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Chisel (band)

From Alfawiki
Chisel
Company typePunk rock group
IndustryMusic
Founded1990
FounderTed Leo, Chris Infante, John Dugan
Defunct1997 (initial dissolution)
FateDisbanded in 1997; reunited in 2022
Headquarters
United States
ProductsMusic albums, singles, EPs

Chisel is a punk rock group originating from the United States. Throughout their initial period of activity, they issued two full-length records along with a collection of early material through Gern Blandsten before dissolving in 1997. In 2022, their catalog began to be reissued by The Numero Group, coinciding with their reunion to perform at the Numero Twenty festival and several concerts across the United States.

1990-1995: Origins and initial phase

Chisel was established in 1990 at the University of Notre Dame by fellow students Ted Leo (guitar and vocals), Chris Infante (bass), and John Dugan (drums). Leo brought experience from New York's all-ages punk scene, while Dugan had roots in Washington, D.C.'s punk community. Initially, the band played cover versions of groups like Wire and Buzzcocks, but they soon shifted focus to original compositions penned by Leo. Their performances spanned college venues throughout the Midwest and Northeast, including stops at D.C.'s D.C. Space and New York City's ABC No Rio.

In 1991, they debuted with the single "Swamp Fox/Spike" b/w "Listen" on Assembly Records, followed by contributions to college radio compilations from WVFI (Notre Dame) and WPRB (Princeton, New Jersey). That same year, they recorded a demo tape at Stanford Hall on the Notre Dame campus. After Infante graduated in 1992, he was replaced by Chris Norborg, who enhanced the band’s sound with vocal harmonies. The group's style transitioned from emo-influenced pop punk toward a mod revival inspired by bands such as The Small Faces and The Jam. In 1994, they moved to Washington, D.C., where Dugan was completing an internship with Amnesty International.

1995-1997: Nothing New and 8 A.M. All Day

In 1995, Chisel issued Nothing New, a compilation released via Gern Blandsten that combined new recordings produced by Guy Picciotto of Fugazi with earlier sessions engineered by Casey Rice in Chicago. Several tracks had previously been available only as standalone singles.

Their first full-length album, 8 A.M. All Day, arrived in 1996. It was self-produced and recorded in the basement studio of Velocity Girl guitarist Archie Moore. By this time, Chisel was touring alongside acts like Fugazi, Velocity Girl, Blonde Redhead, and Tuscadero, expanding their fan base in major rock hubs including New York City, Chicago, and Boston.

1997: Set You Free and dissolution

For their subsequent record, Chisel collaborated with Nicolas Vernhes at Rare Book Room studio located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. After releasing the single "It's Alright, You're Okay," they dedicated ten days to tracking and mixing sixteen new compositions. This album showcased influences from Britpop alongside added instrumentation such as horns and Hammond organ, creating a fuller sound while also featuring minimalist rock arrangements that emphasized Leo’s more somber lyrical themes. Norborg took lead vocals on tracks like "The Unthinkable Is True," "Oh Dear Friends," and "Morley Timmons." The final product, Set You Free, was released in June 1997 to favorable critical reception.

Following the album’s release, Chisel embarked on an extensive tour with Boston’s Karate. However, during this period Leo faced challenges with depression, prompting the band to reevaluate their path forward. Their concluding performance occurred on May 16, 1997, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Plans for subsequent West Coast and European tours were abandoned as the group ultimately disbanded.

1997-2022: Activities Following the Split and Subsequent Endeavors

Following Chisel's dissolution, Leo embarked on a brief solo career before establishing The Sin Eaters, a punk-inspired group that included musicians from The Van Pelt and Native Nod. This ensemble produced a demo recording and performed a limited number of concerts prior to disbanding. Numerous tracks from this period were later incorporated into Leo's subsequent project, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. Ted Leo has consistently included Chisel songs in his live performances, with "The Town Crusher" from Set You Free being a notable example.

In 1999, Dugan issued the D!1 EP under the Swedish label Her Magic Field.

Norborg played a role in founding The Reputation but departed after their demo tour due to personal stress. He is credited for arrangements on their 2002 debut record. In 2001, he launched his solo album Nobody Knows This Is Everywhere through Dangerfive Records.

2022-present: Catalog Reissues and Band Reunion

On March 14, 2022, Chisel’s digital releases were withdrawn from streaming services as announced by Numero Group, which intended to remaster and reissue the band’s entire catalog. The re-release campaign commenced with the single "It's Alright, You're O.K." backed with "Guns of Meridian Hill," followed by a deluxe edition of Set You Free in 2023.

The All My Kin EP was unveiled on May 10, featuring remastered versions of its title track and "Rip Off The Gift," along with an unreleased live performance of "The Unthinkable is True."

Subsequently, on July 12, the Innocents Abroad EP was released containing four remastered songs originally from Nothing New. On September 12, the remastered single What About Blighty? became available.

To celebrate its twentieth anniversary, Numero Group announced the Numero Twenty festival, which includes Chisel’s reunion show. Additional concerts were arranged for early 2023 in California and Chicago.

On November 1, 2023, Numero issued a remastered version of "If You Believe in Christmas Trees," initially a b-side track, as part of the holiday season countdown.

Albums

EPs

  • Stanford Hall Demo (1991, Self-released)
  • All My Kin (2022, Numero Group)
  • Innocents Abroad (2022, Numero Group)
  • Live on WTPS, 1997 (2022, Numero Group)

Singles

  • "Swamp Fox/Spike" b/w "Listen" (1991, Assembly Records)
  • Split with Brian, Colin & Vince (1993, Sudden Shame Records)
  • "Sunburn" b/w "Little Gidding" "3 O'Clock High" (1994, Gern Blandsten)
  • "The O.T.S." b/w "If You Believe in Christmas Trees" (1995, Darla Records)
  • Split with Velocity Girl (1996, Shute Records)
  • "It's Alright, You're O.K." b/w "Guns of Meridian Hill" (1997, Gern Blandsten / 2022, Numero Group)
  • "If You Believe in Christmas Trees" (2023, Numero Group)

Compilations

Compilation Appearances

  • "Swamp Fox/Spike" on The Jericho Sessions (1991, WVFI Radio)
  • "Sloth" on Superpowers (1993, Troubleman Unlimited)
  • "Dream Bar" on Incubus 1993 (1993)
  • "Nothing New" on Dog So Large I Cannot See Past It (1997, WPRB Radio)
  • "Out for Kicks" on Squirrel (1995, Level Records)
  • "Six Different Ways" on Give Me the Cure (1995, Radiopaque)
  • "No Alibis" on Tatterfrock Eight (1996, Jumpjet)
  • "Theme For A Pharmacist" on CMJ New Music Monthly Volume One (1996, College Music Journal)
  • "Hip Straights" on Little Darla Has A Treat For You Volume 3 (1996, Darla Records)
  • "Chiefs" on Storm of the Century (1997, Sudden Shame Records)
  • "The Guns of Meridian Hill" on Fort Reno Benefit Compilation (1997, Resin Records)
  • "Do Go On" on Gern Blandsten - The First Nine Years (2001, Gern Blandsten)
  • "The O.T.S." on Darla 100 (2002, Darla Records)
  • "Your Star Is Killing Me" on Numero Twenty (2023, Numero Group)
  • "The Guns of Meridian Hill" on Ted Leo Used To Believe (Demos 1987-2012) (Self-released)

DVDs

  • Songs for Cassavetes (2001, Better Looking Records) features the segment titled "Spectacles"

Bootlegs

  • Live at Burlingtonitus One (April 16, 1994) (2005)
  • Live at the Empty Bottle, Chicago (2023)
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