Location: Derrylin, Co. Fermanagh | Website: facebook
Line Up
Pat McManus (v,g,fiddle) – also in The Pat McManus Band, Celtus, Indian, Pat McManus And The Painkillers, The Government, Pat McManus And Hi-Voltage
John McManus (b,v) – also in Celtus and The Government
Tommy McManus (d,v)
Mike Wilson (v) – solo releases before and after performing with Mama’s Boys
Keith Murrell (v) – also in Moontier, Airrace, Lionheart and backing vocals for Cliff Richard
Connor McKeon (v) – also in No Sweat and The Connor McKeon Band
Rick Chase (v) – also in Alibi, Dodger, Double Cross, Graffiti, John Coghlan’s Quo, King’s Call, Ned Kelly, Steel and Xcalibre
Alan Williams (k)
Alan Nelson (k)
Musicians who have jammed/giged/played but are not considered as full members: Jimmy DeGrasso (d) and Don Airey (k)
Notes:
– Initially formed as ‘Pulse’ in 1978 by the three McManus Brothers
– Their debut album, produced by Barry Devlin of Horslips, featured appearances by their mother, father and sister Molly
– Rock Goddess guested on the ‘Mama’s Boys’ album
– From their 1987 album onwards, with John McManus suffering vocal problems, they became a four-piece as they became more AOR-oriented
– After Tommy’s death in 1994, the band ceased
– The Pat McManus Band still perform (as at 2020) a number of Mama’s Boys tracks live
– Important compilations featuring Mama’s Boys:
“Metal Treasures And Vinyl Heavies” (LP, Action Replay Records, 1984) with ‘Straight Forward’
“Kerrang! Kompilation” (LP, EMI, 1985) with ‘Don’t Tell Mama’
“The Metal Edge” (VHS, Peppermint, 1985) with ‘Mama We’re All Crazy Now’
“Metal Wars” (LP, K-Tel, 1985) with ‘Lettin’ Go’
– Thanks to Stephen Allen for the research and work on this page!
Official Album
LP Pussy (1980) PU. 004
LP Pussy (1980) PU 007
CD Dyamond Rox / PROGAOR (2020) DR10
1. I’m Leaving Town
2. Down And Out
3. Belfast City Blues
4. Highland Rock
5. Record Machine
6. Rock N’ Roll Craze
7. Summertime
8. Big Bad City
9. Without You
10.Demon
*Original PU. 004 tracklisting above. Some sleeves for this release retitle the album “Official Bootleg”
*PU 007 is retitled Official Bootleg” and omits ‘Down And Out’ and ‘Big Bad City’
*DR10 is retitled Official Bootleg Album 1980″, includes the original ten tracks and adds the tracks from the single High Energy Weekend / Hitch-Hike
Rollin’ On
7″ Pussy (1980) PU. 005
1. Rollin’ On
2. Demon
High Energy Weekend
7″ Pussy (1980) PU006
1. High Energy Weekend
2. Hitch-Hike
Silence Is Out Of Fashion
7″ Pussy (1981) PU008
1. Silence Is Out Of Fashion
2. Rock & Roll Craze
Needle In The Groove
7″ Pussy (1982) PU 009
7″ Ultra! Noise (1982) ION 1041
7″ Liberation, Albion (1983) LS-1014
12″ Ultra! Noise (1982) 12ION 1041
1. Needle In The Groove
2. Reach For The Top
*PU009 tracklisting above
*ION 1041 has alternate B-side ‘Hard Headed Ways’ and 12ION 1041 also adds ‘Silence Is Out Of Fashion’
*LS-1014 has alternate B-side ‘Runaway Dreams’
Belfast City Blues
7″ Scoff (1982) DT015
7″ Scoff (1982) DT015K
1. Belfast City Blues
2. Reach For The Top
*Two different versions of unknown limitation. The difference is on the design and colors of the vinyl labels.
Plug It In
CASSETTE Pussy (1982) PUC 010
LP Pussy (1982) PU010
LP Ultra! Noise (1982) ULTRA 1
LP Albion (1982) 2374 213
LP Albion (1982) 2374 213 201940
LP Castle Classics (1982) CLALP 111
LP Victor (1983) VIL 6043
LP Liberation Records (1983) LIB 5017
LP Albion (1986) ALLP 4.00136 J *
CD Albion (1986 / 1988) ALCD 9.00136 *
CDR Line (2017) LICD 600009 E *
CDR Albion (2017) ALCD 900136 O *
1. In The Heat Of The Night
2. Burnin’ Up
3. Needle In The Groove
4. Reach For The Top
5. Belfast City Blues
6. Straight Forward
7. Getting Out
8. Runaway Dreams
*Original PU010 / PUC010 tracklisting above.
*Different versions have different running orders.
