Chameleons Discography
Mitchell R Dickerman
decided to finally get my act together and create this discography. Please
send me your comments/questions/additions.
The Chameleons and related bands discography, v1.0 (7/15/92).
By Mitchell Dickerman, with help from Jeff Wright and Liz Banyon.
This discography owes its format to John Relph.
There is an informal Chameleons discussion list. Write to Li...@Banyon.Com for
info.
The Chameleons
Albums
1. Script Of The Bridge
Don't Fall (4'03); Here Today (3'59); Monkeyland (5'14); Second Skin (6'51);
Up The Down Escalator (3'56); Less Than Human (4'10); Pleasure And Pain
(5'08); Thursday's Child (3'32); As High As You Can Go (3'33); A Person
Isn't Safe Anywhere These Days (5'40); Paper Tigers (4'16); View From A Hill
(6'38)
a. LP, Statik UK, STATLP 17, August 1983. Contains lyrics sheet and poster.
b. LP, Statik UK, STATLP 17, August 1983. Limited edition picture disc.
c. LP, Statik Spain, ?, 1983. "Thursday's Child" listed as "Tuesday's
Child".
d. LP, Statik Portugal, ?, 1983.
e. CD, Statik UK, CDST 17, 1986.
f. CD, Statik Germany, CDST 17, 1986.
Up the Down Escalator; As High as You Can Go; Monkeyland; A Person Isn't
Safe; Don't Fall; Thursday's Child; Pleasure and Pain; Second Skin
g. LP, Statik US (MCA), MCA-39014, 1983. Missing four tracks. Contains
lyrics sheet.
2. What Does Anything Mean? Basically
Silence, Sea And Sky (2'00); Perfume Garden (4'36); Intrigue In Tangiers
(5'15); Return Of The Roughnecks (3'24); Singing Rule Britannia (While The
Walls Close In) (4'13); On The Beach (4'09); Looking Inwardly (4'28); One
Flesh (4'27); Home Is Where The Heart Is (4'52); P.S. Goodbye (4'10)
CD adds: In Shreds (4'05); Nostalgia (5'15)
a. LP, Statik UK, STATLP 22, October 1985. Gatefold sleeve. Contains lyrics
sheet.
b. CD, Statik UK, CDST 22, February 1986.
c. CD, Statik Germany, CDST 22, 1986.
3. The Fan And The Bellows
The Fan And The Bellows (3'29); Nostalgia (5'15); Less Than Human (4'35); In
Shreds (4'05); Prisoners Of The Sun (4'20); Nostalgia (7" Version) (3'50);
Turn To The Vices (3'52); Love Is (3'58); Every Day I'm Crucified (3'30);
Endlessly Falling (2'32); Nathan's Phase (3'07)
"Less Than Human" is a different version than on _Script Of The Bridge_.
a. LP, Hybrid UK, CHAMLP 1, March 1986. Limited run of 100 copies.
b. LP, Hybrid US (Caroline), CAROL 1332, 1989.
c. CD, Statik UK, CHCD-1, 1989.
d. CD, Hybrid US (Caroline), CAROL CD1332, 1989.
4. Strange Times
Mad Jack (3'55); Caution (7'46); Tears (original) (5'05); Soul In Isolation
(7'28); Swamp Thing (5'56); Time/The End Of Time (5'41); Seriocity (3'00);
In Answer (4'54); Childhood (4'39); I'll Remember (3'39)
Bonus US EP: Tears (5'06); Paradiso (4'35); Inside Out (3'33); Ever After
(3'58); John, I'm Only Dancing (2'34); Tomorrow Never Knows (6'07)
a. LP, Geffen UK, 924 119-1, September 1986. Purple border.
b. CT, Geffen UK, 924 119-4, September 1986.
c. LP (2), Geffen US, ?, 1986. Blue border. Contains "Limited Edition Free
Bonus Album", Geffen US, GHS 24119.
d. LP, Geffen US, ?, 1986. Blue border.
e. CD, Geffen UK, 924 119-4, March, 1987. Rumored to have been withdrawn
after pressing only a few hundred. Unseen.
