{{Short description|English rock band}} {{About|the English band|other uses|Chameleon (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}} {{Use British English|date=January 2013}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = The Chameleons | image = The_Chameleons_live_in_Barcelona.jpg | image_upright = | landscape = yes | caption = The Chameleons performing at Primavera Sound 2024 | background = group_or_band | alias = The Chameleons UK (for North America)<ref>{{cite news |last=Palmer |first=Robert |date=15 October 1986 |title=The Pop Life |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/15/arts/the-pop-life-are-british-bands-better-or-in-business-biased.html |access-date=15 July 2013}}</ref> | origin = Middleton, England | genre = <!--Only main genres--> Post-punk<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2126777/post-punk-band-chameleons-singer-their-hong-kong-debut-37-years-after|title= Post-punk band The Chameleons' singer on their Hong Kong debut, 37 years after they started out|newspaper=South China Morning Post|last=James|first=Lauren|date=4 January 2018|access-date=13 June 2022}}</ref> | discography = The Chameleons discography | years_active = {{hlist|1981–1987|2000–2003|2021–present}} | label = {{hlist|Epic|Statik|MCA|Geffen|Glass Pyramid|Paradiso|Moochin' About|Artful|Cherry Red|Metropolis}} | website = {{URL|chameleonsband.com}} | current_members = *Vox *Reg Smithies *Stephen Rice *Todd Demma *Danny Ashberry | past_members = *Dave Fielding *Neil Dwerryhouse *Chris Oliver *Brian Schofield *John Lever *Martin Jackson *Alistair Lewthwaite *Andy Clegg *Kwasi Asante *Ray Bowles }} '''The Chameleons''' are an English rock band formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester, in 1981. The band's classic line-up consisted of bassist and vocalist Mark Burgess, guitarists Reginald Smithies and Dave Fielding and drummer John Lever.
The band released their debut studio album, ''Script of the Bridge'', in 1983. They followed it with ''What Does Anything Mean? Basically'' and ''Strange Times'' in 1985 and 1986, respectively, before abruptly breaking up in 1987 due to internal tensions and the sudden death of the band's manager.
The Chameleons reformed in 2000, releasing their fourth studio album ''Why Call It Anything'' (2001) as well as the acoustic albums ''Strip'' (2000) and ''This Never Ending Now'' (2002). Renewed tensions caused the group to break-up again in 2003. Burgess and Lever continued to play the Chameleons' songs live with their new project '''ChameleonsVox''', although Lever later left that group and died in 2017. Burgess and Smithies reformed the Chameleons in 2021 with two members of Burgess' ChameleonsVox group.
Known for their atmospheric, guitar-based sound, the Chameleons are regarded as one of the most underrated Manchester bands of the 1980s.<ref name=rc/><ref name=rg2003/> They did not attain the commercial success of other groups from the Manchester scene but developed a cult following.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2126777/post-punk-band-chameleons-singer-their-hong-kong-debut-37-years-after|title =Post-punk band The Chameleons' singer on their Hong Kong debut, 37 years after they started out|website =South China Morning Post|first =Lauren|last =James|date =4 January 2018}}</ref>
==History== ===Early career (1981–1982)=== The Chameleons were formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester, England in 1981 by Mark Burgess, Reg Smithies and Dave Fielding. Burgess previously played with the Cliches, while Smithies and Fielding had performed with Years. They started as a trio—Burgess as lead vocalist and bassist, Smithies and Fielding both on guitar—without a drummer. They later recruited fellow Middletonian Brian Schofield, who was soon replaced by Dukinfield-based John Lever, previously of the Politicians. Former Magazine drummer Martin Jackson briefly replaced Lever during 1982–83 while the latter was on sabbatical.<ref name=rc/><ref name=ge2006>{{cite book|title =New wave: la prima e più completa guida sul genere che ha sovvertito le regole della musica|language =it|first1 =Alessandro|last1 =Bonini|first2 =Emanuele|last2 =Tamagnini|publisher =Gremese|date =2006|page =96}}</ref> The band were then inspired by U2's early recordings : "U2's first record was a big album for us. Edge's guitar opened it up in terms of how you could build an ambient atmosphere".<ref name=independentie>{{cite web|url =https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/the-chameleons-the-band-that-refused-to-blend-in-29796330.html|title =The Chameleons: The band that refused to blend in [Mark Burgess interview]|first =Ed|last =Power|website =The Independent|date =1 December 2013}}</ref>
