The Chameleons
| The Chameleons | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Chameleons UK |
| Origin | Middleton, England |
| Genres | Post-punk |
| Years active | 1981–1987, 2000–2003 |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts |
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| Past members | Reg Smithies Dave Fielding Mark Burgess Brian Schofield John Lever Martin Jackson Alistair Lewthwaite Andy Clegg Kwasi Asante |
The Chameleons (known as The Chameleons UK in North America) were an English post-punk band formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester in 1981. The band originally consisted of singer and bassist Mark Burgess, guitarist Reg Smithies, guitarist Dave Fielding and drummer John Lever (replacing original drummer Brian Schofield). They released six studio albums and one EP before disbanding in 2003.
Burgess alone continues to play Chameleons songs live under the name ChameleonsVox.
The Chameleons were formed in Middleton, England in 1981 by Burgess, Smithies, Fielding and Schofield. Burgess previously played with the band the Cliches; Smithies and Fielding with the band Years. Schofield was soon replaced by Lever (from the Politicians).
After performing several radio sessions for BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, the Chameleons were signed to Epic Records and in 1982 released their debut single, "In Shreds".
Their contract with Epic soon ended, and the band signed to Statik Records and released their debut studio album in 1983, Script of the Bridge. Their second and final album for Statik, What Does Anything Mean? Basically, was released in 1985. Following this, the Chameleons signed to Geffen Records, releasing their third studio album, Strange Times. Following the sudden death of the band's manager Tony Fletcher, the Chameleons disbanded.
In 1990, the Chameleons posthumously released an EP, Tony Fletcher Walked on Water.... La La La La La-La La-La-La, with the title paying tribute to their former manager.
Burgess and Lever formed the Sun and the Moon, who released an eponymous studio album on Geffen in 1988. Smithies and Fielding formed the Reegs, who released two albums, Return of the Sea Monkeys (1991) and Rock the Magic Rock (1993). Lever later joined Bushart, who released the album Yesterday Is History (2008). Burgess released his debut solo album in 1993, touring America the following year, and also worked with Invincible, Bird and Black Swan Lane.
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