MANTANK grew out of a partnership between Alistair "Mac" MacLatchy and Jonny Davies that started in 1998. Using Herbie Armstrong's bar "Under the Boardwalk" as a platform, we began playing acoustic tunes by such diverse acts as Pink Floyd, Rammstein, the Tindersticks and Radiohead to audiences drawn to Herbie's open mike nights.
The first song to emerge from this was "Obligatory Ballad", a new twist on the power ballad theme. This was recorded in 2000 at the Manor near Kiveton Park in S.Yorks, by Mac's old musical mates in Bal-Sagoth. "Intravenous Jesus", a more hook-driven rock song, followed soon afterwards. In 2001, "PMTO" was recorded (at the same place)- a genuinely twisted piece of music, that still remains a crowd-pleaser to this day (you can hear this song playing now).
Having established some form of direction, we started to hunt out like-minded musicians to help us translate these songs live. Kirk Wells, then playing in Sheffield rap-metal band Self-Inflicted was persuaded to help out on drums, and period of lengthy rehearsals followed. A young student, Tom, helped fill the bass gap for a while, and we were ready to gig!
The first gig was at Sheffield's famous Boardwalk in March 2003. My memory's a little hazy, but it seemed to go down OK!
It was felt that Tom was a little out of place among us though, so we recruited Mark Greenwell of Bal-Sagoth to undertake bass duties for us (it helped that he was my lodger!). Songwriting started to burgeon thereafter, with "We Want our Thumbs", "House of Cards" and "Cynic" emerging from the racket we were making. During this time, many gigs were played in & around Sheffield - more at the Boardwalk & the Corporation. A steady fanbase seemed to be developing...
As Bal-Sagoth began work on their 6th album, Mark was unable to spare the time we needed from him, so we began to cast about for a new bassist. As luck would have it, an old bandmate of mine drew himself out of retirement to accept the challenge - this was Carl Brown, former member of Systematic Insanity and Monolith, and what a joy it was to behold! Carl brought real bass-playing class to the proceedings (no offence Mark, but you're a guitarist playing bass, when all is said & done!). Carl came aboard in 2005, and then the ball really got rolling - "I Despair", "Requiem", "Kill it (working title)" and "Road of Bones (working title)" blossomed from the new ensemble. Another period of rehearsals beckoned...
My mates in Bal-Sagoth had, in the meantime, grown their own fully-equipped home studio, and they graciously allowed us to record a new demo in the latter months of 2005. This demo comprised "...Thumbs", "...Cards", "...Despair" and "Cynic", and is what you can here on this site now (except "Cynic", as it's too bloody long to fit!) We hope you like it, 'cos we think it's bloody splendid!
New tunes we're gigging right now are "Requiem" - dark & soaring, "Kill it" - brutal, and "Road of Bones" - an accidental masterpiece.
"JOIN US ON THE ROAD OF BONES"
MANTANK would like to thank everyone who's believed in us for the last 6 years, and come to as many of our gigs as they can: big shouts in particular for the Bal-Sagoth guys (Chris, Johnny & Mark - we couldn't have done it without your help), Michelle & Rob (superfans), Bob & Lizzie (splendid sir!), Iain, Jenny & Chris ("uplifting power-angst"), Uncle Ken (King of Rock!), Chris Wilson, Mutley (when can we have another gig?), Ritchie Atkin (innit?), Gillian & Floyd (thanks for shitting in the rehearsal room, Floyd!), Jinja, ...and all the great bands we've played with - I can't list you all here (Jonny remembers names better than I do!)
MANTANK are:
Jonny Davies - vocals, guitars & keys
Alistair MacLatchy - guitars & sometimes backing vocals
Kirk Wells - drums
Carl Brown - bass
Thanks for reading this - more to come...
