1) Man are a rock band… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) Man are a rock band from South Wales with a cult following. Originally the second incarnation of Welsh rock harmony group The Bystanders, they are a band with 'more history than the Greeks', who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year.
Man's history is full of weird, colourful stories. Some stories include getting arrested in Belgium on both of their visits, brawling with an Icelandic audience, meeting the likes of Tommy Cooper and Bill Graham, their many line-ups, and so on. Man also have connections with bands like the Neutrons, Gentle Giant, Badfinger, Status Quo and Iceberg (Deke's band while he went solo).
The Bystanders had been a pop harmony group in the 1960s, signed to Pye Records and living in London, who had released a few singles to no great success. But with the departure of singer Vic Oakley and the arrival of guitarist Deke Leonard in 1968, the band - Leonard, Micky Jones, Ray Williams, Clive John and Jeff Jones - decided to change their style altogether, moving from pop to West Coast psychedelia, inspired by American bands such as Quicksilver Messenger Service and Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention.
From 1968 up to 1976 they rocked the UK, America and Germany with their gritty progressive rock. They have been hits with many radio DJs, producers, promoters, and John Lennon was (supposedly) a fan of Deke's album, Iceberg. Some of their most popular songs from this era include Spunk Rock, Bananas, Many Are Called But Few Get Up, C'Mon, Daughter of the Fireplace, and Romain.
1974 was probably Man's biggest year commercially. Rhinos, Winos & Lunatics was tipped to be the album which brought them international fame. Certainly, it was the best reproduction so far of their improvisational live format in the studio. They were subsequently joined by Quicksilver Messenger Service guitarist John Cippolina (or "Chippo" as they called him) for a live album, "Maximum Darkness" which featured two old Quicksilver gems, the Buffy Sainte-Marie song "Codeine" and "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You". Of course, they never did become famous, and in 1976, they broke up, swearing never to be "like one of those bands who reformed in a futile attempt to recapture past glories and maybe earn a buck or two along the way".
They reformed in 1983. The band this time was to stay constant until 1996(ish): Micky Jones and Deke Leonard on guitars, Martin Ace on bass, and John Weathers on drums. During this time, they produced more hits, such as "Feather on the Scales of Justice", "Mad On Her", "Wings of Mercury", "Call Down The Moon", and "Heaven and Hell".
Weathers was fired in 1996 and was replaced by returning former drummer Terry Williams, probably the most successful of the band, having served elsewhere in bands such as Dire Straits although this is not held against him (not much, anyway). Terry left the band in 1997 and was replaced by continuing incumbent Bob Richards. Bob's first gig was a welcome back to Deke who had suffered a mild stroke which required some time off the road for recovery.
Former keyboardist Phil Ryan returned in 1998 taking the band back to the classic 5-piece line-up. Phil played a major role in producing 2000's Endangered Species (which ranks amongst the strongest of the band's lengthy discography) but had to withdraw from the band for personal reasons. He was replaced by Gareth Thorrington who continued with the band until 2006 when he joined the list of sackees.
After surviving into the next millennium, Man produced another album, Undrugged which an attempts at an unplugged type album which started off when Terry Williams was in the band and was finalised by some fresh recordings. It's particularly noticeable for some covers, most notably on Brian Wilson's Sail On Sailor and the Ray Charles classic Georgia On My Mind - the lead vocals on both being handled by Micky.
It was during this time that Micky developed a brain tumour and had to take time off for numerous surgeries. Man continued though, and Micky's son George entered the band temporarily. When Micky recovered, he rejoined just as Deke decided to call it a day, so George became a permanent member of the group.
As before, just when you though a period of stability might ensure circumstance, damned circumstance conspired to intervene once again. In 2005, Micky's health deteriorated due to the re-occurrence of a brain tumour and was replaced by Martin Ace's son Josh. To this day, Micky remains in hospital and the chances of him ever being able to perform again are slim. This is a tragedy for an undervalued and underrated master of the guitar.