5. Tripping Dogs
Singing Rule Brittania* (5'33); A Person Isn't Safe* (5'29); Here Today
(5'39); Pleasure And Pain (5'52); Bobby More's Wine* (3'44); Less Than Human
(4'01); Thursdays Child* (4'41); In Answer (3'47); Return Of The Roughnecks
(3'39); Second Skin (6'15); One Flesh (4'59); Home Is Where The Heart Is
(5'29)
* Incorrectly spelled/listed on the label.
a. LP, Glass Pyramid UK, EMC 2, October 1990.
b. CT, Glass Pyramid UK, ?, 1990.
c. CD, Glass Pyramid UK, ECM 2 CD, October 1990.
6. Peel Sessions
The Fan & The Bellows (3'27); Here Today (3'44); Looking Inwardly (4'26);
Things I Wish I'd Said (5'06); Don't Fall (3'52); Nostalgia (3'30); Second
Skin (6'06); Perfumed Garden* (4'37); Dust To Dust/Return Of The Roughnecks*
(3'26); One Flesh (4'46); Intrigue In Tangiers (4'13); P.S. Goodbye (2'21)
* Incorrectly spelled/listed on the label.
a. LP, Strange Fruit UK, SFRLP 114, November 1990.
b. CD, Strange Fruit UK, SFRCD 114, November 1990.
c. CD, Strange Fruit US (Dutch East India Trading), DEI8114-2, 1991.
7. Live In Toronto
Swamp Thing (5'55); A Person Isn't Safe Anywhere These Days (5'06);
Monkeyland (4'59); Pleasure And Pain (4'18); Singing Rule Britannia (While
The Walls Close In) (4'16); In Shreds (4'05); Less Than Human (3'19);
Paradiso (4'33); Home Is Where The Heart Is (5'20); Soul In Isolation
(6'59); Second Skin (6'48); Caution (9'21); Splitting In Two (7'50)
a. LP, Imaginary UK, ?, June 17th 1992.
b. CD, Imaginary UK, ILLCD 036, June 17th 1992.
8. Here Today...Gone Tomorrow/Live In Toronto
String Quartet 1 (1'47); Home Is Where The Heart Is (5'18); In Answer
(4'07); Bobby Moore's Wine (3'41); Sally (5'27); In Shreds (4'07); Nathan's
Phaze* (3'05); Up The Down Escalator (3'52); On The Beach (3'24); Dear Dead
Days (4'38); Things I Wish I'd Said (5'09); String Quartet 2 (1'37)
Plus _Live In Toronto_ as above.
* Incorrectly spelling on the label.
a. LP, Imaginary UK, ?, 1992. Single LP w/o _Live In Toronto_.
b. LP (2), Imaginary UK, ?, June 17th 1992. Limited edition of 500?.
c. CD (2), Imaginary UK, ILLCD 037, June 17th 1992. Limited edition of
5000. _Here Today_ has catalog number ILLCD 035.
Singles and EP's
9. In Shreds
In Shreds; b/w Less Than Human
a. 7", Epic UK, EPCA 2210, March 1982. 5000 copies pressed.
In Shreds; b/w Nostalgia
b. 7", Statik UK, TAK 29, February 1985.
In Shreds (4'05); Less Than Human (4'35); b/w Nostalgia (5'15)
c. 12", Statik UK, TAK 29/12, February 1985.
d. 10", Statik UK, ?, 1985. Acetate.
"Less Than Human" is a different version than on _Script Of The Bridge_.
10. As High As You Can Go
As High As You Can Go; b/w Pleasure And Pain
a. 7", Statik UK, STAT 30, February 1983.
As High As You Can Go (3'17); b/w Pleasure And Pain (4'17), Paper Tigers
(4'20)
b. 12", Statik UK, STAT 30/12, February 1983.
These are all different from the versions on _Script Of The Bridge_.
11. A Person Isn't Safe Anywhere These Days
A Person Isn't Safe Anywhere These Days; b/w Thursday's Child
a. 7", Statik UK, TAK 6, June 1983.
A Person Isn't Safe Anywhere These Days; b/w Thursday's Child, Prisoners Of
The Sun
b. 12", Statik UK, TAK 6/12, June 1983.
