- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: INTERVIEW WITH INDIE ROCK BAND 'MANSUN'
- Date: 29th January 1997
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JANUARY 29, 1997) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MANSUN POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHER IN PHOTO SHOOT (PART OVERLAID WITH VIDEO AUDIO)
- Embargoed: 13th February 1997 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Entertainment,General
- Reuters ID: LVA2IAPUIE4X8MXSBE691991IIAA
- Story Text: 1996 was a good year for British rock band Mansun.
Only a year old and they were being called the "most thrilling rock band in the country", the "British REM" and the "next big thing" in British music.
Accolades for the four lads from Chester in Northern England kept coming in and big things were prophesised.
Now, it's time to deliver.
With four top 40 hits and their debut album "Attack of the Grey Lantern" about to be released, Mansun are keeping up the momentum.
But the band says they're not trying to be as big as REM, or any other band for that matter.
"I never said we'd be bigger than REM," vocalist Paul Draper said in London on Wednesday (January 29).
"I said I wouldn't want to put a cap on what we could achieve.
If we want to achieve success at that level, there's nothing stopping us." Mansun comprises of frontman Paul Draper, bassist Domenic Chad, guitarist Stove King and drummer Andy Rathbone.
Paul, Chad and Stove started the band in early 1995, recruiting Rathbone the day before appearing live on British television.
They may be the new lads on the block but these boys are treating it all like a bunch of old pros.
With song titles like "Stripper Vicar" and "Egg Shaped Fred", they know how to grab the headlines "Stripper Vicar" was the band's first Top 20 entry in the UK and their third Top 40 hit after "Egg Shaped Fred" and "Take it Easy Chicken".
With singles success behind them, the band then spent much of last year doing what they love -- touring.
In Japan their show proved so popular, riot scenes ensued.
"A few people got knocked over ... violent, four-foot-six Japanese girls attacking you but it was generally good natured," Paul said.
This year, there was another single and the chance to play bigger gigs as support for Suede on their UK tour.
The band will tour with Suede until the end of February and head back to Japan a couple of months later.
"Attack of the Grey Lantern" will be released on the Isle of Man on February 17.
Mansun's fifth single, "She Makes My Nosebleed", is released in London on February 3. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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