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)
Everybody Thinks That They’re Going To Get Theirs
Kill Yr Boyfriend (Grand Royal Version)
Keroleen (Unreleased Version)
Pop Song (featuring Pink Kross)
Statement Of Intent (Original Version)
Sweet Shop Avengerz (Hi-Fi Mix)
Tell It To The Kids (Hi-Fi Mix)
The Boy With The Thorn In His Side
Eurodisco (Les Rythmes Digitales Remix)
Eurodisco (DJ Scissorkicks Remix)
Eurodisco (Klute Polka Remix)
Eurodisco (Bob Kraushaar/Pete Gleadall Vocal)
Famous (Andy Gill Version)
Why Are We Waiting (12’’ Version)
Return to Central (Deluxe):
Don’t Let The Rain Come Down
Robotic (Just Last Week) (Syndrum Mix)
The European (7’’ Version)
The End Starts Today (Tommie Sunshines "Nail Me Down" Glasgow Summer Freestyle Mix)
Cubis (I Love You) (12’’ Version)
Protection (Ectomorph Chromium Version)
Robotic (Adult. Almost Instrumental Mix)
