| Illustrated Man | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, United Kingdom |
| Genres | funk rock |
| Years active | 1984 |
| Labels | Capitol EMI |
| Associated acts | Gang of Four Japan Supernaut James Freud & the Radio Stars |
| Past members | |
| see members list below | |
Illustrated Man (circa 1984) were a funk-rock band formed in London featuring Hugo Burnham (ex-Gang of Four) on drums and percussion, Rob Dean (Japan) on guitar and two Australians: singer and bass guitarist Philip Foxman (Supernaut) and Roger Mason on keyboards and synthesisers (Gary Numan touring band, James Freud & the Radio Stars).[1]
They had hits with songs such as "Head over Heels", "Just Enough" and "Fall from Grace" and their sound was likened to UK bands such as Japan, Simple Minds and Duran Duran - they are also believed to have influenced INXS.
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Hugo Burnham was a founding member of English post-punk band Gang of Four on drums and percussion, he left in early 1983 after their third studio album, Songs of the Free (1982). Rob Dean was an early member of new wave group Japan on guitar and left after recording their fourth album, Gentlemen Take Polaroids (1980) and initially worked on a solo album, which was not released. Australian Philip Foxman was bass guitarist for glam rockers Supernaut (later The Nauts) which disbanded in 1980, Foxman relocated to London. Roger Mason was keyboardist for new wave group James Freud & the Radio Stars in Melbourne, they supported Gary Numan on his Australian tour. As James Freud & Berlin, they relocated to London, Mason toured with Numan in late 1980 and met Dean when both were session musicians on Numan's Dance album recorded in June–July 1981.
Consisting of some excellent musicians with a successful track record, the band was initially hailed as a supergroup and released a six-track mini-album, Illustrated Man in 1984. Joey Burnham (ex-Supernaut) also appeared as session drummer on the mini-album. The band had some success with songs such as "Head over Heels", "Just Enough" and "Fall from Grace" and their sound was likened to UK bands such as Japan, Simple Minds and Duran Duran.
The extended remix of "Head Over Heels" emphasises the line, "outside that door, you're on your own ... outside that door, you're on your own!"
Regarded as an excellent live band they were thought to be the next big thing but their success was relatively short-lived. The band travelled to New York after the release of the mini-album but disbanded shortly after.