Chumbawamba Break Up
Lovable British anarcho-rockers Chumbawamba are breaking up after 30 years as a band, the group has announced in a post on their website titled “The End.”
Best known for their 1997 barroom anthem “Tubthumping,” Chumbawamba formed in Burnley, England back in 1982. Throughout their long career the group blended punk and pop with political activism, releasing a slew of records along the way (including one with Noam Chomsky). In the note, the group thanked “everyone that played some part in all this,” from former bandmates to labels to agents, and of course, all their supporters.
Before the group “hang[s] up our guitars, trumpets, and football rattles,” as the post reads, they’ll play a few more shows in 2012, though no dates have been announced yet.
“Chumbawamba was our vehicle for pointing at the naked Emperors, for telling our version of the truth, it gave us more than the joy and love of playing live, writing songs and singing together – it gave us a chance to be part of a broad coalition of activists and hectors, optimists and questioners,” the band wrote. “But eventually the rest of our lives got in the way and we couldn’t commit the time and enthusiasm that the band demanded. Couldn’t keep up with whatever responsibilities came with a band like this.”
While the band admitted to some squabbling and frustration along the way, that, they say, was not a primary reason for disbanding. Though they did write that they “reserve the right to re-emerge as Chumbawamba,” the band added cheekily, “Maybe one of you lot can organise a tribute band and play at our local pub. Go on, it’ll make the surreal absurdity of our 30 years complete.”