Mac
West St Live on Sunday 13th! Great gig! Best I've heard you! You were so on form! Road Of Bones still a winner and I loved Watersports (as always) and Requiem! And Kill It was brilliant (one of my favourites) Need to see more of you lads! xxx
Dyonisis are thrilled to be playing the Peace in the Park Afterparty in Sheffield on June 6th. It's an open party, at the Redhouse for all of you who feel like 8:00 is waaay to early to end Peace in the Park. Line up:
Na Zdrove House Band Sweat Bees Dyonisis Denby Grace
Its the Bank Holiday weekend, unlike many a normal sucky sunday.
Atomic Garden (from Clemand Ferrand en la France) are wicked and they're on tour promoting their album 'Little Stories About Potential Events'. Its produced by Chris Sheldon and Alan Douches (who've done Alkaline Trio, Therapy, Converge, Biffy Clyro and Foo Fighters among others...) and they're certainly worthy of seeing in a nice little place in Sheffield. They have a *shudders* myspace (imagine that...)
Kimmy Yeah play again (75% of actionier playing 0% of actionier songs - all new weird stuff). Songs by em at:
A Bear are a marvellous p-h/c band from Manchester. They're just releasing an EP called 'Some Of Our Friends are Animals'. Their jib is pleasingly cutting, and you can read stuff by em from their brilliantly non-myspace page at:
Hey, how are you? we have uploaded 3 new tracks and would love for you to check them out. Especially our track "In Memory". we wrote this song in dedication to the legend Phil Lynott. Thanks for your time :) Stainless
Hello, just a quick yet spammy reminder about our (limited edition) e.p. launch...
Tis this sunday (21st) at the Stockroom (Leadmill Road)
FREE ENTRY ~ FREE ICECREAM ~ ALL ARE WELCOME!!!
Kicking us off at about 7:30 will be the acoustic lovelyness of Pretty Ripped followed by Firesuite. We'll be kicking off a special e.p. themed set at about 9... With guest musicians, new tracks, old favourites and much making of the merry :D
If you fancy, you can add yourself to our event page on FaceBook... HERE! or our band profile HERE!
heyyy thank you for accepting us. What do you think of our songs? If you get a chance please have a listen... Maybe give us some feedback? We will appreciate it :}
Hi, Jonny from Mantank here. I will be doing a solo performance at the Casbar, Sheffield on Saturday, 1st November at 7pm to 7:20pm. Entry is something paltry like £3. Don't expect any Mantank songs done acoustically. They can't be done thankfully. Expect quite a mellow and strange affair. Later Jonny
I’ve also just entered into Dean Guitars Shredders Search Competition. I would truly appreciate it if you voted and 11 for me via This Link!!!
One more thing, I’ve just uploaded FOUR New Live Guitar Videos of me playing ‘iHeart Guitar’, ‘Second Chances’, ‘ThunderLightningBolt’ & ‘Welcome To The World’ onto YouTube!!!
Hopefully it's not too late to tell you about our next gig, it's tomorrow (or perhaps tonight by the time you read this!) Fri March 9th.
It's a memorial gig for Sophie Lancaster and an awareness raiser for the SOPHIE campaign. S.O.P.H.I. E Stands for Stamp Out Prejudice Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere
The venue is Corporation Nightclub. Tickets are £5 adv Doors 7:30
For those of you who are unaware. Sophie Lancaster was kicked to death during a brutal attack on her and her partner as they walked home one night in their home town of Bacup, Lancashire. The reason why they were singled out for this horrific attack was because they were different, belonging to the gothic subculture. Attacks like this are all too common, i can't think of anyone belonging to a subculture that hasn't been attacked, threatened or verbally abused as a direct result of their chosen form of self-expression, gothic or otherwise.
Dyonisis are playing a memorial gig on the 9th of May along with Novus UK, Joolz Denby, and NYAAA (New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack). If you live in the area please come down and show your support.
MANTANK ARE STILL HERE. WE JUST BEING QUIET AT THE MO AS WE ARE WRITING NEW MATERIAL. SHOULD BE READY FOR GIGGING AGAIN IN JUNE. SO GET READY FOR US COS UL NEED YOUR ADULT DAIPERS. JONNY
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