History Music / TheChameleons

* MagnificentBastard: The song "Mad Jack" is possibly named after Mad Jack Churchill, a Scotsman who fought World War II using a sword and a bow and arrow. It could very well be about a raving, drugged up 'prophet'.

Following their breakup, Burgess continued playing alone as 'ChameleonsVox'.

Following their breakup, Burgess continued playing alone as ChameleonsVox.

** "Monkeyland"

* PostPunk: One of the darker examples of this genre, practically comparable to Music/JoyDivision and Music/TheKillingJoke.

* SmallTownBoredom: "Monkeyland" from ''Script of the Bridge'' is about Middleton, just outside of Manchester, which Burgess felt was [[CagedBirdMetaphor trapping him]]. It turned later that Monkeyland was used an insult toward the town's inhabitants.

* SarcasticTitle: "Singing Rule Britannia (While the Walls Close In)".

* OldManConversationSong: "Intrigue in Tangiers" was written after Burgess visited his grandfather at Broughton House, a home for war veterans. He'd bring hash for one of the service men who'd tell him stories of far off countries.

* LyricalDissonance: "Singing Rule Britannia (While The Walls Close In)" was a direct jab at Burgess' father and older Brits who celebrated the Conservative party while their country was falling apart around them.

** "A Person Isn't Safe Anywhere These Days", from the same album, was written after the band's experiences as victims of violent crime, as well as various newspaper reports of muggings and murder all around Manchester.

* CoverVersion: The bonus tracks on ''Strange Times'' include covers of "John, I'm Only Dancing" by Music/DavidBowie, and "Tomorrow Only Knows" by Music/TheBeatles.

* CoverVersion: The bonus tracks on ''Strange Times'' include covers of "John, I'm Only Dancing" by Music/DavidBowie, and "Tomorrow Only Knows" by Music/TheBeatles.

'''Acoustic Albums'''

* ''This Never Ending Now'' (2002)

The group were heavily inspired by Music/{{U2}}'s earlier ventures into post-punk and to a certain extent by the moody style of Music/EchoAndTheBunnyMen. While somewhat obscure in the grand scheme of popular music, The Chameleons were cited as a monumental influence on various bands including Music/{{Interpol}}, Music/{{Oasis}}, Music/TheFlamingLips and Music/TheVerve.

They're often called The Chameleons UK so as to not confuse them with an American band by the same name.

Despite their relatively short lifespan compared to more famous contemporaries like Music/TheCure or Music/TalkingHeads, The Chameleons achieved a cult status among fans of the Manchester scene. This was largely due to their atmospheric guitar sound and lead singer Mark Burgess' haunting lyrics. The philosophical themes in his writing cover a range of dark topics including mental breakdown, violent crime, personal loss, apathy, and urban decay set against the dreary backdrop of 1980s Manchester.

The Chameleons were a British post-punk band from Middleton, Greater Manchester. They were formed in 1981 and were active from that year until 1987 before splitting in the aftermath of the death of their manager. They were then active again from 2000 to 2003. In the course of their short career the band released four post-punk albums and two acoustic albums, as well as several live albums.

Despite their relatively short lifespan compared to more famous contemporaries like the Music/TheCure or Music/TalkingHeads, The Chameleons achieved a cult status among fans of the Manchester scene. This was largely due to their atmospheric guitar sound and lead singer Mark Burgess' haunting lyrics. The philosophical themes in his writing cover a range of dark topics including mental breakdown, violent crime, personal loss, apathy, and urban decay set against the dreary backdrop of 1980s Manchester.

Despite their relatively short lifespan compared to more influential contemporaries like the Music/TheCure or Music/TalkingHeads, The Chameleons achieved a cult status among fans of the Manchester scene. This was largely due to their atmospheric guitar sound and lead singer Mark Burgess' haunting lyrics. The philosophical themes in his writing cover a range of dark topics including mental breakdown, violent crime, personal loss, apathy, and urban decay set against the dreary backdrop of 1980s Manchester.

Despite their relatively short lifespan compared to more influential contemporaries like the Music/TheCure or Music/TheTalkingHeads, The Chameleons achieved a cult status among fans of the Manchester scene. This was largely due to their atmospheric guitar sound and lead singer Mark Burgess' haunting lyrics. The philosophical themes in his writing cover a range of dark topics including mental breakdown, violent crime, personal loss, apathy, and urban decay set against the dreary backdrop of 1980s Manchester.

Despite their relatively short lifespan compared to more influential contemporaries like Music/JoyDivision and Music/TheCure, The Chameleons achieved a cult status among fans of the Manchester scene. This was largely due to their atmospheric guitar sound and lead singer Mark Burgess' haunting lyrics. The philosophical themes in his writing cover a range of dark topics including mental breakdown, violent crime, personal loss, apathy, and urban decay set against the dreary backdrop of 1980s Manchester.

The group were heavily inspired by Music/{{U2}}'s earlier ventures into post-punk and to a certain extent by the moody style of Music/EchoAndTheBunnyMen. While somewhat obscure in the grand scheme of popular music, The Chameleons were cited as a monumental influence on various bands including Music/{{Interpol}}, Music/{{Oasis}}, Music/TheFlamingLips and Music/TheVerve.

The group were heavily inspired by Music/{{U2}}'s earlier ventures into post-punk and to a certain extent by the moody style of Music/Echo&TheBunnyMen. While somewhat obscure in the grand scheme of popular music, The Chameleons were cited as a monumental influence on various bands including Music/{{Interpol}}, Music/{{Oasis}}, Music/TheFlamingLips and Music/TheVerve.

The group were heavily inspired by Music/{{U2}}'s earlier ventures into post-punk and to a certain extent by the moody style of Music/EchoAndTheBunnyMen. While somewhat obscure in the grand scheme of popular music, The Chameleons were cited as a monumental influence on various bands including Music/{{Interpol}}, Music/{{Oasis}}, Music/TheFlamingLips and Music/TheVerve.

The group had their roots in 1981 and were heavily inspired by Music/{{U2}}'s earlier ventures into post-punk. While somewhat obscure in the grand scheme of popular music, The Chameleons were cited as a monumental influence on various bands including Music/{{Interpol}}, Music/{{Oasis}}, Music/TheFlamingLips and Music/TheVerve.

-->--'''"Don't Fall"''', ''Script of the Bridge''