Episode 175 : Chris Pope from The Chords UK

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I am joined by Chris Pope – Songwriter, Musician and one of the founding members of The Chords.

We take a journey through the bands formation at the tail end of 1978, after original singer/guitarist Billy Hassett and his bass playing cousin, Martin Mason, advertised for musicians in NME.

Chris got the job and the band were soon into live gigs and studio recordings.

Their style was a combination of punk and the 1960s influenced sound of the time.

At the end of March 1979, the band played the Wellington in Waterloo to packed crowds with Paul Weller in the audience. This helps the band secure more gigs and an important support slot to The Jam.

With the Mod Revival in full swing, what follows are two John Peel sessions, a few singles, Top of the Pops, and an album (So Far Away)….

The band also played Loch Lomond Festival in June 1980 with Bad Manners, Stiff Little Fingers, The Tourists and The Jam…

Paul Weller was a big supporter of the band and Chris in the press – once calling him “the best songwriter of his generation”…

In 2013, Chris Pope formed The Chords UK to continue playing ‘classic’ Chords tunes whilst also creating some fantastic new music too (find out more below)…

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The Chords

For an excellent write up on The Chords – check out this article from journalist, Chris Hunt…

1980 – The Chords – Maybe Tomorrow – Top of the Pops

1980 – The Chords – Something’s Missing – Top of the Pops

1979 – The Chords – Peel Session 1

1980 – The Chords – Peel Session 2

The Chords UK

Chris Pope formed The Chords UK in 2013 to continue playing ‘classic’ Chords tunes such as Maybe Tomorrow, The British Way Of Life and So Far Away – whilst also pushing forward with new music too…

The band is made up of Chris, Kenny Cooper, Sandy Michie, and Dave Murrell, with a live setlist featuring all of the original hits along with tracks from the three LP’s that they have released so far.
They have been cited live as “an incendiary rock n roll outfit” by Louder Than War.

You can buy the music on Bandcamp, watch videos on YouTube , listen on Spotify and follow for news and live show info on Facebook

2023 – Somewhere Beyond The Rainbow

Released in October 2023, as a 10″ vinyl EP, Somewhere Beyond the Rainbow is available on thechordsuk.bandcamp.com

2015 – Chris Pope & The Chords UK – Get Famous + 2016 – Take On Life

The band’s first release was 2015’s Get Famous EP, which went straight into the official TOP 40 singles chart. Their debut album Take on Life was released in 2016.

2018 – Chris Pope & The Chords UK – Nowhere Land

The critically acclaimed Nowhere Land was released in 2018…

2022 – Chris Pope & The Chords UK – Big City Dreams

The band’s Big City Dreams album in 2022, saw them take it on tour in the USA, Europe, and the UK.
They also scored a No 1 on The Heritage Chart with the single All For Nothing At All.

Chris Pope Releases

March 2014 – Peace of Mind

The album features Mick Talbot on keys on One Happy Man and Mutiny on the Thames.

2008 Under The Skin, From The Heart