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interviews

You can now download the interview between Steve Lamacq and Bis in November 1998. you will need to have Realplayer 5.0 or above installed to listen to the clip. It lasts for approx. 2 minutes.

Streaming Interview (28k modem)

Streaming Interview (56k modem)

Melody Maker - Bis Interview

When did you last cry in front of a person?

Manda Rin: I know it sounds weird, but I actually cry quite a lot. I find it quite a relief. If you get too wound-up or stressed-out, a good cry is important. Virtually every boyfriend I've had has called me paranoid because I need reassurance all the time. Maybe I am paranoid, or maybe it's a time of month thing. But I can't remember the last time I actually cried in front of another person. There aren't that many people I feel close enough to. I wouldn't cry in front of my boyfriends - I wouldn't even give them the satisfaction, hahaha!

When was the last time you stole something?

John Disco: I used to steal my lunch from Safeway when I was younger. You'd go to the deli counter with your chicken roll and you'd walk down this particular aisle which was a blind spot for the security guards. You didn't get caught because they didn't have any of those 'beep-beep-beep' machines. Everyone used to do it, but I never got caught.

Do you believe in God?

Sci-Fi Steve: That's a tough one. I'm certainly not a Christian. Anything those right-wing fundamentalists do really pisses me off. Any chance I had of believing anything is demolished by their behavior. I really hate those 'True Love Waits' virginal cults in America. I mean, f*** that! How can you marry someone you haven't slept with? If you are attracted to someone, you should f***ing do something about it. But of course I genuinely believe that someone or something somewhere created all this shite.

What's your greatest ambition in life?

Manda Rin: To be played in the cafe in 'EastEnders'. We were played on the CD stall, but that's not as exciting. 'Coronation Street' would be good too, or 'Brookside' - I was so jealous when Ron Dixon wore a Super Furry Animals T-Shirt. It would be great if we could get Les Battersby from 'Coronation Street' to wear a Bis T-shirt. He's one of the funniest soap characters ever.

If you knew that in one year you were going to die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you were now living?

John Disco: I'd do everything I'd ever wanted to do. I'd write a book, I'd make a film, I'd form 900 bands and go to places like Brazil. I'd also commit some heinous crimes, maybe kill the odd person. No, only kidding, but I would do some more shoplifting. That was fun for a while and I haven't experienced that level of excitment for some time.

If you could choose the manner of your death, what would it be?

Sci-Fi Steven: Onstage, definitely. You have to go out with a bang, like being fried by a big electrical surge on the stage. I wouldn't like to die of old age, all withered and frail. That scares me even more than any other form of death. It would have to be instant. Maybe a gun-shot to the heart - do a John Lennon.

Have you been attracted to anybody of the same sex or in your family? If so, how did you deal with it?

Manda Rin: I can immediately say not anybody in my own family - not that they are unattractive or anything. We're not a cuddly family. I can't actually remember the last time my mother cuddled me, which is kinda strange. I remember getting lost in 'Boots' once when I was very litttle and I was crying about it and when I eventually found her, she hadn't even noticed that I was missing! But as for the same sex - that different. Women's bodies are more attractive than men's bodies. I've been out with mostly boys, but a woman's body does more for me than a man's body does.

How many sexual partners have you had? And do you wish you'd had more or fewer?

Sci-Fi Steven: Jesus! What a question! I'd say not very many, because I'm not the sort of person who likes to have sex for the sake of having sex. I don't have the highest sex drive ever. Sometimes I'd rather listen to a record instead, than do the thing. I wouldn't like to put a number on it, but I do know exactly how many. I'm not that drug-addled that I don't remember what the f*** I did.

How many times during the day do you look at yourself in the mirror?

Manda Rin: As little as possible. A lot of people look in the mirror because they think they're hideous. I was like that. I was very insecure about my looks. I used to hate my body so much that I was always checking it in the mirror. These days, I look at myself first thing in the morning and late at night, but not that often in between. I have to look in the mirror before going onstage, because John and Steven aren't the sort of people who would tell me if I had a great big black mark on my face.

Do you have a Favorite sexual fantasy? And if so, would you like it to be fulfilled?

John Disco: There's something about doing it outside that appeals. In a very quiet, covered place. Maybe in the woods. I've not had it fulfilled. I've never had sex outside ever. It's usually been too cold. I've never bothered at festivals - they're too dirty. I'm into my hygiene, I like a nice clean bed. I have a girlfriend, so obviously I'm not thinking of anyone other than my girlfriend. I think I said the right thing there. Hopefully, I won't get into trouble.

Would you prefer to be blind or deaf?

Sci-Fi Steve: Blind, no question. I couldn't live without music. I've been around the world and I've seen enough to guarentee I'd have some good visual memories that wouldn't fade. If I was blind, the thing I'd miss the most would be watching football. But I'd go and have the commentary relayed to me over headphones. You'd still sense the atmosphere.

Would you be happy with a marriage of the highest quality in all respects except one - It completely lacked sex?

Manda Rin: Probably. I don't find sex to be one of the most important things in a relationship. Obviously, sex is good - not that I've had amazing experiences in the past. But what I'd really appreciate is a soulmate, somebody I could go shopping with. I've been out with people who haven't had the most fullfilling parts on their body and I still went out with them. Anyway, when people get old how much do they do it, anyway?

