The Chameleons

The Chameleons formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester in 1981, comprising Mark Burgess, Reg Smithies, Dave Fielding, and John Lever. Their sound was rooted in post-punk but pushed towards something more atmospheric and emotionally intense — big, reverberant guitars, melodic bass lines that drove the songs forward, and Burgess's voice, which combined vulnerability and passion in ways that were genuinely affecting.

'Script of the Bridge' (1983) was one of the finest British debut albums of the decade — a record of extraordinary emotional power that deserved to make them stars. 'In Shreds', 'Up the Down Escalator', and 'Second Skin' were among the finest songs of the post-punk era. 'What Does Anything Mean? Basically' (1985) and 'Strange Times' (1986) maintained the quality, but commercial success remained elusive.

The Chameleons dissolved in 1987 following the death of their manager Tony Fletcher. Burgess pursued solo work and various projects before reforming The Chameleons in 2000. They have continued to record and perform, with Burgess remaining the creative constant. Their influence on post-punk, gothic rock, and shoegaze has been enormous — they are one of the great underappreciated bands in British music history.