The Chameleons are an English rock band formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester, in 1981. The band's classic line-up consisted of bassist and vocalist Mark Burgess, guitarists Reg Smithies and Dave Fielding, and drummer John Lever.
The band released their debut studio album, Script of the Bridge, in 1983. They followed it with What Does Anything Mean? Basically and Strange Times in 1985 and 1986, respectively, before abruptly breaking up in 1987 due to internal tensions and the sudden death of the band's manager. After the break-up, Burgess and Lever formed the Sun and the Moon, while Fielding and Smithies formed the Reegs. Burgess also had a short solo career with backing band the Sons of God.
The Chameleons reformed in 2000, releasing their fourth studio album Why Call It Anything (2001) as well as the acoustic albums Strip (2000) and This Never Ending Now (2002). Renewed tensions caused the group to break-up again in 2003. Burgess and Lever continued to play Chameleons songs live with their new project ChameleonsVox, although Lever later left that group and died in 2017. Burgess and Smithies reformed the Chameleons in 2021 with two members of Burgess' ChameleonsVox group.
Known for their atmospheric, guitar-based sound, the Chameleons are regarded as one of the most underrated Manchester bands of the 1980s.[3][4] They did not attain the commercial success of other groups from the Manchester scene but developed a cult following.[5]
History
Early career (1981–1982)
The Chameleons were formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester, England in 1981 by Mark Burgess, Reg Smithies and Dave Fielding. Burgess previously played with the Cliches, while Smithies and Fielding had performed with Years. They started as a trio—Burgess as lead vocalist and bassist, Smithies and Fielding both on guitar—without a drummer. They later recruited fellow Middletonian Brian Schofield, who was soon replaced by Dukinfield-based John Lever, previously of the Politicians. Former Magazine drummer Martin Jackson briefly replaced Lever during 1982–83 while the latter was on sabbatical.[3][6] The band were then inspired by U2's early recordings: "U2's first record was a big album for us. Edge's guitar opened it up in terms of how you could build an ambient atmosphere".[7]
After performing several radio sessions for BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel,[8] - the first session was recorded in June 1981,[9] the band signed a recording contract with Epic Records, which was then a subsidiary of CBS Records International. Their debut single "In Shreds" released in March 1982,[10] was produced by Steve Lillywhite.[11] The single's cover – a harrowing painting by Smithies, who created the artwork for all of their releases – mirrored the band's tense, atmospheric sound.[4] During this time, the Chameleons' independent style clashed with their label's visions for the band. Wary of the loss of credibility Altered Images had suffered due to buckling to CBS' demands on packaging, the Chameleons were protective of their image and consequently were dropped by the label soon after the release of "In Shreds".[3]
Script of the Bridge and What Does Anything Mean? Basically (1983–1985)
The Chameleons subsequently signed to UK label Statik Records, a subsidiary of Virgin Records, on which they released their debut studio album, Script of the Bridge, in 1983.[6]Script of the Bridge, featuring the singles "Up the Down Escalator", "As High as You Can Go" and "A Person Isn't Safe Anywhere These Days", showcased Burgess's strong vocals and the band's guitar-based sound, with careful use of synthesisers.[4] Upon its release, the UK press said that the artwork looked like a "seventies Genesis style drawing rather unhappily adorning the sleeve".[12] A NME concert review described their music as "guitars slipping and sliding on slopes of echo, snapping their wires, fussing and fretting over stampeding drums, getting angry and staccato and falling to harmonic whispers". Concerning the guitar playing, it was said that there was an influence of U2 and Echo & the Bunnymen.[13]
