finetune artist: Bis

Formed in Edinburgh, Scotland, Bis comprises Manda Rin (b. Amanda MacKinnon, 22 March 1977, Thornliebank, Scotland; vocals, keyboards, bass) and brothers Steve Sci-Fi (b. Steven Clark, 20 March 1976; vocals/guitar) and John Disco (b. John Clark, 21 August 1978; guitar). The band was formed at school when the brothers were 11, before they enlisted fellow school friend Rin in 1994. They were supported by the fanzine community (notably All About Dee) from their inception - Rin and Sci-Fi also being fanzine editors of Funky Spunk and Paper Bullets, respectively. They made a dramatic commercial breakthrough in 1996 when they became the first unsigned band to appear on the BBC Television programme Top Of The Pops. They made a second appearance a week later as "Kandy Pop" entered the UK Top 30. Previously they had released a limited edition of the Transmissions On The Teen-C Tip! EP, featuring the Bikini Kill-inspired "Kill Yr Boyfriend". Supports to Super Furry Animals, Garbage and Bikini Kill themselves followed, though in performance the band's lo-fi pop approach did not translate well to large venues. They signed to Wiiija Records in June 1996 and released their debut long-player the following year. By this time the trio were facing increasingly hostile criticism from their native music press which continued to ignore the band's subsequent releases, although they retained the adoration of their overseas following, not least in Japan where one of their tunes was used as the alarm on Casio G-Shock watches.

Listen to Bis at Finetune.

Girl Star
Statement of Intent
Ninja Hi Skool
Clockwork Punk
I'll Get You Back