Biography
The Chain Gang of 1974 serves as the creative alias for multi-instrumentalist and DJ Kamtin Mohager, who channels an '80s-inspired blend of alternative dance and synth pop. Early independent releases helped Mohager build initial interest, though broader recognition arrived via the 2014 major-label debut Daydream Forever and the 2017 Thom Powers-produced album Felt.
Born in San Jose, Mohager spent his formative years in Hawaii before settling in Denver. Hockey initially consumed his attention until a viewing of Real Genius introduced him to Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," prompting the teenager to pursue music instead. The project's title nods to the Raveonettes album The Chain Gang of Love while also marking the birth year of another favored artist, Ryan Adams.
Mohager spent 2007 to 2010 touring as bassist with 3OH!3, after which he established the Chain Gang of 1974. In 2010 he issued the early-recordings collection Fantastic Nostalgic and the full-length debut White Guts through his own Golden Gold imprint; both drew from electro, synth pop, and post-punk while featuring Daft Punk-esque hooks and vocals in the vein of Passion Pit. Following a breakup later that year, he relocated to Los Angeles and composed the sophomore effort Wayward Fire, a chronicle of the ended relationship that Modern Art released in June 2011.
A subsequent deal with Warner Bros. yielded the hook-driven, electro-pop-leaning Daydream Forever in 2014, which appeared on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart. After parting from the label, Mohager paused to reconsider his approach and formed a connection with the Naked and Famous' Thom Powers; the pair collaborated on new material with Powers handling production. Their work surfaced as the self-released 2017 album Felt, issued via Caroline Records, and included the single "Wallflowers." Shortly afterward the Chain Gang of 1974 supported AFI on tour. In 2018 Mohager contributed to the shoegaze side project Teenage Wrist, then returned in 2020 with the fifth Chain Gang of 1974 studio album Honey Moon Drips, which featured the duo TWINKIDS.
Born in San Jose, Mohager spent his formative years in Hawaii before settling in Denver. Hockey initially consumed his attention until a viewing of Real Genius introduced him to Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," prompting the teenager to pursue music instead. The project's title nods to the Raveonettes album The Chain Gang of Love while also marking the birth year of another favored artist, Ryan Adams.
Mohager spent 2007 to 2010 touring as bassist with 3OH!3, after which he established the Chain Gang of 1974. In 2010 he issued the early-recordings collection Fantastic Nostalgic and the full-length debut White Guts through his own Golden Gold imprint; both drew from electro, synth pop, and post-punk while featuring Daft Punk-esque hooks and vocals in the vein of Passion Pit. Following a breakup later that year, he relocated to Los Angeles and composed the sophomore effort Wayward Fire, a chronicle of the ended relationship that Modern Art released in June 2011.
A subsequent deal with Warner Bros. yielded the hook-driven, electro-pop-leaning Daydream Forever in 2014, which appeared on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart. After parting from the label, Mohager paused to reconsider his approach and formed a connection with the Naked and Famous' Thom Powers; the pair collaborated on new material with Powers handling production. Their work surfaced as the self-released 2017 album Felt, issued via Caroline Records, and included the single "Wallflowers." Shortly afterward the Chain Gang of 1974 supported AFI on tour. In 2018 Mohager contributed to the shoegaze side project Teenage Wrist, then returned in 2020 with the fifth Chain Gang of 1974 studio album Honey Moon Drips, which featured the duo TWINKIDS.
Albums
Singles
Heat of the Moment
2023
Psychodrama
2021
Slapstick (The Chain Gang Of 1974 Mix)
2019
run (the chain gang of 1974 remix)
2019
Forget (AObeats Remix)
2017
Wallflowers (M0NS00NS Remix)
2017
Looking For Love
2017
Wallflowers
2017
Slow (Lindstrøm + Prins Thomas Remix)
2017
Slow
2016
I Still Wonder (The New Division Remix)
2016
I Still Wonder
2016
Sleepwalking
2014