Cha Cha Cohen

Vocalist Jacqui Dulany, bassist Keith Gregory (ex-Wedding Present), guitarist Tanya Mellott, drummer Simon Smith (also ex-Wedding Present), and keyboardist/guitarist Alan Thomas were Cha Cha Cohen, one of the first bands signed to Scotland's Chemikal Underground label. A frequently dormant group in their earlier days (thanks to Dulany's residency in Texas — most of the other members were based in Leeds), it took three full years for the group to release their first three singles. A brief tour in 1998 preceded another spate of dates toward the end of the year in support of their self-titled debut LP, which was released in early 1999. The funky eclecticism of the record garnered critical support from several sources. Going on hiatus for an extended period (Dulany re-located to Leeds and the band acquired Mellott), the group returned in late 2001 with their second album, All Artists Are Criminals.