CHUMPBIO

FORMED IN DECEMBER 1997, Chump is a rock 'n' roll band based in Charleston, SC. The term rock 'n' roll has fallen into disuse as a term used to describe music, particularly music originating from Charleston. With much of the Holy City reeling in the afterglow of the signing glut of Hootie and the Blowfish, Edwin McCain, and Cravin' Melon, and other bands trying to latch onto a label to describe their sound, the members of Chump refuse to jump on any bandwagon. Except their own.

Chump's members are committed to the music they play. There are no posers in Chump. Theatrics, maybe. Props, sometimes. But posers? Never. Chump is about music, music created by individuals from varied backgrounds who somehow all wound up in Charleston but meld together their ideas. It's no shock that the Chump members grew up in different parts of the country ; what is unusual is that the military – often a primary catalyst in bringing people to Charleston – did not play a role in Chump's history.

Chris Cooper (drums & vocals) grew up in Hinton, West Virginia. When Chris was in his senior year of high school, his sister moved to Charleston and got married. Once Chris graduated, he wasn't thrilled with the employment opportunities in West Virginia, so he followed his sister to Charleston. Outlaw Oldfield (bass & vocals) had grown up in Luzerne, PA, a small mining town not far from NY. By the time Outlaw was a freshman in high school, his father decided to move the family to Charleston, where he eventually met up with Chris.

While Chris and Outlaw were tightening their rhythmic bond, Lars Lindgren (guitar & vocals) was playing in a band in Long Island, NY. That band was to break up when Lars learned that his company was relocating him. With several guitars and lots of hostility, Lars came to Charleston in search of a new band. Upon joining forces with the well-tuned rhythm section of Chris and Outlaw, he knew he had found a new home. The Chump sound reflects the members' varied backgrounds.

The band took a break when Outlaw moved to Tennessee in 2000. The CD Blue Steel Baby came out in 2001, and over the years there have been lots of meet-ups, socializing, and occasional jam sessions, but 2009 brought some exciting events. In July 2009, Genya Ravan played "Living In Squalor" (off the Viagraculture CD) on Little Steven's Underground Garage, heard worldwide on Sirius/XM radio. Then in September of that year the band did its first live show since 1999. That performance went over so well that they're looking forward to a more regular schedule in 2010.

It's tough to provide a written description of something that needs to be heard, experienced. It boils down to this: guitar, bass, drums, and vocals presented in a passionate, rock 'n' roll format. Nothing else matters. Listen to Chump. See Chump. Experience Chump. If you don't, you'll be the biggest chump of all.