http://mansun.force9.co.uk/nonframes.htm
This
news page is updated every week. Check back to Mansun Heaven reguarly
to get the latest information.
Latest News 10/10/98
1 Back Online!
After 3 weeks absence I'm finally back on
the web, so theres quite a bit of news. If anyone knows any news I haven't
mentioned here, please e-mail me at sam.garnham@bigfoot.com, as I've not
had access to all my usual sources of news for a little while. The site
should be back to normal within a few days. Right, on with what you want
to read...
2 Negative EP details emerge
The next track to be released from 'SIX' is
to be Negative, on their tenth EP, on the 26th of October. Likely to have
six b-sides over three formats including a live version of 'Take It Easy
Chicken' on the 7" vinyl. Other tracks pencilled in at the time of writing
are: 'I get what I deserve', a Prince influenced track relying heavily
of drum & bass (e.g. Andie & Stove) samples; 'King of Beauty',
a song of contrasting mellow verses and powerful choruses; 'When the wind
blows', a ballad originally considered for the A-side.
Although the ansaphone seems to no be turned
off whilst the october tour takes place, I should have more information
direct from the band when I see them next week, so check back reguarly
to get the latest information.
2 Mansun apologise (twice!)
Mansun apologised to their fans recently after
a bad week for the fans. Firstly the fan mail was being bounced back
by Royal Mail, with the curious message that the addressee had ceased to
exist. Apparently the band were completely uninvolved in this development,
and the blame rests wholly with the postal service. Do continue to send
mail (send c/o Dark Mavis to PO Box 72 Liverpool L69 1YG) as the problem
has been fixed (apparently :-)
Secondly, and even more importantly, the
after-show parties on the October tour have had to be cancelled, due to
some of the venues imposing an 11pm curfew. The band have promised to make
it up to the fans who showed interest. On a more positive note, the October
tour sees the return of official merchandising: t-shirts, posters, etc.
3 Overseas touring
From the official webpage: Mansun will
visit the US in November and there is a possible Hong Kong gig in early
1999 along with a US and Japanese tour, all dates are being booked at present
but you will be first to know of confirmed dates. The European dates (which
caused havoc with the UK tour dates, see below) are as follows:
| 26 Oct |
Dusseldorf, Tor |
| 27 Oct |
Frankfurt, Batschkapp |
| 28 Oct |
Munchen, Babylon |
| 30 Oct |
Barcelona, Bikini/Apollo |
| 31 Oct |
Bilbao, Kate Anziokia |
| 2 Nov |
Lisbon, Colloseum |
| 3 Nov |
Madrid, Caracol |
| 5 Nov |
Milan, Rolling Stone |
| 6 Nov |
Rimini, Velvet |
| 7 Nov |
Pordenone, Velvet |
| 8 Nov |
Amsterdam, Paradiso |
Apart from the 'Velvet' gigs, all are
supporting Manic Street Preachers.
5 More support acts announced
Completing my list (see below) of unsigned
bands supporting on the October tour, there are: 'Ten Acre', 'Shifty',
'Phonic', 'The Lavender Hill Mob', leaving only the support for Torquay
to be announced. The main (signed band) support every night is 'Gay Dad'.
Latest News 18/9/98
1 October tour dates
change
After accepting the support slot on the Manic
Street Preachers European tour beginning late October, Mansun have had
to re-schedule some of the October dates. The changes are:
|
VENUE
|
WAS
|
NOW
|
Chester Northgate
Kings Lynn Corn Exchange
Margate Winter Gardens
Guilford Civic
Brighton Event
Oxford Brookes University
Torquay Riviera |
30/10/98
31/10/98
28/10/98
27/10/98
26/10/98
1/11/98
2/11/98
|
18/12/98
23/01/99
24/01/99
26/01/99
27/01/99
28/01/99
TBC
|
Tickets are still valid for the new dates,
or refunds can be obtained - phone 01244 675 442 for more information.
If you would like to meet up with other fans at any of the gigs, send a
list of the gigs with your name to GSOH2000@AOL.COM.