After performing a 1981 radio session for BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel,<ref>"The Chameleons ''John Peel Sessions'' [liner notes (vinyl LP)]". Strange Fruit label. SFRLP114. 1980.</ref> the band signed a recording contract with Epic Records, then a subsidiary of CBS Records International. Their debut single "In Shreds" released in March 1982,<ref name=cl2011>{{cite book|title =The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|first =Colin |last =Larkin|publisher =Omnibus Press|date =2011|pages =49–50}}</ref> was produced by Steve Lillywhite.<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web |url =https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-chameleons-uk-mn0001557918/biography|title=The Chameleons UK <nowiki>| Music Biography, Credits and Discography |</nowiki> AllMusic |last =Ankeny |first =Jason |website =AllMusic |access-date =15 July 2013}}</ref> The single's cover – a harrowing painting by Smithies, who created the artwork for all of their releases – mirrored the band's tense, atmospheric sound.<ref name=rg2003/> During this time, the Chameleons' independent style clashed with their label's visions for the band. Wary of the loss of credibility Altered Images had suffered due to buckling to CBS' demands on packaging, the Chameleons were protective of their image and consequently were dropped by the label soon after the release of "In Shreds".<ref name=rc/>
===''Script of the Bridge'' and ''What Does Anything Mean? Basically'' (1983–1985)=== The Chameleons subsequently signed to UK label Statik Records, a subsidiary of Virgin Records, on which they released their debut studio album, ''Script of the Bridge'', in 1983.<ref name=ge2006/> ''Script of the Bridge'', featuring the singles "Up the Down Escalator", "As High as You Can Go" and "A Person Isn't Safe Anywhere These Days", showcased Burgess's strong vocals and the band's guitar-based sound, with careful use of synthesisers.<ref name=rg2003/> Upon its release, the UK press said that the artwork looked like a "seventies Genesis style drawing rather unhappily adorning the sleeve".<ref name=sounds>{{cite journal |last=Linfield |first=Carole |date=1 August 1983 |title=''Script of the Bridge''***¾ |journal=Sounds}}</ref> A ''NME'' concert review described their music as "guitars slipping and sliding on slopes of echo, snapping their wires, fussing and fretting over stampeding drums, getting angry and staccato and falling to harmonic whispers". Concerning the guitar playing, it was said that there was an influence of U2 and Echo & the Bunnymen.<ref>Bartle, Bart. "The Chameleons - Hudersfield Polytechnic [live review]". ''NME''. 16 July 1983.</ref>
Statik's status as a subsidiary of Virgin prevented the band from qualifying for the independent charts, which resulted in reduced coverage by the British music press. MCA Records released the album in the United States in an abridged form, minus four songs, which angered the band.<ref name=band>{{cite web|url =http://www.thechameleons.com/band/|title =The Chameleons|date =12 December 2014|website =TheChameleons.com|access-date =1 April 2018|archive-date =2 April 2018|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20180402101314/http://www.thechameleons.com/band/|url-status =dead}}</ref> However, the US release and a 1984 American tour did earn them significant college radio airplay and a loyal fanbase.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://thedumbingofamerica.wordpress.com/2009/03/29/history-lesson-the-chameleons-and-the-great-mark-burgess/|title =History Lesson: The Chameleons and the great Mark Burgess|author =toddc2001|website =The Dumbing Of America|date =29 March 2009}}</ref>
