The Chameleons, from Manchester England, began in the early 80’s when the genre of “post-punk” was still being sorted out. The band’s early 80’s output found a ready audience among other bands of the time, fit into the space between Joy Division’s darkness, The Smith’s melodic melancholy and Durutti Column’s sonic textures. While they didn’t achieve the commercial success of some of their contemporaries, they influenced a wave of dream pop, shoegaze and post-punk revival bands to come.
Now in their third incarnation, the band includes founding members Vox (formerly Mark Burgess who landed on the name to suit the person that he’s grown to be) and guitarist Reg Smithies along with other members who played with Vox in his solo career.
Live, the band offers fans a generous helping of the music cited as influential by artists like Billy Corgan, Noel Gallagher, Verve Guitarist Nick McCabe, Alcest guitarist Neige and Charlatan’s lead vocalist Tim Burgess. The band lets their songs breathe – often stretching up to 6 minutes – giving the sound space to build and shift. Vox’s song structures wander from standard verse-chorus-verse-chorus forms, favoring evolving arrangements and shifting dynamics in the music that reward attentive listeners.
And live, it’s all there to be heard. Smithies and Stephen Rice drive the dual-guitar sound over the emotional arc of each song while drummer Todd Demma echoes the creativeness of original drummer John Lever. Keyboardist Danny Ashberry adds subtle touches to their earlier work and is set to be more prominent when the band begins their formal tour to support, Artic Moon, due for a September release.
Highlights included “Soul in Isolation,” “Second Skin,” “Don’t Fall,” and their song that came closest to a hit, “Swamp Thing.” The set featured two songs from the new album – “Saviours Are a Dangerous Thing” which opened the encore, and “Where Are You?” – a song that settled into the main set like it had always been there. Given Vox’s hints there are even better new songs on the new album, Artic Moon promises to be a worthy addition to their catalog.
Vox maintains a strong, intense presence on stage. There’s nothing flashy about his performance – and maybe the lyrics require that type of focus. He’s occasionally wanders from the mic to rock out on bass during a lengthier musical passage, but whether recorded or live, you can feel the emotional weight of his delivery.
Overall, this was a powerful show—whether you’re just discovering one of post-punk’s unsung architects or are a longtime fan from the band’s heyday. Their summer U.S. tour is winding down, but they’ll return to the West Coast this fall in support of Arctic Moon.
Read also our pre-show interview with Vox!
Setlist:
Encore:
Atlanta’s Goth/Punk Darling Machine opened the evening. Their set included “Ghosting Me” and “Numb” to a very pleased audience. Vernon Love is a captivating lead, and their set featured sterling lead guitar.
