BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS
Description: Band, Australia
Known For: The band`s debut album, `Cos Life Hurts
Music Styles: Pop/rock
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
CONTACT DETAILS
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BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE
Uncanny X-Men
An Australian band.
From Melbourne the band formed in 1980-81 and disbanded in 1987
Uncanny X-Men are a pop/rock band which formed in Melbourne in 1981, and temporarily disbanded in 1987. They are 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. John Kirk replaced Harrison and Craig Waugh replaced Manthandos by 1984.
The band’s debut album, ‘Cos Life Hurts, peaked at No. 2 on the Australian Kent Music Report in 1985, and included their highest charting single “50 Years” which reached No. 6 on the singles chart. 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 No. 11, it included the Top 20 hit single “I Am”. After disbanding in 1987 there was a brief reunion during 1998. In March 2011, the band played three gigs with Tim Rosewarne (guest keyboards); The Chelsea Heights Hotel (17 March 2011), Trak Live Lounge Bar, Toorak Melbourne (18 March 2011) and the V8 Supercar Clipsal 500 event in South Australia (19 March 2011). The band played a new original song, ‘Take it from Me’, for its encore performance at the Chelsea Heights Hotel. In March 2011, the band re-entered the studio to record a number of new original songs.
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.
John Kirk replaced Harrison and Craig Waugh replaced Manthandos by 1984.
Mannix became known for his mischievous and comical send-ups of other artists.
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.
They toured Australia in support of US rock act Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
Early in 1983, Harrison was replaced on bass by John Kirk, and they released their single, “How Do You Get Your Kicks?” in March.
Craig Waugh replaced Manthandos on drums and they released another single “Time Goes So Fast”.
They toured through 1984 and released an EP, Beach Party, in July which included the single, “Everybody Wants to Work”.
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.
Further singles provided Uncanny X-Men with little chart success, internal tensions occurred so that they disbanded in 1987.
Mannix then pursued a solo career including performing in pub rock bands and in stage plays.
Members include:
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)