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[planetmanda]

This little beauty hits the shops today!

Here's a reminder of the info:

Bis release limited edition 7” on November 3rd

As a teaser for the up-coming “The Anthology - 20 Years of Antiseptic Poetry”, bis release a limited edition 7” vinyl/download of their brand new recording “Keep Your Darkness” backed with an cover of Susan Fassbender’s UK 1981 minor hit, “Twilight Café”, exclusive to this release. 

Recorded with the full live band, “Keep Your Darkness” carries some familiar bis influences, sounding like early Human League as played by Adam And The Ants with the signature triple-headed vocal assault. Fans will recognise the song from recent live shows, indeed it was widely considered the highlight of the band’s set at the closing ceremonies of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.  

On the flip is a raucous take on Susan Fassbender’s classic “Twilight Cafe”. Susan was an underrated and tragic figure, as evidenced by a recent Top Of The Pops 2 episode featuring the song. The caption read, “No-one seems to know anything about Susan….except Glasgow Indie-Pop stars, bis”. It’s a song the band have always loved, and finally their version sees the light of day. 

New material suggests a return to the guitar/synth/drum machine model of the early days, with the sonic element dialled back to POP with a twist. In other words, bis promise to keep their darkness. 

Track Listing: 

01. Keep Your Darkness 

02. Twilight Café

Here are some links for buying the 7" vinyl and the digital version:

iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/pl5qvpl 

Cargo Records http://tinyurl.com/mwvjxa8

Rough Trade Records http://tinyurl.com/kmtq3yl

Piccadilly Records http://tinyurl.com/puvhkbk

Norman Records http://tinyurl.com/p5nrrsj

Amazon UK 7” : http://tinyurl.com/nhrazcf

Amazon UK digital:http://tinyurl.com/npesolj

Amazon US digital: http://tinyurl.com/ognstek

Amazon JP digital: http://tinyurl.com/oa38jec

Happy shopping!

bis x

[planetmanda]

The best things come in threes!

As the final part of the 20 years of bis celebrations we have some double CD and digital releases coming at you December 1st! These are the re-releases of our first three albums "The New Transistor Heroes", "Social Dancing" and "Return to Central".  But, these are no simple re-releases as each album is fully remastered and accompanied by a deluxe bonus CD containing some unreleased tracks and remixes.  They will also be released worldwide with expanded booklet containing all lyrics, so no excuses to not be singing along at our gigs in January!  Compiling these was as demanding as the Anthology CD, but with the demand for many of our early 7" releases and album "Return to Central" to be offered digitally we hope this does the trick! Pre-orders are available on Amazon and iTunes already (some links are below and more to follow!).

Below is the bumf on each release as well as the giant track-listings.  We hope you enjoy, and have also made your Christmas shopping as lot easier!

bis - The New Transistor Heroes (Deluxe)

"The New Transistor Heroes" is the youthful Manda Rin, Sci-Fi Steven and John Disco's energetic 1997 debut album, now fully expanded with b-sides and rarities of the era. It's an explosion of colourful influences ranging from quirky New-Wave to 80's Synth-Pop and Riot Grrrl with hints of Disco and Two-Tone, the sound of an excitable band without pretences. The album went massive in Japan, "Starbright Boy" and "Sweet Shop Avengerz" hit the UK charts while the digital Motown of "Tell It To The Kids" introduced bis to the kids of the US. The anti-body fascism disco anthem, "Monstarr", remains a fan favourite to this day while the synth-heavy "Skinny-Tie Sensurround" pointed to the next, 80's indebted, album "Social Dancing". It's a bold and innocent attempt at creating the definitive bis document, and it's catchy as sin to boot.

bis - Social Dancing (Deluxe)

1999's "Social Dancing" saw Manda Rin, Sci-Fi Steven and John Disco, having been ostrasized by the UK music press, return with a bigger, shinier and cohesive sound. Produced by Gang Of Four's Andy Gill and mixed by Pet Shop Boys engineer Bob Kraushaar, the blend of 1979 New-Wave riffs and 80's Electro-Pop synths shine on hit single "Eurodisco", the sped-up Gary Numan of "I'm A Slut" and album opener "Making People Normal". An expanded sonic palette saw a liberal use of samples, a diversion into trip-hop ("Detour") and even a real string section on "Theme From Tokyo". While "Social Dancing" didn't have the impact of debut album "The New Transitor Heroes", it's most fans favourite - a solid body of songs which has a confident band at the top of their game. Now here in deluxe form, including 2000's self-produced (and band favourite) "Music For A Stranger World" mini-album.

bis - Return To Central (Deluxe)

2001's "Return To Central" sees bis rip up their own rule book and start stretching their wings. From the shouty pop-punk-disco of 1997's "The New Transistor Heroes" to the shiny, slick pop of 1999's "Social Dancing", not even the most fanatical bis fan could have envisaged the leap to "Return To Central". Spending most of 2000 in a basement with banks of synthesizers, samplers and Brian Eno records, Manda Rin (now with whispered vocals), Sci-Fi Steven and John Disco created the cinematic "What You're Afraid Of", the sweeping My Bloody Valentine indebted "The End Starts Today", the Moog-heavy disco of "Protection" and the sad euphoria of great-lost-hit "Silver Spoon". The massive sonic departure divided the remaining fanbase and was the band's last album until 2014's "data Panik etcetera", but many consider "Return To Central" the band's masterpiece. Now in expanded form with un-released tracks of the era, remixes and the "Fact 2002" EP, including the famous cover of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart”.