Their second studio album, ''What Does Anything Mean? Basically'', was released in 1985 by Statik, which also reissued "In Shreds" and its B-side "Less Than Human" as the 12" ''Nostalgia'' EP, adding the previously unreleased track "Nostalgia".<ref>{{cite book|title =View From a Hill|first =Mark|last =Burgess|publisher =Metropolitan Press|date =2010}}</ref>{{page needed|date=April 2018}} ''Basically'' established the band as a promising, guitar-based group.<ref name=cl2011/>
===''Strange Times'' and break-up (1985–1987)=== Regular touring after the release of ''Basically'' (1985),<ref name=cl2011/> along with efforts by the band's manager, Tony Fletcher, persuaded David Geffen to sign the band to Geffen Records, which released their third studio album, ''Strange Times'', in 1986.<ref name=ge2006/> A dark, complex work,<ref name=allmusic/> it contained the singles "Tears" and "Swamp Thing",<ref name=rg2003/> but proved to be their final record of the period.<ref name=allmusic/> A rift existed within the band, particularly between Burgess and Fielding,<ref name=graff>{{cite book|title =MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide|first =Gary|last =Graff|publisher =Visible Ink Press|date =1996|page =129}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.sicmagazine.net/4449/draft-interview-mark-burgess-the-chameleons/|title =Interview – Mark Burgess, The Chameleons|first =Brett|last =Spaceman|website =[sic] Magazine|date =24 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url =http://louderthanwar.com/interview-mark-burgess-talks-in-depth-on-the-chameleons-and-this-weekends-home-shows/|title =Mark Burgess talks in depth on the Chameleons and this weekends home shows|first =John|last =Robb|website =Louder Than War|date =15 December 2015}}</ref> and Fletcher's sudden death in 1987 due to cardiac arrest led to the group disbanding.<ref name=ge2006/><ref name=allmusic/>
===Post-break-up (1988–1999)=== After the break-up, numerous spin-off bands emerged,<ref name=cl2011/> none of which achieved much success.<ref name=rg2003/> Burgess and Lever formed the Sun and the Moon, recruiting Andy Whitaker and Andy Clegg to replace Smithies and Fielding. They released an eponymous studio album on Geffen in 1988, but separated the next year. Burgess then embarked on a solo career, while the remaining members briefly continued on as Weaveworld.<ref name=kellman>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/sun-the-moon-mn0001527804 |title=Sun & the Moon <nowiki>| Music Biography |</nowiki> AllMusic |first=Andy |last=Kellman |website=AllMusic |access-date=6 February 2014}}</ref> Smithies and Fielding formed the Reegs with the help of vocalist Gary Lavery and a drum machine,<ref name=rg2003/><ref name=reegs/> and released two studio albums, ''Return of the Sea Monkeys'' (1991) and ''Rock the Magic Rock'' (1992), on the independent label Imaginary Records.<ref name=reegs>{{cite web|url =https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-reegs-mn0001843293/biography|title =The Reegs <nowiki>| Biography & History |</nowiki> AllMusic |author =|website =AllMusic |access-date =1 April 2018}}</ref>
Burgess released his debut solo studio album, ''Zima Junction'', in 1993, and toured America the following year with his backing band the Sons of God.<ref name=allmusic/> He released another studio album, ''Spring Blooms Tra-La'' (1994), as well as a live album, ''Manchester 93'' (1994), before partnering with Yves Altana in 1995, releasing ''Paradyning'' the same year.<ref name=rg2003/> Afterwards, he founded Invincible with Altana and drummer Geoff Walker. They self-released their debut studio album, ''Venus'', in 1999, with most sales being digital.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://www.allmusic.com/artist/invincible-mn0001607388|title =Invincible <nowiki>| Biography & History |</nowiki> AllMusic|first =Michael|last =Sutton|website =AllMusic|access-date =1 April 2018}}</ref> He also worked with Bird, the Messengers and Black Swan Lane.{{Citation needed|date=October 2018}} Lever later joined Bushart, who released the album ''Yesterday Is History'' (2008).
