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Click on Absolutely 80s and The 80's Brat Pack in our friends list for dates of up & coming gigs featuring Brian Mannix and other great rockers of the 80s at a venue near you.
Uncanny X-Men were formed in 1980/81, first as a 4 piece band featuring Brian Mannix, Ron Thiessen, Nick Matandos and Michael Helms. Chuck Hargreaves later joined them. They fast became a popular live act around Melbournes pubs.
Their first EP Salive One, was recorded live at AAV November 2 1982 with the crowd favourite single Pakistan just two days after they signed contracts with Mushroom Records. After just 3 weeks they had reached number 11 in the Melbourne charts and number 39 nationally.
They toured as a support act with Joan Jett in December 2002 and then released the single How Do You Get Your Kicks in April 2003. Kicks reached number 9 in the Melbourne charts.
The single Time Goes So Fast was released in August 1983.
The Beach Party EP followed, recorded live at the Chevron Hotel in Sydney on June 17 1984. It contained the rebellious hit single Everybody Wants to Work and the band now consisted of Brian, Ron, Chuck, John Kirk and Craig Waugh.
In early 1985 they were doing support gigs for Rod Stewart and then their popularity exploded across the nation with the huge hit singles 50 Years and Party and the album Cos Life Hurts produced by Rick Pinko Sims (aka Skyhooks Red Symons). 50 Years and Cos Life Hurts both went Gold in just 2 weeks and were Double Platinum after 3 months. Regular screenings on Countdown most weekends ensured their popularity around Australia.
The antics of contraversial enigmatic frontman Brian Mannix, he of the tiny lycra pants, furry sporran, bleached mullet and quite possibly the only male to ever front a Cutex make up campaign, ensured the band stayed in the media's spotlight during 1985 and 1986.
With his own newpaper column, various television appearances on shows like The Flying Doctors, Countdown, Blankety Blanks and Hey Hey Its Saturday, magazine covers by the dozen, hotel evictions following wild parties, and arrests for obscene language usage - it was hard to miss Brian or the band during those years.
The album What You Give Is What You Get! was released in 1986. By then Ronnie had departed for a new life in Sydney and had been replaced by Joey Amenta. The album spawned the singles I Am, Start Believing, and my personal favourite Don't Wake Me - with the obligatory pillow case featuring the title for true fans !!
In an era when bands played live pub gigs every week for years, building up their fan bases before raising enough funds or attracting a record company to cut a record, when an appearance on Countdown or a small mention by Ian 'Molly" Meldrum could make or break a career, when the live performace was the key to success, when the charts were filled with dozens of Aussie talents, the X-men were able to break into the charts and dominate for a period in the 80's. At their peak they had the largest fan club membership in the country. Fans were called Xmaniacs and believe me - we were manic.
Everything has a lifespan and by 1987 X-Men had started to fizzle. As band members drifted away, a farewell gig took place at the Armadale Hotel in Melbourne on December 20 1987.
Music life continued for Chuck, who toured with Daryl Braithwaites band thru the 90's, and for Brian, who went on to act, write, release a solo album, produce a musical and currently tours with other aussie idols of the 80's.
This MySpace is run as an offshoot to my fansite at www.UncannyX-Men.com. Both are not official sites and are simply here to promote a favourite band and keep the music alive.
Enjoy Rockchique's gorgeous gig photos featuring Brian Mannix. Click on her photo in "Top Friends" to see other examples of her rock photography.
Would you like to liven up your gig wardrobe with some T Shirts showing your love for the band ? Try the Cafe Press store at http://www.cafepress.com/uncannyxmen. Not just clothes - fabulous coffee mugs and bags and badges galore. Even kids clothes !!
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How I made my profile:
I used Dave & Jay's amazing myspace layout editor ...