The New Transistor Heroes (Deluxe)

Amazon & iTunes

CD1:

Tell It To The Kids

Sweet Shop Avengerz

Starbright Boy

Popstar Kill

Mr. Important

Antiseptic Poetry

Popyura

Skinny Tie Sensurround

Poster Parent

Monstarr

Everybody Thinks That They’re Going To Get Theirs

Rebel Soul

Photo Shop

X-Defect

Lie Detector Test

Dinosaur Germs

CD2:

Kill Yr Boyfriend (Grand Royal Version)

Keroleen (Unreleased Version)

Pop Song (featuring Pink Kross)

Clockwork Punk

Wee Love

Team Theme

Cliquesuck

I'll Get You Back

Rollerblade Zero

Ninja Hi-Skool

Automatic Freestyle

Statement Of Intent (Original Version)

Girl Star (Remix)

Cookie Cutter Kid

(It’s The) Ram Jam

Sweet Shop Avengerz (Hi-Fi Mix)

Tell It To The Kids (Hi-Fi Mix)

Monstarr (Hi-Fi Mix)

The Boy With The Thorn In His Side

We Are So Fragile

Photo Shop (Stripped)

Social Dancing (Deluxe)

Amazon & iTunes

CD1:

Making People Normal

I’m A Slut

Eurodisco

Action And Drama

Theme From Tokyo

The Hit Girl

Am I Loud Enough

Shopaholic

Young Alien Types

Detour

Sale Or Return

It’s All New

Listen Up

Eurodisco (Les Rythmes Digitales Remix)

Eurodisco (DJ Scissorkicks Remix)

Eurodisco (Klute Polka Remix)

Eurodisco (Bob Kraushaar/Pete Gleadall Vocal)

Detour (The Husk Mix)

CD2:

Like Robots

Cinema Says

Stray Cat Blues

Not Even Close

Seventeen Hours

Germ Free Adolescents

Kiss And Tell

Why Don't We Go Home?

Famous (Andy Gill Version)

Dead Wrestlers

Are You Ready?

How Can We Be Strange?

I Want It All

Beats At The Office

Punk Rock Points

Why Are We Waiting (12’’ Version)

Famous (Demo Version)

Kid Cut (Demo Version)

19. Eurodisco (Demo)

Return to Central (Deluxe):

Amazon & iTunes

CD1:

What You’re Afraid Of

Silver Spoon

Black Pepper

The End Starts Today

Protection

Two Million

Chicago

Metal Box

We’re Complicated

Robotic

A Portrait From Space

Don’t Let The Rain Come Down

Make It Through

Sound Of Sleet

Brainclouds

Heartless Particles

Return To Central

CD2:

Robotic (Just Last Week) (Syndrum Mix)

Love Will Tear Us Apart

Hurt

Shack Up

Looking From A Hilltop

The European (7’’ Version)

Mamelodi Sundown

Situation

Love 2 Love U

The End Starts Today (Tommie Sunshines "Nail Me Down" Glasgow Summer Freestyle Mix)

Telephone Operator

Cubis (I Love You) (12’’ Version)

Protection (Ectomorph Chromium Version)

Robotic (Adult. Almost Instrumental Mix) 

[planetmanda]

Japanese links!

We now have the Japanese pre-order links for the "Keep Your Darkness” single and our 42-track double CD “The Anthology - 20 Years of Antiseptic Poetry".

"Keep Your Darkness" - Single

Amazon:

7’’ Single: http://tinyurl.com/nn34smj

Digital: http://tinyurl.com/oclktd3

"The Anthology - 20 Years of Antiseptic Poetry":

Amazon:

2 x CD: http://tinyurl.com/kxc24f5

Digital: http://tinyurl.com/nny576p

HMV:

2 x CD: http://tinyurl.com/olvhvcz

[planetmanda]

Gulp - 3 bis gigs!