Meanwhile, Deke plays sporadic gigs with a reformed Iceberg band, which initially comprised of Deke, former Man member Will Youatt, Clive Roberts, and Bob Richards (Bob was still with Man, though). Sadly, Clive Roberts was diagnosed with lung cancer after their first gig, and died soon after. He was replaced by Brian Breeze, who featured in the original seventies Iceberg lineup (Brian has since been replaced by Ray "Taff" Williams - not to be confused with Ray Williams, the original Man bass player, who died in 1993). Deke is also adding to his literary record by working on a third book. His first two books documented the history of the Manband and also Deke's adventures prior to this. They have been the subject of award-winning radio broadcasts, and the rights have been secured with a view to transferring them to the big screen. Unlike Muhammed Ali, though, Deke is unlikely to be able to play his younger self in the resulting movie!
The latest album "Diamonds And Coal" was released in 2006, after which Gareth Thorrington left, and the band continued as a 4-piece. A 40th anniversary tour in 2008, saw the return of Phil Ryan on keyboards.
For 40 years, Man have delighted fans, angered police and rocked the world with their music. The incorporation of the younger generations of Jones' and Aces' might mean they are able to continue for the next forty.
2) MAN ™ is a free two-headed man, each head listening to the other, working as one with the music.
A duo consisting of multi-instrumentalists François Rasim Biyikli (piano, rhodes, melodica, guitars, noises) and Charles-Eric Charrier (acoustic bass, guitar, toys), MAN ™ produces a rare and elegant form of electro acoustic music that touches base with unchartered territories where anything is possible and that baffles all definition : it is unusual and smart, luxurious and special.
MAN ™ shapes climatic variations, invites jazz, repetitive music, pop music.
For the band, it is enough to deem its music to be stamped with freedom.
Website
MySpace Page
MySpace Page
DISCOGRAPHY
EP ^ (Entropic/GCB), 1999
LP ARTHUR (Autotomie/DSA), 2000
Compilation Test One (Nova Records/Wagram), 2001
LP MAIN GAUCHE (Man Music/DSA/Chronowax), 2002
Compilation Acuarela Songs 2 (Acuarela/Wagram), 2002
EP MAN & MOOSE HILL (333discs), 2004
LP HELPING HAND (Man Music/Sub Rosa), 2005
3) Once, the song Teh Gruwelijke Hardcore was played by MAN, which was formed from members of The Fat Men.
The Fat Men official site
DISCOGRAPHY
See The Fat Men.
4)
Man was an Italo Disco Artist with two Singles.
California Silks and Satins
Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rustling in my ear
Clutching softly at my laughter
Touching every tear
Burning slowly
Burning slowly
Somebody said that somebody saw you laughing
California whisky rainbow
Help me get to sleep
Thirteen hundred silver dollars
Steal but never keep
Learning slowly
Learning slowly
Somebody said that somebody saw you laughing
California laws and sunrise
Bend until you break
All the cars are drunk and sleeping
Sleep until you wake
Turning slowly
Turning slowly
Somebody said that somebody saw you laughing
The song "California Silks and Satins" by Man is a beautiful, introspective composition that captures the essence of the Golden State through its lyrics, revealing both the splendor and melancholy aspects of California's mythology. The song reveals how the state's opulence and excess can both inspire and undermine one's sense of self-worth. The opening line "California silks and satins/Rustling in my ear" speaks of the exquisite fabrics, the affluent lifestyle, and the riches of Hollywood that sustain the glamour of California. The line "Clutching softly at my laughter/Touching every tear" represents the emotional pain and struggle that lie beneath the seemingly perfect exterior.
The chorus, "Burning slowly/Burning slowly/Somebody said that somebody saw you laughing" portrays the self-destructive nature of those struggling to fit in with the California lifestyle, trying to keep up with the facade of a perfect life. The allusion to "California whiskey rainbow" symbolises escapism and how people use alcohol to cope with the stresses of a sophisticated society. The line "Thirteen hundred silver dollars/Steal but never keep" serves as a metaphor for California's insatiable desire for wealth and how quickly it can be lost.
The second verse, "California laws and sunrise/Bend until you break/All the cars are drunk and sleeping/Sleep until you wake," represents the frenzied chaos of life in California, where dreams clash with reality. The phrase "turning slowly" at the end of the verse links back to the chorus, reminding us that life in California is a sequence of emotions, where joy and sadness alternate like the tide. Overall, "California Silks and Satins" is a poignant, evocative song that speaks to the complexity of the Californian experience, with all its beauty and complications.
