Photos and review by NOTES FROM VIVACE
LOS ANGELES – The Chameleons came out rocking at the Belasco with “Where Are You?” The song is the opening track from “Arctic Moon,” their first full-length album in 24 years. It is an anthem barn-burner for the search of a soulmate and sent the night off in the best of directions. The Middleton UK band’s joy in playing songs from their new album — they played five of the seven tracks off the album — was evident from the start.
It was also evident that the band is a tight-knit group, and that bond has continuously brought them back together over the years. Just before the band was about to launch into “Where Are You?” lead singer Vox noticed that guitarist Stephen Rice was still getting his gear into proper order to start off the night. Vox indicated to the rest of the band to hold for a couple seconds. Drummer Todd Demma was also included in the onstage performance as Vox often faced off with Demma. The band came across as working class rockers who’ll sit down and have a pint with you at the bar.
Some highlights of the night included “David Bowie Takes My Hand,” which had a haunting sound that fit in perfectly with the start of the spooky month. The band says “Saviours Are a Dangerous Thing” “harbors a dark message about the current political climate amongst its thoroughly engaging sound.” Both songs are from “Arctic Moon.” “Soul in Isolation” got a roar from the crowd who either immediately started recording the song or dancing in mystic fashion.
The band started their music adventures in 1981 and based on the audience reaction, they’re still putting out music that resonates. Lead singer Vox writes with sly reference to their ’80s beginning via their press release, “I think the songwriting is much more mature in a lot of ways, which is to be expected, I suppose, given our age, but I, for one, really believe we’re taking the band forward, and I’m quite excited about it.”
Opener The Veldt from North Carolina teased about the fact that they started up as a band in 1986, “When many of you were born.” The band turned their guitars into an orchestral sound that shook the walls. As with any orchestral sound, the band allowed their songs to gracefully evolve, propelled along with power vocals. The band dedicated their “Forevergreen” song to California. When the set ended, lead singer Daniel Chavis did the “phew!” forehead swipe.
The Chameleons Setlist: Where Are You?, The Fan & the Bellows, Pleasure and Pain, Lady Strange, Perfumed Garden, Looking Inwardly, Paradiso, David Bowie Takes My Hand, Saviours Are a Dangerous Thing, Soul in Isolation, Swamp Thing, Feels Like The End Of The World. Encores: Second Skin, Don’t Fall.
The Veldt Setlist: Christine (The House of Love cover), Pleasure Toy, In a Quiet Room, WIllow Tree, Heather, Forevergreen, Joi, The Verlasting Gobstopper.
