The Chrysanthemums (band)

The Chrysanthemums were an English pop group active between 1987 and 1998. The project began as a collaboration between multi-instrumentalist Terry Burrows (known in the band as "Yukio Yung") and Alan Jenkins, the guitarist with The Deep Freeze Mice. The first releases were performed in the studio by Burrows and Jenkins alone: other personnel were gradually added including Robyn Gibson on drums and Jonathan Lemon formerly of Jesus Couldn't Drum on keyboards, enabling them to complete several tours of mainland Europe, where there was most interest in the band's work.

The music was an odd blend of lo-fi Sixties pop, punk rock and progressive rock. Lyrics were often surreal in nature, and delivered by Burrows in a laconic English "pop" voice that recalled Ray Davies of The Kinks or Robyn Hitchcock.

The original band became inactive in the mid-1990s. Burrows and bassist Vladimir Zajkowiecz later recorded an album and single as Chrys&themums, creating a sound that was largely indistinguishable from the band's earlier releases.

Burrows went on to record as Yukio Yung and under various other aliases; he also become a successful author. Jenkins formed The Creams and opened a recording studio in Leicester, England. He currently plays in The Thurston Lava Tube.

Discography

*"Mouth Pain (1987 single)
*"Is That A Fish On Your Shoulder, Or Are You Just Pleased To See Me" (1988 album)
*"The **** Sessions" (1989 12-inch single)
*"Little Flecks Of Foam Around Barking" (1989 double album)
*"Picasso's Problem/Live at London Palladium" (1990 mini album)
*"Odessey and Oracle" (1991 album)
*"Porcupine Quills" (1991 single)
*"Chrysanthemums Go Germany" (1993 album)
*"The Baby's Head" (by Chrys&themums) (1997 album)
*"A Thousand Tiny Pieces" (by Chrys&themums) (1997 single)