Line by Line Meaning
California silks and satins
The luxurious fabrics of California
Rustling in my ear
Whispering sweet nothings
Clutching softly at my laughter
Accentuating moments of happiness
Touching every tear
Consoling in times of sadness
Burning slowly
Passionately intense emotions
Somebody said that somebody saw you laughing
Rumors of happiness
California whisky rainbow
The colorful illusion of California's nightlife
Help me get to sleep
Providing comfort during insomnia
Thirteen hundred silver dollars
The idea that money can't buy happiness
Steal but never keep
Material possessions cannot satisfy the soul
Learning slowly
Acquiring wisdom gradually
California laws and sunrise
The rigid laws and vibrant mornings of California
Bend until you break
Pushing oneself too hard
All the cars are drunk and sleeping
The excess and slumber of the city
Sleep until you wake
Find peace and rest until the morning comes
Turning slowly
Slow and steady changes
Contributed by Callie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nick Corney
Absolutely love everything by Man. Their music stands listening to again and again and again…
jeffthepoet7
Love this song. Haven't heard this gem in years.
smiley60ish
that chorus is addictive love dekes vocals
Stephen Copping
So underrated one of the best bands to come out of the u.k been listening to these guys since i was 13 and I'm 56 now and still eating bananas .peace to all.
Richard Pollard
43 years , still sounds contemporary
Haeuptling Aberja
How does this song only generate 5 responses, after all these decades?! I feel quite sadly confirmed in the suspicion & disgust I felt toward the business-orchestrated mainstream that I felt as a young lad in the early-mid '70s when I first discovered Man, Gentle Giant, Colosseum, Atomic Rooster, Captain Beyond...and, on the American side, Captain Beefheart, Uncle Frank, Moby Grape and all the rest...how is it even possible that these guys whom I loved so, so much and whose music shaped every song I wrote and/or played, much like the unsung geniuses of jazz, blues and R & B a decade or three previously, could have been so thoroughly relegated to the dustbin of history that my poor sister, God rest her soul and despite an ounce of musical appreciation, seems to have won our epic battle 50 years later?!
Like the funny villain in Princess Bride, my only response is still "Inconceivable!" We really would rather hear Bob Seger singing about his "night moves" 50 million times than even once listening to King Crimson's the Night Watch...even once? I puke on all of it, which is infinitely more aggressive, I realize, than Mr Leonard and his mates in Man would have phrased it, but c'mon, already! Is it really only ourselves that we think we're fooling, or is it "the gods" themselves whose eyes we imagine that we're pulling the wool over with our adoration of shite and our disregard for what was and is good? God rest Eddie Van Halen's soul, but did anyone really think he was better than Steve Morse or Frank Zappa (or literally a hundred other real talents I could name)?
In contradistinction to the overlooked geniuses of that era, we now instead have generations of music fans who think that the overtly commercial, industry-approved, sappy, crap-ass bands like the Eagles, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, Journey and all those other flimsy prostitutes who now crowd the "classic rock airwaves are somehow the best of what was happening back then. And, sure, they have the sales figures to "prove" it, but it's still utter shite by comparison, regardless of what the accountants and the music biz "historians" might say in defense of the indefensible.
Funniest thing to me is that the struggle between me & my sister back then over whose records got played on the old man's righteous, jazz fan's hi-fi (Steppenwolf v the Partridge Family) turned out to be the same battle I've been losing ever since 1972. Stupid songs for stupid people will always reign supreme, and genius stuff will always get under their skin. That is the real "human condition," whether it's life, art or politics.
Jeffrey Edwards
I agree with a lot of what you say, but if everybody liked the same thing, what a boring world it would be.
daunrussell
Though I'll admit to liking a couple of early Heart albums and a bit of Fleetwood Mac, I couldn't agree with you more. As far as I'm concerned, they recorded some of the finest albums of the 70s, and when Deke and Micky were fronting the band there was absolutely nobody who could come close - such contrasting yet perfectly complementary styles of playing. I was lucky enough to see them a number of times and they were always absolutely exhilarating.
Peter Jones
A fantastic song on a great album.
smart search
another of those songs that managed to evade me until 2021, welcome to the party