Biography

Introduction

Bis were a Scottish rock band composed of Steven Clark (Sci-fi Steven), John Clark (John Disco), and Amanda MacKinnon (Manda Rin). Formed in 1994, the band broke up in 2003, but reformed briefly in 2007 for a series of concerts.

History

The three musicians formed Bis in 1994, when Rin and Disco were in secondary school and Steven had recently finished there. About a year later, they appeared on BBC Television's Top of the Pops performing "Kandy Pop" from their Secret Vampire Soundtrack EP ahead of its release. Bis released a number of EPs, three of which entered the UK Singles Chart. In the late 1990s "Eurodisco", from their album, Social Dancing, became a notable success for the band.

The band's name, rhyming with 'this', derives from "Black Iron Skyline", a former band of Disco and Steven.

Rise to fame

The band's early releases were on Glasgow's Chemikal Underground label, run by The Delgados, before transferring 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 kind of acts they appeared with: Pavement, Garbage, Luscious Jackson, Foo Fighters and Gary Numan amongst them.

The U.S. first encountered the band during the closing credits of The Powerpuff Girls animated series. Their song "Detour" was also given some radio airplay in the U.S. They enjoyed a period of considerable success in Japan, selling nearly 100,000 copies of their debut album in its first week of release.

Split and future projects

The band broke up in 2003, after playing a farewell show at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut. All remained active in the local music scene. Steven and Disco played in Dirty Hospital and Rin acted as a DJ. Rin was also in a band called The Kitchen, whilst Disco joined the ska band, The Amphetameanies, which included members of Belle & Sebastian and Pink Kross.

In 2005, they 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, the band split up.

Bis contributed a song to the game Jet Set Radio Future called "Statement of Intent". 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 re-formed 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.

Discography

Singles

"Sweet Shop Avengerz" (1997, Tristar/Sony) - (1997, Wiiija)
"Everybody Thinks That They're Going To Get Theirs" (1997, Wiiija & Shock) - (1997, Tristar/Sony)
"Tell It To The Kids" (Japan)
"Kid Cut" (demo) (1997)
"Eurodisco" (1998, Wiiija, Grand Royal/Capitol)
"Action & Drama" (1999, Wiiija, Shock)
"Detour" (1999, Wiiija & Grand Royal)
"What You're Afraid Of" (2001, spinART)
"Protection" (2001, Tilt)
"The End Starts Today" (2002, Artful)