Arctic Moon (2025)

Script of the Bridge (1983)

What Does Anything Mean? Basically (1985)

Strange Times (1986)

Why Call It Anything (2001)

Manchester’s The Chameleons formed in 1981 (with a debut record Script of the Bridge in 1983), in an already crowded ‘Madchester’ music scene, such as The Smiths, New Order, Magazine, The Fall, and so on… but tragedy hit the band with the band manager’s death, so they agreed to break up in 1987.

It wasn’t until 2000, when The Chameleons reformed, but it didn’t last for very long. Third time’s the charm when singer Mark Burgess (now named Vox in 2025) reformed the band once again in 2021.

This time, the group features Vox, original guitarist Reginald Smithies, along with guitarist Chris Oliver and drummer Stephen Rice (who previously played under offshoot group ChameleonsVox). With a proper band, and band went on their first tour in 20 years, playing with The Mission and Theatre of Hate in 2022. Unfortunately the tour was postponed to 2023, but instead they did open for She Wants Revenge that fall.

Chameleons at recordBar (Nov 4, 2024)

When John saw the band in November 2024 (after ‘Missing’ the original appearance in June 2024 due to a broken tour van), he described the new band members, “Burgess (Vox) and guitarist Reg Smithies (along with newer recruits, Todd Demma– drums; Stephen Rice– guitars; and Danny Ashberry- keyboards) immediately launched into a full live playback of their third dark, complex, and ultimately last album (of that era), “Strange Times” played sequentially and in its entirety. Despite the absence of Dave Fielding and missing drummer John Lever (who died in 2017), the band faithfully reprised their seminal album, with many in the crowd still remembering the old lyrics enough to sing along, especially on singles “Mad Jack” (which opens the record), first single, “Tears” and second side opener, “Swamp Thing”.”

After the 2024 tour and the band settled down a little, they were able to record a new album called Arctic Moon to be released in September 2025, from Metropolis Records. This was their first new music since 2001! I have the record at my desk. The nice thing about getting it on vinyl is that it comes with a Bandcamp MP3 download, so you don’t have to wear out your vinyl. Ideally, this is my prefer way of listening to the music, as I do own a crappy cheap turntable.

There are two outstanding tracks on the new record that I like, “Magnolia” and the album closer, “Saviours Are A Dangerous Thing”. The last track is so catchy that you’re left wanting more… so you’ll restart the record and re-listen to the album again. I think my least favorite track is “David Bowie Takes My Hand”, even though it was the track I was most interested in when I first saw David Bowie in its title. I think it’s a nice tribute to the beloved musician, but the song just felt too slow. I suppose if you’re in a sad mood, it’s a song you want to put on.

I was surprised to hear that Vox sounds a bit like Richard Butler from the Psychedelic Furs. I was expecting the record to sound more synth (esp with a keyboardist in the band) and darkwave, but it really isn’t. If you like 80’s rock songs, like the ‘Furs (especially with Vox’s vocals), or Echo and the Bunnymen or even The Cult, this record fits right in that time period.

Currently, the band is on tour to promote the new record. Come see the band, if you missed them the first two times around.