*Apart from the original release, all other versions add ‘Silence Is Out Of Fashion’
*Versions marked ‘*’ also add an additional long version of ‘In The Heat Of The Night’ as well as ‘Hard Headed Ways’ and ‘Record Machine’
In The Heat Of The Night
 Ultra! Noise & Albion Records cover |
 Liberation Records cover |
7″Ultra! Noise (1982) ION 1038
7″Albion Records (1982) 104734
7″ Liberation Records (1983) LS-950
1. In The Heat Of The Night
2. Reach For The Top
*Australian pressing on Liberation has ‘Straight Forward’ on the b-side
Turn It Up
LP Pussy (1983) PU 013
LP Virgin (1983) 205526
LP Spartan (1983) SPLP 001
LP Virgin (1984) 70184
CD Spartan (1983) SPLC 001
CD Virgin (1984) 50184
CD Virgin (1984) 405526
CD Jive (2018) ND70184 (bootleg)
1. Midnight Promises
2. Loose Living
3. Too Little Of You To Love
4. Late Night Rendezvous
5. Crazy Daisy’s House Of Dreams
6. Face To Face
7. Gentleman Rogues
8. Lonely Soul
9. Shake My Bones
10. Freedom Fighters
*Early pressings of SPLP 001 came with a free T shirt
Too Little Of You To Love
7″ Spartan (1983) SP6
12″ Spartan (1983) 12SP6
12″ + LP Spartan (1983) 12SP6, MBB1
1. Too Little Of You To Love
2. Freedom Fighters
*12SP6 also added ‘Record Machine’
*Some copies of 12SP6 also came with a version of “The Offical Bootleg” matching the 8 tracks of PU 007 as above
Telephone Teaser
7″ Pussy (1983) PU011
1. Telephone Teaser
2. Shake My Bones
Loose Living
7″ Pussy (1983) PU012
1. Loose Living
2. Demon
Face To Face
7″ Virgin (1983) 105 139
1. Face To Face
2. Lonely Soul
Midnight Promises
7″ Spartan (1983) SP11
12″ Spartan (1983) 12SP11
1. Midnight Promises
2. Lonely Soul
3. High Energy Weekend
*Track 3 only on the 12″
Mama’s Boys
 Original Pussy Records cover |
 Virgin (France) cover |
 cover of all other versions |
LP Liberation (1984) LIB-5047
LP Virgin (1984) 70267
LP Jive, Arista (1984) JL8-8281
LP Jive (1984) 40003
LP Pussy (1984) PU 015
LP Jive (1984) 6.25971 AP
LP Jive (1984) Jive 7002
LP Jive (1984) JV-6612
LP Jive (1984) HIP 15
LP Jive (1984) 656.056
LP CBS/Sony (1984) 28AP 2895
LP Jive, Arista (1984) JL8-8214
LP Ariola (1984) LA-593
LP Jive (1985) HIP 15
CASSETTE Jive (1984) HIPC 15
CASSETTE Jive (1984) JV-4-6612
CASSETTE Virgin (1984) 50267
CASSETTE Arista (1984) JC8-8281
CASSETTE Arista (1984) JC8-8214
CD Jive (1984) HIPC 15
CD Jive (1984) JV-4-6612
CD Jive (1984) HIC 15
CD Arista (1984) JC8-8214
CD Arista (1984) JC8-8281
CD Virgin (1984) 50267
CD Jive (1987) 32XB-198
CD Sony Music Mexiko (2007)
1. Crazy Daisy’s House Of Dreams
2. Runaway Dreams
3. Mama We’re All Crazy Now
4. Gentleman Rogues
5. Lonely Soul
6. In The Heat Of The Night
7. The Professor
8. Midnight Promises
9. Straight Forward
*Mostly re-recordings of songs on their first three albums
*Various versions have minor typographical differences e.g. ‘Crazee’ and/or track 9 listed as ‘Straight Forward (No Looking Back)’
*Canada and US releases replaced ‘Straight Forward’ with another cover version; ‘If The Kids Are United’ (Sham 69)
Power And Passion
LP Pussy, Jive (1985) PU 017
LP Jive (1985) LA-634
LP + 12″ Jive (1985) HIP 24
LP Jive, Liberation, EMI (1985) LIB5058
LP Pussy, Jive (1985) PU 017
LP Liberation, Liberation (1985) L 38365, LIB 5058
LP CBS/Sony (1985) 28AP 3024
LP Jive (1985) 40007
LP Jive, Pussy (1985) 656.066
LP Jive (1985) 6.26131 AP
LP Jive (1985) HIP 24
LP Virgin (1985) 70361
LP Jive (1985) NL 74 282
LP ZKP RTVL (1985) LL 1307
LP Jive (1985) JV 6619
LP Jive (1985) JL 8-8285
LP Steamhammer (2013) SPV 265691 LP
CASSETTE Jive (1985) JC8-8285
CASSETTE ZKP RTVL, Jive (1985) KL 1307
CASSETTE Jive (1985) HIPC 24
CASSETTE Virgin (1985) 50361
CASSETTE Jive (1985) TC 40007
CASSETTE Jive (1985) HIC 24
CASSETTE Jive (1985) JV4 6619
CASSETTE Jive (1985) 856.066
CD Jive (1987) 32XB-199
CD Jive (1989) ND74282
CD Gott Discs (2006) GOTTCD038
CD BGO (2009) BGOCD908
1. Hard ‘N’ Loud
2. Straight Forward, No Looking Back
3. Lettin’ Go
4. Needle In The Groove
5. Run
6. Power & Passion
7. Don’t Tell Mama
8. The Professor II
9. Let’s Get High
*Some copies of HIP 24 came with a bonus 12″ picture disc ‘One Last Chance’ b/w ‘Interview With Band’
*Other copies of HIP 24 came with a poster based on the album cover
*Contains three re-recordings of songs on their first three albums
Crazee-Ee-Pee
2 x 7″ Virgin (1984) 105 139
12″ Virgin (1984) JIVE T 71
1. Mama We’re All Crazee Now
2. Crazy Daisy’s House Of Dreams
3. Runaway Dreams
4. Gentlemen Rogues
*2×7″ track list above.
