Chequered Past

Chequered Past

Chequered Past is a rock band from New York, active from 1982 to 1985. The group brings together musicians with earlier experience in other well-known acts. Michael Des Barres leads on vocals; he previously fronts Silverhead and Detective. He teams up with former Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones, with Nigel Harrison on bass and Clem Burke on drums, both from Blondie, and guitarist Tony Sales, who has played with Utopia.

Recording and release

The band signs to EMI America and releases a self-titled album, Chequered Past, in 1984. The record includes a guest appearance from guitarist David Lindley and a cover of Waylon Jennings’ “Are You Sure Hank Done It”.

Reception and later activity

The single “How Much Is Too Much?” does not receive radio support, and the album sells poorly. The group breaks up soon after. Afterward, Michael Des Barres joins the Duran Duran side project Power Station for the band’s Summer Tour of the USA in 1985. Clem Burke later drummers for Eurythmics, and Tony Sales later joins David Bowie’s Tin Machine project.

Tours and associations

Chequered Past tours with Duran Duran during the Sing Blue Silver Tour in the USA in 1984. Members of the band also tour with Blondie during the Tracks Across America Tour in 1982. Andy Taylor later works with Steve Jones on several of Jones’s solo tracks in the late 1980s.