The Chameleons are back! The Middleton, England band formed in the early 80’s not only has a new album, Arctic Moon, coming out – their first studio album in over 20 years – but they’ve been touring like mad in the last few years, thrilling older fans and making new ones with their high energy performances.
I’ve known The Chameleons’ music.They’ve influenced countless bands over the decades but I didn’t have the opportunity to see them live until they pulled into the Fillmore Silver Spring Sunday night.
On the Darker Skies Tour with Mexican duo Twin Tribes and opener, Vandal Moon, The Chameleons embarked on several dates throughout April and into early May. Led by bassist/vocalist Mark Burgess who goes by Vox and original guitarist, Reg Smithies, The Chameleons reformed in 2021, including Stephen Rice on guitar, Danny Ashberry on keys, and Todd Demma on drums.
On this night, The Chameleons were second on the bill, following the California duo of Vandal Moon, and immediately bumped the excitement meter into the red with “Mad Jack” from the band’s third full-length Strange Times before leading into “Pleasure and Pain” from their 1983 debut Script of the Bridge.
It would be easy for a band with such an influential catalog to be playing by the numbers, but The Chameleons weren’t holding back. As Vox shimmied between lines, Reg and Stephen genuinely seemed like they were having a ball.
Last year, The Chameleons released an EP of older tunes the band had re-recorded with the recent line-up. Songs like the lead-off track, “The Fan & The Bellows,” which were included in an early recordings compilation, get their due here on the Tomorrow Remember Yesterday EP. Hearing that song in particular played live was a treat.
The Chameleons really are, as some have written, one of the most underrated bands of the 1980’s, but their sound is just as vital now as ever. In fact, a lot of songs like “Where Are You?” sound just as fresh as they did 30 or 40 years ago.
Live Video of The Chameleons performing “Second Skin” (Camden Place 1985) on YouTube:
As the band played “Swamp Thing,” Vox played to Todd – bass player and drummer clearly locked into the groove.
Nearing the end of the set, Danny stepped away from the keyboard to take over Vox’s bass duties, while the vocalist sang “I realise a miracle is due / I dedicate this melody to you,” the lines from “Second Skin” before the band ended with “Don’t Fall.” During the song Vox made his way off the stage and over the barrier as fans sang along.
The setlist included:
Mad Jack
Pleasure and Pain
The Fan and the Bellows
Looking Inwardly
Up the Down Escalator
Monkeyland
Swamp Thing
Where Are You?
In Shreds
Second Skin
Don’t Fall
Here are more photos of The Chameleons rocking The Fillmore Silver Spring Sunday, May 4, 2025. All photos copyright David LaMason.
See photos of Twin Tribes at The Fillmore Silver Spring:
See photos of Vandal Moon at The Fillmore Silver Spring:
