Bis (Scottish band)

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. Bis were the first unsigned band performed on Top of the Pops. "Kandy Pop" came 49th in a reader poll of the "50 Greatest Britpop Songs Ever" by NME.

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/32621/bis/|title=BIS - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=29 October 2017}} 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,{{cite web|url=http://www.chemikal.co.uk/artists/bis/|title=Bis|website=Chemikal.co.uk|access-date=29 October 2017}} 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, Gary Numan, and Pavement amongst them.{{cite web|url=http://www.fooarchive.com/other/support.htm|website=Foo Archive|title=Support - Foo Fighters have been supported by}}{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12052744.garbage-and-bis-barrowland-glasgow/|website=Herald Scotland|title=Garbage and Bis, Barrowland, Glasgow}}{{cite web|url=https://www.numandiscography.co.uk/htdocs/support_acts/support_acts.php|website=Numan Discography|title=Support Acts to Gary Numan}}{{cite web|url=https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/pavement-royal-trux-bis|title=Pavement / Royal Trux / Bis May 31, 1997|website=Concert Archives}} The group became a favourite of the likes of Blur, John Peel{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/artists/b/bis/|title=BBC - Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - bis|website=Bbc.co.uk|access-date=29 October 2017}} and Green Day, despite a particularly hostile review by Steven Wells in the New Musical Express entitled "The Sinking of the Bis Lark".

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.

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".

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.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.amc.com/talk/2013/01/story-notes-trivia-bring-it-on|title=Story Notes for Bring It On|website=Amc.com|access-date=20 October 2020}} 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-inch with Kumari.

Bis gained some American popularity in 1998, when they recorded the closing credits theme to the animated series The Powerpuff Girls.{{cite web|url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/scots-band-bis-are-back-25-years-on-from-rollercoaster-ride-to-fame-via-top-of-the-pops-and-the-powerpuff-girls/|title=Scots band Bis are back 25 years on from rollercoaster ride to fame via Top of the Pops and The Powerpuff Girls|publisher=The Sunday Post|author=Crae, Rose|date=10 January 2019|accessdate=19 January 2025}}{{cbignore}} 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-inch 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,{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/5498/breakups-bis-1994-2003-that-fateful-day-all-else-failed-2001-2003|title=Bis (1994-2003) / That Fateful Day / All Else Failed (2001-2003)|publisher=Punknews.org|author=White, Adam|date=8 March 2003|accessdate=4 March 2021}} after playing a farewell show at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut.

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-inchs on their own label Rottenrow Records) and Rin acted as a DJ. Disco (with Ally Christie) formed Kempston, Protek & Fuller who released the 12-inch 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-inch singles, however, this band split up.{{cite web |url=https://drownedinsound.com/releases/18214/reviews/4147720 |last=Burrows |first=Marc |title=Album Review: Bis - data Panik etcetera |website=Drowned in Sound |date=May 6, 2014 |access-date=January 28, 2022 |archive-date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128153945/https://drownedinsound.com/releases/18214/reviews/4147720 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.audiojunkies.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=367&Itemid=63|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216132714/http://www.audiojunkies.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=367&Itemid=63|url-status=usurped|archive-date=2008-02-16|title=Audiojunkies Interview with Manda Rin}} Also in 2005, Bis performed in animated form on the CBBC children's cartoon BB3B.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/dec/31/banging-toons-why-bands-such-as-bis-are-making-soundtracks-for-kids-tv|title=Banging toons: why bands such as Bis are making soundtracks for kids' TV|website=The Guardian|date=31 Dec 2020|accessdate=24 September 2024|first=Martin|last=Horsfield}}

In 2006, Rin was working on solo material.{{Cite web|url=https://myspace.com/discover/featured|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510112444/http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=106738470|url-status=dead|title=Featured Content on Myspace|archive-date=10 May 2007|website=Myspace}} The following year, 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.muuma.com/texto.php?id_texto=1359|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202135602/http://www.muuma.com/texto.php?id_texto=1359|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-02-02|title=Muuma 2008 interview (English and Spanish) with Manda Rin}}

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

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.

Also in 2009, Rin provided the artwork for an iPhone game called "All Fridges Are Psychotic".{{cite web|url=https://www.ifanzine.com/all-fridges-are-psychotic-review|title=All Fridges are Psychotic – Review}}

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.{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/news/bis-to-release-new-album|title=bis To Release New Album|work=Clash Magazine|date=6 February 2014 |access-date=6 January 2015}} The album was made available for streaming at NME on 28 April.{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/bis-data-panik-etcetera-exclusive-album-stream|title=Bis, 'data Panik etcetera' - Exclusive Album Stream|work=NME|access-date=6 January 2015}}

The same year, the band's first three albums were re-released as double CD deluxe editions by the Do Yourself In label.{{cite web|url=http://overblown.co.uk/bis-album-re-issues-review/|title=bis - Album Re-issues - Review - Overblown|first=Martin|last=Wilson|date=5 December 2014|website=Overblown.co.uk|access-date=29 October 2017}}

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.

