Part Chimp
BIOGRAPHY –
Camberwell’s Part Chimp has at its core guitarist Tim Cedar and drummer Jon Hamilton (aka Drumm Chimp), a pair who formed the band with then bass player Nick Prior. Their reputation for being extremely loud is a justifiable one. As they put it on their label Rock Action’s website, “turning [the volume] up won’t magically bring the music to life. The secret is to have the music sound deafening even when it isn’t turned up to eleven.”
The band was formed after Tim and Jon’s previous outfit, Ligament, died a death in 2000. Nick Prior, then of touring partners Scarfo, and Iain Hinchcliffe (on guitar) were added to the line up, and Part Chimp’s first incarnation was born.
Nick played with the band on their first record, Chart Pimp – produced by Johnny from Mogwai and released on their aforementioned Rock Action imprint to much acclaim – but left in February 2004 to be replaced by Joe McLaughlin, himself jumping ship in the Summer of 2006 (after the release of second LP I Am Come), with Tracy Bellaries (ex-Ikara Colt) stepping in to his shoes to give the band its current line up.
Aside from Part Chimp, the band keep themselves busy with all manner of other projects. Tim Cedar records bands at his highly regarded Dropout Studio in their native Camberwell, and has also played with a band called Penthouse (aka Fifty Tons of Black Terror), which is one of the best names ever. Jon Hamilton releases solo records under the name of Drumm Chimp, and has played with Sh*t ‘n Shine, a legendary London ensemble who have about a hundred drummers. The pair also have a side project called Die Munich Machine, which they won’t let the other two join in with.
Part Chimp have played with the likes of the Melvins, collaborated with Alexander Tucker and put out split singles with everyone from Joeyfat to touring buddies Todd. They call their new record Thriller (yes, it’s meant to be a joke) “a stoner rock p*ss take that happily came up trumps”. We really like it.
LINKS –
TOUR DATES –
7/11/09 – URA Project, Istanbul
5/12/09 – The Engine Rooms, Brighton
15/9/09 – Madame JoJos, London
