This page will contain blogs about Chumbawamba, as they become available.ChumbawambaChumbawamba performing at Guildford Live 2001Chumbawamba are a band from the UK who use their music to promote anarchist ideas. Band HistoryOriginally called The Mirror Boys, Chumbawamba were formed in 1982 from two other bands based in Yorkshire in the North of England, The Passion Killers and Chimp Eats Banana. Inspired musically by The Fall and the anarchist politics of Crass, Chumbawamba's activities in their early years were based around a communal house in Armley, Leeds. Stalwarts of the cassette culture scene, Chumbawamba were at the forefront of the 1980s anarcho-punk movement, frequently playing benefit gigs in squats and small halls for causes such as animal rights, the anti-war movement, and community groups. Chumbawamba playing live at Luton Library, May 1985Sky and Trees and Agit-Prop RecordsBy the mid-1980s Chumbawamba had progressed to releasing their material using vinyl format on their own Agit-Prop record label, which had evolved from an earlier project, Sky and Trees Records. Their first LP, Pictures Of Starving Children Sell Records (1986) was a scathing and articulate critique of the then current Live Aid concert organised by Bob Geldof, which they argued was primarily a cosmetic spectacle designed to draw attention away from the real political causes of world hunger. One Little Indian RecordsBy the late 1980s and early 1990s, Chumbawamba (now signed to the larger but still independent One Little Indian record label) had begun to absorb influences from techno music and dance culture. Moving away from their original anarcho-punk roots and evolving a pop sensibility, releases such as Slap (1990), the sample-heavy Shhh! (1992) (originally intended to be released as Jesus H Christ!, this album had to be withdrawn and re-recorded because of copyright problems) and Anarchy! (1994) lyrically remained as politically uncompromising as ever, continuing to address issues such as homophobia (see song "Homophobia", the music video of which features The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence), the Criminal Justice Act and the rise of fascism in the UK following the election of a British National Party candidate in south-east London in 1993. EMI controversyChumbawamba drew criticism from their original following in 1997 when they signed to the major label EMI, particularly as much of their earlier output had explicitly attacked this corporation and they had even been involved with a compilation LP called Fuck EMI in 1989. However, the band argued that this move brought with it the opportunity to communicate their message to a far wider audience and make some money, although ironically their biggest chart hit, "Tubthumping", features what are probably the most apolitical of any of their lyrics. It was also during this period that Chumbawamba gained some notoriety when male vocalist Danbert Nobacon poured a jug of water over the UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott at the 1998 Brit Awards. Chumbawamba parted from EMI in 2001. MUTT RecordsIn 2002, Chumbawamba formed their own record label, MUTT, for UK releases. Under MUTT, Chumbawamba released their eleventh official album, Readymades, as well as Sic- Adventures In Anti-capitalism, a paperback book of political and musical writings by friends and acquaintances of the band. General Motors paid Chumbawamba $100,000 to use their song "Pass it Along" for a Pontiac Vibe television advertisement in 2002. Chumbawamba gave the money to the anti-corporate activist groups Indymedia and CorpWatch. In 2004 they released an album of 'world music' influenced songs entitled Un, which addressed such current concerns as eBay and Buy Nothing Day. The nameOver the years, the band has been asked many times what "Chumbawamba" really means. While there are many speculations, the band generally answers that it's a gibberish word, meaning nothing. According to Chumbawamba's official FAQ [1] (http://www.chumba.com/_faquestions2.htm):
LineupThe band membership has varied over the years. The longtime members are:
Partial Discography(Original releases dates and labels given. Some material has been re-issued on other labels in the US.) 1982-1985Cover of History Luddite, an early live Chumbawamba release by Homebrew Tapes
1986-1990
1991-1995
1996-2000
2000-2005
Chumbawamba Songs in FilmA partial list of films featuring songs by the band.
