The Chameleons - In Shreds (Live at the Camden Palace, UK, 1985)

Formed in Middleton near Manchester, England in 1981 The Chameleons never quite achieved the success of many of their contemporaries but are arguably just as important. Today the band still has a huge international fan base and it's not surprising. The distinct often melancholy sound is at once abrasive and melodic; their live performances both mesmerising and highly emotional; their stage presence larger than life. In many ways the Chameleons epitomise the northern post punk movement of the eighties, capturing the mood of those bleak times when many industries were in terminal decline and anywhere north of Watford was considered a wasteland. The Chameleons channelled dissolution in to music like nobody else, but somehow managed to create a sound that was uplifting, almost hymn-like.
Live at Camden was shot in 1985 and became a best selling video on its release in the mid eighties. It features a superb performance and includes many of the bands most popular numbers.
www.cherryred.co.uk

[@soppdrake]

Me, front row, brown leather jacket and bobbing head. Ah, the memories! 61 yrs old now. Hope I can keep the memories for as long as possible. 😁

[@coertwerndlij6079]

I still listen to their music, Am 52 now, and bought Script of the Bridge when it came out. This band is so underrated it hurts, then again, they never got to the point of being commercial, which so many bands did and got worse. It is perfect. Just brilliantly perfect, after all these years, I still play and listen to this.. Just brilliant.

[@antonhaq3503]

They were my everything and I still can't get my head around why they never achieved massive success.

[@marti442]

My dad used to listen to 91X in the 80-s (a local college Radio station that was leftist...but then again most colleges are! Oh, well) ..anyhoot--I know if I would have showed him this in the 90-s, he would have loved it...my dad trusted my taste in music and we would be jammin' all the time to so many various genres of music...and when I's go visit my dad close to his dying day...he was so happy to hear songs I'd play off my cellphone for him...we'd DJ together all the time with my sister...fond memories...toward the end, when he fell sick, I would play a lot of tunes of nostalgia..and suggested my sister do it when I couldn't go over there for various sad reasons...and that kept him hopeful of getting better to go back to "su gente in Sud America." Viva, la buena musica!!! Dios mio, como sana gozarlo!!! Love you Daddy-0....you were a "Cool Cat!"a Hep Cat!

[@RCAvhstape]

I saw them a few nights ago in Baltimore, they still kick ass live in 2023. Mark's voice still sounds like this, he even still has the same hair lol. Killer band live, just projects energy into your face.

[@saintbeau2779]

those drums, THOSE DRUMS

[@dirtysci]

Some of the best dual guitar attack I've ever heard*.

[@deirdrem5251]

The drummer is epic.

[@Chordrider]

What a band. John Lever possibly the greatest post punk drummer. Contenders: Mik Glaisher (Comsat Angels), Budgie (Banshees), Pete de Freitas (Bunnymen).

[@jimsstringer6436]

Best band on the planet.

[@pinksunami]

Bad Ass Drummer!! Wonderful!! RIP! ! God Bless!! Thank you so much!! Much Love to you and your family!!

[@ScottD555]

Loving the Drumming from the Mighty John Lever. In his latter years I knew him from the time at the Witchwood and he was such a kind soul. He gave me a free copy of his first Album for the Red Sided Garter Snakes (his final band). RIP John Lever

[@danpflaum4282]

Still sounds absolutely amazing all these years later. Perfect reminder to never go gently into the dark night of this cold brave new modern world.

[@micycledalgleish2005]

Still my number one band of all time and I'm 59. I can always rely on them to get my attention and keep it. Their sound is bottomless.

[@kevindonnelly9811]

Such a fucking amazing band! I send as many people as I can to their music. Gotta keep it alive.

[@simbenia]

RIP John Lever 🌹

[@johnmatthews2466]

What a time to be alive, Spear of Destiny, The Chameleons, Baallam & the Angel & numerous bands to see.The Cramps. The Gun Club, The Pixes

[@heavysumo]

They surely deserved so much better. The best.

[@katehowes6464]

Yeah brilliant !! i was there and now 52 and going to see them in Manchester in December having a fantastic time listening to it all again just magic !

[@worriedremediation]

First heard this song only a bit after starting treatment for ptsd. Never fails to bring me to tears. This performance really captures the rawness of it.