User:Epop99/Sandbox

Chris Pope & The Chords UK;

EARLY YEARS

Chris was born in Catford, SE london. Attended St Joseph's Grammar school, Blackheath 1972-79. His mother was a Nurse and his father a Telephone operator.

The CHORDS

After seeing an advert in the 'career opportunities' section in the NME Chris joined a band with cousins Billy Hassett & Martin Mason in Jan 78. In the summer of that year they named the band The Chords and started to gig around South London. By early 79 Brett Ascott had successfully auditioned for drummer in the group.

They played their first gig with the new line-up in March 79. Quickly signed to Jimmy Pursey's JP label in April the band left just a few months later without releasing any music after a falling out/ dispute with Jimmy & the label.

They went on to sign to Polydor Records where they released Seven Pope Penned singles  inc  the Top 40 hit ' Maybe Tomorrow '  & one album 'So far Away' which reached the Top 30 in May 1980. The band split up in Sept 81.

Since then they have reformed twice, in 1996 for a 10 date UK tour, again a UK tour in 2010  when they released a single  ' ATC' to co-incide with the tour. They also went on to play dates in Japan & Australia in 2012, where they played their last ever gig on May 23 in Melbourne.

1982-1990

Chris formed Agent Orange with Brett, Grant Fleming & Kevin Peters in early 82. They were offered  a major records deal with Virgin 10 records in late 83 , which fell apart at the point of signing. He then went onto worked with KP in ' Gatecrash Heaven '.The band  re-located to NYC late 88 where they were signed to Diana Ross's ex- husbands mgmt company. After moving to LA in the Autumn of that year the band split up and Chris moved back to London.

In the 90's Chris concentrated on Making Solo demo's. He Re-formed The Chords for 10 dates in 1996.

SOLO CAREER/ POPE &  THE CHORDS UK

In 2005 he released the First POPE album ' Grace of God' with Brett Ascott on Drums, followed up by 2009's ' Tall Tales & Cheap Thrills ' Both on their ASPOP label. . Chris released ' Peace of Mind' in 2014 , accompanied  now by Mic Stoner & Kenny Cooper on Bass & drums , along with BA  & Mick Talbot  ( Style Council, Dexy's on Keyboards)  featuring on various cuts on the album.

He formed The Chords UK in 2015 with Mic & Kenny. Sandy Michie joined on lead guitar the same year.

Their first release was the EP ' Get Famous  (Aug 15). Via Pledge music they released 2 albums  ' Take On Life ( 2016)  & Nowhere Land (2018). Both album launched at the 100 club, London ..

The 3rd Chords UK album " Big City Dreams' was released in FEB 2022 to Critical acclaim.

The band have toured constantly all over Britain as well as dates in and in the USA over the last 5 years.

They released the 'Somewhere Beyond The Rainbow' EP On Vinyl Via Brixton records in October 2023.