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The Chap
At first glance, a group of artsy London sophisticates waxing satirical about pop culture and named for a dandy lifestyle magazine might seem a little off-putting. But despite their affectations, this quartet backs up their pretenses with arresting compositions about everything from art school to clubbing to world-music fetishism. The Chap has received critical love for their enigmatic electronic-pop-rock hybrid, earning praise from the likes of the late John Peel.
The quartet formed around 2002 as Karamasov member Johannes von Weizsäcker's semi-serious side project. The Chap quickly found itself recording The Horse, their humble 2003 debut full-length. The Horse combines electronic and funk rhythms with buzzing guitar, soaring harmonies and the lo-fi buzz of a record recorded using only one microphone.
For the Chap's second record, 2005's Ham, von Weizsäcker and Co. "grew up" into a four-microphone affair. Nudging the group towards polish but retaining their noisy, ironic snarl, Ham garnered a jubilant reception with standout cuts like the hilariously deadpan "I Am Oozing Emotion."
Renowned American electronic label Ghostly International released the group's third full-length Mega Breakfast stateside in July 2008. Mega Breakfast has been described by the group as their "global smash-hit techno/R'n'B album," and judging from the pristine harmonies on "Fun & Interesting" and the obtuse blue-eyed electronic soul of "Surgery," it's an apt description.
In addition to recording, the group has been touring Europe extensively as well as remixing Beck and Bloc Party. Not bad for a bunch of dandies who just want their "proper songs about girls and clubbing."
~ Mike Orme
The quartet formed around 2002 as Karamasov member Johannes von Weizsäcker's semi-serious side project. The Chap quickly found itself recording The Horse, their humble 2003 debut full-length. The Horse combines electronic and funk rhythms with buzzing guitar, soaring harmonies and the lo-fi buzz of a record recorded using only one microphone.
For the Chap's second record, 2005's Ham, von Weizsäcker and Co. "grew up" into a four-microphone affair. Nudging the group towards polish but retaining their noisy, ironic snarl, Ham garnered a jubilant reception with standout cuts like the hilariously deadpan "I Am Oozing Emotion."
Renowned American electronic label Ghostly International released the group's third full-length Mega Breakfast stateside in July 2008. Mega Breakfast has been described by the group as their "global smash-hit techno/R'n'B album," and judging from the pristine harmonies on "Fun & Interesting" and the obtuse blue-eyed electronic soul of "Surgery," it's an apt description.
In addition to recording, the group has been touring Europe extensively as well as remixing Beck and Bloc Party. Not bad for a bunch of dandies who just want their "proper songs about girls and clubbing."
~ Mike Orme
The Chap
Mega Breakfast