Then your name will be added to the growing list at http://members.aol.com/vegas0079/list/list.htm.
2 Support acts announced
Mansun will be supported on all dates by 'Kai-Dad'
or a similar sounding band on the 'October' tour. Their search for unsigned
bands to fill the second support slot was so successful they've managed
to get a different one for every gig. The unsigned bands are:
|
Casino
Further
Albeit
Benson
Deles
|
Transfusion
Stumble
Bee Captures
Spirit Age
Shifty
|
Prey House
Anti Mabel
Genies
Other
Sugar Free
|
Charlie
Pull
Restricted Area
Plasticene
Electroscope
|
plus four more TBA. The Gigs
section of Mansun Heaven will soon be updated to include some reviews of
recent gigs plus preperation for the 'October' tour.
Latest News 17/9/98
1 Apologies
Firstly I'ld like to apologise that during
last week, a busy week for Mansun, I have neglected to post up any news,
but I've had my excuses. One of them is I've set up The
Unofficial · SIX · Website, a homage to
the greatest album this decade (in my humble opinion)! So please visit
it, and tell us what you think. Alright, apologies out of the way, heres
what's happened in the last week in the world of Mansun.
2
Mega-Mansun
Mansun played short live sets in Virgin Megastores
around the country as planned, and took part in mammoth signing sessions
afterwards. As entry for the gigs was with a ticket won on an internet
based competition, many friends of mine were able to go - see the pic (left).
At the London gig a powerful prematurely ended there last song 'Six', so
they left Andie to go mad 'animal' style as an alternative finale. Andie
even invited a couple of the fans to go have a drink with the band, which
naturally they did. It is truly amasing how fan-dedicated this band is.
3 Six @ Six, & Devoto back for more?
Mansun's new album, 'Six', spookily entered
the UK chart at number six, after mixed reviews in the press (available
on The Unofficial · SIX
· Website). Positively, Draper has repeatadly been hailed
a genius, plus: "Six is a monumental benchmark in the post-britpop vacuum",
"an overwhelming opus of fine music", "a quality selection of new material...
oozing creativity and confidence", "one is almost tempted to dub this the
Sergent Pepper of Britpop". The influential NME again slated the band
(probably hindering it's chart position) though Paul Draper would hardly
be surprised, as a brilliant interview/article in The Guardian recently
revealed (read it and more in the Members section).
The article includes extracts from the first interview with Devoto in years,
and hints at further collaboration with the ex-Buzzcock.
4 Witness To Murder (part one?)
A recent article in Uncut magazine (coming
soon to the Members section too) reveals that
part one of "Witness To Murder" is lined up for their next release. (Part
Two was the operatic interlude on Six). The next release is to be lead
by 'Negative', and details of other b-sides are sure to emerge as soon
as the post-Six hubbub has died down, so keep listening!
5 Mansun to tour US in January
Mansun plan to tour the US in four
months time, around the release of 'Six' in America. These details are
yet to be officially confirmed mind you, so don't take my word as gospel.
Latest News 4/9/98
1 'Six' release imminent!
Mansun's new album titled 'Six' is due for
world release (except Japan) in just three days time. As well as the usual
CD, the album will be available on double gatefold vinyl and cassette.
The cassette will be available at a special reduced price of £4.99
for a limited time. Copies bought from independent stores will include
a free poster (while stocks last). The album will have a hard job to equal
the commercial success of 'Attack Of The Grey Lantern' in Britain, which
knocked label-mates 'Blur' of the number one spot in it's first week of
release. The odd bad review has not deterred the band though, who say they
cared more about creating a piece of art than something as chart-friendly
as their debut.
'Six' was released a week earlier in Japan,
and I'll pass on the chart position there when/if I can get it. The 22-page
booklet included is apparently very nice, with full lyrics to all songs
and lots of pictures. The japanese version included bonus track 'I Care',
b-side on the UK release of the 'Being A Girl' EP, pucshing the CD to its
physical limit of 74 minutes.
