Chin Chin

Chin Chin, an all-female group consisting of Karin (guitar / vocals), Esther (bass / vocals) and Marie-Anne (drums / vocals), was formed in 1982 in Biel, Switzerland. At the time experience wasn't needed, a desire to play was. Technical ability was a bonus, a hunger to perform a must. Musically, the band had many influences: The Clash, The Ramones, X-Ray Spex, Blondie, Generation X, Siouxsie & The Banshees, David Bowie, Motown, 1960s girl groups and glam rock bands like T-Rex and Slade. Although Chin Chin saw themselves as a punk rock band, catchy pop vocals and harmonies played a big part in their songs, setting them apart from their contemporaries. Chin Chin's first and only 7-inch We Don't Wanna Be Prisoners (containing three self-penned songs) was released in the summer of 1984 on the band's label Farmer Records, co-owned with veteran Swiss band SOZZ, making Chin Chin one of the only all-female bands in Switzerland writing their own material, playing regular gigs and releasing records. In 1985, Sound of the Westway was released on Farmer, containing twelve original compositions recorded and mixed in just seven days. It's a brilliant mix of punk-informed crunch and buoyant pop melody that shows Chin Chin to be true pioneers of DIY noisy pop. As it happens, this combination of DIY punk ethic, fuzz guitars and bubblegum was also gaining traction in the UK with the nascent C86 scene. Featuring bands like Shop Assistants and The Pastels, C86 was a confluence of young bands who were as influenced by Phil Spector as The Ramones, and Chin Chin fit right in next to groups like The Rosehips and The Fizzbombs. Sound of the Westway caught the attention of the NME, who published the first UK interview with the band. On the heels of this great press, Chin Chin were approached by the management of Scottish band The Shop Assistants with an offer to support them on their German tour. The tour was hugely successful, leading to the release of the Stop Your Crying EP on Scotland's legendary 53rd and 3rd label and a busy period of TV and radio appearances and more shows in Switzerland, France and Germany. Apart from headlining their own gigs, Chin Chin also supported bands like The Pogues, Anti-Nowhere League, TV Personalities, New Model Army and Die Toten Hosen. Sound of the Westway has gone on to become one of the most sought-after '80s indie-pop records and for good reason. Tunes like "Dark Days" and "Stay With Me" still sound remarkably fresh today; the band's fierce DIY stance and girl-positive ethics have echoed down through indie music since. Slumberland is very pleased to join the estimable Mississippi Records in bringing this classic album back into print, on vinyl only and with new mastering and artwork.