Further reading/references
This page about Chumbawamba includes information from a Wikipedia article. Additional articles about Chumbawamba News stories about Chumbawamba External links for Chumbawamba Videos for Chumbawamba Wikis about Chumbawamba Discussion Groups about Chumbawamba Blogs about Chumbawamba Images of Chumbawamba |
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A partial list of films featuring songs by the band.. Four years after the release of Discovery, Daft Punk
realeased their follow up album, Human After All. (Original releases dates and labels given. The album Discovery subsequentally became the soundtrack to the anime film Interstella 5555, which they
co-produced with Leiji Matsumoto. The longtime members are:. The music videos for their singles from Homework featured memorable characters and were directed by cult video
producers, including Spike Jonze and Michel Gondry. The band membership has varied over the years. The duo "became" robots for all of their publicity shots and
interviews. According to Chumbawamba's official FAQ [1] (http://www.chumba.com/_faquestions2.htm):. Much of Daft Punk's newer fan base knows them mainly from Discovery. While there are many speculations, the band generally answers that it's a gibberish word, meaning nothing. Some have interpreted the title "Discovery" as meaning "very Disco", as much of the album hearkens to the disco era; "Homework" can also be a reference to the respective album's focus, house music (Home ≈ House). Over the years, the band has been asked many times what "Chumbawamba" really means. Nevertheless, it sold very well, and the single "One More Time" was a major club hit. In 2004 they released an album of 'world music' influenced songs entitled Un, which addressed such current concerns as eBay and Buy Nothing Day. 2001's Discovery, with its more commercial, synth-pop-oriented style, disappointed some fans of Homework. Chumbawamba gave the money to the anti-corporate activist groups Indymedia and CorpWatch. In addition to "Da Funk", "Around the World" was the most successful single from Homework. General Motors paid Chumbawamba $100,000 to use their song "Pass it Along" for a Pontiac Vibe television advertisement in 2002. The album Homework (Virgin, 1996) was regarded as an innovative synthesis of techno, house, acid house and electro, and widely acknowledged as one of the most influential dance music albums of the nineties. Under MUTT, Chumbawamba released their eleventh official album, Readymades, as well as Sic- Adventures In Anti-capitalism, a paperback book of political and musical writings by friends and acquaintances of the band. Daft Punk's debut single The New Wave (Soma, 1993) was followed by their first commercially successful single "Da Funk" (1995). In 2002, Chumbawamba formed their own record label, MUTT, for UK releases. Its name was inspired by a review in the British music magazine Melody Maker, which described their first collaboration, a Beach Boys inspired guitar group named Darling that recorded on Stereolab's Duophonic imprint in 1992, as "a bunch of daft punk". Chumbawamba parted from EMI in 2001. Daft Punk is the main project of Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (born February 8, 1974) and Thomas Bangalter (born January 3, 1975), two dance music artists from Paris. It was also during this period that Chumbawamba gained some notoriety when male vocalist Danbert Nobacon poured a jug of water over the UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott at the 1998 Brit Awards. Virgin Records Daft Punk official website (http://www.virginrecords.com/daft_punk/). However, the band argued that this move brought with it the opportunity to communicate their message to a far wider audience and make some money, although ironically their biggest chart hit, "Tubthumping", features what are probably the most apolitical of any of their lyrics. Daft Punk discography on Discogs.com (http://www.discogs.com/artist/Daft+Punk). Chumbawamba