Uncanny X-Men (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 in Melbourne, Australia |
| Founder | Brian Mannix, Nick Matandos, Ron Thiessen, Chuck Hargreaves, Steve Harrison |
| Defunct | 1987 (initial disbandment) |
| Fate | Sporadic reunions since 1987 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Brian Mannix (lead singer) |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live performances |
Number of employees | 5–6 (typical band size) |
Uncanny X-Men emerged as an Australian pop rock ensemble in late 1980, fronted by lead singer Brian Mannix. The original members were Nick Matandos on drums, Ron Thiessen and Chuck Hargreaves on guitars, and Steve Harrison handling bass duties. By 1984, Harrison and Matandos had been succeeded by John Kirk and Craig Waugh respectively. Their first album, 'Cos Life Hurts (released June 1985), climbed to No. 3 on the Australian Kent Music Report, featuring their most successful single "50 Years" which reached No. 4. Following Thiessen’s exit, guitarist Brett Kingman joined the lineup. Their sophomore album, What You Give is What You Get (October 1986), attained No. 19 and included the top 20 hit "I Am" released in April. The band ceased activity in 1987 but has reunited sporadically for live shows. Mannix later pursued solo ventures in both music and television.
Formation and Early Years: 1980–1982
Inspired by the Marvel comic series, Uncanny X-Men was established as a guitar-driven pop band in Melbourne’s western suburbs. The founding quartet consisted of Michael Helms on bass, Brian Mannix on vocals and guitar, Nick Matandos on drums, and Ron Thiessen playing guitar. They frequently performed at the Pier Hotel located in Frankston, Victoria.
In 1981, Steve Harrison replaced Helms on bass while Chuck Hargreaves joined as an additional guitarist, expanding the group to five members. Mannix gained recognition for his lively and humorous performances on stage. The band secured a contract with Mushroom Records toward the end of 1982 and released their debut six-track EP titled 'SaliveOne!. This record reached No. 40 on the Kent Music Report. Recorded live at Melbourne’s AAV studios, it included the track "Pakistan," which received notable radio play. They also toured across Australia supporting US rock group Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.
Commercial Success: 1983–1987
At the start of 1983, John Kirk took over bass responsibilities from Harrison. The band issued the single "How Do You Get Your Kicks" in March, penned by Greg Macainsh of Skyhooks who also co-produced alongside David Briggs. They performed this song on the Australian television show Countdown. Subsequently, Craig Waugh (formerly of Primal Tears) replaced Matandos on drums. August saw the release of "Time Goes So Fast." Throughout 1984, they continued touring nationally and released the EP Beach Party in July, featuring the well-received track "Everybody Wants to Work."
In March 1985, they released "The Party," which peaked at No. 17. Their debut full-length album, 'Cos Life Hurts, followed in June 1985 and achieved a peak chart position of No. 2. Its second single, "50 Years," reached No. 6. Uncanny X-Men performed both "Everybody Wants to Work" and "50 Years" at the 1985 Oz for Africa concert—part of the worldwide Live Aid event broadcast in Australia and on MTV in the United States on 13 July. The third single from this album, "Still Waiting," released in August, became an unofficial theme for Channel 9's Wide World of Sports during the late 1980s. Additionally, Kirk, Mannix, and Thiessen contributed as guest musicians to The Incredible Penguins' charity cover of "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" in 1985, which reached No. 10 on Australian charts.
During the April 1986 Countdown Australian Music Awards, Uncanny X-Men received nominations for Most Popular Australian Group while Mannix was nominated for Most Popular Male Performer. Music journalist Anthony O'Grady observed that fans expressed vocal disappointment when INXS won Best Group instead of Uncanny X-Men—this reaction caused significant unrest among attendees and influenced ARIA to establish its own awards ceremony starting the following year.
Early in 1986, Thiessen departed to join Kings of the Sun briefly; he was initially replaced by Joey Amenta (formerly with Taste and Redhouse) before Brett Kingman (ex-Adventure) became his permanent successor on guitar. That May, the band signed with CBS Records and issued "I Am," which attained No. 18 prior to their second album What You Give Is What You Get peaking at No. 19 in November. Later singles experienced modest chart performance before the group dissolved in 1987.
Post-breakup activities and reunions: 1987–present
In 1989, Kingman, Mannix, and Waugh joined forces with bassist Derek O'Leary to create the group Dead Legends. Mannix embarked on a solo path, engaging with pub rock ensembles and theatrical productions. John Kirk transitioned into automobile sales in Brisbane, Chuck Hargreaves took up welding and fabrication work in Perth, Craig Waugh pursued a career as a truck driver in Melbourne, and Ron Thiessen specialized in constructing film and theatre sets in Sydney. Despite their varied professions, all members continued participating in different musical projects.
Uncanny X-Men briefly came together again in 1998, featuring Mannix, Thiessen, Hargreaves, Kirk, and Waugh. They reunited once more for a single performance at Crown Melbourne in April 2006, aligning with their feature on Channel 7's Where Are They Now?. Founding member Steve Harrison passed away from cancer in July 2009. The band regrouped yet again in March 2011, with Mannix expressing intentions to produce new material. On 23 November 2011, they delivered a medley of "50 Years" and "Everybody Wants to Work" to close the final episode of ABC's Spicks and Specks.
On 9 February 2014, Mannix introduced the track "Take It from Me" on Melbourne's Triple R radio during The Party Show; this song had previously been performed live at two Melbourne shows back in March 2011. In January 2017, Uncanny X-Men appeared at the Rock in the Vines event held at Sutton Grange Winery, Victoria.
Albums
| Title | Album details | Chart peak position | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| 'Cos Life Hurts |
|
3 |
|
| What You Give is What You Get |
|
19 |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Album details | Chart peak position |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| 'SaliveOne! |
|
40 |
| Beach Party |
|
32 |
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart peak position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| 1983 | "How Do You Get Your Kicks" | 51 | single-only release |
| "Time Goes So Fast" | 63 | single-only release | |
| 1985 | "The Party" | 18 | Cos Life Hurts |
| "50 Years" | 4 | ||
| "Still Waiting" | 43 | ||
| 1986 | "I Am" | 18 | What You Give is What You Get! |
| "Don't Wake Me" | 31 | ||
| 1987 | "Nothing Touches My World" | 97 | |
| "Start Believing" | 63 | ||
| 2018 | "Take It From Me" | – | non album single |
| 2024 | "It's a Shame"/"We Love It" | – | non album single |
Countdown Australian Music Awards
The Australian pop music television program Countdown, which aired on ABC-TV between 1974 and 1987, hosted music award ceremonies from 1979 through 1987. These awards featured both categories determined by public votes and those decided by industry peers.
|-
| 1985
| the band
| Most Popular Australian Group
|
|}
Members
- Micheal Helms – bass guitar (1980–1981)
- Brian Mannix – lead vocalist (1980–1987, 1998, 2006, 2011, 2017)
- Nick Matandos – drummer (1980–1983)
- Ron Thiessen – guitarist (1981–1986; 1987, 1998, 2006, 2011, 2017)
- Chuck Hargreaves – guitarist (1981–1987, 1998, 2006, 2011, 2017)
- Steve Harrison – bass guitarist (1981–1983; deceased 2009)
- John Kirk – bass guitarist (1983–1987, 1998, 2006, 2011, 2017)
- Craig Waugh – drummer (1983–1987, 1998, 2006, 2011, 2017)
- Joey Amenta – guitarist (1986)
- Brett Kingman – guitarist (1986–1987)
References