Chumbawamba split: Unless you were addicted to FM radio back in 1997, chances are you’re unfamiliar with the anarchistic punk band Chumbawamba. Although they have a pretty strong and dedicated following overseas, the group didn’t put much of a dent in the North American music scene outside of their hit “Tubthumping”. If you’ve ever been knocked down but felt the inexplicable urge to get back up again, this song was designed with you in mind. Assuming, of course, that your inability to stand upright had something to do with imbibing copious amounts of alcohol. It’s a lot funnier if you’re familiar with the song. Okay, maybe not.
After 30 long years of rocking the socks of their legion of fans, the band has decided to call it quits. Although a lot of people weren’t aware that the group was still together — do a quick search for Chumbawamba on Twitter if you think I’m exaggerating — this is probably pretty depressing for those who have followed the band’s musical output for the past three decades. Honestly, it’s a little hard for me to digest that “Tubthumping” was released 15 years ago.
Yikes, I’m old.
“That’s it then, it’s the end. with neither a whimper, a bang or a reunion. We felt we’d got to a point where what we did as a band – and specifically the writing, recording, touring cycle – wasn’t doing justice to what Chumbawamba set out to do in the first place,” the band explained on their website. “But eventually the rest of our lives got in the way and we couldn’t commit the time and enthusiasm that the band demanded.”
Chumbawamba, which focused on such topics as animal rights, pacifism, class struggle, feminism, gay liberation, pop culture and anti-fascism, also released the singles “Amnesia”, “Enough Is Enough”, “Timebomb”, “Top of the World (Ole, Ole, Ole)”, and “Add Me”. At the end of the day, the band cobbled together over 15 albums.
If you’re curious to see what folks on Twitter have to say about the group’s final farewell, take a look at the reactions embedded below. If you’re a fan of the band, however, you may not find them too humorous.
There goes my plan to have our national anthem written by Chumbawamba. 🙁
Chumbawamba said that when they got knocked down, they got back up again. Now Chumbawamba is breaking up, and I don’t know what to believe.
I might mark Chumbawamba’s split by going out and buying their greatest hit album. #boom
Farewell then Chumbawamba – always much funnier, more brilliant + all-round ace than most people seem to realise http://t.co/LNeRuFDW
Chumbawamba called it quits. I think the rest of us called it quits on them circa right after the I Get Knocked Down song. #justsayin