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Marc and the Mambas was a British new wave band formed in 1982 by Marc Almond, best known as the frontman of Soft Cell. Seeking to explore more avant-garde and experimental musical avenues, Almond created the Mambas as a platform for his darker, more theatrical expressions. The band's lineup was fluid, featuring collaborations with artists such as Anni Hogan, Matt Johnson (of The The), and Jim Foetus, among others. Marc and the Mambas delved into genres like new wave, dark cabaret, and gothic rock, distinguishing themselves from Soft Cell's electronic pop sound. Their music often incorporated elements of vaudeville, French chanson, and gothic sensibilities, utilising a mix of guitar noise, piano, and string sections. The band's lyrics frequently touched on themes of madness, depression, isolation, alienation, and destructive love, offering a more introspective and emotionally raw perspective compared to Marc Almond's work with Soft Cell. Their debut album, Untitled, was released in September 1982 and featured collaborations with Matt Johnson and Anni Hogan. Torment and Toreros, released in August 1983, is considered the band's most extreme and personal recording. It reached number 28 on the UK Albums Chart and was noted for its melodrama and exploration of darker themes. Nearly three decades later, Marc Almond revisited the Mambas project, releasing live album Three Black Nights of Little Black Bites in 2012, originally recorded at the Duke of York's Theatre in 1983. The album was released as a limited edition CD/DVD set, offering fans a glimpse into the band's live performances. Despite their brief existence, Marc and the Mambas left a lasting impact on the music scene. Their work has been re-evaluated over time, with albums like Torment and Toreros gaining recognition as flawed masterpieces. Marc Almond continues to honour the band's legacy by incorporating Mambas songs into his live performances and maintaining connections with former band members.
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