Uncanny X-Men

Uncanny X-Men formed in Melbourne as a guitar pop band in 1981 and worked the pub rock circuit. 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. 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". "The Party" was released as a single in March 1985 and peaked at #17 on the Kent Music Report. The related debut album 'Cos Life Hurts was released and peaked at #2 in June and its next single "50 Years" peaked at #6. 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. It was broadcast in Australia (on both Seven Network and Nine Network) and on MTV in the US. A third single "Still Waiting" from their debut album was released in August. 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 "Children", which had reached #10 in May, before releasing the album What You Give Is What You Get! which peaked at #11 in November 1986. 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. 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.