2 Chad's nephew sings on hidden track
On the UK 'Six' album, after the last track
(Being A Girl) finishes, there is a few seconds of poetry read by none
other than Chad's own nephew. It's the first verse of 'Buckingham Palace',
from AA Milne's 'When We Were Very Young'. The album title is in part a
reference to another AA Milne book, 'Now We Are Six', and the song 'Shotgun'
is hugely influenced by the book 'The Tao of Pooh', which explains Taoism
through Winnie The Pooh (AA Milne's most famous character). So it's all
linked. The album cover features 14 books, all of which at least partly
related to the album's content, a testament to the increasing influence
of Chad, who has rekindled an avid interest in philosophy.
Latest News 2/9/98
1 The 'Chester Boys' storm Reading
Mansun played a blinding set at Reading from
all recent reports, much more energetic than Glastonbury, including new
material which went down well with the crowds. It was preceeded by a mammoth
signing session, throughout which Chad spent the whole time with his legs
up showing off a present a friend of mine gave him on the preceeding warm-up
tour (see picture). The small tour had mixed success: from the disastor
of Newport (a gig bugged by a boring audience, Paul in a bad mood and a
bad set-up turning everything into dirty feedback) to the truly fantastic
Shrewsbury performance (the venue was shit so the crowd just all stormed
onto the stage and received a blinding performance a few inches away from
their heroes). Full reviews coming to the Gigs page shortly.
2 Mansun speak
With the release of the new album dawning
(except for the lucky Japanese who already have it), Mansun have hurridly
been doing lots of interviews all over the place (in fact Paul flies out
to Amsterdam tonight). Paul has said about the new album, "When we came
off tour last year we really wanted to make a more powerful and a more
live album than the first one..." whilst Chad (who covered 'The Guitar
Magazine' 8/12) quipped "It's not just 13 verse/chorus songs which happen
to make up an album. We wanted Six to be a piece, a real work, something
artistic. I know it's not a very fashionable way to make a record and maybe
we'll be critcised, but we didn't want to do what evryone else does."
Reviews have no yet been overly complimentary (the press are more concerned
about ridicule than Mansun themselves) , although the high musical talent
has inspired words such as "a heroically abitious guitar record"
and "The've fashioned an album which is truly astonishing." But
do you like it?
If the answers you read aren't to the question
you want asked, why not ask the band yourself? If you've only got the odd
thing to say, send me the question and I'll ask them next time I speak
to them, or alternativelly chat on-line with them at the forthcoming chat
on the NME site: 3-5 pm on September 9th (not 1-3pm as originally planned).
If you'ld rather get more personal, you could try writing to them at 'PO
Box 72, Liverpool L69 1YG' or leave a message on the ansaphone at 01244
675442.
Latest News 31/8/98
1 Being A Girl charts disappointingly
After their previous three chart entries (15,
10 & 7), Mansun could not be blamed for expecting another top ten hit.
However the sales for the first week were disappointing, with many people
obviously spending their money instead on the Manic's first number one.
'Being A Girl' charted at the ominous number 13 position, hopefully not
a superstitious warning for the band, who release their new album in two
weeks. 'Six' has acheived mixed reviews: 'The Guitar Magazine' (which Chad
covered this month) love it, whilst 'FHM' (which interviewed Paul last
week) hate it. 'NME' and 'Melody Maker' are yet to comment, and strangely,
both neglected to review 'Being A Girl' despite interviews with the band
about the future.
2 Mansun back on Radio 1 again
After Radio 1 (& especially Steve Lamacq)
playing one of the concerts on the March tour, an exclusive set at Maida
Vale Studios last month and previewing tracks from 'Six' this week, Mansun
are to appear on the 'Evening Session' this Wednesday night (September
3rd). It is not likely that they will be playing anything, but I advise
everyone to listen nonetheless!
