Cha Boom Cha has been played on NTS in shows including Axcess Amnesia w/ Jenny Sayaka Nono, featured first on 16 January 2026. Songs played include Geraldine.

The late 1970s / early 1980s were exciting times for music lovers In the UK. Punk Rock had morphed into Post Punk and there were many (and varied) independent record labels producing some great music. Like many young people, a group of friends in South London were inspired by the DIY ethics of the times and decided to make their own music.

After several name and line-up changes, by the end of 1985 Cha Boom Cha was born with Duncan (vocals, acoustic & electric guitar) and Richard (electric guitar, keyboards, rhythm programming) as a duo, with the help of Angelina (additional vocals).

The first recordings by Cha Boom Cha are a mixture of minimalistic, analogue synthpop with a touch of guitar. Some people might say ‘hey, this sounds a bit like The Cure’s Japanese Whispers era!’, but definitely a different story. From the four songs recorded in 1986 only the song ‘Dancing Brave’ made it to a couple of compilations, namely 1987’s ‘The Jamboree Bag’ (Primitive Records, vinyl only) and 1988’s ‘The Trance Compilation’ (Being Cut / Primitive Records, cassette only), but in a shortened, more guitar orientated remix. ‘Dancing Brave’ is one of the first songs written by Cha Boom Cha using a drum machine and synths.