12. Up The Down Escalator
Up The Down Escalator; b/w Monkeyland
a. 7", Statik Germany, TAK 11, 1983.
b. 7", Statik France (Polydor), ?, 1983. Promo.
c. 7", Statik Spain, VIC 98, 1983.
Up The Down Escalator (3'56); b/w Monkeyland (5'14); Prisoners Of The Sun
(4'20)
d. 12", Statik Germany, TAK 11/12 , 1983.
e. 12", Statik UK (Virgin), 600 99-213, 1983.
f. 12", Statik US, ?, 1983. Promo. "Up The Down Escalator" listed as "Up
The Down Escalator (There Must Be Something Wrong Boys)".
13. Singing Rule Britannia (While The Walls Close In)
Singing Rule Britannia (While The Walls Close In); b/w Singing Rule
Britannia (While The Walls Close In) (Radio 1 'Saturday Live' Session)
a. 7", Statik UK, TAK 35, August 1985.
Singing Rule Britannia (While The Walls Close In); b/w Singing Rule
Britannia (While The Walls Close In) (Radio 1 'Saturday Live' Session);
Pleasure And Pain (Radio 1 'Saturday Live' Session)
b. 12", Statik UK, TAK 35/12, August 1985.
14. One Flesh
One Flesh; b/w ?
a. 7", Statik France (Polydor), ?, 1985. Promo.
15. Tears
Tears; b/w Paradiso
a. 7", Geffen UK, GEF 4, June 1986.
Tears; b/w Paradiso, Swamp Thing; b/w Inside Out
b. 7" (2), Geffen UK, GEF 4/SAM 287, June 1986. Double pack.
Tears; b/w Paradiso; Inside Out
c. 12", Geffen UK, GEF 4T, 1986.
Tears; b/w Tears (original)
d. 12", Geffen UK, PRO 2679, 1986. Promo.
16. Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing; b/w John, I'm Only Dancing
a. 7", Geffen UK, GEF 10, September 1986.
Swamp Thing; b/w John I'm Only Dancing; Tears (original)
b. 12", Geffen UK, GEF 10T, September 1986.
Swamp Thing; b/w Swamp Thing (edit); John, I'm Only Dancing
c. 12", Geffen UK, PRO 2576, 1986. Promo.
17. Mad Jack
Mad Jack; b/w Time
a. 7", Geffen UK, ?, 1986. Only a handful of white label pressings were
released before it was withdrawn.
Mad Jack; b/w Time; Tomorrow Never Knows
b. 12", Geffen UK, ?, 1986. Only a handful of white label pressings were
released before it was withdrawn.
18. Wait Until Dark
Thurdays Child*; Don't Fall; b/w Perfumed Garden*; In Shreds
a. 7", Lady Records, LAD 2, ?. Bootleg.
* Incorrectly spelled on the label.
19. Tony Fletcher Walked On Water...La La La La La-La La-La La
Is It Any Wonder; Free For All; b/w The Healer; Denim And Curls
a. 12", Glass Pyramid UK, EMC 1, October 1990. Withdrawn immediately.
20. Peel Sessions
?; b/w New FADS
a. 12", Strange Fruit UK, ?, 1990. 500 copies pressed. Promo.
Compilations
21. Your Secret's Safe With Us
Includes: Here Today
a. LP (2), Statik UK, STATLP 7, 1982?.
b. LP, Statik UK, STATLP 14, 1982?.
c. 12", Statik UK, ?, 1982?. Five track promo. 400 copies pressed.
"Here Today" is a different version than on _Script Of The Bridge_.
22. Statik Compilation One
Includes: Nostalgia, Here Today, Prisoners Of The Sun, Up The Down
Escalator
a. LP (2), Statik UK, POL 274, July 1985.
The Sun And The Moon
Albums
1. The Sun And The Moon
The Speed Of Life (4'07); Death Of Imagination (3'50); A Matter Of
Conscience (5'30); Peace In Our Time (4'26); Dolphin (4'21); House On Fire
(5'25); The Price Of Grain (6'07); Limbo-Land (3'27); A Picture Of England
(5'24); This Passionate Breed (4'43)
a. LP, Geffen UK, 924 182-1, July 1988.
b. LP, Geffen US, GHS, 1988.
c. CT, Geffen US, M5G, 1988.
d. CD, Geffen UK, 924 182-2, July 1988.
e. CD, Geffen US, 924 182-2, 1988.