3 Mansun to chat on the web
After the success (sic) of the previous web-chat,
Mansun are to again answer fan's question on the NME
site next week, two days after the release of their new album, September
9th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The same evening they will do an in-store
gig at Birmingham Virgin Megastore, one of four in a week. All tickets
for such appearances were won on a competition on the web, though entrants
are still to be notified if they have won!
Latest News 27/8/98
1 Hear bits from the new album 'Six' before
it's release!
From one week prior to release (Monday 31
August) you will be able to hear two minutes of the new album as a taster,
exclusively on Mansun Heaven. The tracks will be 'Six' and 'Special/Blown
It (Delete As Appropriate)' and will be available from the Downloads section
of http://come.to/mansun.heaven
in RealAudio format. There is also available a montage of clips from the
live versions of other tracks from the new album.
Latest News 24/8/98
Mansun released another EP today, over three
formats: CD1 with bonus tracks 'Hideout' (exclusively revealed on Mansun
Heaven as being based on lyrics by Stove) and 'Railings' (wrote by Howard
Devoto, the ex-Buzzcock sings duet with Paul on this never released before
track). CD2 has 'I Care' and 'Been Here Before' as bonus tracks, the second
originally planned for earlier release (as was Railings). The cassette
was of disappointing sound quality (poor quality tape), but featured two
more bonus tracks: a remix of 'Wide Open Space' and an acoustic version
of 'Mansuns Only Love Song'. Mansun are going for their third top ten in
a row, after the previous two EPs charted at numbers 10 & 7 in the
UK.
2 Overseas touring plans emerge
The official Mansun web-site revealed recently
that the band plans to tour outside of the UK after the 'Six' tour. This
will begin with Japan, where their gig at 'Air Club East' on 18th of September
(as revealed on this site 3 weeks ago) has already sold out. Due to popular
demand, the band will play a second set on 19th of September at the Tokyo
Liquid Room 'Snoozer Night'. No tickets are available for this gig, admission
being granted to the first arrivals.
The band then fly back to do an extensive
European tour with the Manic Street Preachers (whose single & album
release dates nearly coincide with Mansun's own). The dates will cover
France, Germany, Holland, Italy and Spain. Plans to tour the US next year
are yet to be revealed, but I'll keep you posted.
3 Virgin Megastore competition now closed
The competition to see in-store gigs at Virgin
Megastores in Septemeber has now closed. Whether the winners will be informed
in time is another matter; NME
say Parlophone is handling, whilst Parlophone insists the matter recides
in the hands of the music weekly.
4 Mansun love this site!
Alright, perhaps this is boasting rather than
news, but hey. Paul Draper said, 'Sam, I go to Mansun Heaven regularly
and I think its a brilliant site, better than our official one. Keep up
the good work, it is appreciated very much', whilst Stove King added, 'Well
done on the Web Site!!!!! I think it's a comprehensive page and I've learned
stuff that even I didn't know!' On the 'MANSUN SOUND OFF' part of the official
mansun site (where the band leave messages reguarly) they also complimented
the newly formed Taxlo$$ Webring,
of which this site was the founder member. They are seeing to it that the
official site gets added, which is very kind. (To browse aroung the ring,
click the links under the logo at the bottom of the 'Home page' of each
member site.)
Latest News 21/8/98
1 More details of Six emerge
I
can now confirm that my earlier revelations about the artwork for the covers
of Mansun's forthcoming releases were correct, and I have this (unfortunatley
small) picture of the Six cover (right). I've also added a review of the
tracks on Six to the Discography,
thanks to EGGSHAPEDFRED for that.
I can also reveal that the album will be available on double vinyl, CD
and cassette, and material from the album will be played throughout the
preceeding week at clubs around the country (more info).
2 Set list for October tour takes shape
Mansun plan to include a lot of tracks from
Six in their October
tour, and the band have decided to include the following tracks: Six,
Negative, Shotgun, Cancer, Television, Legacy, Being a Girl. Old crowd
pleasers such as Stripper Vicar and Wide Open Space are sure to appear,
though any other tracks are yet to be finalised. Details are likely to
change though, as the band do a short warm-up tour soon where they can
try out tracks, and there is still a long time until the October
tour starts.
