A Rockin’ may at Chameleon

A Rockin’ May at Chameleon

The month of May is bringing with it one heck of a party to the Chameleon Club in Lancaster. From start to finish, the Club is bringing in some big names and some great music. Here’s a look at some of the bands:

They Might Be Giants will start off the action on May 1. While perhaps best known for their 1990 hit album Flood and its singles “Birdhouse in Your Soul” and “Istanbul (Not Constantinople),” They Might Be Giants first established a large following — especially on college campuses — in the late ’80s with their eclectic sound and bizarre humor. Overlooked among the post-grunge rockers and their melancholy-driven sound of the mid-’90s, the band — duo John Flansburgh and John Linnell — has spent much of the past decade reveling in its cult status, releasing a disc of indie rarities and B-sides in 1991, recording with a full band for 1994’s John Henry and releasing 1999’s Live and Long Tall Weekend. In addition to scoring and composing material for a number of TV and film projects, the band also croons the theme song for the television show, “Malcolm in the Middle.” Entitled “Boss of Me,” that recording, among a slew of others, can be found on the show’s soundtrack. An all age show, doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.

On May 3, rap rockers (hed) P.E. will join Non Point and Systematic. With the success of last year’s Broke and its hit “Bartender,” (hed) P.E. is currently in the process of recording their third full-length album. Non Point and Systematic will be heading into the Chameleon Club in support of last year’s Statement and this year’s Somewhere in Between, respectively. An all age show, doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Legendary guitarist Patti Smith will be taking the Chameleon Club stage on May 8. A force in rock music since her start in the early 1970s, Smith has released more than ten albums in her career, from 1975’s Horses to the most recent Gung Ho. In 1978, she teamed with Bruce Springsteen to record “Because the Night,” a track that is perhaps her biggest commercial hit. A 21 and over show, tickets are $15 in advance. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

On May 9, Maceo Parker will be on hand to perform his trademark blend of jazz, funk, and R&B. A long time member of James Brown’s band, Parker played with Parliament/Funkadelic and Bootsy’s Rubber Band while establishing a successful solo career. Since the release of his debut solo effort Doing Their Own Thing in 1970, Parker has completed a number of projects, including 1998’s Funk Overload and last year’s Dial M-A-C-E-O. Opening for Parker is The All Mighty Senators. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $18.

Touring in support of last year’s Ever Passing Moment, MxPx will rock the Chameleon Club on May 16. A blend of punk and pop, the trio first gained attention while still in high school. Moment was the follow-up to 1998’s At the Show. Joining MxPx will be Good Charlotte, Slick Shoes, and Ultimate Fake Book. With the release of their self-titled debut album, Maryland’s Good Charlotte has been creating quite a buzz along the East Coast, packing clubs with their style of alternative rock. The band is currently gaining airplay with “Motivation Proclamation,” the follow-up single to “Little Things.” An all age show, doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15.

Crazytown, Saliva and Stereo Mud will perform on May 16. Coming off the success of the single, “Butterfly” from their debut album Gift of Game, L.A.-based rap-metal band Crazytown will take the stage with up-and-coming rockers Saliva and Stereo Mud. In March, Saliva released Every Six Seconds. The follow-up to their 1997 self-titled debut release, the first single from the disc is “Your Disease.” An all age show, doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.50 in advance and $22.50 on the day of the show.

On May 17, Juliana Theory, Hoping For The Better, Jameson and NOC 26 will play at the Club. A pop/rock alternative quintet, Juliana Theory — vocalist Brett Detar, bassit Chad Alan, guitarists Joshua Fielder and Joshua Kosker, and drummer Neil Hebrank — has honed a layered sound, a blend of heavy guitar and intelligent lyrics. The band is currently touring in support of their latest effort, Emotion is Dead. An all age show, doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance.

Our Lady Peace will be at the Chameleon Club on May 23. Hot off the release of their latest album, March’s Spiritual Machines, the Toronto-based Our Lady Peace has been gaining attention since their formation in 1992. In 1995, the band released their debut album, Naveed; the disc spawned the group’s first hit, “Starseed.” With the release of 1997’s Clumsy and 1999’s Happiness Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch, the group further cemented their position on the modern rock scene. An all age show, doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 on the day of the show.

Hank Williams III and the Martini Bros. will be at the Club May 31. End the month in style!

For more information and a full calendar listing, check the Chameleon Club website at chameleonpa.com or call 399-7133.