Mantaray has been played on NTS shows including Casting Shadows (On Warm Sundays) w/ Rikki Humphrey , with Looking Glass first played on 20 August 2017.

From the Ever so Clever 'Some Pop',through some fine singles to 'The Reds and The Blues' Mantaray plugged away in the Britpop/ New Mod catchement ,like all the others they slipped away after a small Tour with The Bluetones late in their Britpop Crusade !!

Mantaray always seemed somewhat on the outside of the then current Britpop scene so much better than the likes of These Animal Men and Thurman, but never really put on the same shelf as Blur( for which I will never understand ), there were without a doubt strong refs in the sound to the late 60's,and that was blended well with up to date Pop.Live Mantaray could strut with the best of the crop, their knack for writing niffty pop tunes always won over even the most believers in any crowd.

With today's current trend heading towards a Britpop Revival ( YES YOU HEARD RIGHT) this writer for one hopes that Mantaray become discovered by a whole new generation of Guitar loving Pop fans. More info at www.sohostrut.co.uk

Might as well have it right…. Formed in Essex in 1993, Chris Latter (vocals, guitar) and David Standen (bass,vocals) were joined by Simon Mortimer (drums) and embarked on a 5 year mission of mayhem that saw 2 albums and numerous singles released via Dead Dead Good and Fontana (Mercury). Playing over 100 shows a year through this period across Europe and the UK, annoying the music press by refusing to join in and eventually securing a major label deal, described at the time as 'audacious as the Pistols signing to EMI'. Mantaray also offered up 'Sad' to the first Fierce Panda release, 'Shagging in the Streets', and contributed 'I've Got MIne' to the Ronnie Lane/Small Faces tribute 'Long Agos & Worlds Apart'. Influenced by the Jam, the Who, Beatles (of course) but also the Pixies, Quick Silver Messenger Service, Jazz Butcher and the Clash. Ist album 'Some Pop' recorded in 2 weeks with all the bands mates joining in and basically having a good time and forgetting they were supposed to be making a record, culminating in a fun and upbeat collection of songs that nobody can remember how to play anymore. 2nd album 'Reds & The Blues' was a more serious affair, produced by Ed Buller, real musicians like Oliver Krautz and the Kick Horns were added. Made some great videos for the 2 Fontana singles including a cameo from Nasty Nick Cotton for Patient Man. Managed by the great Roger Sargent, who made a valiant effort of keeping it all together, eventually they all just got a little bored of it all. You see, and let's keep this to ourselves, but some bands enjoy being in a band more than the music, Mantaray managed some half decent stuff along the way, but lifestyle over practice was always the order of the day.