drew criticism from their original following in 1997 when they signed to the major label EMI, particularly as much of their earlier output had explicitly attacked this corporation and they had even been involved with a compilation LP called Fuck EMI in 1989. Official german website (http://www.daftpunk.de/). Moving away from their original anarcho-punk roots and evolving a pop sensibility, releases such as Slap (1990), the sample-heavy Shhh! (1992) (originally intended to be released as Jesus H Christ!, this album had to be withdrawn and re-recorded because of copyright problems) and Anarchy! (1994) lyrically remained as politically uncompromising as ever, continuing to address issues such as homophobia (see song "Homophobia", the music video of which features The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence), the Criminal Justice Act and the rise of fascism in the UK following the election of a British National Party candidate in south-east London in 1993. Official website (http://www.daftpunk.com/). By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Chumbawamba (now signed to the larger but still independent One Little Indian record label) had begun to absorb influences from techno music and dance culture. Face to Face - Hot Dance Music/Club Play, reached #1. Their first LP, Pictures Of Starving Children Sell Records (1986) was a scathing and articulate critique of the then current Live Aid concert organised by Bob Geldof, which they argued was primarily a cosmetic spectacle designed to draw attention away from the real political causes of world hunger. Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger - Hot Dance Music/Club Play, peaked at #3. By the mid-1980s Chumbawamba had progressed to releasing their material using vinyl format on their own Agit-Prop record label, which had evolved from an earlier project, Sky and Trees Records. Digital Love - Hot Dance Music/Club Play, peaked at #9. Stalwarts of the cassette culture scene, Chumbawamba were at the forefront of the 1980s anarcho-punk movement, frequently playing benefit gigs in squats and small halls for causes such as animal rights, the anti-war movement, and community groups. One More Time - Top 40 Tracks, peaked at #32. Inspired musically by The Fall and the anarchist politics of Crass, Chumbawamba's activities in their early years were based around a communal house in Armley, Leeds. One More Time - Top 40 Mainstream, peaked at #33. Originally called The Mirror Boys, Chumbawamba were formed in 1982 from two other bands based in Yorkshire in the North of England, The Passion Killers and Chimp Eats Banana. One More Time - Hot 100, peaked at #61. Chumbawamba are a band from the UK who use their music to promote anarchist ideas. One More Time - Rhythmic Top 40, reached #27. Footnote* - Boff Whaley (Pomona Books, 2003) (Boff's autobiographical account of the band's history) ISBN 1904590004. One More Time - Hot Dance Music/Maxi-single Sales, peaked at #2. Revengers Tragedy (2002) - "Revengers Tragedy: Soundtrack". One More Time - Canadian singles chart, reached #1. Joe Somebody (2001) - "Tubthumping". One More Time - Hot Dance Music/Club Play, reached #1. Stigmata (1999) - "Mary Mary (Stigmatic Mix)". Revolution 909 - Hot Dance Music/Club Play, peaked at #12. Mystery Alaska (1999) - "Amnesia". Da Funk - Hot Dance Music/Club Play, reached #1. Soft Fruit (1998) - "Tubthumping". Around the World - Hot 100, peaked at #61. The James Gang (1998) - "Outsider". Around the World - Hot Dance Music/Club Play, reached #1. Varsity Blues (1998) - "Tubthumping". Interstella 5555 (Movie, DVD, 2003). Air Bud 2 (1998) - "Tubthumping". - A Story about Dogs, Androids, Firemen and Tomatoes (DVD/VHS, 1999). In God's Hands (1997) - "Tubthumping". D.A.F.T. Senseless (1997) - "Tubthumping". Human After All (2005). Dirty Work (1997) - "Tubthumping", "Amnesia". Daft Club (Remix LP) (2003). Home Alone 3 (1997) - "Tubthumping". Alive 1997 (2001). "On eBay", single, MUTT, 2004. Discovery (2001). Un, MUTT, 