From the iPod #32 - "Return of the Roughnecks"
@teamfreak16 (43421)
Denver, Colorado
March 31, 2016 4:24pm CST
The Chameleons (known as The Chameleons UK here in the States) were an alternative guitar band from Manchester (yet another great band that city has produced.) They were one of those bands that did not get the recognition they deserved, which is a shame.
"Return of the Roughnecks" is from the band's 1985 album What does Anything Mean? Basically.
The song features stellar guitar play from Reg Smithies and Dave Fielding (different sound, but the duo works together in the same way that Church guitarist's Marty Willson-Piper and Peter Koppes do,) while bassist/vocalist Mark Burgess applies his usual, in this case angry, clever lyrics:
"You want a drink but when you try to drink there's someone pissing in the water."
It was not released as a single, but the song appears regularly on BBC sessions and other compilation's. Frankly, it's a great song from a band that never made a bad one.
Notes by Mark - The title came from the notebook I had with me the evening of the acid trip at Tandle Hill. I'd written down all these weird phrases like 'Sc...
4 people like this
4 responses
@crossbones27 (48417)
• Mojave, California
31 Mar 16
I thought your post was titled "Return of the Rednecks." lol I love me some angry clever lyrics. Sounds like this band is right up my alley.
2 people like this
@crossbones27 (48417)
• Mojave, California
31 Mar 16
@teamfreak16 Maybe they are on the same wave length. Just different styles of music.
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
31 Mar 16
What a beautiful sound Scott!
I had never heard them til now.
Mesmerizing really.
Manchester did certainly put out some great bands.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
1 Apr 16
@teamfreak16 K let me go listen now Scott thanks.
I just listened and I have heard this one Scott long ago.
I just listened and I have heard this one Scott long ago.1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
31 Mar 16
Oh, you might like their song "Here Today," about John Lennon's murder from his point of view.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
31 Mar 16
When you start listing all the great bands that came from Manchester or associated with Manchester, it's the music capitol of the UK. Take away the Beatles and what is Liverpool? And the Stones away from London?
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
1 Apr 16
@teamfreak16 Well, you are now making a strong argument for Liverpool!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
1 Apr 16
@JohnRoberts - And I think New Model Army are based out of London. Still doesn't compare to Manchester.
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
31 Mar 16
Although Liverpool did give us Echo and the Bunnymen and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Manchester is still the best.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
1 Apr 16
I found them when I bought their third album because it was produced by the guy that produced Sisters of Mercy's first album.
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (17849)
• London, England
1 Apr 16
@teamfreak16 I don't actually know that much about producers, but now you mention it that's a good idea
