Chakk

Last updated

Chakk
Origin Sheffield, England
Genres Industrial music
Years active1981–1987
LabelsDoublevision
Fon
MCA
Past membersAlan Cross
Mark Brydon
Dee Boyle
Sim Lister
Jake Harries
Jon Stuart

Chakk were an industrial funk band from Sheffield, who existed from 1981 until 1987. [1] Members were Alan Cross, Mark Brydon, Dee Boyle, Sim Lister, Jake Harries and Jon Stuart. [2] The band never achieved commercial success, but have been noted for their wide influence on later British dance music, particularly via Fon Studios. [3] Mark Brydon later went on to form and achieved success with Moloko.

Contents

History

Chakk's first single, "Out of the Flesh", produced by Richard H. Kirk, on Cabaret Voltaire's Doublevision label, reached number three on the independent charts in 1984. The band recorded a John Peel session on 17 October 1984 ("Cut The Dust", "Sedative Ends", "No. 3 Sound", "Mother Tongues"). [4] Their second single "You", released in 1985, was also an indie hit, reaching number 14. They then signed an album deal with MCA Records, who released 10 Days in an Elevator. The initial version of the album was rejected and a rerecorded version was finally released in 1986; it did not sell well and the band was dropped later that year. [3] They released a few more singles and split in 1987.

Non-MCA recordings from "You" onwards were released on their own Fon Records label ("Fuck Off Nazis" or "Fear of Nazis", from a piece of 1940s graffiti on a wall in Sheffield), [5] which was started by the band with their manager, Amrik Rai (formerly a journalist for New Musical Express ). Rai also ran a record shop of the same name for a time.

Brydon built Fon Studios with the MCA advance money (reportedly £100,000) in 1985 [2] [6] [7] as it was cheaper to build a studio in Sheffield than to record in London. Fon Studios and the Fon Force production team became important to Sheffield music and paved the way for labels like Warp. [3] Brydon did significant later work in production (including "House Arrest" by Krush) and started Moloko with Róisín Murphy.

Aftermath

In 2007, a digital compilation of the band's FON Records' singles was released.

Chakk were featured in Eve Wood's documentary films on the Sheffield music scene, Made in Sheffield (2009) and The Beat Is the Law (2011). [8] [9]

In 2016, the band's debut album Clocks and Babies was remastered and reissued on CD and digitally.

Discography

Albums

Singles

"Take Your Time" (5:23) // "The Pieces" (5:14) / "Just Wait" (4:57)
"Take Your Time (Earth Calling)" // "Just Pieces (Bumper Bomb Bonus)" / "Just Pieces (Bomb-Bay Mix)" / "Just Pieces (Bouncing Beats)"

Collaboration

"Bloodsport (The Full Report)" // "Bloodsport (State of Emergency)" / "Bloodsport (Too Little Too Late)"

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Designers Republic</span> British graphic design studio

The Designers Republic is a British graphic design studio based in Sheffield, England, founded in 1986 by Ian Anderson and Nick Phillips. They are best known for electronic music logos, album artwork, and anti-establishment aesthetics, embracing "brash consumerism and the uniform style of corporate brands". Work by tDR is held in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Colourbox were an English electronic musical group on the 4AD label, releasing a number of records between 1982 and 1987. The band was formed by brothers Martyn and Steve Young, Ian Robbins, and vocalist Debbion Currie. Currie and Robbins left the band in 1983, and Lorita Grahame joined as singer.

The Redskins were a 1980s English band, notable for their far left-wing politics, skinhead image and catchy, danceable songs. Their music combined influences from soul, rockabilly, pop and punk rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naked Raygun</span> American punk band

Naked Raygun is an American punk rock band that formed in Chicago in 1980. The band was active from 1980 to 1992, along with reunion shows in 1997, and since 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moloko</span> Anglo-Irish electronica/trip-hop duo

Moloko were an Irish-English electronic music duo formed in Sheffield, England, consisting of vocalist Róisín Murphy and producer Mark Brydon. Blending elements of electronica and dance music, they are best known for their UK top 10 singles "The Time Is Now" (2000) and "Familiar Feeling" (2003), as well as the 1999 Boris Dlugosch remix of "Sing It Back" which became an international hit.

Audrey Riley is an English cellist and string arranger, based in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Róisín Murphy</span> Irish singer

Róisín Marie Murphy is an Irish singer, songwriter and record producer. She first became known in the 1990s as one half of the pop duo Moloko alongside English musician Mark Brydon. After the breakup of Moloko, she embarked on a solo career and released her debut solo album Ruby Blue to critical praise in 2005. Her second solo album, Overpowered, was released in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiss (Prince song)</span> 1986 single by Prince and the Revolution

"Kiss" is a song composed, written, and produced by American musician Prince. Released by the Paisley Park label as the lead single from Prince and the Revolution's eighth studio album, Parade (1986), on February 5, 1986, it was a No. 1 hit worldwide, holding the top spot of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks. The single was certified gold in 1986 for shipments of 1,000,000 copies by RIAA.

<i>So-Lo</i> 1984 studio album by Danny Elfman

So-Lo is the debut studio album by American musician Danny Elfman, released in 1984 by MCA Records. Recorded primarily by Elfman, but also featuring the members of his band, Oingo Boingo, it was recorded when Elfman was offered a solo contract with MCA after the band had been dropped from I.R.S. Records. The album marked the band's last release to feature bassist Kerry Hatch and keyboardist Richard Gibbs.