It's been a long time coming sorry, but we've managed to arrange three UK gigs for January 2015 in celebration of our forthcoming releases and 20 years of bis!  So, if you're looking for something to get you through the festive season, or an idea for a present consisting of a wee trip around the country - we can help!  Here goes:

Fri Jan 9th - Stereo, Glasgow - tickets £8

Support from Ghosts of Dead Airplanes

Sat Jan 10th - Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds  - tickets £9

Support from Cowtown

and Ghosts of Dead Airplanes

Sun Jan 11th - Lexington, London - tickets £10

Support from Barringtone 

and Ghosts of Dead Airplanes

We really hope you can come join us :)

[planetmanda]

Keep Your Darkness 7"

We have some links that should be helpful for ordering our Limited Edition 7" of Keep Your Darkness on 3rd November.  They're limited to 500 copies, so once they're gone, they're gone!

Rough Trade Records http://tinyurl.com/kmtq3yl

Piccadilly Records http://tinyurl.com/puvhkbk

Norman Records http://tinyurl.com/p5nrrsj

[planetmanda]

Pre-order The Anthology in UK & USA

We have some pre-order links for the physical release of The Anthology in UK and USA now: 

UK release date 10th Nov.  

Pre-order here at a very reasonable £11.99 for a 42-track CD.

Amazon UK Digital pre-order

iTunes UK pre-order

USA release date 18th Nov.  

Pre-order the CD here for $22.99

Amazon US Digital pre-order

iTunes pre-order

Happy ordering and listening to snippets of some classics....

Links for Japan to follow shortly!  

[planetmanda]

Bis release limited edition 7" on November 3rd

As a teaser for the up-coming “The Anthology - 20 Years of Antiseptic Poetry", bis release a limited edition 7" vinyl/download of their brand new recording "Keep Your Darkness" backed with an cover of Susan Fassbender's UK 1981 minor hit, "Twilight Café”, exclusive to this release. 

Recorded with the full live band, "Keep Your Darkness" carries some familiar bis influences, sounding like early Human League as played by Adam And The Ants with the signature triple-headed vocal assault. Fans will recognise the song from recent live shows, indeed it was widely considered the highlight of the band's set at the closing ceremonies of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.  

On the flip is a raucous take on Susan Fassbender's classic "Twilight Cafe". Susan was an underrated and tragic figure, as evidenced by a recent Top Of The Pops 2 episode featuring the song. The caption read, "No-one seems to know anything about Susan....except Glasgow Indie-Pop stars, bis". It's a song the band have always loved, and finally their version sees the light of day. 

New material suggests a return to the guitar/synth/drum machine model of the early days, with the sonic element dialled back to POP with a twist. In other words, bis promise to keep their darkness. 

Track Listing: 

01. Keep Your Darkness 

02. Twilight Café

You can pre-order and listen on the links below. Indie store links will be available as of next week, and links for vinyl outside UK to follow also.

Amazon UK 7" : http://tinyurl.com/nhrazcf

Amazon UK digital: http://tinyurl.com/npesolj

Amazon US digital: http://tinyurl.com/ognstek Amazon JP digital: http://tinyurl.com/oa38jec

iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/pl5qvpl 

[planetmanda]

42-track Anthology!

Continuing the 20 years of bis celebrations we are very excited to finally confirm the release of “The Anthology - 20 Years of Antiseptic Poetry” on 10th November 2014.  The 42 track compilation has been a lovingly (and sometimes painstakingly) assembled over the last few months as a thank you to all of our fans for your continued love and support. Incorporating tracks from our four albums: “The New Transistor Heroes”, “Social Dancing”, “Return to Central” and “data Panik etcetera” as well as rare and previously unreleased tracks including the new “Keep Your Darkness” which returned us to Chem 19 recording studio in July and performed live at Mix-Tape as part of the Commonwealth Games closing ceremonies here in Glasgow last month. In true bis style we’ve managed to get hold of the John Peel Sessions of “Kandy Pop” and “Icky-Poo Air Raid”, live versions of “School Disco” and “Kill Yr Boyfriend” from Sound City in Leeds 1996, the unreleased (and pretty much unheard by anyone other than the band) track “Social Dancing”, “Honesty Is Stupid” demo, a track from my solo album “DNA”, Dirty Hospital (Sci-Fi and Disco's side project) track “Space Me”, favourites “Starbright Boy” & “Eurodisco” and lots more! Making sure this is no mere rehash of “The Greatest Hits” everything has also been digitally remastered from the original master tapes by us for you.    The 24 page booklet includes lyrics to every track, sleeve notes from James Jam (ex-NME / current Editor at Kerrang! magazine and lifelong bis devotee) along with a selection of many photos and scans of bis memorabilia in 90's fanzine stylee!  Many thanks to any contributions to this too.   International pre-orders for the 2 x CD (embossed silver logo sleeve!) and digital release will go live soon, so keep checking bisnation.com, @thebandbis @mandarin , facebook.com/welovebis,  for the full track listing, links, news and....even a few more surprises…  bis x

[planetmanda]

It's been a year, but.....

