THE CHAMELEONS : ‘Where Are You?’ – announcement of brand new EP by influential UK post-punk act
new EP
12” | digital
out 24.05.24
(Metropolis Records)
Bandcamp pre-order | pre-save/add
“It’s exciting to finally be putting out fresh 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 their brand new single, which will be released on 24th May as part of a three-song EP on 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 their past work while opening their arms to creative expansion, ‘Where Are You?’ slots neatly into the band’s oeuvre. Led with 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 their 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 that combines 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 contemplative acoustic ballad ‘Forever’, the new EP acts as a teaser for an upcoming album entitled ‘Arctic Moon’ that is 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 be playing dates in the UK and mainland Europe either side of a North American tour beginning in late May that will celebrate their 1986 album ‘Strange Times’. The schedule continues into December and includes a London show at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire before winding up at the Albert Hall in their home city of Manchester. The full UK and European itinerary for 2024 is:
MAY
23.05.24 LEEDS Old Woollen
24.05.24 CATTON PARK Bearded Theory Festival
27.05.24 BARCELONA Primavera Festival
JULY
06.07.24 BOLTON Right To Roam
AUGUST
28.08.24 BEDFORD Esquires
29.08.24 BRIGHTON Chalk
30.08.24 HOLMFIRTH Picturedrome
SEPTEMBER
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
DECEMBER
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
The Chameleons have long been cited as a hugely influential act, having inspired the likes of (The) Verve, Oasis, Interpol, The Killers, Editors, White Lies and The Slow Readers Club. They are renowned for their transformative recorded catalogue and intense and emotionally charged live performances, creating a legacy that extends well beyond their four studio albums to date. Their 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, they have contributed substantially to the post-punk, shoegaze and indie scenes of those decades and beyond.
THE CHAMELEONS
Mark Burgess – vocals, bass
Reg Smithies – guitar
Stephen Rice – guitar
Danny Ashberry – keyboards
Todd Demma – drums
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*THE CHAMELEONS | Mark Burgess photo by Mick Peek
