The Chefs – Records & Tea: The Best Of The Chefs

This is an album review that I wrote for the Digital Fix website in 2012.


Short-lived Brighton four-piece the Chefs emerged around the same time as fellow post-punk DIY-sters and indiepop touchstones the Television Personalities and Orange Juice. Led by the gastronomically named Helen McCookerybook, the Chefs released a few 45s, did a couple of Peel sessions and then split in 1982, not before renaming themselves Skat and recording a cover of the Velvet Underground and Nico’s ‘Femme Fatale’. Damaged Goods' comprehensive compilation collates most of the band’s recorded output, including all their singles, demos and radio sessions. On the likes of ‘Sweetie’ and ’24 Hours’, you can hear pre-echoes of the C86 movement, sharing much of its unambitious, shambling qualities, which ensured the band’s resolutely cult status. The Chefs may not come from kitchens of distinction then, but Records & Tea manages to rustle up a few tasty morsels.


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