3 Being A Girl video arrives
The video for the bands next single, Being
A Girl, has been released, and is being shown on MTV, the cable and
satellite music channel. It features some teenage male's wearing very little
and getting fit. This culminates in them trying to pull one guys shorts
down and a boxing fight. As is becoming increasingly common, the band are
not in their own video, but they plan to feature in the next one, which
will probably be 'Negative'.
Latest News 13/8/98
1 Win tickets to see Mansun Live, in a Virgin
Megastore!
Mansun will be playing live sets just after
the release of their new album in three
Virgin Megastores: Chester, Glasgow, Birmingham & London Oxford Street.
Tickets are extremely limited, (all will be gone within two days) and can
only be obtained from the NME
website. The love/hate relationship with NME continues: in their latest
issue they have again broken the unspoken law and printed dates for the
forthcoming fans-only details-only-available-on-ansaphone august tour.
2 Mansun play new material on Radio 1
Two weeks ago (I forgot to mention it!) Mansun
did, as planned play Being A Girl live on
Radio 1 from Maida Vale Studios in London. They also played three more
tracks from the new album: Legacy, Negative
& Shotgun. Listeners were allowed to vote for their favourite Mansun
songs, and the ten most popular tracks announced on the show. The list
included two b-sides, Drastic Sturgeon and Everyone Must Win, plus the
amasing Chad Who Loved Me. The most popular choice was, predictably, Wide
Open Space, which the band played well along with the other tracks, despite
all suffering from lack of sleep and jet-lag.
Latest News 8/8/98
1 Mansun back in Japan in one month's time
After their recent short trip to Japan, the
band will be returning on the 18th of September to do one gig at the 'Air
club' in Tokyo. This will be followed by a signing session at the HMV,
and it's also possible the band could be returning in early 1999 to tour.
After a heavy year of touring in the UK, next year the band are expected
to concentrate more on their overseas interests, including the US.
2 Stove talks to Mansun Heaven
I interviewed Mansun's skimpy-T-shirted-bass-player-come-song-writer
recently, for this web site, and asked him about their recent tour and
plans for the future. He answered some questions posed by visitors to this
site in the past, and if you would like me to ask him anything next time
I speak to him, leave a question here.
Read the transcript of the interview
in the Members section.
3 Possible artwork for 'Being A Girl' and
'Six' revealed
Apparently (though currently unconfirmed)
the artwork for the next two Mansun releases are as follows: Being
A Girl, the next single, is a pop-art influenced cover using the four
members faces and Six, the next album,
has a gothic painting of Paul Draper wearing a Phantom of the Opera mask.
The cover for Six is (apparently) quite
intricate, and within the setting of a library, features include 'Tom Baker'
who did a monologue for the album track Witness To A Murder, and
a lion! It is also unconfirmed whether the rumour that a special limited
edition of the album in different packaging will be available (as the tin
was for AOTGL), and I will give you more information as soon as
I have it. Being A Girl is released on the
24th of August, and Six on the 8th of
September.
Latest News 2/8/98
1 Pirate copies of next album available
Mansun's next album, Six,
due for release in 5 weeks time, has already appeared for sale illegally,
on recordable CD. Luckily for the band, only a few copies seem to
be in existence at the present time, but more may appear in the future,
presenting the possibility that some copies bought will neither make money
for the band nor help it's chart position. The CD apparently has a white
cover with the track-listing on the front over two logos: 'Mansun' and
'SIX'.
2 Dates for August tour change, and have nearly
sold-out in one week!
All the latest details for the imminent warm-up
tour for the band's appearance on the main stage at Reading can be found
by phoning the Mansun ansaphone on 01244 675442. The 'tour' now
only includes a handful of venues, maybe influenced by the release of the
next single at the same time.
Read News for April
1998 - July 1998. Includes: Mansun chat on the net, Legacy EP released,
Mansun set up a Dark Database, The Ansaphone.