Statik's status as a subsidiary of Virgin prevented the band from qualifying for the independent charts, which resulted in reduced coverage by the British music press.[14]MCA Records released the album in the United States in an abridged form, minus four songs, which angered the band.[14] However, the US release and a 1984 American tour did earn them significant college radio airplay and a loyal fanbase.[15]
Their second studio album, What Does Anything Mean? Basically, was released in 1985 by Statik, which also reissued "In Shreds" and its B-side "Less Than Human" as the 12" Nostalgia EP, adding the previously unreleased track "Nostalgia".[16][pageneeded]Basically established the band as a promising, guitar-based group.[10]
Strange Times and break-up (1985–1987)
Regular touring after the release of Basically (1985),[10] along with efforts by the band's manager, Tony Fletcher, persuaded David Geffen to sign the band to Geffen Records, which released their third studio album, Strange Times, in 1986.[6] A dark, complex work,[11] it contained the singles "Tears" and "Swamp Thing",[4] but proved to be their final record of the period.[11] A rift existed within the band, particularly between Burgess and Fielding,[17][18][19] and Fletcher's sudden death in 1987 due to cardiac arrest led to the group disbanding.[6][11]
Post-break-up (1988–1999)
After the break-up, numerous spin-off bands emerged,[10] none of which achieved much success.[4] Burgess and Lever formed the Sun and the Moon, recruiting Andy Whitaker and Andy Clegg to replace Smithies and Fielding. They released an eponymous studio album on Geffen in 1988, but separated the next year. Burgess then embarked on a solo career, while the remaining members briefly continued on as Weaveworld.[20] Smithies and Fielding formed the Reegs with the help of vocalist Gary Lavery and a drum machine,[4][21] and released two studio albums, Return of the Sea Monkeys (1991) and Rock the Magic Rock (1992), on the independent label Imaginary Records.[21]
Burgess released his debut solo studio album, Zima Junction, in 1993, and toured America the following year with his backing band the Sons of God.[11] He released another studio album, Spring Blooms Tra-La (1994), as well as a live album, Manchester 93 (1994), before partnering with Yves Altana in 1995, releasing Paradyning the same year.[4] Afterwards, he founded Invincible with Altana and drummer Geoff Walker. They self-released their debut studio album, Venus, in 1999, with most sales being digital.[22] He also worked with Bird, the Messengers and Black Swan Lane.[citation needed] Lever later joined Bushart, who released the album Yesterday Is History (2008).
First reformation, Why Call It Anything and split (2000–2021)
ChameleonsVox performing at Rock in den Ruinen 2013 in Dortmund, Germany
The Chameleons reconvened in January 2000 to prepare for a series of concerts in The Witchwood, Ashton-under-Lyne, one of the band's favourite venues, in May.[4][11] May 2000 also saw the release of the album Strip, which featured old material in an acoustic format.[10][11] The concerts were a success,[4] and they expanded the reunion tour to include European dates in the summer and two California dates that fall.[11] They released a new studio album, Why Call It Anything, in 2001, followed by another unplugged album, This Never Ending Now, in 2002 and a full American tour.[23] Renewed tensions led to the band dissolving once again in early 2003.[24]
In 2009, Burgess and Lever reformed to play Chameleons back catalogue material under the name ChameleonsVox. They issued an EP, M+D=1(8), in November 2013. In addition to Burgess and Lever, ChameleonsVox line-ups have included guitarists Roger Lavallee,[25] Justin Lomery, Andrew Abernathy, Neil Dwerryhouse and Chris Oliver; bassists Frank Deserto and Jessica Espeleta; and drummers Glenn Maryansky, Yves Altana and Stephen Rice.[26] Lever later went on to leave the band.
