oh shit. wouldn't have been the same band without him, imagine 'soul in isolation' without JL
― Benylin Ascent (NickB), Monday, 13 March 2017 17:18 (seven years ago) link
Yeah I keep turning over so many different fills and breaks of his in my mind. Just would NOT have been the same, indeed.
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 13 March 2017 17:23 (seven years ago) link
Ouch. That is indeed unsettling news.
― Austin, Monday, 13 March 2017 17:38 (seven years ago) link
LIstening to soul in isolation on this, fantastic, thanks Ned.
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSfxjgIYjeGYUBs4NLlFEaMaKp5C6FPpC
― wishy washy hippy variety hour (Hunt3r), Monday, 13 March 2017 19:09 (seven years ago) link
You're welcome of course. I'll have a piece running in the Quietus tomorrow.
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 13 March 2017 19:36 (seven years ago) link
RIP :(
― Coolio Iglesias (Turrican), Monday, 13 March 2017 19:39 (seven years ago) link
Way too young. A remarkable drummer in terms of what he didn't do, powerful without overpowering.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Monday, 13 March 2017 20:58 (seven years ago) link
One of my favourite little bits of JL is that minute and a bit outro of On The Beach where the drums smashing through at the end of each bar, wave after wave onto the shore
― Benylin Ascent (NickB), Monday, 13 March 2017 22:23 (seven years ago) link
Terrible news. I also thought of "Soul in Isolation" first, now it's time to reckon with "In Shreds," "Nathan's Phase"... jeez.
― geoffreyess, Tuesday, 14 March 2017 02:30 (seven years ago) link
Giving a listen to the Live in Toronto album from the Strange Times tour now. They played San Diego that tour, and had I been just a bit more aware or on top of things, I suppose I could have gone or tried to go, but I was still very much a top 40 kid, wouldn't've known. Though I did see the reunion tour of course, I really can't complain.
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 14 March 2017 02:48 (seven years ago) link
FUCK
― example (crüt), Tuesday, 14 March 2017 02:52 (seven years ago) link
Man, what sad news. A lot of the Chameleons sound comes down to how powerful his drum parts were
― Vinnie, Tuesday, 14 March 2017 05:00 (seven years ago) link
My Quietus memorial is live:
http://thequietus.com/articles/21990-rip-the-chameleons-john-lever
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 14 March 2017 13:32 (seven years ago) link
Well said, Ned
― Vinnie, Tuesday, 14 March 2017 14:14 (seven years ago) link
great piece ned
― nxd, Tuesday, 14 March 2017 14:15 (seven years ago) link
Thanks kindly.
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 14 March 2017 14:21 (seven years ago) link
Another farewell to him, from Black Swan Lane's Jack Sobel
http://blackswanlane.com/goodbye-john/
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 15 March 2017 16:44 (seven years ago) link
https://scontent.fbed1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20663881_10156145323592137_7011716937297355767_n.jpg?oh=7f94036b7bb4faeeb7aca0c2f0a6dad3&oe=5A346751
― scott seward, Thursday, 10 August 2017 15:40 (seven years ago) link
oh my gosh, that is both brilliant and hideous
― plp will eat itself (NickB), Thursday, 10 August 2017 17:53 (seven years ago) link
found amidst table of wizard of oz collectible plates and figurines at yard sale in illinois, so nutty. old lady next to me was like "is that suppose to be one of them oompa loompas...or ?"
― popcorn michael awaits trumptweet (Hunt3r), Thursday, 10 August 2017 18:13 (seven years ago) link
LOL. Can just imagine the Mrs' face when comes home with that.
― Tonight I Cut My Temple Teeth (Tom D.), Thursday, 10 August 2017 18:43 (seven years ago) link
bump
― Shart Dressed Man (kurt schwitterz), Thursday, 14 September 2017 05:33 (seven years ago) link
Touring now, going to see Mark and the latest band in Boston on Sat night.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Thursday, 14 September 2017 12:44 (seven years ago) link
Who sang the first track on Tony Fletcher?
