The Chameleons were my roomates favorite band in college. And since we shared a 10 by 10 foot room they quickly became mine as well. The thing about The Chameleons is that they played kind of sappy music, yet their frontman was like 6′ 2″ and 220lbs (not sure how many stones that is but let’s say 12!?). When I saw them in concert it was hard to keep your eyes off the guy. I never saw Henry Rollins but I expect it’s the same experience. So besides the fact that the music was great and just a little bit different from the prevailing trends, the band’s lead singer (Mark Burgess) created a mythic personna for himself. The band only released 3 (maybe 4) studio albums and they are all must haves. They’re sort of available here.
So here’s the song “Tears” one of their best and then You Tube videos of “In Shreds” and “Paper Tigers”.
Jon Auer’s (ex-Posies) version of “Tears”
In Shreds
Paper Tigers (Circa 1982)
Yay, more Chameleons – my recent post here. You think it’s sappy music? Checkt eh first album, or the Peel sessions. I guess Strange Times is, and those Juno 60 synth washes everywhere – but you have to remember that Echo and the Bunnymen were about the only real competition for major label indie rock, and although it’s close Strange times whips Ocean Rain on most days.
I have lots of fond memories seeing the Chameleons live – I even managed to see them in London once. They were probably my favorite band of the late 80′s – incredibly intense live. They managed to keep that intensity when I’ve seen them on ‘reunion’ tours, too.
Really nice guys as well.