As part of the Commonwealth Games closing ceremonies, Chemikal Underground Records are curating a celebration of Glasgow's musical heritage.  We are happy to announce that we will be part of this! Mix-tape at Glasgow Green includes Edwyn Collins, Lloyd Cole, the Phantom Band, Errors, the Amphetameanies and many others on Saturday 2nd August.  

The event is free, we will be playing the Playhouse (Spiegeltent) and stage times are TBC.  There are no other bis gigs planned just now so we hope you can come join us, and maybe Usain Bolt will too!

[planetmanda]

Re-issue of Manda Rin's solo album

Continuing the 20 years of bis celebrations, Manda Rin's solo album My DNA is getting re-issued worldwide on 7th July, with four additional bonus tracks.  This includes a Blood Red Shoes remix of DNA, and the album will also appear on Spotify at long last too.   

Pre-orders for the 16 track album are available here (£7.99) where you get an instant gratis download of the song "Bruises", and a second gratis download of the song "The Word Out" on 30th June.  

01. DNA

02. Typeface

03. Bad Things Happen To Bad People

04. Do The Static

05.Guilty Pleasure

06. The Word Out

07. Break-Up/Breakdown

08. Love To Hate You

09. No Language

10. Less Than Zero

11. Black Book

12. Bruises

13. A Spy In The Workplace [Bonus Track]

14. My Love’s Your Love [Bonus Track]

15. DNA (McSleazy Remix) [Bonus Track]

16. DNA (Blood Red Shoes Remix) [Bonus Track]

The 20th years of bis celebrations continue....

[planetmanda]

Mechanical Love EP

Following our 4th album Data Panik Etcetera, we will be releasing a digital 4 track "Mechanical Love" EP.  The track listing is:

1. Mechanical Love

2. Do The Static [Live at Seven-A]

3. Cubis (I Love You) [Syndrum Remix]

4. (That Love Ain’t) Justified [Syndrum Remix]

This will be released worldwide on Monday June 30th via iTunes and all other digital platforms.  Links to follow!

Thank you to everyone who sent us photos of their parent's wedding after our (strange) request!  There was so many good ones to choose from for the sleeve so it was a tough decision, but thank you to Yo Han (John), and we hope we've not made your parent's very angry :)

The 20th anniversary celebrations of bis are far from being over, so.....be prepared for more news!

[planetmanda]

Want to hear a stream of our new album via NME.com?   Go here!

[planetmanda]

I'll be DJing at Bar Bloc for feminist collective TYCI (co-founded by Lauren Chvrches) on Saturday 17th May 11-3am.  Hope to see you there!

[planetmanda]

Album update!

Apologies to our US fans who've been asking for CD release details for ages and we've not been told anything ourselves 'til today.  So here's the summary -

The LP gets released worldwide on Saturday 19th April for Record Store Day.  Shops that are taking part are listed here .  But, best check to see that the one in your town in stocking it first just to be on the safe side.  The LP is white 180g vinyl and has a card inside with a unique code to download the digital version of the album too.

Rules for Record Store Day mean that other formats can't be released that same day, so the digital release is 5th May worldwide.  Amazon UK and USA are taking pre-orders, and it's a mere £7.49 UK/$8.99 USA!  Check Amazon in your country too as most are doing this. 

The CD is released most other countries 5th May also, with pre-orders via Amazon UK and other country's Amazon too.  But, the CD won't be released until 3rd June in the USA. Pre-orders available early next week though we're told.  

I hope that helps a little and apologies to the USA for the delay on the CD. Happy shopping!!!

[planetmanda]

Some shops in Europe, USA and Japan we've discovered that will be stocking the LP to sell on Record Store Day.  There will be lots more, but as you can't pre-order just thought we'd show you these incase it helps.  

http://www.vvinyl.com/v/bis-data-panik-etcetera/4759

http://www.recordshopx.com/artist/bis/data_panik_etc/

http://www.rollingstone.de/news/meldungen/article542594/print/record-store-day-2014-die-besten-alben-singles-vinyl.html

http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/artist_Bis-Rock_000000000061490/item_Data-Panik-Etcetera-Ltd_5705632

http://www.bullmoose.com/c/12066/record-store-day-2014

[planetmanda]

The Digital version of the new bis album data Panik etcetera, which is released on May 5th, can be pre-ordered in the UK, USA, France, Germany and Japan right NOW!  More links to follow when we have them!

This link should help find shops to buy the limited edition white 180g vinyl on Record Store Day 19th April too (no pre-orders)!

[planetmanda]

"Control the Radical" from our new album (ha - still sounds weird!) is one of the Guardian/Rough Trade's Tracks of the Week!  You get to download this if you're subscribed

http://www.roughtrade.com/subscriptions/tow

http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/feb/11/guardian-tracks-of-the-week-rough-trade