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. They also issued numerous live albums and compilations.<ref name=graff/>
===First reformation, ''Why Call It Anything'' and split (2000–2021)=== [[File:The Chameleons vox (Rock in den Ruinen 2013) IMGP3855 smial wp.jpg|thumb|ChameleonsVox performing at Rock in den Ruinen 2013 in Dortmund, Germany]] The Chameleons reconvened in January 2000 to prepare for a series of concerts in The Witchwood, Ashton-under-Lyne, one of the band's favourite venues, in May.<ref name=rg2003/><ref name=allmusic/> May 2000 also saw the release of the album ''Strip'', which featured old material in an acoustic format.<ref name=cl2011/><ref name=allmusic/> The concerts were a success,<ref name=rg2003/> and they expanded the reunion tour to include European dates in the summer and two California dates that fall.<ref name=allmusic/> They released a new studio album, ''Why Call It Anything'', in 2001, followed by another unplugged album, ''This Never Ending Now'', in 2002 and a full American tour.<ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.incendiarymag.com/letterfromlondon/thechameleons/letter_oldham_and_arnsberg_last_days_chameleons%E2%80%8F|title =LETTER FROM OLDHAM (AND ARNSBERG) - THE LAST DAYS OF THE CHAMELEONS|first =Cath|last =Aubergine|website =Incendiary Magazine|date =20 November 2012|access-date =1 April 2018|archive-date =11 August 2016|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160811130111/http://incendiarymag.com/letterfromlondon/thechameleons/letter_oldham_and_arnsberg_last_days_chameleons%E2%80%8F|url-status =dead}}</ref> Renewed tensions led to the band dissolving once again in early 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thechameleons.com/news/index.php?newsitem=43 |title=The Chameleons – News |website=The Chameleons |access-date=15 July 2013 |archive-date=2 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202215718/http://www.thechameleons.com/news/index.php?newsitem=43 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2009, Burgess and Lever reformed to play Chameleons back catalogue material under the name '''ChameleonsVox'''. They issued an EP, ''M+D=1(8)'', in November 2013. In addition to Burgess and Lever, ChameleonsVox line-ups have included guitarists Roger Lavallee,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://agitreader.com/wp2/chameleonsvox-the-wick-brooklyn-october-8/ |title=ChameleonsVox The Wick, Brooklyn, October 8 |publisher=The Agit Reader |date=14 October 2015 |access-date=13 March 2017}}</ref> Justin Lomery, Andrew Abernathy, Neil Dwerryhouse and Chris Oliver; bassists Frank Deserto and Jessica Espeleta; and drummers Glenn Maryansky, Yves Altana and Stephen Rice.<ref>{{cite web|url =http://blog.kexp.org/2010/09/24/live-video-the-chameleons-vox/|title =The Chameleons Vox|publisher =KEXP-FM|first =Jim|last =Beckmann|date =24 September 2010|access-date =1 April 2018|archive-date =8 July 2018|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20180708020245/http://blog.kexp.org/2010/09/24/live-video-the-chameleons-vox/|url-status =dead}}</ref> Lever later went on to leave the band.
In 2014, Lever and Fielding reunited to record an album, ''Endless Sea'', as Red-Sided Garter Snakes. The album, featuring contributions from vocalist James Mudriczki of Puressence and Clegg, was released in July 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Red Sided Garter Snakes - Endless Sea|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/release/endless-sea-mr0004439769|website=Allmusic|access-date=31 July 2016}}</ref>
Lever died on 13 March 2017, following a short illness, at the age of 55.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.post-punk.com/the-chameleons-john-lever-has-passed-away/ |title=The Chameleons' John Lever has passed away|website=Post-punk.com |date=13 March 2017|access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url =https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/mar/14/john-lever-chameleons-drummer-dies|title =John Lever, Chameleons drummer, dies|newspaper=The Guardian|author =|date =14 March 2017}}</ref>
=== Second reformation (2021–present) === The Chameleons reformed under the official name in May 2021 when Burgess and Smithies recorded a live album, ''Edge Sessions (Live from the Edge)'', with guitarist Chris Oliver and drummer Stephen Rice, who had been members of Burgess' ChameleonsVox group.<ref name="sue22">{{cite web |title=The Chameleons to release new live album ahead of U.S. tour with The Mission |url=http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2022/02/26/chameleons-edge-sessions-live-album/ |website=Slicing Up Eyeballs |access-date=1 March 2022 |date=26 February 2022}}</ref> The live album was released on April 25, 2022 on Metropolis Records.<ref>{{cite web |date=23 February 2022 |title=UK's legendary post punk act Chameleons (UK) joins Metropolis Records |url=https://www.side-line.com/uks-legendary-post-punk-act-chameleons-uk-joins-metropolis-records/ |access-date=1 March 2022 |website=SIDE-LINE MAGAZINE}}</ref>