What do you like least about yourself?

John Disco: Erm, there's nothing really! Hahahaha! It's difficult for me to say, but the one thing my girlfriend dislikes about me is my initial reluctance to express myself emotionally. I hate to start arguments. I try to avoid conflict and friction. There's certainly nothing I dislike about myself physically.

Would you like your spouse to be both smarter and more attractive than you?

Sci-Fi Steve: It wouldn't bother me if she was. I'm not into power in a relationship. I wouldn't feel uncomfortable at all if she recieved more attention than me. I mean, it happens! All the time! I don't feel jealous, and sometimes it is nice if she is desired by other men, because you do want an element of approval. If people are pleased for you, then it usually means you have found an attractive girl.

Is anything to serious to joke about?

Sci-Fi Steve: It depends. I'm not particularly offened by Princess Diana jokes. Have you heard the one about Mother Theresa dying and Elton John doing the charity record? It's called 'Sandals in the bin'.

Manda Rin: Illnesses like cancer or AIDS shouldn't be joked about, but if it's to do with royalty or a dead celebrity, then it's not offensive at all. I'm supprised there weren't more Princess Diana jokes. People were crying over her as if they would there own relatives. I got so pissed off with all that.

John Disco: I'm not easily offended, but someone like Bernard Manning is awful.. I only found him funny when the piss was being taken out of him on 'Brass Eye'

Sky Magazine Interview

     Bis bassist, John Disco, was underwhelmed by his band's debut Top of the Pops appearence. "There are only about 100 kids there and they get told to run about so it looks like a huge crowd. It's not that amazing. Just a glorified gig." Taking everything in their stride, then, with an average age of 18, Bis are the first unsigned band to be on Top Of The Pops - bettering Menswear's "First Ever Performance By Band Without Single Released." It can only be a matter of time before there is a TOTP performance by a band who have not yet formed or been born.
     However, for those who endured MN8, Mark Morrison and (god spare us) I Want To Be A Hippy, Bis' Kandy Pop was a revelation. Specifically, it was the most marvellous pop/telly interface since some caller to Going Live got to ask Five Star on air, "Why are you so f**king sh*t?" There was Amanda (18, known as Manda Rin), looking for all the world like Drew Barrymore in a strop, plinking away at her keyboard, more touchingly bored than Liam sat behind the piano on Don't Look Back In Anger. There was Steve (known as Sci-Fi Steve), spattering Amanda's shrill "Sugar sugar kandy pop/push it down/pull it up" squeal with a snide Lydon refrain of "You got the brrrains." There was Jon (known as John Disco), so young-looking he made Chris from Menswear seem like the old man in the rocking chair from Arrested Development. It made no sense. It was fantastic.
     "We are," says John, "the first Glasgow band in a long time who have made it. That's why the music press is trying to build a scene around us. Apparently we're lo-fi, which we never set out to be. The only thing we have in common with other Glasgow bands is that we're very inventive. There is no linear Glasgow sound, that's the great thing."
Although Bis have no intention of seeing their home-town become the new Camden, Amanda will happily admit to being inspired by original north London scene-sters, Lush. "Oooh, I always wanted to be like Miki. I always wanted my hair like hers."
     John and Steve cite as influences Dexy's Midnight Runners' Come On Eileen, X-Ray Spex, The Specials, The Slits and the whole Two Tone movement, ie, bands that no longer exist. Amanda, however, acknowledges the effect of going to see bands who are actually still around: "Basically, I was inspired by watching any band play live. That energy just makes you want to be in a band yourself."
     But there are a lot of bored teenagers who dream of being in a band. What have Bis got that the rest of us don't? "Determination," says Amanda, sounding like the strict dance teacher in Fame. "We really have made an effort. We made our own posters. We designed our own sleeves. We write back to everyone who writes to us. Other bands just pay someone else to do it for them."
     Steve believes it is their control-freak attention to detail that has stopped them signing one of the many major label contracts shoved at them. "We are so picky. Labels are very reluctant to give total control, which is something we have to have. Our stubborness may be our downfall - I suppose we might miss our own boat. But if we did sign to a major, we wouldn't be at all apologetic about it, like most bands are. We're very cynical. There's no way we could be a fake independent band like Shed Seven, who are on a major, but will never be a success until they turn pop."
     An interesting footnote to the Bis route to stardom is that Amanda and Steve stopped going out with each other the same week they made Top Of The Pops. She describes her ex as being "very quick-tempered. Jon is very laid-back, but Steve gets stressed at sound-checks. He walks around all day long writing songs in his head." Steve "wouldn't want to describe Amanda because she'd probably kill me. A nuisance, really. That will do."
     So, to what we do know of Bis: they're soon to support Lush on tour, whereupon Miki might be so kind as to help Amanda dye her hair pink. Failing that, could Drew Barrymore please get in touch with the band, since Amanda is totally obsessed with her? Amanda and Steve are now single. Jon is "a bit mad." The last thing in the world that they want to be is Shed Seven. They do "want to go back to bed again," groans Steve. "And I want to pay my parents back for all the instruments they bought us."
     Amanda agrees: "God, our parents have been so great. They let me take all this time off. They supported me when I turned down a place at a university that had been really hard to get into. They believed in me when I said, 'I know in my heart, if it's going to happen, it's going to happen this year.'" And how.