Menswear (band)

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Menswear were a short-lived Britpop band in the mid 1990s from Camden in London. They signed their record deal after their fifth gig, appearing on the cover of Melody Maker (in an article about Camden club night Blow Up) before they had recorded a note. Their dress sense was Mod (tight fitting suits etc) whilst their music was influenced by both Blur's second album Modern Life Is Rubbish and Elastica.

They generated so much publicity that they appeared on Top of the Pops a week before their first single had even been released. This made them the first band to appear on the show without releasing a record. Their first single I'll Manage Somehow was a minor hit, reaching number 75 in the UK charts due to being a limited release. Their second single Daydreamer peaked at number 14 in the UK charts.

On the one hand, the band was criticised by the British music press for allegedly having success based on good-looks and charm rather than musical talent. On the other, this helped Menwear appeal to readers of both the NME and Smash Hits.

The band released their debut album Nuisance in 1995. Menswear played at the Glastonbury Festival the same year and released another single Stardust at the end of 1995. It reached the top thirty. As did follow-up single "Sleeping In". A fifth single, "Being Brave" gave them their first and only top ten hit.

As the popularity of Britpop faded, so did that of Menswear. They released a second album Hay Tiempo! in 1998 - but it was only available in Japan.

One guitarist, Simon White, went on to manage the bands Bloc Party, Engineers and Fields; and the other, Chris Gentry, is now managing Clocks, who have recently signed to Island Records, and is playing guitar for Ali Love, who recently had an NME Single of the Week with the song K-Hole. Drummer Matt Everett went on to work on the news team at London radio station Xfm.