These Animal Men

Infobox musical artist
Background = group_or_band
Name = These Animal Men


Img_capt =
Years_active = 1990 – 1999
Origin = Brighton United Kingdom
Genre = Indie, Brit Pop
Label = Hut Records
Virgin Records (Parent label)
Past_members = Alexander Boag
Julian Hewings
Patrick Murray
Steve Hussey
Craig Warnock
Rob Hague

These Animal Men were a UK band achieving minor fame in the 1990s as part of the New Wave of New Wave and splitting, after 2 albums, in 1998.

History

These Animal Men were formed in Brighton in around 1990, signing to Hut Records, an offshoot of Virgin Records in 1993. They gained fame and/or notoriety with their first few singles which featured many drug references on the sleeves and in the lyrics.

Their first album "(Come on Join) The High Society" was described by the music press, notably the NME, as being part of the "New Wave of New Wave", (alongside contemporaries S*M*A*S*H with whom they shared their first significant release "Wheelers, Dealers, Christine Keelers").

Although this press attention undoubtedly contributed to their initial success (even including a hosting spot on Top of the Pops) the band tried to distance themselves from this movement in interviews. This was perhaps because they realized that when the press interest moved on to the next big thing, Britpop they would be left behind.

After a three year hiatus, punctuated by only one EP "Taxi for These Animal Men", they returned with their second album in 1997. "Accident and Emergency" had a remarkably different sound with a prevalent hammond organ and a more falsetto vocal style, with Alex almost completely eschewing his previous punk sneer. The sound resembled that of fellow English bands Suede and Mansun. The band image was also completely changed from skinny-fit Adidas t-shirts and jeans to tight leather jackets and pinstripe trousers, accompanied by matching high feather cut haircuts.

Despite the reported difficulties encountered during recording, including the firing of Stevie (and his replacement by Rob from S*M*A*S*H), "Accident and Emergency" received some critical acclaim, however it had little commercial success and so, by 1998, the band were no more.

The final line up, minus Pat, and with Julian now on bass, returned with a new front man, "K", in the gospel and funk influenced "Mo Solid Gold" in 1999.

Hewings and Boag are now back, with their new incarnation 'The Orphans' (www.theorphans.co.uk) and are releasing a highly-anticipated album on July 4th 2008.

Discography

Albums
* "(Come on Join) The High Society" - 1994
* "Accident and Emergency" - 1997 UK #192

Singles/EPs
* "Wheelers, Dealers, Christine Keelers" (split release with S*M*A*S*H) - 1993
* "Speed King" - 1994
* "You're Not My Babylon" - 1994
* "Too Sussed?" - 1994
* "This is the Sound of Youth" - 1994 UK #72
* "Taxi for These Animal Men" - 1995 UK #64
* "Life Support Machine" - 1997 UK #62
* "Light Emitting Electrical Wave" - 1997 UK #72

Band members

* Alexander Boag - vocals, guitar
* Julian Hewings (aka Hooligan) - backing vocals, guitar
* Patrick Murray - bass
* Steve Hussey (until 1996) - drums
* Craig Warnock (from 1996) - keyboard
* Rob Hague (from 1996) - drums

Trivia

They were referenced in the Art Goblins song "These Animal Menswe@r", later recorded by Art Brut.

External links

* [http://www.theseanimalmen.co.uk Supercharged Soul (unofficial fansite)]
* [http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Underground/6920/ Sound of Youth (unofficial fansite)]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nwonw/ Hooligan's Progress (chat group)]

References