Chrome was one of the more unusual alternative bands that arrived on the 70's San Francisco music scene.
Chrome’s music would often take on sci-fi themes while employing tape loops, distortion and overloaded acid rock guitar, found sounds from television, and whatever noise they could create with electronics.
These raw experimental and industrial sounds would be blended with elements from punk rock and psychedelia. The result of all of this would be a forerunner to industrial rock and noise rock of the 1980's.
The band was founded by vocalist, drummer and keyboardist Damon Edge. After a debut album in 1976, Chrome added guitarist Helios Creed in 1977. With the pairing of Edge and Creed, Chrome became a cult band favorite with their next two albums, Alien Soundtracks and Half Machine Lip Moves.
Edge and Creed went separate directions in the mid-80's with Damon Edge continuing the band until he passed away in 1995. Helios Creed, who had been away from the group since the mid-80’s, revived Chrome and has continued the band with performances and release of new albums.
This episode will discuss this band’s early years, their music, and the work of Chrome especially during the influential Edge and Creed years.
What is Inside the Milky Way - A Look at Early Alternative Music?
A podcast that takes a look at the development of alternative music in the 80's with a focus on post-punk, electronic, dark wave, goth, synth, industrial, and indie genres. The podcast episodes feature stories, background, and discussions of artists, contributors, music, themes, and events of the early alternative era.
The title of our podcast is based on the alternative song from 1988 by The Church, "Under the Milky Way".