The Chud

Bio:

.. The legendary Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers, or -as they are better known- THE CHUD, existed from 1985 - 1992.

In 1985 they released their debut 45 rpm single "Don't call me Batman b/w Rumble At The Love-In", which became an indie chart success.

Legendary radio DJs John Peel (UK) and Rodney Bingenheimer (USA) both were fans, playing both sides of the 45 repeatedly, and Bingenheimer listed "Rumble at the Love-In" as one of his favourite tracks of 1985.

In 1986, 20 years ago now, they released their debut album
"Silhouettes Of Sound".

After a few line-up changes, the band released "Mirage", their 2nd longplayer in 1989 on vinyl and CD.
"November Rain" was the single off of that album, and it appeared two months before the LP, on a 12" Maxi Single, with 3 otherwise unavailable songs on the B side.
November Rain should not be confused with the Guns'n'Roses song of the same name, which it predated about half a year.

In 1991 recordings for a third album began, but were never completed, when -after excessive touring and an unhealthy rock'n'roll lifestyle- the band 'faded out' in 1992.

In 2006, 20 years after their debut, they were back, for ONE NIGHT ONLY, in the original line-up: celebrating the anniversary with a single show at Berlin's new BASSY club on Dec. 9, 2006.

2006 Anniversary Show:
The Chud's BASSY show was a groovalicious event !!
Here's a little impression (more to follow):

The Chud - New Video for 'Leather Room'

Until we get hold of the official 1980s videos of the group's singles, we have a new 'animated video' for you: .. ..

Member Since:

October 27, 2006

Members:

Original 1st Album Line-Up (1985-87):

Vic Count: voc, guitars, prod.
Rick Zontar: hammond/farfisa
Sandy Hobbs: bass guitar
Nick Young: drums, vocals

2nd Album Line-Up (1988-89):

Vic Count: voc, guitars, prod.
Rick Zontar: organ & piano
Gary P. Alexander: bass guitar
Eddie Fletcher: drums, perc

and
Vic Count: voc, guitars, prod.
Chrizza Larsen: keyboards
Robert Lehmann: bass guitar
Eddie Fletcher: drums, perc

Influences:

THE CHUD were heavily influenced by B-Movies (hence their name: The Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers), the first album's cover-design cited many old Roger Corman films and the songs' titles and production were very descriptive (e.g. "Rumble At The Love-In ", "Leather Room" etc.).

Equally influential was their shared interest in garage bands like The Seeds, 13th Floor Elevators, the CA Quintet and all things Pebbles & Nuggets, which was not a common thing in 1985 (at the height of post-new romantic electro schlock).

Their literary influences were wide ranging: from pulp novels like "Dr. Morton" or "Zontar - The thing from Venus" to beatnik authors like W.S.Burroughs, Kerouac and Herbert Huncke.

Their live sets featured oil projections and soap bubble machines, thus evoking late 60s California, while the lyrics were more Velvet-Underground-New York than Sunshine Westcoast Hippiedom.

Record Label:

Love's Simple Dreams / EfA