| Uncanny X-Men | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Melbourne, Australia |
| Genre(s) | pop/rock |
| Years active | 1981–1987, 1998 |
| Label(s) | Mushroom Festival CBS |
| Former members | |
| Chuck Hargreaves Steve Harrison Brian Mannix Nick Manthandos Ron Thiessen John Kirk Craig Waugh Joey Amenta Brett Kingman |
|
Uncanny X-Men were a Melbourne pop/rock band formed in 1981 and disbanded in 1987,[1] they were fronted by lead singer Brian Mannix, and originally included Chuck Hargreaves on guitar, Steve Harrison on bass guitar, Nick Manthandos on drums and Ron Thiessen on guitar.[1] John Kirk replaced Harrison and Craig Waugh replaced Manthandos by 1984.[1]
The band's debut album, 'Cos Life Hurts, peaked at #2 on the Australian Kent Music Report in 1985,[1][2] and included their highest charting single "50 Years" which reached #6 on the singles chart.[1][2] Thiessen left to be replaced temporarily by Joey Amenta on guitar and more permanently by Brett Kingman. Their second album, What You Give is What You Get!, was released in 1986 and peaked at #11, it included the Top 20 hit single "I Am".[1][2] After disbanding in 1987 there was a brief reunion during 1998.[1]
Contents |
History
Uncanny X-Men formed in Melbourne as a guitar pop band in 1981 and worked the pub rock circuit.[1] Original line-up included Chuck Hargreaves on guitar, Steve Harrison on bass guitar, Brian Mannix as lead singer, Nick Manthandos on drums and Ron Thiessen on guitar.[1] Mannix became known for his mischievous and comical send-ups of other artists.[1] The band was signed by Mushroom Records early in 1982 and released their debut EP Salive One in November, which peaked at #15 on the Kent Music Report.[1][2] They toured Australia in support of US rock act Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.[1] Early in 1983, Harrison was replaced on bass by John Kirk, and they released their single, "How Do You Get Your Kicks?" in March.[1] Craig Waugh replaced Manthandos on drums and they released another single "Time Goes So Fast".[1] They toured through 1984 and released an EP, Beach Party, in July which included the single, "Everybody Wants to Work".[1]
"The Party" was released as a single in March 1985 and peaked at #17 on the Kent Music Report.[1][2] The related debut album 'Cos Life Hurts was released and peaked at #2 in June and its next single "50 Years" peaked at #6.[2] Uncanny X-Men performed two songs for the 1985 Oz for Africa concert (part of the global Live Aid program) - "Everybody Wants to Work" and "50 Years" on 13 July.[3] It was broadcast in Australia (on both Seven Network and Nine Network) and on MTV in the US.[3] A third single "Still Waiting" from their debut album was released in August.[1]
Thiessen had left early in 1986 to be replaced temporarily by Joey Amenta on guitar and more permanently by Brett Kingman. The band signed with CBS Records in 1986 and released "I Am", which had reached #18 in May, before releasing the album What You Give Is What You Get! which peaked at #11 in November 1986.[1][2] Further singles provided Uncanny X-Men with little chart success, internal tensions occurred so that they disbanded in 1987, although there was a brief reunion during 1998.[1] Kingman, Mannix and Waugh joined with bass guitarist Derek O'Leary to form Dead Legends during 1989, Mannix then pursued a solo career including performing in pub rock bands and in stage plays.[1]
Discography
Albums
| Year | Title | Chart peak position |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [2] |
||
| 1985 | 'Cos Life Hurts | 3 |
| 1986 | What You Give is What You Get! | 19 |
EPs
| Year | Title | Chart peak position |
|---|---|---|
| AUS [2] |
||
| 1982 | 'Salive One[nb 1] | 40 |
| 1984 | Beach Party[nb 1] | 32 |
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart peak position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS [2] |
|||
| 1982 | "Pakistan"[nb 1] | 40 | 'Salive One EP |
| 1983 | "How Do You Get Your Kicks?" | 51 | single-only release |
| "Time Goes So Fast" | 63 | single-only release | |
| 1984 | "Everybody Wants to Work"[nb 1] | 32 | Beach Party EP |
| 1985 | "The Party" | 18 | Cos Life Hurts |
| "50 Years" | 4 | ||
| "Still Waiting" | 43 | ||
| 1986 | "I Am" | 18 | What You Give is What You Get! |
| "Don't Wake Me" | 31 | ||
| 1987 | "Nothing Touches My World" | 97 | |
| "Start Believing" | 63 |
Notes
- ^ a b c d In the Australian Kent Music Report charts, EP records are sometimes listed on the albums charts, as seen for Salive One and hence the single peak chart position for "Pakistan" is the peak position of 'Salive One on the albums charts.[2] Whereas EPs were more often listed on the singles charts, as seen for Beach Party and hence "Everybody Wants to Work" peak chart position is for the EP on the singles charts.[2]
Members
- Chuck Hargreaves — guitar (1981–1987)
- Steve Harrison — bass guitar (1981–1983)
- Brian Mannix — lead vocals (1981–1987)
- Nick Manthandos — drums (1981–1983)
- Ron Thiessen — guitar (1981–1986)
- John Kirk — bass guitar (1983–1987)
- Craig Waugh — drums (1983–1987)
- Joey Amenta — guitar (1986)
- Brett Kingman — guitar (1986–1987)
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Uncanny X-Men'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1864487682.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0646119176. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988.
- ^ a b ""Oz for Africa"". liveaid.free.fr. http://liveaid.free.fr/pages/ozforafrika-uk.html. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
External links
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