Singles and EP's
2. The Speed Of Life
The Speed Of Life; b/w Death Of Imagination
a. 7", Geffen UK, GEF 39/7, July 1988.
The Speed Of Life; b/w I Love You, You Bastard; Death Of Imagination; The
Boy Who Sees Everything
b. 12", Geffen UK, GEF 39/12, July 1988.
3. Peace In Our Time
Peace In Our Time; b/w ?
a. 7", Geffen US, ?, 1988.
Peace In Our Time (4'25); b/w The Boy Who Sees Everything (4'35); I Love
You, You Bastard (5'27)
b. 12", Geffen US, 0-20943, 1988.
4. Alive; Not Dead
Adam's Song (3'38); C'est La Vie (4'37); b/w Arabs & Americans (5'47);
Elected (4'52)
a. 12", Glass Pyramid UK, DONG 44, November 1988.
b. 12", Glass Pyramid France (Midnight Music), DONG 44, 1988.
c. CD, Glass Pyramid UK, DONG 44CD, November 1988.
d. CD, Glass Pyramid France (Midnight Music), DONG 44CD, 1988.
Mark Burgess
Compilations
1. 1967: Through the Looking Glass
Includes: You Only Live Twice (4'51)
a. CD, Imaginary UK, ILLCD 1000, 1990.
The Reegs
Albums
1. Return Of The Sea Monkeys
See My Friends (5'16); Is There A Mother-In-Law In The Club? (3'06); This
Savage Garden (5'36); Chorus Of The Lost (5'26); Pond Life (3'28); Start To
See (5'59); These Days (4'31); Turn It Up (4'08); All Tomorrows Parties
(6'25)
a. CD, Imaginary UK, ILLCD 029, November? 1991.
Singles and EP's
2. See My Friends
See My Friends; b/w Is There A Mother-In-Law In The Club?; This Savage
Garden
a. 12", Imaginary UK, MIRAGE 006, April 1989. Comes in blue or grey sleeve.
3. Chorus Of The Lost
Chorus Of The Lost; b/w Pond Life; Start To See
a. 12", Imaginary UK, MIRAGE 012, August 1990.
Compilations
4. Shangri-La - A Tribute To The Kinks
Includes: See My Friends
a. LP, Imaginary UK, ILLUSION 003, April 1989.
b. CD, Imaginary UK, ILLCD 300, April 1989.
5. Stoned Again - A Tribute To The Stones
Includes: The Last Time [by Three Imaginary Boys]
a. LP, Imaginary UK, ILLUSION 6, August 1990.
b. CD, Imaginary UK, ILLCD 600, August 1990.
6. Heaven And Hell Volume 2: A Tribute To The Velvet Underground
Includes: All Tomorrows Parties
a. LP, Imaginary UK, ILLUSION 017, February 1991.
b. CD, Imaginary UK, ILLCD 1700?, February 1991.
History/Notes:
(Much of this information comes from an article in The Record Collector mag.)
- The Chameleons were: Mark Burgess (Vocals, Bass), Reg Smithies (Electric &
Acoustic Guitar), Dave Fielding (Electric Guitar), and John Lever (Drums).
Dave did some keyboards, as did Alistair Lewthwaite and then Andy Clegg.
Brian Schofield was their original drummer. (Personally I thought he had more
style than Lever. Check out "Here Today" on _Peel Sessions_.) Martin Jackson
replaced Lever when he took a year off in 82-83. They were managed by Tony
Skinkiss until 5/85, and thereafter by Tony Fletcher until his death in 1987.
- The band formed in 1981 in Middleton, six miles north of Manchester. Before
this, Mark had been in the Cliches while Reg and Dave were in Years. (Dave
was in a school band called Sen.) Years released a 7", "Come Dancing"; b/w
"Red Chevy", "Don't Leave" on their own Tuff Going Records label. The three
started without a drummer and got the attention of John Peel.
- Their first single, "In Shreds", made number 42 on John Peel's Festive Fifty
in 1982.
- They originally signed with CBS, but they disagreed with how they should
sound and so, after their one single, decided to jump to Statik. However,
Statik was distributed by Virgin, so they couldn't qualify for the
independent charts and were thus overlooked by the music press.
