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.
Spunk Rock
Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you screw my head into the ground
I know you love me
Like a fox loves the hounds
You make me want to run
And you screw my head into the ground
I know you love me
Like a fox loves the hounds
Your head
Your eyes
Your nose
Your mouth
Your head
Your eyes
Your nose
Your mouth
Your head
Your eyes
The lyrics to Man's song 'Spunk Rock' seem to convey a message of being in a love-hate relationship with someone. The singer feels like they want to run away from the person while feeling unable to leave due to the love they have for them. The line "you screw my head into the ground" demonstrates how this person is mentally manipulating them and causing them to feel trapped. The analogy used in "I know you love me like a fox loves the hounds" paints the picture that the love is predatory and dangerous.
The repetition of body parts in the latter half of the song adds emphasis to the overwhelming presence this person has in the singer's life. The words "your head, your eyes, your nose, your mouth" seem almost possessive, indicating that the singer is consumed by this person's image and identity, unable to let them go. The lyrics overall convey a sense of emotional and physical entrapment, giving the song a powerful and edgy quality.
Line by Line Meaning
You make me want to run
You have such a grip on my emotions that I feel like running away just to escape from you.
And you screw my head into the ground
You mess with my thoughts and feelings in such an intense way that I feel completely overwhelmed and helpless.
I know you love me
Despite everything, I know that you have feelings for me and care about me.
Like a fox loves the hounds
Similar to how a predator loves its prey, you love me in a way that is passionate and intense, but also potentially dangerous.
Your head
I am obsessed with your mind, your thoughts, and the way you think and feel about me.
Your eyes
I am entranced by your gaze and the way you look at me, making me feel vulnerable and exposed.
Your nose
Even your sense of smell makes me feel drawn to you and attached to you in a primal way.
Your mouth
Your words and how you express yourself have a powerful effect on me and keep me wanting more.
Your head
Again, I can't stop thinking about you, and all of the thoughts and emotions you bring up within me.
Your eyes
Your stare and gaze is so intense and consuming that I feel powerless to resist you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLES MICHAEL JONES, DEKE LEONARD, JOHN CLIVE, MARTIN JOHN ACE, TERRY WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Artishealing65
Wow, I was at this concert. I was 18 at the time. That's many moons ago.
A new bf I was seeing at that time took me to this concert. I actually didn't know much about Man or had listened to their music.
But I was liking rock and progressive rock like Rush and Yes.
As far as I can remember I think I enjoyed myself but afterwards I didn't really look more for their music to listen to Which is a mistake on my part.
Recently I read something about the Marquee in London and it brought back the memory that I had been to the Marquee that one time to see this band in May '83. So I came looking for it on YT. And it's like omg, I remember It is So weird seeing this.
I can only remember bits and pieces but I think it was standing room only, there was drinking and I am sure there was smoking.
And I vaguely Remember no shirt guy. Lol
We were standing more at the side of the crowd further back from the stage.
Now seeing this video I can appreciate much more what a brilliant band they are. I will have to listen to more of their work as I haven't done so.
Thanks so much for the upload.
Ian Dewar
Man, Wishbone Ash and Mott the Hoople were a nailed-on guaranteed great gig in the early 70s and saw them all so many times but Man were always my favourites. Not too much footage of the Greasy Trucker period which is when I saw them mainly but this is well up to scratch. So sad we've lost the key players. They were one of those bands, like early Hawkwind, who you felt they were paying for the joy of it rather than just the money so every gig was a genuine experience for them and us. Never bettered and rarely matched. xx
Stephen Smith
Excellent comment which spoke for me too. Another band which played for the joy of it was Osibisa. Golden period for live music. Nobody could call their music joyous but they loved playing nevertheless: Barclay James Harvest. The strangest pairing was Barclay James Harvest as support act to Osibisa at UCW Aberystwyth. Unforgettable including for the bomb scare which we think was done by someone wanting to get in for free at the restart.
Richard Norris
Have seen Man live more times than I can remember..They were awesome every time...R.I.P. Deke and Mickey
Dreaming in Stereo
John Weathers of Gentle Giant .. one of my favorite drummers.. and the best sounding drum kit ever..
NeilThompson30
This is absolutely incredible -
to think they took seven years off and came back sounding this good!
Alan Camelo
What a Superb Band !!!!!! Saw em loads and I think I was at this Gig (always stoned or pissed in the 80's :-) RIP Micky and Deke !!! Also saw their reunion gig at the Putney Half Moon last week and they Were Brilliant !!!!!!!!!! Man lives on !!!!
c661
I love this band, they're the link between prog rock and pub rock. Great stuff.
benonaru
that is exactly right how I feel!
Gareth Bowden
The dog's bollocks. Still brilliant after all these years. Thanks to all the members of all the incarnations of The Manband over the years for all the great memories. Cymru Am Byth
David Eastwood
Damn, this takes me back. Saw Man a number of times back in the mid to late 70s. Still have every vinyl album up through All's Well. Was lucky enough to grab the DVD of this show, and the soundtrack recently. What a band. Micky Jones was one of the finest guitar players ever, and Deke Leonard more than holds his own here. Best Man band combo out of many fine, fine iterations.