Manchester music legends Chameleons have today released their new album, their first in almost a quarter of a century, titled ‘Arctic Moon’ via Metropolis Records. To achieve so much within a small repertoire of music is a monumental task in and of itself, but to become a part of music history and a source of influence for those who came after is the best definition of legacy in the making.
Lush guitars amid a strong set of backbeats with glimpses of orchestration and atmosphere that inspire as much as engulf, Chameleons let go of those inhibitions known as conformity and embrace the originality that birthed them in 1981.
‘Artic Moon’ is a glimpse of the different faces of Chameleons. Not in the historical sense, but in the context of the current creativity in the making. To be let in, you have to let go. This is not an album to simply listen to. There is enough of that signature sound for familiarity, but ‘Arctic Mon’ is the next leap in evolution for a band that still has blank pages left in the history book that is Chameleons.
About Chameleons & ‘Arctic Moon’
The legacy of Chameleons dates all the way back to 1981, when the band was discovered by the legendary BBC Radio host John Peel. Following their debut single “In Shreds” for Epic Records in 1982, the band released three seminal albums: the widely acclaimed Script of the Bridge (1983), cited by many sources to be a masterpiece way ahead of its time, and its follow-up, What Does Anything Mean? Basically! (1984) and, for the US-based Geffen Records, Strange Times (1986).
Their unique sound quickly captivated the public through their very own mix of melancholic, yet energetic and powerful tunes, hypnotic ethereal riffs, and the potent, timeless lyrical style. Chameleons are considered to be one of the most influential guitar bands of the 80s and 90s, contributing substantially to the post-punk, shoegaze, and indie scenes, and are often regarded as one of the most underrated bands ever to emerge from the city of Manchester, England.
Chameleons disbanded in 1987, only to re-emerge in 2000 with the independent release, Why Call It Anything, and toured widely across Europe and the United States. However, following the tragic death of their drummer, John Lever, and the departure of another founding member, guitarist Dave Fielding, the group disbanded once more. Chameleons reformed in 2021 with surviving founders and principal writers: guitarist Reg Smithies and bassist, vocalist & lyricist Vox, joined by guitarist Stephen Rice, Danny Ashberry on keyboards, and, on drums, Todd Demma.
Over the decades, the popularity and reputation of the band continued to grow, leading them to share the stage with the likes of U2, Killing Joke, Bauhaus, Simple Minds, Talk Talk, and The Cure, amongst others. Chameleons regard themselves primarily as a ‘live band’, which has earned the fans’ loyalty and respect for decades with their effortlessly intense and emotionally-charged performances. They have been touring extensively in the EU, UK, US, and as far abroad as Australia, South America, and China.
“We are thrilled to be working on our brand-new album titled Arctic Moon, coming out later this year. We’ve been working extremely hard, and we’re really proud of the results so far. We all feel it’s the best work we’ve done so far. Fans might have the chance to hear some of the new songs on the upcoming tour in the United States, Europe, Australia, and South America.”
LINKS:
https://chameleonsuk.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/wearethechameleons
https://www.instagram.com/chameleonsbandofficial/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4HLWX9kzfraiCsTvrxJEXm