- _Script_ was recorded in Rochdale during a six-week period. The band was
really pissed when they found out about the reduced version which was
released here in the US.
- They then became unhappy with Statik and tried to get away from them, but
were bound by contractual obligations. After _What Does Anything_, they
signed with Geffen.
- The lyrics in my CD of _What Does Anything_ are almost invisible. How about
yours?
- The following songs from _What Does Anything_ had been around for at least a
couple of years: "Looking Inwardly", "Perfume Garden", and "On The Beach".
And probably more. Note that the last Peel session had four tracks from
_WDAM?B_ recorded in 5/84, while it was released in 10/85. "In Answer"
probably just missed the final track selection.
- The original run of _The Fan and the Bellows_ was stopped because the band
took Statik to court.
- The New York Times endorsed _Strange Times_!
- "Swamp Thing" made the lower reaches of the Top 100 in the UK.
- The "Mad Jack" single was sent out before Geffen decided the lyrical content
("Have some speed, have some smack.") was unacceptable, so they withdrew it.
- After Tony Fletcher died from a heart attack, there was no one to keep the
band from each others throats. Does anyone know exactly what happened? There
are rumors that Mark wanted to move the band to the US, while another that
says Mark and Reg just had it with each other for some reason. Dave says that
Mark started The Sun and the Moon even before the Chameleons were finished in
the summer of 1987.
- Reg drew covers for all three albums, _Fan_, and _Peel_ plus the "In Shreds"
single and all of the ones off of _Strange Times_. Dave drew the cover for
the "Singing" single.
- _Tripping Dogs_ is a rehearsal from 1985. Glass Pyramid is Mark's label. Reg
and Dave weren't pleased to see this get released.
- The "Tony Fletcher" EP is four songs recorded for Geffen. It was withdrawn
after threats of legal action before it even reached the shops.
- The "Wait Until Dark" bootleg is from a concert in Holland, around 1984.
- On _Here Today_, "In Answer" is still developing lyrically. The lyrics for
"Bobby Moore's Wine" were completely rewritten and it became "Mad Jack".
Three tracks are not listed as taken from a radio session: "In Shreds",
"Things I Wish I'd Said", and "Dear Dead Days". Are these studio versions?
"Dear Dead Days" sort of became the end of "Soul In Isolation".
- "Splitting In Two" is an Alternative TV cover which they historically ended
shows with.
- There is a live video available on Jettisoundz in the UK. It was recorded at
London's Camden Palace. They appeared several times on Belgian and German TV
and Spain made a documentary on them.
- If you have all the CD's (and the US LPs of _Strange Times_) then the only
material you're missing are some alternative and live versions.
- The 4 CD box set is rumored to contain _Strange Times_, _Tony Fletcher_, the
US bonus EP, and other live material. I wouldn't be surprised to see the
Radio 1 session which has the live stuff from the "Singing Rule" EP.
- The Sun and the Moon were Mark, John, Andy Clegg and Andy Whitaker, with both
Andy's on guitars. The latter three had been together in Music for Aborigines
who released a self-titled EP containing "Sitting On A Biscuit", "Faith", and
"Ragbone Man" (12SP 148). These three are now in Weaveworld. The Sun & The
Moon broke up in 4/89.
- The Reegs are Reg, Dave, and a collection of others. The liner notes don't
give last names for the other players. Anyone know who they are?
- Dave has produced many groups, including: Monkey Run, Inspiral Carpets,
Crocodile Shop, Fading Smiles, and Sunhouse.
- Reg drew the cover for Homeland's "Pure" single.
- Mark Burgess is working on a solo project under the name The Sons Of God
which should be released by Midnight Music.
- Kitchens Of Distinction is the only band I've ever seen name the Chameleons
as an influence. They have that big, echo-y sound; highly recommended. The
Wedding Present has been compared to them, but this is no coincidence. David
Gedge was in Dave Fieldings teenage band (Sen), and Brian Schofield was in a
band with Gedge and Peter Solowka.
Liz%Eng...@hippo.banyan.com
(Nice discography, though, isn't it? :-))
Liz
li...@banyan.com, whatever the From: line says.