Show Review & Photos: Chameleons @ El Corazon

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Chameleons @ El Corazon – 6/5/24
Show Review & Photos by Mike Mitchell

Chameleons, hailing from Manchester, England, played the entirety of their classic 1986 Geffen Records release Strange Times to a packed house at El Corazon on June 5th. While the influential postpunk/pre shoegaze band didn’t attract as much attention during their salad days as some of their contemporaries (U2, Echo & the Bunnymen, the Psychedelic Furs, and the early Cure), they were and remain a vital recording and touring outfit with a devoted following. Founding members Mark Burgess (vox/bass) and Reg Smithies (guitar) remain from the early days and are joined by Todd Dema (drums), Stephen Rice (guitar), and Danny Ashberry (keyboards). The band was in fine voice at El Corazon, layering their trademark shimmering, reverb-drenched guitars and moody keyboards over Burgess’ impassioned vocals and a strong rhythm section. Many in the crowd were singing along and every tune was received with warm and enthusiastic recognition by the capacity crowd.

Chameleons – photos by Mike Mitchell

Video: TTSSFU “Studio 54”

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Artist: TTSSFU‘s “Studio 54”
Why You Want to Watch: Tasmin Nicole Stephens (AKA TTSSFU), a Manchester, UK-based artist, goes to a party. And there are all sorts of things happening: people making out, people drinking, a guy throwing up. . . TTSSFU made the video as a tribute to Andy Warhol and how his partying ended up alienating his partner.
~Dagmar

TTSSFU – photo by Grace Walkden

Duff McKagan at the Showbox

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Duff McKagan brought his 2024 Lighthouse tour to a fitting conclusion at a sold-out Seattle Showbox in November. It was the final date of 7 US gigs for the Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, Loaded, and Fastbacks bassist, singer and bandleader (preceded by a month of shows in Europe and the UK).



McKagan fronted a band composed of primarily Seattle based musicians, including Tim DiJulio on lead guitar, Jeff Fielder on guitars and keyboards, Mike Squires on bass, and Michael Musburger on drums. Duff and the band delivered a satisfying 22 song set, performing the lion’s share of ‘Lighthouse’, a handful of well-chosen covers, and a couple tunes from 2019’s ‘Tenderness.’

The show was opened by Canadian punk legend Joey Keithley (aka ‘Joey Shithead’) of Vancouver OG punk juggernaut, DOA. Keithley joined the band for a bangin’ late set version of a song he recorded for a single with Duff, ‘My Name is Bob.’ A few tunes later Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols plugged in for a ragged but right take on Johnny Thunder’s ‘You Can’t Put Your Arms Round a Memory,’ and a powerful version of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes.’



After Jonesy left the stage to much enthusiastic applause from the packed house, Duff thanked the assembled and delivered a heartfelt plea to for all to look out for each other and continue to pick each other up and be supportive during challenging times. The band then played a soulful and heartfelt version of ‘Don’t Look Behind You’ from ‘Tenderness’ while Duff waded into the crowd, shaking hands and expressing his appreciation to the crowd in front of the Showbox stage. It was an affecting and lovely conclusion to a show that was among the best I attended in 2024.