― Robert Adam Gilmour, Friday, 8 March 2019 20:13 (five years ago) link
Mark sings everything. Except for the toast on WCIA.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Saturday, 9 March 2019 03:16 (five years ago) link
I hadn't realized that those Dreams In Celluloid recordings were non-studio album tracks. Started to realise when I heard "Everyday I'm Crucified". Cant forget a lyric like "I think I know how Christ felt when they killed him on that hill, pissed off!"
― Robert Adam Gilmour, Saturday, 9 March 2019 21:59 (five years ago) link
"Denims And Curls" sounds like a Morrissey song.
Another song on the EP sounds like a full-on "wake up sheeple" thing. Didn't notice until several plays that he was doing a sheep "baaaaa".
― Robert Adam Gilmour, Friday, 22 March 2019 18:22 (five years ago) link
Tony Fletcher (the person and the music recording) are both essential to life.
https://www.discogs.com/The-Chameleons-Free-Trade-Hall-Rehearsal/release/387186
Listening to that album for the first time in ages. The mix still leaves a lot to be desired, but it's just about impossible not to marvel at how good they were. Any 'Mad Jack' is bound to be good, but man they rip through it here. Probably my favorite recording of the tune.
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Saturday, 20 April 2019 02:04 (five years ago) link
Holy shit, I forgot they do 'In Answer' on here as well. This song is absolutely gorgeous. Always has been.👍🏻
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Saturday, 20 April 2019 02:10 (five years ago) link
Yeah, there's a dearth of great live recordings from the "Strange Times" tour.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Saturday, 20 April 2019 03:32 (five years ago) link
I don't think I will ever tire of hearing them move from the brute, maniacal charge in the first section to the sound of souls exiting in the second half of 'A Person Isn't Safe Anywhere These Days.'
Would still argue that's one of their absolute best; and one of the most "zeitgeist-esque" songs of the era.
Mark relaying the situation in one summed up and terrifying question after the outburst:
"`Have you killed her?`, someone said." is one of the darkest and most intense moments in recorded music, I'd reckon. Makes me scared to visit northern England for sure.
But also somehow one of the most profound and beautiful codas I've ever heard.
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Saturday, 20 April 2019 14:16 (five years ago) link
xpost -- At least there's Live in Toronto. I know I have one other bootleg kicking around.
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 20 April 2019 16:42 (five years ago) link
I used to have a boot from the Philly show but lost it years ago. I recall it being better than "Toronto".
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Saturday, 20 April 2019 19:42 (five years ago) link
https://www.brooklynvegan.com/the-mission-uk-the-chameleons-touring-in-2022-with-theatre-of-hate/
― Bee OK, Friday, 8 October 2021 23:28 (two years ago) link
i used to love the Mission UK, they are so bad. just another U2.
― Bee OK, Friday, 8 October 2021 23:29 (two years ago) link
hmm, dave not involved with the chams. those dudes have been through it. has anyone heard any of his stuff post-reunion? last i knew, he was in a band called coconut dogfuck but i never checked it out. he strikes me as a very misunderstood person, just in general.
glad to see mark has reconciled with reg to the point that they can share a stage again. wonder who's going to be on drums - i didn't see any details in the link.
in any case, yes the mish are quite boring.
― things repeat forever and there never is a remedy (Austin), Saturday, 9 October 2021 00:42 (two years ago) link
is there a rundown of the beef between Mark and Dave somewhere?
― aegis philbin (crüt), Saturday, 9 October 2021 00:50 (two years ago) link
well, mark's book was about two-thirds about exactly that, so lol not really.
it stems from mark and dave both having gigantic egos and was really ignited by mark pressing up unreleased chameleons recordings and selling them without asking all of the other members of the group (though he did give them a part of the profits) [citation needed].
i think that sums up the genesis of their beef, but there is a lot more. how they ever got back together for the reunion boggles my mind.