In 2014, Lever and Fielding reunited to record an album, Endless Sea, as Red-Sided Garter Snakes. The album, featuring contributions from vocalist James Mudriczki of Puressence and Clegg, was released in July 2015.[27]
Lever died on 13 March 2017, following a short illness, at the age of 55.[28][29]
Second reformation (2021–present)
The Chameleons reformed under the official name in May 2021 when Burgess and Smithies recorded a live album, Edge Sessions (Live from the Edge), with guitarist Chris Oliver and drummer Stephen Rice, who had been members of Burgess' ChameleonsVox group.[30] The live album was released on April 25, 2022 on Metropolis Records.[31]
With Oliver and Rice, the Chameleons announced their first tour in 20 years, playing the United States in fall 2022 with the Mission and Theatre of Hate. The tour was ultimately postponed to 2023.[30][32] Instead, the band opened for She Wants Revenge in fall 2022.[33] The lineup for this reformation featured founding members Burgess and Smithies alongside drummer Todd Demma, Rice on guitars and keyboardist Danny Ashberry.[34] Their first new studio release in 21 years, the Where Are You? EP, came out on 24 May 2024. The band also announced their fifth album Arctic Moon would be released later in the year.[35]
Musical style
During the Chameleons' early career, the British music press often used terms such as "sonic architects" and "sonic cathedrals" when describing the band, due to their atmospheric sound.[17][7] Smithies and Fielding provided shimmering guitar riffs,[3] while Lever and Burgess on drums and bass, respectively, gave the band a solid, rhythmic foundation.[36]
The Chameleons emerged as Thatcherism was beginning to have its effect on England's former industrial towns, and their music was imbued with a sense of anxiety and a longing for the security of innocence.[4] Burgess's impassioned vocal delivery[3] complemented his lyrics, which touched on the alienation created in many British communities by the decline of manufacturing and industry, and the consequent disruption of social order.[36] Despite the bleak landscapes they were surrounded by, the band were not weighed down by their environment, but attempted to triumph over it.[17] Burgess said in 2013 that, though growing up in a post-industrial, northern town must have some influence on one's music, he felt the Chameleons would have sounded similar regardless of where they originated from.[7]
Legacy
The Chameleons have inspired the likes of Scooter (band), Oasis, the Verve, Editors, White Lies, Alcest, the Slow Readers Club, the Flaming Lips and Interpol. Oasis's songwriter Noel Gallagher has expressed his liking for the album Strange Times (1986) saying, "It must have influenced my early years as a song writer because I can hear me in it everywhere!".[37] Guitarist Nick McCabe of the Verve named Script of the Bridge (1983) as one of his ten favorite albums.[38] The Flaming Lips included "Up the Down Escalator" in the track listing of a CD compilation they did for Late Night Tales.[39] The band have also been cited by the Charlatans's lead vocalist Tim Burgess.[40]Moby has been quoted expressing admiration for their work.[41] Interpol's frontman Paul Banks has said that their bassist Carlos [Dengler] was "a fan" of the band.[42]Sweet Trip vocalist Valerie Cooper listed Script of the Bridge as a musical influence.[43][deprecated source]The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan named the Chameleons as one of the formative British bands he listened to in the 1980s.[44]Neige, the founder of French black metal band Alcest, said his playing was influenced by the Chameleons' dual guitar leads and often names them as one of history's most underrated bands.[45][46][47][48]
Members
Main line-up
Mark Burgess – bass, vocals (1981–1987, 2000–2003, 2021–present)
Reg Smithies – guitars, album art (1981–1987, 2000–2003, 2021–present)
Todd Demma – drums (2021–present)
Stephen Rice – guitars (2021–present)
Danny Ashberry – keyboards (2021–present)
Other former members
Dave Fielding – guitars, keyboard (1981–1987, 2000–2003)
John Lever – drums (1981, 1983–1987, 2000–2003; died 2017)
Brian Schofield – drums (1981)
Martin Jackson – drums (1982)
Kwasi Asante – percussion (2001–2003)
The core quartet were augmented by keyboardists Alistair Lewthwaite and Andy Clegg for live shows in the 1980s, and by percussionist-vocalist Kwasi Asante during their reunion period.
Strange Times is the third studio album by English rock band the Chameleons. It was released on 1 September 1986 in the United Kingdom, and on 29 September 1986 in the United States, by Geffen Records. Initial copies of the North American vinyl release included a bonus LP featuring six non-album tracks, which would later be included as bonus tracks on the CD release in 1993. Two singles were released from the album: "Tears" and "Swamp Thing".
Mark Burgess is an English singer, bassist and songwriter, best known as the frontman of post-punk band the Chameleons.
What Does Anything Mean? Basically is the second studio album by English rock band the Chameleons. It was recorded in January 1985 and released on 20 May 1985 by record label Statik.
Script of the Bridge is the debut studio album by English rock band the Chameleons. It was released on 8 August 1983 by record label Statik.
Why Call It Anything is the fourth and final album of original material and fifth studio album overall by English rock band the Chameleons. It was recorded from 2000 to 2001 and released 1 July 2001 on record label Artful. The album marked their first and only release of all-new material since the 1990 EP Tony Fletcher Walked on Water.... La La La La La-La La-La-La.
Imaginary Records was an independent record label based in Heywood, Greater Manchester, England, which specialised mainly in indie rock and post-punk. It was started in 1985 by Alan Duffy, known for his lyrical contributions to Porcupine Tree's first two albums, On the Sunday of Life and Up the Downstair, and Andy Hopkins.
