Children on Stun

Children on Stun is the name of a gothic rock band from England. Formed in 1991 the line-up consisted of Neil Ash, Simon Manning, Simon Treen and Pete Finnemore.

Formed in August 1991, Children on Stun appeared to enjoy a relatively large amount of success in a short space of time. Member Simon Treen left in the same year as the bands formation. The bands first gig took place at the club The Crypt in Hastings. In the same year of formation, the band also recorded their first demo titled Elegance and also made an appearance in Mick Mercer's second book on the gothic rock genre, this boosted the bands popularity and gained them much publicity.

In 1992, Children on Stun supported the popular goth rock band Rosetta Stone on their UK tour. Later on in the year, the band released their second demo, Choices.

The band went on to release two more demos in 1993, titled Monochrome I and Monochrome II. Using the profits gained from the release of these demos, the band released their first single, Hollow. This became a club hit throughout Europe and the UK. The band secured a record contract with Cleopatra Records in 1994 and released the album Tourniquets of Loves Desire. This album was well received within the UK goth scene and boosted the bands popularity greatly.

Towards the end of the year, the band was approached by the label M&A and asked to produce an EP. This resulted in the Overland EP being released. Overland was the last release by the band to feature guitarist Pete Finnemoore who "left the band to pursue other things in life."[1]

Kyle Whipp (formerly of Soul Inside) joined the band in 1995 as their new guitar player. The bands first gig featuring Whipp as guitarist took place at London's Camden Underworld. The EP Celebration Drug was released later on in the year and included the popular track Whiskey a-go-go. In August of the same year, the band went on a tour of Scandinavia. As well as this, the band released another EP titled Celibacy and Anadin which included remixes by the band Rosetta Stone. After the release of this EP, Cleopatra ended their contract with the band.

1996 saw the band begin to record their new album Mondo Weird which was not released until 1997. The band also released the single Pin ups, Soap operas and Natural Disasters in this year.

A remix CD was released by M&A in 1998 called Outrageous, Outlawed, Outspoken as well as the band announcing that they would be splitting up. They played their final gig at the Camden Underworld on the 24th of May 1998[2]. M&A also released a CD of this gig titled Seven Year Itch.

In 2005 M&A released a compilation of the bands b-sides, alternate song versions and demos called Rough Trade on a Cheap Promotion.

Simon M formed a new band 'Spares' in 1999.

Kyle Whipp & Neil Ash form 'The Stripper Project' with Hannah Neech in 2007. Their debut release 'Reasons not to go to work' Ep is due March 2008. Produced by Ex-Rosetta Stone's Porl Young.

2008 saw the release of the official 'BOOTLEG TELEVISION' DVD. With over three hours of footage from the bands personal archives, it includes, the last stand at Londons Camden Underworld, a 45 minute rockumentary of the bands chaotic Mondo tour, 3 brand new videos for 3 previously unreleased tracks, a still gallery, a remastered edition of the celebration video, a headline show at the Whitby Goth festival, 3 Songs from their Scandanavian tour, plus more...

The band reformed for a sell-out reunion in 2015. Shortly afterwards guitarist Simon Manning passes away. Stuart Harper joins the band for a charity event in honour of Simon's passing and later joins as a permanent member of the group.

The band release a new EP 'Echoes' in 2019 on Armalyte Industries after the departure of Stuart Harper with Gordon Young [Dream Disciples] joining on guitar.

Cleopatra Records announces the rerelease of the bands first LP 'Tourniquets of Loves Desire' on red splatter vinyl and extended CD in Sept 24th 2021. The band are currently writing new material.

For more information
www.childrenonstun.uk