared w/ Colby . he replied, beautiful!!! I love you sissy.
Tomorrow
Your morning eyes, I see our refection…
Faith guides our spirit w/ direction…
You speak, comforts me in harmony…
Strength, continues to drum in my heart i seek…
Our souls everlasting hope, we will keep…
Within our mind, our ideas planted in loyalety…
Loving you, a noble river…
Purpose, God will deliver…
Donna Watkins “2009″
My brother Colby, I will always remember, confedant, openminded, brilliant!!! I am proud of his acomplishmants.
I met Colby along with the rest of the I.C.U. clan almost ten years ago now, back in the days of the Conquistador. To say Colby was one of the most unique individuals I had ever met would be an understatement. The time I felt closest to Colby was when I had had the rare experience of being in a suspension session with him. The show was at the Forum and it was amazing. It was my 25th birthday and so I.C.U. hooked me up. I had never done any suspensions before, so I wasn’t sure what they were going to do to me. I ended up taking two six guage spears in my back, one piercing my cheeks through my mouth and then Colby came over and said, “Happy Birthday Bitch”, smiled and put two more nasty little hooks through my lower lip. He then smiled a strange Colby smile and an odd light shown in his eyes, he said, “You did good nickel”. That meant the world to me, Thank You Man.
I wasn’t close to Colby, but he was one of us, and he will be missed. Tell your friends and loved ones, you love them often, this life is short.
Take Care Man…
~S.B.
Colby was a dear close friend of my son.They rode out Katrina together and shared many adventures and road trips.My son was devestated at the news of Colby’passing.That’s how much he was loved.My condolenses to ALL of his family and friends.May you rest at peace my friend.
Chris
Would anyone would be willing to setup an online folder for people to upload photos of Colby to it?
I’m sure that this would be greatly appreciated by all of his friends and family.
Hey Ronin
I don’t have any kind of online storage space that I can make accessible to the public but there is a Facebook page dedicated to sharing photos, videos and memories of Colby. I know it has been a long time since you posted this comment and you may have found the group by now, but even though time has passed, I hope people still visit and contribute to the page. His memory must never fade.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Colby-Watkins/120884837324
Still miss you, Colby.
-LR
i still more than a little freaked out about colby not being around anymore. been kinda in a holding pattern all week trying to figure out what’s happening, going to happen, etc. Dan Noomoon has a benefit planned this sunday @ the Hiho. everybody come out & chip in a bit so we can offer him a proper memorial. if anybody needs more info, etc. email me gomikitti@gmail.com or tlk to dan. I’m really going to miss Colby, it’s only been a couple of weeks since we kicked it @ Aunt Tiki with our usual pre-show craziness then he went & got arrested that morning, but he made the show(STILL DRUNK!), little did i know that the last time i’d see him would be @ hiho that night, & i sure as s$#@ didnt think i’d be playing a benefit for his memorial a month later. F@#$!!!
I shot one of those Voodoo events back around 2001 – and there was lots of latex as I recall.
Colby was a creative, loving, and intelligent young man. As his uncle, I have many wonderful memories of him and also many painful memories when he struggled through life. He always had a kind heart for everyone and I always worried that he was too sensitive for this world. I hope he finds the peace he was always looking for. We will miss him and all he gave us.
Colby will be greatly missed. He was such a sweet and gentle person and accepting of everyone. Even though we lived totally different lives, whenever we would see each other over the years it would feel like we were giggly young cousins again. I have many wonderful memories of us laughing at life together. It breaks my heart that he left us the way he did, may he rest in peace.
To my dear nephew may you finally find the love and peace that you searched for. Love Theresa
As one of Colby’s aunts, it is touching to find such an outpouring of love and appreciation for Colby. Always one-of-a-kind, he was always pushing the envelope in everything he did. Regret that he was not able to push through the pain this time, to keep on exploring on his very individual path of creative discovery. If he had felt just a little of the warmth of this great care gathering, it would surely have convinced him to stick with us longer. Know he’s continuing on his totally unique path, still growing ,adventuring, sharing, and loving…… Thanks to all of you for being his friend! Kate
It is truly touching to see the love being expressed towards Colby on this page. I’m going to miss seeing him at random family gatherings and hearing about his latest adventures. His sweet, easygoing nature always made him such a pleasure to be around. I’ll look fondly back on our days as young cousins getting in trouble for breaking things at Grandma’s house or singing along to the latest song in the car. We love you, Colby!
The loss of yet another great mind. Colby and the rest of the tribe used to stay with us in Memphis. We always had a great time when he was around. Being from La originally it was allways refresthing to have some home folks around. The shows he organized were nothing less than spectacular. I hope everyone who loved Colby like we do stays strong in this grimm time. Ill hang with you on the other side brother. To the rest of the tribe: I love and miss you all, and I am truely sorry for this great loss.
I refuse to accept the picture of a disturbed soul, but choose rather to only remember the picture of sweet innocence that Colby most often conveyed when around his family. We already missed him when he left us last time, when there seemed little we could do to help. He will continue to grow and find his own way as we all must.
I met Colby and Lisa a few years ago while living in New Orleans. Their lifestyle not only facinated, but drew me in like a family in the deepest form. My fondest memories of Colby are camping out in St. Bernard with lisa, psycho, jericho, and the rest of the crew getting ready for New York. We never quite made it, but the nights of smoke filled tents and home made movies play in my mind. The nights of fire poi behind the pain house….aunt tikis….the dragons den….
I miss you, Colby. Your light and magical forms of expression left us awe struck and ecstatic to be in that presence. Your spirits of passion inspired me, and always will. You and Lisa changed my life in the past few years…I thank you both so much.
My next fire performance will be in your dedication, for all the light you brought to so many.
Love and Peace,
Aerie Skye
Peace out. I love you Lisa, hang tough, call me at 619-269-1257 asap.
A note to all his fans we will miss him dearly. He was a Superstar!!!!
I have had the honor and privilege of knowing Colby as a friend, and as a performer. I have booked Pain Tribe several times over the past years and even let them crash in my tiny one bedroom apartment for a week. The man and his mission simply, inspired, changed, motivated and intrigued me beyond all things, beyond all people could have. He single-handledly taught me the true purpose of us all: to be free, ourselves, rattle the cages of creative,sexual and artistic oppression, and above all things: love. His true Bohemian nature mixed with his fiery spirit and rag tag team of gypsies truly was awe-striking.
Colby, my brother, my fellow pirate;I truly love you. I will never ever forget the time that we spent together, nor will I forget what you have taught the world.I will continue to spread your message of self-expression through body and soul to anyone who will listen.
In closing I simply must say this for the last time, and I know where ever you are, you will hear me;
“A box of cookies and a bottle of rum-YO HO!”
Your friend, Dhust
hello yall. Its Sheree out in Dago.id like to get alittle
memorial togehter at number 1 on fifth.
would anyone like to participate? Lets do it! Im so blue still.
It’s been months and I still can’t wrap my head around this. I still see people out of the corner of my eye and think it’s Colby walking through the Marigny or French Quarter, only to be reminded once again that he is gone.
I’ve enjoyed reading the comments from his friends and family on here. I don’t think many of us got to meet his family and it is really nice to hear their take on Colby, having known him much longer than a lot of us were blessed to. But the fact remains that those of us who did get to know him and participate in his many artistic projects were indeed blessed and I am glad that I was involved in any aspect of his life. I can look back on the memories I have of him and the Tribe and smile.
You are still and will always be missed, Colby!
-LR
P.S. I am very grateful to those who deleted whatever hateful comments were being added to this thread. I’m glad I didn’t see them! Some people…
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