Mantissa (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Predecessor | Killing Time |
| Founded | 1989 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Founder | Nina Grant, Chris Paine, Adam Pringle |
| Defunct | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Hard rock music, albums, EPs, singles |
Mantissa was an Australian hard rock group originally formed under the name Killing Time in 1989 in Melbourne, Victoria. The founding members were Nina Grant (bass guitar, vocals), Chris Paine (guitar), and Adam Pringle (lead vocals). Their EP released in February 1991, Ruby's Mind, entered the Top 100 on the ARIA Singles Chart, while their March 1992 release, Dream Alone, climbed into the Top 30. During this period, Killing Time supported national tours with acts such as Jane's Addiction, Mudhoney, Scatterbrain, and Baby Animals. In August 1992, the band changed its name to Mantissa and unveiled their first album, Mossy God, in October through Red Eye Records / Polydor Records; this album reached the Top 50 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Their sophomore effort, Thirst, was released in August 1995 before the band dissolved in 1996.
History
Established in Melbourne in 1989 as Killing Time, the initial lineup featured Nina Grant (formerly of Good and Evil) handling bass and vocals; Chris Paine (previously with Utter Stench) on guitar; Adam Pringle (from Compressed Heads) as lead vocalist; and Arnie Prazz on drums. By the end of that year, Prazz was replaced first by Russell Hopkinson and subsequently by Tubby Wadsworth (Alex Nikolzew). Their early sound was characterized by a "Stooges-style grunge" aesthetic. In June 1990, Jed Starr (Darren McCormack) joined as lead guitarist, steering the band's style toward a more modern hard rock direction. After cultivating a dedicated live audience, they secured a deal with Red Eye Records.
Their debut EP, Ruby's Mind (February 1991), achieved a peak position of No. 72 on the ARIA Singles Chart by August. Music historian Ian McFarlane highlighted its "crunching guitar riffs and funkified bass lines" as evidence of notable crossover potential. Late in 1991, Wadsworth was dismissed and replaced by Syd Green (formerly of Scoundrel). Russell Hopkinson eventually departed to join You Am I. The February 1992 EP Dream Alone reached No. 23 on the charts. Following Jed Starr's exit, Chris Collins (ex-Greg Brady Overdrive) assumed lead guitar responsibilities. Throughout this time, Killing Time supported prominent national tours featuring Jane's Addiction, Mudhoney, Scatterbrain, and Baby Animals.
To prevent confusion with other bands sharing similar names internationally, Killing Time rebranded themselves as Mantissa in August 1992, drawing inspiration from John Fowles' 1982 novel Mantissa. Their debut album under this new name, Mossy God, produced alongside Terry Date and released via Red Eye/Polydor in October 1992, peaked at No. 47 on the ARIA Albums Chart. McFarlane described it as a fusion of powerful riffs, Grant’s resonant bass lines, Pringle’s expressive vocals, and psychedelic influences. The singles "Mary Mary" and "Land of the Living" reached Nos. 55 and 60 respectively. Mantissa supported the Red Hot Chili Peppers during their national tour before embarking on their own headline shows.
In 1993, Mantissa spent nine months touring across the United States to promote Mossy God, including supporting Mindfunk on tour. After returning to Australia in 1994, they opened for Pantera in November and performed at the Big Day Out festival in January 1995. That same month saw the release of their EP Inter Alia. Their second studio album, Thirst, produced with Michael Letho, arrived in August 1995 but failed to chart. Following one last national tour, Mantissa disbanded in 1996.
On 16 November 2015, founding guitarist Chris Paine passed away in Melbourne; this news was shared by the band through their Facebook page.
Studio albums
| Album Title | Album Information | Highest Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Mossy God |
|
47 |
| Thirst |
|
— |
EPs
| EP Title | Release Details | Top Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Ruby's Mind (as Killing Time) |
|
72 |
| Mystery Line/Dream Alone (as Killing Time) |
|
23 |
| The Mandlebroth Set (as Killing Time) |
|
— |
Singles
| Single Title | Release Year | Peak Chart Positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| "Mary Mary" | 1992 | 55 |
| "Land of the Living" | 1993 | 60 |
| "Sanctify" | 1994 | — |
| "Inter Alia" | 1995 | — |