Disco Nation 45

Bis ( ) (stylised as bis) are a Scottish indie pop band composed of Steven Clark (Sci-Fi Steven), John Clark (John Disco), and Amanda MacKinnon (Manda Rin), formed in 1994. The band's name, rhyming with 'this', derives from "black iron skyline", a lyric from the song "Twilight of a Champion" by The The. After releasing numerous cult EPs and three studio albums (1997's ''The New Transistor Heroes'', 1999's ''Social Dancing'', and 2001's '' Return To Central'') the band broke up in 2003, but re-formed briefly in 2007 for a series of concerts. In 2009 they once again re-formed (adding a bass player and a drummer to the band lineup) and released the album ''data Panik etcetera'' in 2014. The album ''Slight Disconnects'' was released in February 2019 with the band lineup returning to the original core three-piece. An archival album, ''Music For Animations'', consisting of music recorded in 2004 for CBBC kids TV show ''BB3B'', was released in 2020. In 2021 the band self-released a cassette-only live album entitled ''The Fan Club Tapes Vol. 1 - Live In Toulouse 1997'' (their second self-released live album after ''Play Some Real Songs'' in 2001). ''Low Level (A Return To Central Travel Companion)'' - a CD consisting of previously unreleased material recorded during the ''Return To Central'' sessions - was also released in 2021. In October 2022 ''Systems Music For Home Defence'' was released, which Sci-Fi Steven has described as the band's "rave" album.

History

1994–1997: Formation and early history

The three musicians formed Bis in late 1994 while Rin and Disco were in secondary school, Woodfarm High School, and Steven who had recently finished there. After releasing their first singles ''Transmissions On The Teen-C Tip!'' and ''Disco Nation 45'' the following year, they appeared on BBC Television's ''Top of the Pops'' in 1996 performing "Kandy Pop" from their ''The Secret Vampire Soundtrack'' EP ahead of its release. Additionally in 1996 Steven contributed drums and keyboards to post-rock band Ganger’s 12" EP ''Half Nelson''.

Bis were the first unsigned band ever on Top of the Pops. Kandy Pop came 49th in a reader poll of the 50 Greatest Britpop Songs Ever (https://www.nme.com/photos/50-greatest-britpop-songs-ever-as-voted-by-you-1434108)

Bis released a number of EPs (''The Secret Vampire Soundtrack'', '' Bis vs. The D.I.Y Corps'', ''Atom-Powered Action!'' and ''This Is Teen-C Power!''), three of which entered the UK Singles Chart in 1996, followed by several singles between 1997 and 1999. They contributed a song to the Gary Numan tribute album ''Random'' in 1997. Two of the band's early releases (''Disco Nation 45'' and ''The Secret Vampire Soundtrack'') were on Glasgow's Chemikal Underground label, run by the Delgados, and the band released one EP (''Bis Vs. The D.I.Y Corps'') on their own Teen-C Recordings label, before they transferred to Wiiija where labelmates included Cornershop. In the United States, their records appeared on the underground label K Records, and on the Beastie Boys' Grand Royal label. They toured extensively both in the UK and abroad, their diverse influences reflected in the kinds of acts they appeared with; Foo Fighters, Garbage, Luscious Jackson, Gary Numan, and Pavement amongst them. The group became a favourite of the likes of Blur, John Peel and Green Day, despite a particularly hostile review by Steven Wells in the ''New Musical Express'' entitled "The Sinking of the Bis Lark".

The Teen-C Revolution

Sleeve artwork for the band's early releases featured a consistent " cut’n’paste" visual aesthetic and typewritten text in line with the band's interests in zine culture, DIY and punk. The band produced the fanzines ''Funky Spunk'' and ''Paper Bullets'' and advertised these in record liner notes. Manda Rin's manga-influenced artwork adorned early record sleeves contributing to a defiantly " twee" and self-consciously "cute" aesthetic. Lyrical content frequently covered juvenile or lowbrow topics (such as candy, vampires, 80s cinema, disco and school) as well as more overtly political subject matter with songs addressing feminism, body image, cynicism towards the music industry, homophobia and the experience of the outsider. The band was heavily influenced by the approach of cult punk band The Nation Of Ulysses. Liner notes often made reference to "The Teen-C Tip" and outlined the band's vision for a "Teen-C Revolution" involving various factions in the Bis canon such as the "Disco Nation", "Secret Vampires", "Atom-Powered Action Gang", "Icky-Poo Air Raiderz", "Sweet Shop Avengerz", "New Transistor Heroes" and the "D.I.Y Corps". The Teen-C Revolution (and its adherents, the "Teen-C Nation") effectively advocated for self-empowerment, independence and perpetual adolescence (as well as the right to enjoy both disco and punk) - in part it was an embrace of "deceptively dangerous" cuteness, the positive energy of youthful exuberance, a knee-jerk rejection of enforced maturity and the dour responsibilities of adulthood, and a rallying cry against blandness, normality and " yr geetarawk".

