"It's exciting to finally be putting out fresh The Chameleons material for the first time in over twenty years, although initially I found it quite daunting", admits Mark Burgess, the vocalist/bassist of iconic post-punk band The Chameleons about its upcoming three-track EP, Where Are You?, scheduled for release on 24 May through Metropolis Records in conjunction with Strange Times Entertainment. "The question about new music is one I had been asked the most by people coming to our gigs, many of whom weren't even born when our previous records were made, but were excited and inspired by the music enough to catch us on various tours."
An artful combination that embraces the band's past work while opening its arms to creative expansion, Where Are You? slots neatly into The Chameleons's oeuvre. Led by an arresting trademark guitar hook, Burgess' familiar and immediately recognisable vocals soar effortlessly over the tight precision of the rhythm section, seemingly never missing a beat since its last studio album in 2001. "By the time we'd got through COVID, Reg (Smithies, guitarist) and I had a very solid band in place, people whose talent we trusted in to bring out the best in whatever ideas we were able to get off the ground", affirms Burgess. Recapturing their magical sound by combining post-punk, shoegaze and indie proved to be no struggle.
"For the first time since the death of John and the departure of Dave, I felt we were a proper band capable of creating some interesting and exciting music", he explains, reflecting on the passing of original drummer John Lever in 2017 and the departure of Dave Fielding after the band's reunion in 2000 (Burgess and Smithies explored different solo avenues before returning to The Chameleons fold that year).
Coupled with the shimmering and mesmerising "Endlessly Falling" and the contemplative acoustic ballad "Forever", the new EP is a teaser for an upcoming album, Arctic Moon, planned for late 2024. "We're halfway through it at the moment, but everyone in the band is excited by what they're hearing", continues Burgess. "We've managed to transcend the confines of our own legacy and finally forge something fresh. It's undoubtedly The Chameleons to everyone that has heard the direction the band is now heading in."
The Chameleons will play dates in the UK and mainland Europe to celebrate its 1986 album Strange Times.
The Chameleons has long been cited as a hugely influential act that inspired the likes of The Verve, Oasis, Interpol, The Killers, Editors, White Lies and The Slow Readers Club. The band is renowned for its transformative recorded catalogue and intense and emotionally charged live performances, creating a legacy that extends well beyond its four studio albums. Its widely acclaimed debut, Script Of The Bridge (1983), has been described by many as a masterpiece way ahead of its time and was followed by What Does Anything Mean? Basically! (1984), Strange Times (1986) and Why Call It Anything? (2001).
The band's unique sound has been captivating listeners for over four decades with a unique mix of melancholic yet energetic and powerful tunes, hypnotic ethereal riffs and a timeless lyrical style. One of the most important yet underrated rock bands of the 80s and 90s has contributed substantially to the post-punk, shoegaze and indie scenes of those decades and beyond. Link
The Chameleons Live:
23.05.24 LEEDS Old Woollen
24.05.24 CATTON PARK Bearded Theory Festival
27.05.24 BARCELONA Primavera Festival
06.07.24 BOLTON Right To Roam
28.08.24 BEDFORD Esquires
29.08.24 BRIGHTON Chalk
30.08.24 HOLMFIRTH Picturedrome
10.09.24 AMSTERDAM (NL) Melkweg
11.09.24 THE HAGUE (NL) Paard
12.09.24 BIELEFELD (DE) Movie Bielefeld
13.09.24 OBERHAUSEN (DE) Turbinenhalle Oberhausen
14.09.24 HAMBURG (DE) Gruenspan
15.09.24 BERLIN (DE) Columbia Theater
17.09.24 FRANKFURT (DE) The Bed
18.09.24 MUNICH (DE) Backstage Kulturzentrum
19.09.24 LYON (FR) L'Epicerie Moderne
20.09.24 PARIS (FR) Cabaret Sauvage
21.09.24 TOURCOING (FR) Le Grand Mix
06.12.24 BRISTOL Marble Factory
07.12.24 LONDON O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
09.12.24 DUBLIN (IE) Opium
10.12.24 BELFAST Limelight 2
12.12.24 GLASGOW The Garage
13.12.24 NEWCASTLE Riverside
14.12.24 MANCHESTER Albert Hall