Chin-Chin

Chin-Chin were formed in 1982 in Biel, Switzerland, by Karin (guitar/vocals), Esther (bass/vocals), and Marie-Anne (drums/vocals).^[3] Esther and Marie-Anne had previously been singers in Sophisticated Boom Boom, a local all-female new wave/indie pop band from Büren an der Aare that released a self-titled album in 1982.^[4] Neither had actually played bass or drums before; Karin had a background in classical and acoustic guitar but had never played rock music.^[1] Undeterred, they began rehearsing covers of classics like The Ronettes' "Baby, I Love You" and The Crystals' "Da Doo Ron Ron,"^[2] as well as originals.^[1]

The Swiss punk band SOZZ (who ran the label Farmer Records) allowed Chin-Chin to rehearse in their practice room and lent them guitars and a drum kit until they could afford their own instruments.^{[2] [5]} In November 1983, Chin-Chin played their first gig at the AJZ/Coupole in Biel.^{[6] [7]} Although the band started life as a trio, it was always the aim to recruit a lead singer and a second guitarist, but the search proved very difficult.^[6]

The trio briefly expanded to a quartet with the addition of a singer named Carol, and recorded their debut single, "We Don't Wanna Be Prisoners," in 1984.^[1] They soon returned to the original trio format, with Marie-Anne taking over lead vocals.^[2]

In 1985, they released their debut album, Sound of the Westway, on Farmer Records. The 13-track album was recorded in just seven days^[2] and received positive press, including an interview with NME journalist Everett True and airplay from BBC legend John Peel.^{[2] [1]} The album has since become one of the most sought-after Swiss punk releases.^[2]

In 2010, the album was reissued on vinyl by Slumberland Records in conjunction with Mississippi Records, featuring new artwork and mastering.^[8]

Following the positive reception in the UK, Chin-Chin were signed by the management of Scottish indie band The Shop Assistants, whose fans they were.^{[1] [2]} They toured Germany with The Shop Assistants^[2] and released their second and final single, "Stop! Your Crying" / "Cry in Vain," in 1986 on the Shop Assistants' label, 53rd & 3rd Records (run by David Keegan and Stephen Pastel).^{[1] [9]} Stephen Pastel later recalled: "where did (the fabulous) chin-chin come from? they were a swiss band and they played with the shop assistants when the shop assistants were touring europe. they were just massive shop assistants fans and they really just wanted to be on the same label as the shop assistants, and they just sent over their tape."^[10] In 1987, the single was expanded into an 8-song 12-inch compilation also titled Stop! Your Crying, featuring tracks from the EP alongside selections from Sound of the Westway.^[11]

They also served as support acts for The Pogues, Anti-Nowhere League, New Model Army, TV Personalities, and Die Toten Hosen.^{[2] [7]}

In 1988, Chin-Chin recorded a four-track session for BBC Radio 1's Janice Long show.^{[1] [12]} The session included songs that were never recorded elsewhere.^[1] The band split sometime after this session, leaving behind a small but well-regarded discography.^[1]

In 2021, Optic Nerve Recordings reissued the "Stop! Your Crying" single as a limited-edition 7-inch on half-blue/half-yellow vinyl as part of their Optic Sevens 3.0 series.^{[13] [14]}

In 2023, Optic Nerve Recordings released Cry in Vain, a 14-track career-spanning compilation featuring tracks from the 7-inch single "We Don't Wanna Be Prisoners" (1984), the Sound of the Westway LP (1985), the 12-inch single "Stop! Your Crying" (1986), and the previously unreleased Janice Long BBC session from 1988.^{[3] [12]} The compilation received positive reviews, with critics praising its blend of punk energy and pop hooks.^{[1] [12]}