Songs that directly mention Teen-C include "Teen-C Power", "Team Theme", "Tell It To The Kids", "Sweet Shop Avengerz", "Rebel Soul", "Ninja Hi Skool" and "Cliquesuck".

1997–2003: Rise to fame and breakup

From 1997 to 2001, Bis released three mainstream albums: ''The New Transistor Heroes'' (1997), ''Social Dancing'' (1999), and '' Return to Central'' (2001). A compilation of non-album tracks entitled ''Intendo'' was released in 1998. That same year Manda Rin contributed vocals to the J Church album ''Cat Food''. The band enjoyed a period of success in Japan, selling nearly 100,000 copies of their debut album in its first week of release, but future releases failed to match its success in Japan. The single "Eurodisco", from ''Social Dancing'', became a minor success for the band in Australia as well as the UK. Their single "Detour" was also given some radio airplay in the U.S. and was included in the 2000 film ''Bring It On''. The six-track EP ''Music For A Stranger World'' was released in 2000 and featured increasing electronic elements which would later become more prominent on ''Return To Central''. Also in 2000 Sci-Fi Steven (adopting the pseudonym "Marco Stiletto") formed the duo Italian Electro with partner "Angelino Vampyro" - Catmobile Records released their sole output (the track "Don’t Come Back Alone") that year on a split 7" with Kumari.

Bis gained some American popularity in 1998, when they recorded the closing credits theme to the animated series ''The Powerpuff Girls''. They also did a punk version of the theme for 2002's ''The Powerpuff Girls Movie''. The four-song EP ''Fukd I.D. #5'' was released in 2001 through Chemikal Underground. Bis contributed a remix of their song "Statement of Intent" to the 2002 game ''Jet Set Radio Future''. The four-song 12" EP ''Fact 2002'' paying tribute to Factory Records was released in 2002 through Optimo Singles Club and featured cover versions of Joy Division, New Order, A Certain Ratio and Section 25. The band broke up in March 2003, after playing a farewell show at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut.

2003–2009: Solo projects

The band members remained active in the local music scene. Steven and John Disco produced music together as the duo Dirty Hospital (releasing multiple 12"s on their own label Rottenrow Records) and Rin acted as a DJ. Disco (with Ally Christie) formed Kempston, Protek & Fuller who released the 12" ''Fukd I.D. #8 - 12k Boost Boost'' in 2003 on Chemikal Underground. Rin was also in a duo called The Kitchen with Ryan Seagrist of Discount (debut album ''Foreign Objects'' released on Damaged Goods in 2004), whilst Disco joined the ska band, The Amphetameanies, which included members of Belle & Sebastian, Franz Ferdinand and Pink Kross. Also in 2004 Rin contributed vocals to the album ''I Met The Music'' by Meister.

In 2005, the band announced on the official Bis website that together they had formed a new band called data Panik, with Stuart Memo on bass and drummer Graham Christie. After releasing two 7" singles, however, this band split up. Also in 2005, Bis performed in animated form on the CBBC children's cartoon ''BB3B''.

As of 2006 Rin was working on solo material. In 2007 she teamed up with the Scottish electro-pop outfit, Juno!, and has collaborated on their independently released singles, "Smoke & Mirrors" and "These Boys Are Athletes", as well as regularly appearing live with the band, most recently at the Rock Ness 2008 Festival.

To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the release of their debut album ''The New Transistor Heroes'', Bis reformed in April 2007 for three shows in Glasgow, Manchester, and London. A greatest hits compilation, titled '' We Are Bis from Glasgow, Scotland'', was released on compact disc to coincide with these shows.

In August 2008, Rin released the solo single "DNA", which she followed up with the release of her debut album, ''My DNA'' with This Is Fake DIY in September 2008.

In 2009, Disco (using the moniker John Hospital) released a digital-only solo EP ''The Truant'' on Pest Control Records.

2009–2017: Reunion and fourth album

In November 2009, Rin announced that the band would reform to play at the Primavera Festival in May 2010, returning this time with a bassist and drummer, former data Panik members, Stuart Memo and Graham Christie, respectively.

