| Albums are often called "eagerly
awaited". Mansun have been away a long time, their internet presence
is still really busy with fans pleading for information. I’m standing by my belief
that they are one of the most perfect rock bands that the UK has ever accidentally
produced and that’s the reason. Why write about a band who aren’t doing anything
at the moment, haven’t announced anything? Because so many music fans are doing just
that on a daily basis! Here is just another example - feel free to
disagree... Three completely
different LPs, a seemingly endless supply of excellent original songs and a cult
following. It’s odd a leading music publication describe them as
"arseholes" (definitely not worthy!). Their music has the opposite (if equally
strong) effect on those of us who rate it so highly that Mansun remain a
topic of conversation or internet even when their fans should have defected to the many
"next big things" being presented to them. Thing is, Mansun are
mainly about music and that’s a harder thing to get over than a pretty face, a skinny
body or being Gay Dad & co.
Mansun’s last album, Little Kix,
was as critically un-acclaimed as the band expected and even some fans weren’t keen.
Me and my bezzy mate tho, thought it worthy of praise. Personal taste. Nothing wrong with
division and derision from your fans. Mansun’s are nothing if not
honest!
 Generally though, it seems that groups labelled "indie"
aren’t allowed "non-indie" production. One time I mentioned to Paul
Draper that if Robbie Williams had released Little Kix (or Will
Young for that matter, he has a wide vocal range like Paul) then it would
be acclaimed a polished masterpiece. Not a lone opinion it seems and PD
had also heard that before. Anyway I still listen to and enjoy it. "Until The
Next Life" is one of the best Bond movie themes they never had. Besides, I
have NEVER listened to Mansun and thought "indie" they have
always struck me as potentially one of the greatest and grandest rock bands of all time. I
guess it’s a depth of imagination thing.
Mansun have been up and down recently, not
quite right. Little Kix failed to live up to expectation and the
band’s relationship with their management ended after five years or so, too. They
didn’t exactly leave the public eye with the media begging to do articles on them -
not that the band were doing press anyway. They sort of faded away, low profile, low key
and low morale.
They’re back to looking after things themselves with the
help of their label. The fact that early on they had been courted ridiculously, released a
single on Sci Fi Hi Fi (now Regal), signed to Parlophone and had loads of Radio 1 airplay
by the time that they picked up their management deal means that it would be foolish to
dismiss what Andie, Chad, Stove and Paul are able to
achieve, let alone with help.
They played a short tour in May 002, not bothering with
London as the dates were for fans not media. A chance to hear the new songs and play for
the faithful. The gigs were too short and the band LOOKED like they were in the middle of
working in the studios but the addictive song crafting was still there and gave the packed
out crowds something to look forward to. The band definitely seemed in a more
"up" mood themselves, relaxed even...
People are looking forward to them so much that they are
getting impatient. Rumours and complaints are flying around the net like a migrating
flock. This activity shows no sign of abating as people beg for just the tiniest crumbs of
news. Luckily, it shows signs of being imminent and information is starting to drip
through.
Obviously I’m a fan. Lots of my friends are too.
Strangely enough I met most of them through other bands I like. There is an
interconnectedness between the groups out of media darling favour but intensely popular
with their fans. I think they’re too good to be "cool". "cool" is
so 20th century, darling...
 Mansun are cyberspace stars internationally and have played
to fans in all corners of the globe. While they were causing walk outs at Australian TV
shows, causing riots, being banned from Malaysia and generally living what has become
engraved in music mythology, they were winning a devoted die hard following that has made
every one of their 14 singles a chart hit in the UK. If "arseholes" can do all
this, imagine if their potential and influence gained respect and recognition instead? The
guest book at their site is a united nations of rock and roll fans.
Although the music is the magnet, there’s other factors.
There’s an extended parallel punk universe of Grey Lantern characters, the (mostly!)
lovely "Mansun Family" of fans, James Bond, Winnie The Pooh, Abba, Taoism, The
Bee Gees and more than a few examples of obsession usually reserved for celebrities. These
things are all there but the Mansun phenomenon isn’t about any of
them. It’s a wavelength that certain bands and their fans exist on. Their influence
is audible on quite a few lively bands coming through. My personally favourite band with a
devoted Mansun fan in them is Corporation:Blend who also count Magazine
in their influences and have quite a few Mansun fans in their following.
Influence keeps a band timeless over the decades and Chester's fab four WILL be properly
appreciated over time.
Mansun themselves are down to earth and
really lovely people (definitely not "arseholes" - how low can media go?). Most
of their critics haven’t even met them. It doesn’t seem to matter to us, even
though it’s the longest gap in activity either release and tour wise, or just on
their website and answerphone, that this (prolific) band have taken.
Mansun are one of those bands worth
travelling to see. With a live set that got Hendrix and Zeppelin fans out to their gigs
and a following spanning the spectrum of every type of rock / pop fan going. Mansun
remain one of our musical treasures, justifying the early ungodly scrabble to sign them
and the loyal appreciation to this day. The true story in between sounds like a rock and
roll fabrication.
All the above are reasons that they have a loyal fanbase some
bands would kill Simon Cowell for. 003 sees Mansun back on form and
gearing up for the next wave of their crazy ride. A fresh start. They’ve already got
most of the new LP done and it’s just a case of patiently waiting for news (coming
soon via the site).
 They
recently took time off in Chester to relax and rehearse before returning to the studio
where they are working on their final studio session. Insiders are very excited at their
new material and Mansun are getting themselves TOGETHER for this year - Spring news and
activity imminent.
We need escapism. "Attack Of The Grey
Lantern", "Six" and "Little Kix" were
escapist pop of the most rock and roll kind. Now a(nother) threat of war hangs over Planet
Earth, but in the music universe Planet Water has
a new Mansun album to look forward to this Summer. If the songs they aired last May are
anything to go by, how can Mansun’s next album be awaited anything but eagerly. Music
for the world to end by...
Minxy
x |
welcome to 
WE
WANT MANSUN