2004. Homework (1996). English Rebel Songs 1381-1984, MUTT, 2003. "Salt Fare North Sea", single, MUTT, 2003. "Home With Me", single, MUTT, 2003. Revengers Tragedy, MUTT, 2003. Shhhlap!, double cd of Shhh and Slap!, MUTT, 2003. "Jacob's Ladder (Not In My Name)", Limited Edition anti-war single, MUTT, 2003. Readymades, MUTT, 2002. WYSIWYG, Universal, 2000. The ABCs of Anarchism, Seeland Records, 1999 (Collaboration with Negativland). "Amnesia", single, EMI, 1997. "Tubthumping", single, EMI, 1997. Tubthumper, EMI, 1997. Portraits of Anarchists (Book and CD collaboration with photographer Casey Orr), AK Press/One Little Indian 1996. Swingin' with Raymond, One Little Indian, 1995. Showbusiness, One Little Indian, 1995 (A live album). "Homophobia", single, One Little Indian, 1994. Anarchy, One Little Indian, 1994. Live In Armley, independently produced live album, 1993. "Timebomb", single, One Little Indian, 1993. "Enough is Enough", single, One Little Indian, 1993. First Two, re-releases of Pictures of Starving Children Sell Records and Never Mind the Ballots, Agit Prop, 1990. "Behave", single, Agit Prop, 1992. Shhh, Agit Prop, 1992. "I Never Gave Up", Agit Prop, 1990. Bootleg copies are in circulation however). Jesus H Christ (unreleased due to legal issues (see above). "Whoopee, We're All Gonna Die", EP, Rugger Bugger records, 1991 (3 members of Chumbawamba recording under the name 'Passion Killers'). Slap!, Agit Prop, 1990. Sportchestra: 101 Songs About Sport, Agit Prop (Chumbawamba collaborations with various other musicians recording under the name 'Sportchestra'). English Rebel Songs, Agit Prop, 1988; re-recorded 1998. "Smash Clause 28!Fight the Alton Bill!", single, Agit Prop, 1988. "Let It Be" single, no label stated apart from Anti-copyright, 1987, (Released under the name 'Scab Aid' following the Zeebrugge Ferry Disaster). Never Mind the Ballots, Agit Prop, 1987. "Destroy Fascism!", Loony Tunes, 1986 (Collaboration with Dutch band The Ex under the name 'Antidote'). Know Your Enemy, Doomsday Tapes, 1986 (Cassette only release, live material recorded at the Bull and Gate, London). Pictures of Starving Children Sell Records, Agit Prop, 1986. "We Are The World", single, Agit Prop, 1986 (Joint release with US band A State of Mind). "Revolution", single, Agit Prop, 1985. The Unfairy Tale, Sky and Trees, 1985 (Danbert Nobacon solo release). The Unfairy Tale/The War Inside Our Heads, Sky and Trees, 1984 (Cassette only release, Danbert Nobacon solo material, much was re-recorded for release on vinyl the following year). To Thine Own Self Be True, Sky and Trees, 1984 (Cassette only release). "Common Ground", Sky and Trees, 1984 (A benefit 'cassette single' for striking miners). History Luddite, Homebrew Tapes, 1984 (Cassette only release, live at Luton Library, May 1985). Another Year of the Same Old Shit, Sky and Trees, 1984 (Cassette only release). Let Us Show Them Our Hearts, Sky and Trees, 1984 (Cassette only release, joint with The Passion Killers). It Could Be So Much More, Acid Rain Products, 1984 (Cassette only release, joint with Flux Of Pink Indians, recorded live at the Conway Hall, London). Raising Heck with Chumbawamba, Peaceville records, 1983 (Cassette only release, live material plus songs by Simon Lanzon). Be Happy Despite It All, Sky and Trees, 1983 (Cassette only release, joint with The Passion Killers, featuring hand coloured cover). "I'm Thick" - track on "Back on the Streets" compilation EP Secret, 1982 (Chumbawamba recording as 'Skin Disease', a mock skinhead/Oi! band). "Three Years Later" - track on Bullshit Detector Volume 2 compilation LP, Crass Records, 1982 (Nb, Chumbawamba guitarist Boff Whaley (Boffo) also has a solo track, "Garageland" on this LP). Jude Abbot (1996-) - vocals and trumpet. Neil Ferguson - bass. Mave Dillon (left 1995). Dunst Bruce - vocals. Harry Hamer - drums. Boff Whalley - vocals and guitar. Danbert Nobacon - vocals and keyboard. Lou Watts - vocals and keyboard. Alice Nutter - vocals and percussion. |