With Oliver and Rice, the Chameleons announced their first tour in 20 years, playing the United States in fall 2022 with the Mission and Theatre of Hate. The tour was ultimately postponed to 2023.<ref name="sue22" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Pearis |first1=Bill |title=The Mission UK & The Chameleons touring in 2022 with Theatre of Hate |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/the-mission-uk-the-chameleons-touring-in-2022-with-theatre-of-hate/ |website=BrooklynVegan |date=8 October 2021 |access-date=1 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Instead, the band opened for She Wants Revenge in fall 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-17 |title=Band in the USA: She Wants Revenge unveil fall tour with Chameleons |url=https://vanyaland.com/2022/08/17/band-in-the-usa-she-wants-revenge-unveil-fall-tour-with-chameleons/ |access-date=2022-11-09 |website=Vanyaland |language=en-US}}</ref> The lineup for this reformation featured founding members Burgess and Smithies alongside drummer Todd Demma, Rice on guitars and keyboardist Danny Ashberry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=(((O))) Review: The Chameleons – Where Are You? |url=https://echoesanddust.com/2024/07/the-chameleons-where-are-you/ |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=echoesanddust.com|date=17 July 2024 }}</ref> Their first new studio release in 21 years, the ''Where Are You?'' EP, came out on 24 May 2024. Their fifth studio album, ''Arctic Moon'', was released on 12 September 2025 on Metropolis Records.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=2025-05-13 |title=The Chameleons Announce First New Album In 24 Years ''Arctic Moon'' |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2307808/the-chameleons-announce-first-new-album-in-24-years-arctic-moon/news/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Stereogum |language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2026, the band released a new song "Rock N Roll Star" for the charity compilation ''A Goth Deed For Palestine: Volume II''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Goth Deed For Palestine: Volume II, by A Goth Deed |url=https://gothdeed.bandcamp.com/album/a-goth-deed-for-palestine-volume-ii |access-date=2026-04-18 |website=A Goth Deed |language=en}}</ref>
==Musical style== During the Chameleons' early career, the British music press often used terms such as "sonic architects" and "sonic cathedrals" when describing the band, due to their atmospheric sound.<ref name=graff/><ref name=independentie /> Smithies and Fielding provided shimmering guitar riffs,<ref name=rc>{{cite magazine|title =The Chameleons: Mark Hodgkinson recalls one of the unheralded prophets of the Manchester scene|magazine =Record Collector|first =Mark|last =Hodgkinson}}</ref> while Lever and Burgess on drums and bass, respectively, gave the band a solid, rhythmic foundation.<ref name=quietus>{{cite web|url =http://thequietus.com/articles/14938-the-chameleons-vox-mark-burgess-interview|title =Vox Pop: Mark Burgess Of The Chameleons Interviewed|first =Julian|last =Marszaiek|website =The Quietus|date =23 April 2014}}</ref>
The Chameleons emerged as Thatcherism was beginning to have its effect on England's former industrial towns, and their music was imbued with a sense of anxiety and a longing for the security of innocence.<ref name=rg2003>{{cite book|title =The Rough Guide to Rock|first =Peter|last =Buckley|date =2003|publisher =Rough Guides|pages =182–183}}</ref> Burgess's impassioned vocal delivery<ref name=rc/> complemented his lyrics, which touched on the alienation created in many British communities by the decline of manufacturing and industry, and the consequent disruption of social order.<ref name=quietus/> Despite the bleak landscapes they were surrounded by, the band were not weighed down by their environment, but attempted to triumph over it.<ref name=graff/> Burgess said in 2013 that, though growing up in a post-industrial, northern town must have some influence on one's music, he felt the Chameleons would have sounded similar regardless of where they originated from.<ref name=independentie/>
==Legacy== The Chameleons have inspired the likes of Scooter, Oasis, the Verve, Editors, White Lies, Alcest, the Slow Readers Club, the Flaming Lips and Interpol. Oasis's songwriter Noel Gallagher has expressed his liking for the album ''Strange Times'' (1986) saying, "It must have influenced my early years as a song writer because I can hear me in it everywhere!".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/noel-gallaghers-high-flying-birds/shares-early-musical-inspiration-the-chameleons/|title=WATCH: Noel Gallagher Shares Early Musical Inspiration|website=Radiox.co.uk|access-date=17 June 2021}}</ref> Guitarist Nick McCabe of the Verve named ''Script of the Bridge'' (1983) as one of his ten favorite albums.<ref>Clay, Joe.[https://thequietus.com/articles/14709-nick-mccabe-the-verve-black-submarine-favourite-albums?page=6 "Nick McCabe Of Black Submarine's Favourite LPs"]. Thequietus. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2021.</ref> The Flaming Lips included "Up the Down Escalator" in the track listing of a CD compilation they did for ''Late Night Tales''.<ref>{{cite web|first=Heather|last=Phares|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/latenighttales-mw0000452812|title=''Late Night Tales: The Flaming Lips''|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=9 May 2011}}</ref> The band have also been cited by the Charlatans's lead vocalist Tim Burgess.