Rin made two guest appearances on the BBC music quiz programme ''Never Mind the Buzzcocks'' (on 18 November 2010 and 19 January 2011). She also teamed up with Hyperbubble on a track for their 2011 album ''Drastic Cinematic''. Rin would go on to work with Hyperbubble again on the 2013 EP ''Hyperbubble + Manda Rin''. Around 2011 John Disco began releasing solo electronic material under the moniker Debukas, with his debut solo LP ''I Am Machinery'' appearing in 2013 on the label 20:20 Vision.

In 2013 Rin contributed lead vocals to the track "Crack On, Have A Booze" which appeared on the album ''Why Do Birds Suddenly Appear'' by punk rock/oi! band Hard Skin.

In February 2014, Bis announced they would release their fourth album, ''data Panik etcetera'', on 15 May on Rough Trade Records. The album was made available for streaming at NME on 28 April.

The same year, the band's first three albums were re-released as double CD deluxe editions by the Do Yourself In label.

Circa 2014, Rin provided the artwork for an iPhone game called "All Fridges Are Psychotic".

In 2015 Sci-Fi Steven began releasing solo material under the moniker Batteries with Do Yourself In Records releasing the self-titled debut album ''Batteries'' in 2015 and sophomore album ''The Finishing Line'' in 2016.

2017–present: Fifth album and beyond

In October 2017, the band announced that they were working on their fifth album. ''Slight Disconnects'' was released in February 2019 on Last Night From Glasgow. They also returned to a three piece with only Manda, John and Steven being in the lineup.

In 2020 Last Night From Glasgow released ''Music For Animations'', an archival album consisting of the music recorded for the CBBC kids cartoon ''BB3B''.

In 2021 the band self-released a cassette-only live album ''The Fan Club Tapes Vol. 1 - Live In Toulouse 1997'' and Komponist released ''Low Level (A Return To Central Travel Companion)'' - a collection of previously unreleased material recorded parallel to ''Return To Central''.

In October 2022 the album ''Systems Music For Home Defence'' was released on Last Night From Glasgow.

Members

*Manda Rin – vocals, keyboards, drums (1994–2003; 2007; 2009–present)
*Sci-Fi Steven – vocals, guitar, keyboards (1994–2003; 2007; 2009–present)
*John Disco – vocals, guitar, bass guitar (1994–2003; 2007; 2009–present)
*Stuart Memo – bass guitar (2009–2014)
*Graham Christie – drums (2009–2014)

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

*''Play Some Real Songs: A Bis Live CD'' (2001, only sold through the Bis website)
* ''The Fan Club Tapes Vol. 1 - Live In Toulouse 1997'' (2021, self-released, cassette only, limited to 100 copies)

Compilation albums

*''Icky-Poo Air Raid'' (1997, Rock)
*''Intendo'' (1998, Grand Royal)
*''I Love Bis'' (2001, Micro Inc.)
*''Plastique Nouveau'' (2002, spinART)
*''We Are Bis from Glasgow, Scotland'' (2007, Cherry Red)
*''The Anthology - 20 Years of Antiseptic Poetry'' (2014, Do Yourself In Records)
* ''Low Level (A Return To Central Travel Companion)'' (2021, Komponist)

Soundtrack albums

*''Music For Animations'' (2020, Last Night From Glasgow)

Extended plays

*''Transmissions on the Teen-C Tip!'' (1995, Acuarela)
*''Disco Nation 45'' (1995, Chemikal Underground)
*''The Secret Vampire Soundtrack'' (1996, Chemikal Underground) UK No. 25, SCO No. 16
*'' Bis vs. the D.I.Y. Corps'' (1996, teen-c recordings) UK No. 45, SCO No. 47
*''Atom-Powered Action!'' (1996, Wiiija) UK No. 54, SCO No. 29
*''This Is Teen-C Power!'' (1996, Grand Royal)
*''Techno Disco Lovers'' (1998, V2 & PIAS)
*''Music for a Stranger World'' (2000, Wiiija, Lookout! & V2)
*''fukd ID No. 5'' (2001, Chemikal Underground)
*''Fact 2002'' (2001, Optimo Singles Club and Other Related Recordings)
*''Plastique 33'' (2002, spinART)
*''Mechanical Love'' (2014, Do Yourself In Records)
*''You Wrecked My Christmas'' (2017, Last Night From Glasgow, Snowflake)

