Legendary Post-Punk from Chameleons on the border
In an atmospheric and nearly packed Grenswerk in Venlo, on the Dutch-German border, The Chameleons showed on Sunday evening why they still leave an indelible impression on fans of uncompromising guitar music more than forty years after their formation. The British band, which never quite reached the mainstream status of genre peers like Joy Division or The Jesus & Mary Chain, has left an unmistakable mark on the development of post-punk and alternative rock with their distinctive sound.
The evening began intriguingly subdued, with frontman Mark Burgess fully focused on the music, initially leaving the audience in the dark about his thoughts between songs. This mysterious stance perfectly matched the hypnotic nature of classics like “Mad Jack” and “Dangerous Land”. Burgess visibly warmed up as the set progressed, creating more moments of connection with the devoted fans.
The nearly two-hour performance was enriched with a handful of new compositions from their upcoming album “Arctic Moon”. This will be their first studio album since “Why Call It Anything” in 2001 and judging by the new songs, the band seems to be taking an interesting new direction without abandoning their signature sound. The guitar work of original member Reg Smithies and newcomer Stephen Rice intertwined in a way reminiscent of their best work from the 1980s, while modern production gave the whole a contemporary freshness.
The sensitive performance of “Lufthansa,” where Burgess’ voice displayed remarkable vulnerability, was a true highlight of the evening. But the epic “Swamp Thing” also created collective goosebumps, while the rendition of “Second Skin” during the encore proved why this song is considered one of the definitive post-punk classics.
The current lineup sounded tight and inspired, featuring Todd Demma on drums, Stephen Rice on guitar, and Danny Ashberry on keyboards. They delivered a setlist spanning their entire career, from early singles to new material. Between songs, fragments of The Smiths’ “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” and The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby” were subtly woven in, a nod to their musical heritage.
The closing trilogy of “Monkeyland,” “Second Skin,” and “Don’t Fall” perfectly encapsulated what The Chameleons stand for: intense, atmospheric guitar music that speaks to both the heart and the mind. The band proved at Grenswerk that their music has not only stood the test of time but may be more relevant than ever in these turbulent times.
With “Arctic Moon” expected to be released in the fall of 2025, a new phase seems to be dawning for the band. If the new songs performed that evening are representative of the album, we can expect a record that will be a worthy addition to their impressive catalogue. The Chameleons reaffirmed in Venlo their reputation as one of the most underrated yet influential bands in British post-punk history.
Photos (c) Christophe Dehousse