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1294735010159898624|user=Tim_Burgess|title=When I first heard that Mark Burgess was the singer in The Chameleons, I was holding out hope that he was a distant…|date=15 August 2020}}</ref> Moby has been quoted expressing admiration for their work.<ref>Gitlin, Lauren. [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/moby-opens-new-hotel-81788/ "Moby Opens New "Hotel""]. Rollingstone.com. 14 March 2005. Retrieved 6 July 2021.</ref> Interpol's frontman Paul Banks has said that their bassist [[Carlos Dengler|Carlos [Dengler]]] was "a fan" of the band.<ref>Mouton, Olivier. [https://web.archive.org/web/20210706152823/https://www.lalibre.be/culture/musique/les-fantomes-new-wave-d-interpol-51b87db7e4b0de6db9a88f27 "Les fantômes new wave d'Interpol"]. Lalibre.be. 18 April 2003. Retrieved 6 July 2021.</ref> Sweet Trip vocalist Valerie Cooper listed ''Script of the Bridge'' as a musical influence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sonemic Interview: Sweet Trip - RYM/Sonemic |url=https://rateyourmusic.com/feature/sonemic-interview-sweet-trip |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=Rate Your Music |language=en}}</ref>{{deprecated source|certain=y|date=November 2024}} The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan named the Chameleons as one of the formative British bands he listened to in the 1980s.<ref>{{Citation |title=The Smashing Pumpkins: The Billy Corgan Interview | date=13 December 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAfkxHcqWKI |language=en |access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref> Neige, the founder of French black metal band Alcest, said his playing was influenced by the Chameleons' dual guitar leads and often names them as one of history's most underrated bands.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MetalSucks |date=2017-01-16 |title=Guest Playlist: Neige of Alcest's Favorite Post-Punk Songs |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2017/01/16/guest-playlist-neige-of-alcests-favorite-post-punk-songs/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=MetalSucks |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mortonpublished |first=Luke |date=2017-10-05 |title=Alcest's Neige: The 10 Records That Changed My Life |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/alcests-neige-the-10-records-that-changed-my-life |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=louder |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Joseph |date=2019-10-15 |title=Spiritual Instinct: An Interview With Neige From Alcest |url=https://willnotfade.com/2019/10/16/interview-neige-alcest/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Will Not Fade |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Zach |date=2014-01-09 |title=Decibrity Playlist: Alcest |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2014/01/09/decibrity-playlist-alcest/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Decibel Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Band members== '''Current members''' * Mark "Vox" Burgess – bass, lead vocals, acoustic guitar (1981–1987, 2000–2003, 2021–present) * Reg Smithies – rhythm guitar (1981–1987, 2000–2003, 2021–present) * Stephen Rice – lead guitar, backing vocals (2021–present) * Todd Demma – drums, percussion (2021–present) * Danny Ashberry – keyboards, backing vocals, bass, acoustic guitar (2021–present)
'''Former members''' * Dave Fielding – lead guitar, keyboards (1981–1987, 2000–2003) * John Lever – drums, percussion (1981, 1983–1987, 2000–2003; died 2017) * Brian Schofield – drums, percussion (1981) * Martin Jackson – drums, percussion (1982) * Kwasi Asante – percussion (2001–2003) The core quartet were augmented by keyboardists Alistair Lewthwaite and Andy Clegg for live shows in the 1980s, and by percussionist-vocalist Kwasi Asante during their reunion period.
'''Timeline''' {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:90 bottom:90 top:10 right:20 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1981 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3 ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1981 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1981
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==Discography== {{Main|The Chameleons discography}}
'''Studio albums''' * ''Script of the Bridge'' (1983) * ''What Does Anything Mean? Basically'' (1985) * ''Strange Times'' (1986) * ''Why Call It Anything'' (2001) * ''Arctic Moon'' (2025)
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{cc}} * {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0001557918}} * {{discogs artist}} * {{IMDb name|id=2536739}}
{{The Chameleons}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chameleons, The}} Category:1981 establishments in England Category:English musical quintets Category:English post-punk music groups Category:Epic Records artists Category:Geffen Records artists Category:Imaginary Records artists Category:Music in the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale Category:Musical groups established in 1981 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1987 Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2000 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2003 Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2021 Category:Rock music groups from Greater Manchester Category:Polydor Records artists