Singles

*"Sweet Shop Avengerz" (1997, Tristar/Sony) – (1997, Wiiija) UK No. 46, SCO No. 37
*"Everybody Thinks That They're Going to Get Theirs" (1997, Wiiija & Shock) – (1997, Tristar/Sony) UK No. 64, SCO No. 56
*"Tell It to the Kids" (1997, Sony Japan)
*"Kid Cut (Demo Version)" (1997) (One-sided 7-inch single given out at gigs in Glasgow and London)
*"Eurodisco" (1998, Wiiija, Grand Royal/Capitol) UK No. 37, AUS No. 54, BE No. 41, SCO No. 27
*"Action and Drama" (1999, Wiiija, Shock) UK No. 50, SCO No. 45
*"Detour" (1999, Wiiija & Grand Royal) UK No. 80, SCO No. 72
*"What You're Afraid Of" (2001, spinART)
*"Protection" (2001, Tilt)
*"The End Starts Today" (2002, Artful)
*"Rulers and the States" (2014, Rough Trade)
*"Keep Your Darkness" (2014, Do Yourself In Records)
*"Minimum Wage" (2014, Do Yourself In Records)
*"Twilight Cafe" (2014, Do Yourself In Records)

Split singles

* ''Ché Trading Limited Presents… Bis and The Golden Mile versus The Delgados and Merzbow'' 2x7": "In Stealth" – The Golden Mile b/w "I’ve Only Just Started To Breathe" – The Delgados and "Icky-Poo Air Raid" – Bis b/w "Iro Moyo" – Merzbow (1995, Ché Trading)
* "Trophy Girlfriend" – Heavenly b/w "Keroleen" – Bis (1996, K)
* "Pop Song" / "Clockwork Punk" – Bis b/w "Rococo Neggro" / "Harrap Ageing Fast" – Lugworm (1997, Guided Missile)
* "Signal in the Sky (Let's Go)" – The Apples in Stereo b/w "The Powerpuff Girls (End Theme)" – Bis (2000, Kid Rhino)
* "Minimum Wage" – Bis b/w "Hair Metal Shame" – Ghosts of Dead Airplanes (2014, Do Yourself In Records)
* "Boredom Could Be Good For You" – Bis b/w "Tear It Up And Start Again" – Big Zero (2016, Do Yourself In Records)

Various artist compilations

*''Disco Sucks'' (1996, Ché Trading) – "Icky-Poo Air Raid"
*''Songs About Plucking'' (1996, Fierce Panda) – "Super James"
*'' The Smiths Is Dead'' (1996, Small Records) – "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side"
*'' Casper: A Spirited Beginning: The Soundtrack'' (1997, EMI-Capitol) – "Kandy Pop"
*''Random'' (1997, Beggars Banquet) – "We Are So Fragile"
*''Uproar - 17 Indie Essentials'' (1998, BBC Radio 1/MCI) – "Kill Yr Boyfriend (Live)"
*''At Home with the Groovebox'' (2000, Grand Royal) – "Oh My"
*'' The Powerpuff Girls – Heroes and Villains'' (2000, Rhino Entertainment) – "Fight the Power" and "The Powerpuff Girls (End Theme)"
*'' The Powerpuff Girls – The City of Soundsville'' (2001, Rhino Entertainment) – "Super Secret City of Soundsville Song"
*'' The Powerpuff Girls – Power Pop'' (2003, Rhino Entertainment) – "Powerpunk End Theme"
*''Last Night From Glasgow Isolation Sessions - March and April 2020'' (2020, Last Night From Glasgow) – "Dial Up Internet Is The Purest Internet"

Music videos

* "Kandy Pop" (1996)
* "This Is Fake D.I.Y" (1996)
* "Starbright Boy" (1997)
* "Sweet Shop Avengerz" (1997)
* "Tell it to the Kids" (1997)
* "Everybody Thinks That They're Going to Get Theirs" (1997)
* "Eurodisco" (1998)
* "Action and Drama" (1999)
* "Detour" (1999)
* "The End Starts Today (Single Edit)" (2001)
* "Sound Of A Heartbreak" (2019)
* "There Is No Point (Other Than The Point That There Is No Point)" (2019)
* "Lucky Night" (2022)

References

External links

Bis Nation (official website)

''Muuma'' 2008 interview (English and Spanish) with Manda Rin

Audiojunkies Interview with Manda Rin

Bis interview, July 1997

Flag Hippo All Fridges Are Psychotic website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bis
1994 establishments in Scotland
British indie pop groups
British synth-pop groups
Musical groups established in 1994
Sibling musical groups
Musical groups from Glasgow
Scottish pop music groups
Chemikal Underground artists
SpinART Records artists
Scottish pop punk groups