Forum, Bielefeld, Germany
25th January 2011
Chameleons Vox, Luxury Stranger
With the CHAMELEONS VOX, the glorious past of one of the most underrated post-punk bands lives up again. On 25th January, the guys around Mark Burgess were guests at the Forum in Bielefeld and we were in on the evening.
Luxury Stranger
LUXURY STRANGER , when it was formed in 2007 by Simon York, started as a solo project. Eventually Simon started recruiting musicians for the live circuit. In September 2008, the band made their live debut in Nottingham. The same month, which was December 2008, they signed their label deal, their debut album 'Desolation' was released that gained some critical acclaim Work on the second album started already beginning of next year. But several difficulties stalled the progress of things. At the end of 2010, literally, it was on 31st December, the second album 'Commitment and Discipline' came out'. LUXURY STRANGER is Simon York (voices, guitars, keyboards), Chris Tuke (bass, backing vocals, keyboards) and Neal Spowage (drums, percussion). http://www.luxurystranger.com / http://www.myspace.com/luxurystranger
Music & Performance
Always when a rather unknown band plays a support, the audience displays some specific behaviour, which is, keeping a distance of approximately 10 metres to the stage. In case of LUXURY STRANGER opening for CHAMLEONS VOX this evening that was rather unfair. The guys, looking like descendants of another time with a particular lean towards a Cure-esque styling delivered and very good at that. The band started their set with the ferociously pounding 'Empty Men' and it turned out to be a very good idea to make a few steps back. York's voice with its raucous timbre reminded more of the one of a rock singer. But it also gave the song a bolshie appearance. Following 'Frozen' was jumping on that bandwagon but displayed a more-rock oriented approach. 'Dreaming Our Lives Away' on the contrary became proof that York's voice could shine even brighter on atmospherically calm songs. Oddly enough, the crowd didn't come much closer to the stage despite their performance, but at least showed their appreciation after a song and here's hoping that some went to the merch booth after the closing 'Elements' to get a few copies of their albums. They'd have deserved it.
Setlist
01. Empty Men
02. Frozen
03. Dreaming Our Lives Away
04. Dirt
05. Paradise Untouched
06. Precious For Evermore
07. Where You've Gone
08. Corruption
09. Elements
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 8
Sound: 8
Light: 7
Total: 7.9 / 10
Chameleons Vox
History starts with THE CHAMELEONS getting formed in 1981. They're standing in line with bands such as JOY DIVISION or ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN, however never even getting close to the mentioned band's successes. Nevertheless, their first album 'Script Of The Bridge' is considered one of the most important records in Post-Punk today, and also the following little list of albums found not a little list of appreciators today. Due to death of manager and friend Tony Fletcher, the band disbanded in 1987. A reunion took place but never reached the class of early times again. Now, the voice of THE CHAMELEONS Mark Burgess starts anew with the CHAMELEONS VOX, incorporating besides him original drummer John Lever and adding two new guitarists and a bassist to the line-up. http://www.thechameleons.com /
Music & Performance
As expected, during the rebuilding break, everyone became eager to get closer to the stage and discussions started about what songs might be played. Well, for starters the band, with 3 guitarists on stage, chose for 'Paper Tigers' getting the ball rolling. With the mentioned three guitarists on stage those particular instruments were like a huge melodic wall of sound that almost covered everything, except the heartfelt delivery of Mark Burgess who always was on top no matter the thickness of the created textures. Following that grand opening was 'A Person Isn't Safe Anywhere These Days', bringing human cold and autumnal moods, as well as a wonderful instrumental part at the end. With 'Monkeyland' came one particular song that had the audience go crazy, hailing the band for playing it and when the mood pendulum was swinging and the song grew from profound melancholy to rocking strength they didn't miss to rock along. Next up the guys took us through the highs and lows that are 'Pleasure & Pain'.
The farther the concert progressed, the more the fun the guys had on stage became visible. Perhaps, started by that one the audience was having all along. 'Nostalgia' had been expected by many as various chats during the rebuilding break gave away and when it came up eventually, the excitement of course was huge. 'In Answer' had straight rock pleasure in stock for us while 'Perfume Garden' struck more melancholy tones still being an upbeat effort. With 'Second Skin', the celebration had nearly reached its end and it became a big one which caused a few people to come up directly to the front to dance and loudly sing along. The applause after the band would leave the stage wouldn't cease and they noticed with pleasure the band's return for a little encore. It was a fabulous evening with music that hasn't lost a bit of its special magic through all the years since it's been crafted.
Setlist
01. Paper Tigers
02. A Person Isn't Safe Anywhere These Days
03. Monkeyland
04. Pleasure & Pain
05. Less Than Human
06. Soul In Isolation
07. Nostalgia
08. Tears
09. Seriocity
10. In Answer
11. Perfumed Garden
12. Singing Rule Britannia
13. Second Skin
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14. In Shreds
15. Don't Fall
16. Swamp Things
Rating
Music: 9
Performance: 9
Sound: 8
Light: 7
Total: 8.6 / 10
All pictures by Daniela Vorndran (http://www.vorndranphotography.com / http://www.black-cat-net.de / www.myspace.com/vorndranphotography)
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