Alcest is a French post-black metal band from Bagnols-sur-Cèze, founded and led by Neige. It began in 2000 as a black metal solo project by Neige, then became a trio, but members Aegnor and Argoth left the band following the 2001 release of their first demo, leaving Neige as the sole member. Neige began incorporating elements of shoegaze and post-metal into the project's sound from 2005 onwards. In 2009, drummer Winterhalter from Les Discrets joined Alcest, after eight years with Neige as its sole full-time member.
Le secret is an extended play by French blackgaze band Alcest, released in 1 May 2005 through Drakkar Productions. It is Alcest's first release with creator Neige as sole member, as former members Aegnor and Argoth both left after the 2001 demo Tristesse hivernale, and the only release with Neige as sole performer.
Souvenirs d'un autre monde is the debut studio album by French post-black metal band Alcest, released in 8 August 2007. The title refers to the meaning behind the music of Alcest, as its leader and songwriter, Neige, sees it as a journey through his memories of a distant world he has been in contact with.
Peste Noire are a French black metal band from La Chaise-Dieu, France. The band was formed by "La sale Famine de Valfunde", also known simply as "Famine", in 2000. Their music uses standard black metal elements mixed with traditional Gallic instrumentation, and influences from genres like punk and electronic music. The band is sometimes referred to as P.N. or K.P.N.
This Never Ending Now is the second acoustic album by English rock band the Chameleons. It was released on 1 September 2002 on record label Paradiso. It consists of acoustic reworkings of songs from their early albums and singles as well as featuring a cover of David Bowie's "Moonage Daydream".
Dead Guitars is a German pop band. The band first formed in 2003, when guitarist Peter Brough of 12 Drummers Drumming joined forces with Carlo van Putten of The Convent and White Rose Transmission, and were later joined by guitarist Ralf Aussem.
Amesoeurs was a French post-punk/post-black metal band. A side project of Neige of Alcest, the group was formed with musicians Audrey Sylvain and Fursy Teyssier in the summer of 2004. Their goal was to create music that "reflects the dark side of the industrial era and modern civilization".
Strip is the first acoustic album and fourth studio album overall by English rock band the Chameleons. It was released 1 May 2000 on record label Paradiso, following the band's reformation that year. It consists of acoustic arrangements of the Chameleons' previously released songs.
Black Swan Lane is a US/UK indie rock band/project founded in 2007 by Jack Sobel and John Kolbeck, and Mark Burgess.
Adoration were an English band formed in 2003 by John Stone and Stephen Carey.
Stéphane Hugues Norbert Paut, known professionally as Neige, is a French songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist musician, and record producer from Bagnols-sur-Cèze, now relocated to Paris. He is the primary songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist of the post-black metal band Alcest and is the former guitarist, bass guitarist, and drummer of the post-punk/post-black metal band Amesoeurs.
Shelter is the fourth studio album by French post-black metal band Alcest. It was released on 17 January 2014 via Prophecy Productions. The album's title is related to its overall concept of shelter, "a safe place to escape, this secret thing we all have when life is going too fast and you are full of anxiety." Shelter marks a significant stylistic shift for the band, fully embracing the band's shoegaze and dream pop influences while departing from their previous black metal influences, with Rolling Stone writing that the album has "more in common genetically with Sigur Rós than Satyricon."
The Sun and the Moon is the debut studio album by English post-punk band the Sun and the Moon, featuring Mark Burgess and John Lever, released in 1988 by record label Geffen.
Kodama is the fifth studio album by French post-black metal band Alcest. It was released on September 30, 2016 via Prophecy Productions. It is a concept album about "the confrontation of the natural world and the human world", inspired by Hayao Miyazaki's film Princess Mononoke. Musically the album is a return to the band's earlier blackgaze style, due to Neige's feeling that he "needed to go for something more punchy, darker, and more personal." Kodama is also the first Alcest album to feature bassist Indria Saray, though he has performed live with the band since 2010.
1 2 3 4 Bonini, Alessandro; Tamagnini, Emanuele (2006). New wave: la prima e più completa guida sul genere che ha sovvertito le regole della musica (in Italian). Gremese. p.96.
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