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.{{Cite web|url=http://bisnation.com/post/180042785729/we-have-a-new-10-track-album-slight-disconnects|title=The band Bis - We have a new 10 track album "Slight Disconnects"...|website=The band Bis|access-date=2018-11-12}}{{Citation|title=Slight Disconnects - bis {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/slight-disconnects-mw0003242314|language=en-us|access-date=2020-09-29}}{{Cite web|title=Slight Disconnects, by bis|url=https://bistheband.bandcamp.com/album/slight-disconnects|access-date=2020-09-29|website=Bistheband.bandcamp.com}} 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.

• 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)

{{Infobox artist discography

| Artist = Bis

| Image =

| Caption =

| Alt =

| Studio = 6

| Live = 2

| Compilation = 7

| Video =

| Music videos = 13

| Tribute =

| EP = 14

| Singles = 17

| B-sides =

| Soundtrack = 1

}}

• 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)

• Icky-Poo Air Raid (1997, Rock)
• Intendo (1998, Grand Royal)
• I Love Bis (2001, EMI)
• 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)

• Music For Animations (2020, Last Night From Glasgow)

• 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{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19960324/41/ |title=Official Scottish Singles Chart Top 100 |website=Officialcharts.com |date=1996-03-24 |access-date=2016-09-19}}
• Bis vs. the D.I.Y. Corps (1996, teen-c recordings) UK No. 45, SCO No. 47{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19960616/41/ |title=Official Scottish Singles Chart Top 100 |website=Officialcharts.com |date=1996-06-16 |access-date=2016-09-19}}
• Atom-Powered Action! (1996, Wiiija) UK No. 54, SCO No. 29{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19961103/41/ |title=Official Scottish Singles Chart Top 100 |website=Officialcharts.com |date=1996-11-03 |access-date=2016-09-19}}
• This Is Teen-C Power! (1996, Grand Royal)
• Techno Disco Lovers (1999, 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)
• John Peel Session 14.10.95 (2023, Precious Recordings Of London)
• John Peel Session 16.06.96 (2023, Precious Recordings Of London)

• "Sweet Shop Avengerz" (1997, Tristar/Sony) – (1997, Wiiija) UK No. 46, SCO No. 37{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19970309/41/ |title=Official Scottish Singles Chart Top 100 |website=Officialcharts.com |date=1997-03-09 |access-date=2016-09-19}}
• "Everybody Thinks That They're Going to Get Theirs" (1997, Wiiija & Shock) – (1997, Tristar/Sony) UK No. 64, SCO No. 56{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19970504/41/ |title=Official Scottish Singles Chart Top 100 |website=Officialcharts.com |date=1997-05-04 |access-date=2016-09-19}}
• "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,{{cite web|url=http://i.imgur.com/PpxU3cY.jpg|title=ariaNET The Chart! Top 100 Singles – Week Commencing 22nd March 1999|website=Imgur.com (original document published by ARIA)|access-date=2016-10-17}} BE No. 41,{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Bis| title=ultratop.be – Discografie Bis| publisher= 2006–2011 Hung Medien| access-date=2011-05-24}} SCO No. 27{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19981108/41/ |title=Official Scottish Singles Chart Top 100 |website=Officialcharts.com |date=1998-11-08 |access-date=2016-09-19}}
• "Action and Drama" (1999, Wiiija, Shock) UK No. 50, SCO No. 45{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19990221/41/ |title=Official Scottish Singles Chart Top 100 |website=Officialcharts.com |date=1999-02-21 |access-date=2016-09-19}}
• "Detour" (1999, Wiiija & Grand Royal) UK No. 80, SCO No. 72{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19990725/41/ |title=Official Scottish Singles Chart Top 100 |website=Officialcharts.com |date=1999-07-25 |access-date=2016-09-19}}
• "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)

• Ché Trading Limited Presents… Bis and The Golden Mile versus The Delgados and Merzbow 2×7″: "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)

• 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"

• "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)

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.bisnation.com Bis Nation (official website)]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bis}}

Category:1994 establishments in Scotland

Category:Scottish indie pop groups

Category:British synth-pop groups

Category:Musical groups established in 1994

Category:Sibling musical groups

Category:Musical groups from Glasgow

Category:Scottish pop music groups

Category:Chemikal Underground artists

Category:SpinART Records artists

Category:Scottish pop punk groups

Category:Bands with fictional stage personas