― things repeat forever and there never is a remedy (Austin), Saturday, 9 October 2021 01:25 (two years ago) link
The unreleased stuff, that's what came out on Imaginary Records - "Dali's Picture", "Here Today", those albums, right?
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Saturday, 9 October 2021 04:23 (two years ago) link
not the imaginary stuff; that was after they had somewhat come to an agreement. the initial conflict was over the glass pyramid stuff, i.e. the tony fletcher ep. from what i understand, the band agreed when they went their separate ways in 1988 that those recordings were "not finished" and therefore would not be releasing them.
basically summarizing from mark's book. as one-sided as his story is, it is pretty illuminating as to why those guys have such a strained relationship. considering they split on even worse terms after the initial reunion, i wonder how this new incarnation came to be.
all of this just makes me sad thinking of jon sitting back there pounding away at "soul in isolation." you know he'd be involved in this new tour if he was still alive.
― things repeat forever and there never is a remedy (Austin), Saturday, 9 October 2021 13:34 (two years ago) link
Yeah that's why I can't be bothered with this. Having seen Mark solo throughout the 90s, even with John on drums at points, he was absolutely essential there, but no guitarists could even approach the perfect flow of Reg and Dave together -- when I saw the 2001/2002 shows it all made SENSE, it has to be the quartet or nothing when it comes to Chameleons songs. I did see Mark solo with a backing band later in the 2000s and it was a solid enough show, but when he started doing that ChameleonsVox approach I was out, and now that John's gone, I'm sorry, but the band has definitively ended, no matter what label is being used. I'd think that even if Dave was on board.
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 9 October 2021 15:55 (two years ago) link
I'd think that even if Dave was on board.― Ned Raggett, Saturday, October 9, 2021 8:55 AM
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, October 9, 2021 8:55 AM
inclined to agree here.
at this point, the innerband conflicts are becoming their most known legacy; and half of the band playing as "THE CHAMELEONS" doesn't seem like the kind of thing one does to extend the olive branch.
though i doubt most folks seeing them on this kind of bill really care. i do genuinely believe that mark feels like he is "giving the fans what they want."
― things repeat forever and there never is a remedy (Austin), Saturday, 9 October 2021 16:57 (two years ago) link
Have seen chameleons vox a couple of times not really sure what to expect, but hearing Mark singing those songs right there in front of ne, it was impossible for me not to get swept away
― primate marmite (NickB), Saturday, 9 October 2021 17:18 (two years ago) link
see that's the thing: he is an outstanding performer. i saw him play one of his post-reunion pre-chamsvox pick up band gigs and it was fucking awesome. he played a bit acoustic before the proper set and he was taking requests for the sun and the moon songs, for fucks sake.
like i said, the guy seems to genuinely love his fans as much as they love him. and he has a gigantic ego, so he loves the attention it brings.
― things repeat forever and there never is a remedy (Austin), Saturday, 9 October 2021 19:37 (two years ago) link
also i didn't mean that ego thing in a demeaning way. don't get me wrong or whatever.
― things repeat forever and there never is a remedy (Austin), Saturday, 9 October 2021 19:46 (two years ago) link
Anyone seen them on the current tour? I'm thinking of going next week. Doubt I'd stay for the Mission but eight or so Chameleons songs still seems worth it.
― soup of magpies (geoffreyess), Sunday, 24 September 2023 18:41 (eleven months ago) link
I saw them in June if that counts as 'the current tour'. Very enjoyable! Mark was on excellent form - charming and combative.
― giraffe, Monday, 25 September 2023 06:49 (eleven months ago) link
ah thanks, that seals it
― soup of magpies (geoffreyess), Wednesday, 27 September 2023 15:16 (eleven months ago) link
Saw 'em a few weeks ago, had a really good time! The Mission were fun too.
― the absence of bikes (f. hazel), Wednesday, 27 September 2023 15:18 (eleven months ago) link
Playing the US in August
― from a prominent family of bassoon players (Boring, Maryland), Saturday, 2 March 2024 01:56 (six months ago) link