Performer Notes

Menswear: Johnny Dean (vocals, percussion); Chris Gentry (acoustic & electric guitars); Simon White (electric guitar, background vocals); Stuart Black (bass, acoustic guitar); Matt Everitt (drums, percussion).
Additional personnel: Sian Bell (cello); The London Session Orchestra (strings); Porl Fletcher (flute, piano, organ, keyboards); The Kick Horns (horns).
Producers: Neill King (tracks 1-4, 6-11); Marc Waterman (track 5).
Recorded at Real World Studios, United Kingdom.
Perhaps Menswear was always destined to be a footnote in pop history, a product of the heady good times of London in 1994 and 1995. Reportedly signed after only three shows, the band was never given the chance to fully develop before they recorded their debut album, Nuisance. At the time of their first single, they appropriated the sound of Blur and the style of Pulp; by the time Nuisance was released, they also incorporated the sound of Elastica and Oasis, making the band a virtual Cliff Notes of Brit-pop. Naturally, Menswear doesn't quite have the skills or panache of any of their idols, but that doesn't mean they are lacking in charm. Like Oasis and Blur, Menswear appropriates sections of pop history, claiming them as their own. However, they aren't half the songwriters that Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn are, which means many of their ideas are never developed. Nevertheless, when they assimilate them fully -- like the intoxicating rush of "Around You Again" or the sweeping ballad "Being Brave," which lifts the intro to Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" -- the band is an undeniable guilty pleasure. When pressed, the 'swear can come up with irresistably infectious pop gems, from the frazzled Monkees pop of "Sleeping In" to the flat-out great single "Daydreamer," which sounds more like Wire than Elastica, only funnier, even if it may be unintentional. Even funnier are Johnny Dean's lyrics, from the groupie saga of "125 West 3rd Street" to "Stardust," a silly attack on Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie. In all, Nuisance is the perfect product from a band that is better known for being seen than being heard. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Professional Reviews

Alternative Press (12/95, p.90) - "...This is a great album. This is a great band. The hype was right again."

Melody Maker (12/23-30/95, pp.66-67) - Ranked #49 on Melody Maker's list of 1995's `Albums Of The Year.'

Melody Maker (10/7/95, p.37) - Recommended - "...a great record..."

NME (Magazine) (10/7/95, p.46) - 6 (out of 10) - "...All the most prominent features of the last two years of British guitar pop are present and correct: Elastica's jarring, Wirey guitar spiked rhythm; Oasis' boogie-riffing rock'n'roll classicism; Blur's London love and (wannabe) Kinksian lyrical barbs..."

Album: Nuisance
#	Song Title		Time
1)	125 West 3rd Street	More Info...
2)	I'll Manage Somehow	More Info...
3)	Sleeping In	More Info...
4)	Little Miss Pinpoint Eyes	More Info...
5)	Day Dreamer	More Info...
6)	Hollywood Girl	More Info...
7)	Being Brave	More Info...
8)	Around You Again	More Info...
9)	The One	More Info...
10)	Stardust	More Info...
11)	Piece Of Me	More Info...
12)	Bonus Track 1	More Info...

Album: Nuisance
#	Song Title		Time
1)	125 West 3rd Street	More Info...
2)	I'll Manage Somehow	More Info...
3)	Sleeping In	More Info...
4)	Little Miss Pinpoint Eyes	More Info...
5)	Day Dreamer	More Info...
6)	Hollywood Girl	More Info...
7)	Being Brave	More Info...
8)	Around You Again	More Info...
9)	The One	More Info...
10)	Stardust	More Info...
11)	Piece Of Me	More Info...
12)	Bonus Track 1	More Info...