Mark Errington Brydon is an English bassist, guitarist, songwriter, arranger, recording engineer, remixer and producer best known as a member of the group Moloko.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Effigies</span> American punk band

The Effigies were an American punk band from Chicago. The band played its first show in 1980 and was active initially for approximately a decade, undergoing multiple personnel changes with frontman John Kezdy the only constant, before disbanding in 1990. The band released 5 albums and several EPs, most on the record label they founded in 1981, Ruthless Records, which was distributed by Enigma. Later albums were on the Fever Records and Roadkill Records labels. They toured the U.S. and Canada and played notable venues, including CBGB, Maxwell's, First Avenue, Mabuhay Gardens, Paycheck's (Detroit), Exit (Chicago) and The Rathskeller, among others. They also received a significant amount of national airplay on college radio at a time when it was the only medium for alternative music.

Krush were a UK dance music group, who had a crossover hit single with "House Arrest" in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flesh for Lulu</span> English rock band

Flesh for Lulu were an English rock band formed in Brixton, London, England, active between 1982 and 1992. They reformed from 2013 to 2015 with a new lineup. Initially part of the post-punk scene, the band's sound shifted to reflect influences from pop music, country and western, rhythm and blues and blues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Broadrick discography</span>

This is a partial discography of Justin Broadrick, a prolific English songwriter, guitarist, singer, producer and general multi-instrumentalist musician most known for being the leading force of the industrial metal band Godflesh. Broadrick is also recognized for his experimental project Jesu, his key contributions to the seminal grindcore album Scum (1987) by Napalm Death, and his strong presence in the electronic and industrial remix community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Band of Holy Joy</span>

The Band of Holy Joy are an English band formed in New Cross, London, and initially active between 1984 and 1993, releasing several albums. In 1992, they abbreviated their name to Holy Joy. They reformed in 2002, under their original name, releasing a new album called Love Never Fails. They concentrated on other musical projects during 2003 to 2006. The band began performing live again in 2007 and since 2017 have released a number of albums on Tiny Global Productions, including Funambulist We Love You, Neon Primitives, Dreams Take Flight, and their latest critically acclaimed release Fated Beautiful Mistakes in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Cale discography</span> Wikimedia artist discography

John Cale is a Welsh musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer who was a founding member of the experimental rock band the Velvet Underground in the 1960s. In the subsequent four decades, Cale has released varied solo albums, film soundtracks, and collaborations with Lou Reed, Brian Eno, Bob Neuwirth and others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuddly Toy (song)</span> 1989 single by Andrew Roachford

"Cuddly Toy" is a song by British band Roachford. It was the second single taken from their self-titled debut studio album, and was their first chart hit single. It was recorded at CBS Recording Studios, Whitfield Street, London over a three-day period between Saturday 19 March and Monday 21 March 1988. The drums were recorded in Studio 1, with the rest of the instruments recorded in Studio 2. The studio engineer was Richard Hollywood. The song was produced by Michael H. Brauer, Andrew Roachford and Fayney. It was mixed at a later date by Michael H. Brauer.

<i>Bloodsports</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Suede

Bloodsports is the sixth studio album by English alternative rock band Suede. It was released on 18 March 2013, via Warner Bros. Records. It is their first studio album since A New Morning in 2002.

Kalima was a Manchester-based Factory Records band who were active from 1980 to 1991 and in 2001 after a reformation, playing in a funk, Latin and jazz style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Rhodes (musician)</span> American bass player (1953–2023)

Michael Rhodes was an American bass player, known for his session work and touring in support of other artists, and his collaborations in bands and ensembles.

References

  1. Chakk (AllMusic)
  2. 1 2 Chakk (discogs.com)
  3. 1 2 3 Simpson, Dave (2011) "'Catalyst bands': What do you mean, you've never heard of them?", The Guardian , 21 July 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2012
  4. BBC – Radio 1 – Keeping It Peel – 07/10/1984 Chakk
  5. Young, Rob (2005) Warp: Labels Unlimited, Black Dog Publishing, ISBN   978-1904772323, p. 29
  6. 1 2 3 4 Lazell, Barry (1998) Indie Hits 1980–1989, Cherry Red Books, ISBN   0-95172-069-4, p. 39
  7. Fish, Mick (2002) Industrial Evolution: Through the 80s with Cabaret Voltaire, SAF Publishing Ltd, ISBN   978-0946719464, p. 172
  8. "City music beat goes on into new decades Archived 19 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine ", Sheffield Telegraph , 2 November 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2012
  9. "City bands are back on the beat", Sheffield Telegraph , 18 November 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2012
  10. Chakk – Clocks And Babies (Cassette) at Discogs
  11. Chakk – 10 Days In An Elevator (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs
  12. Chakk – Beneath The Dancefloor – Basement Tapes (Chakk 1983–1984) (Vinyl) at Discogs
  13. iTunes – Music – Out of the Flesh – The Singles by Chakk
  14. Chakk – Out Of The Flesh (Vinyl) at Discogs
  15. Chakk – You / They Say (Vinyl) at Discogs
  16. Chakk – You / They Say (Vinyl) at Discogs
  17. Chakk – Imagination (Who Needs A Better Life) (Vinyl) at Discogs
  18. Chakk – Imagination (Who Needs A Better Life) (Vinyl) at Discogs
  19. Chakk – Big Hot Blues (Vinyl) at Discogs
  20. Chakk – Big Hot Blues (Vinyl) at Discogs
  21. Chakk – Timebomb (Vinyl) at Discogs
  22. Chakk – Timebomb (Vinyl) at Discogs
  23. Chakk – Timebomb Crashpack (Vinyl) at Discogs
  24. Chakk – Timebomb (Bombed-Out Remixes) (Vinyl) at Discogs
  25. Chakk – Brain (Vinyl) at Discogs
  26. Swanhunters, With the Chakk – Bloodsport (Vinyl) at Discogs