*12″ adds ‘Lonely Soul’ and ‘The Professor’ instead of ‘Runaway Dreams’ and ‘Gentlemen Rogues’
Mama We’re All Crazee Now
 Virgin (France) |
 Jive (Netherlands) |
 Jive (Spain) |
 CBS Sony (Japan) |
7″ Jive/Arista (1984) JS 1-9213
7″ CBS/Sony (1984) 07SP 827
7″ Jive (1984) K-9447
7″ Jive (1984) 145.112
7″ Pussy (1984) PU 014
7″ Jive (1984) JIVE 53X
7″ Virgin (1984) 90123
7″ Virgin (1984) SA 1012 – single side promo
7″ Jive (1984) JIVE 71
7″ Jive/Ariola (1984) S-961 / 106.553
12″ Jive/Arista (1984) JDP-9206
1. Mama We’re All Crazy Now
2. Face To Face
*PU 014 (Ireland) B-side has ‘Intro’
*90123 (France) B-side has ‘Gentleman Rogues’ (sic)
*JIVE 71 (Spain) B-side has ‘The Professor’ and the title in Spanish
*JDP-9206 promo with same track on both sides. There is also a 7″ by Jive/Arista with the same track on both sides and catalogue number: JS 1-9213
If The Kids Are United
12″ Jive, Arista (1984) JDP-9261
1. If The Kids Are United
2. If The Kids Are United
*Promo only – same track on both sides
Hard ‘N’ Loud E.P.
12″ Jive (1985) Jive T 110
12″ Jive (1985) HIP R 24 (promo)
1. Hard ‘N’ Loud
2. Lettin’ Go (Remix)
3. Without You (Live)
*’Without You’ live in San Antonio, TX , USA
*Promo 12″ has the track ‘Power And Passion’ instead of ‘Without You’
Needle In The Groove
 Cover of most editions |
 12″ Jive promo |
 Jive (Spain) |
 Picture Disc |
7″ Virgin (1985) SA 1054
7″ Ariola/Jive (1985) S-1026, 107.363
7″ Jive (1985) 6.14373 AC
7″ Jive (1985) LS-1537
7″ Jive (1985) JIVE P 96
7″ Pussy (1985) PU 019
7″ Virgin (1985) SA 1036
7″ Jive (1985) JIVE 96 (clover-shaped picture disc)
12″ Jive (1985) JIVE T 96
12″ Jive (1985) JDP-9343 (promo)
1. Needle In The Groove
2. Don’t Tell Mama
*Promo 12″ by Jive JDP-9343 with same track on both sides.
*12″ by Jive JIVE T 96 also includes ‘If The Kids Are United’
*PU019 (Ireland) has B-side ‘Professor 2’
*SA 1054 (France) has B-side ‘Straightforward, No Looking Back’
Lettin’ Go
 12″ promo |
 7″ flexi |
7″ flexi Virgin (1985) EM 03.12.85
12″ Jive (1985) JDP 9379
1. Lettin’ Go (Remix)
2. Lettin’ Go (Remix)
*One-track 7″ flexi disc given away with Enfer magazine in France
*12″ is a US promo
Runaway Dreams
7″ Ariola (1985) SP-117
1. Runaway Dreams (Sueños Fugitivos)
2. Runaway Dreams (Sueños Fugitivos)
* Promo for the Mexican market
Excerpts From The New Album ‘Growing Up The Hard Way’
7″ flexi Jive (1987) LYN 19497
1. Black Listed
2. Bedroom Eyes
3. Higher Ground
*Given away with Kerrang! #163 (21 November 1987)
*Introduced by Tommy Vance
Growing Up The Hard Way
LP Jive (1987) 6.26665
LP Jive (1987) ALI-28051
LP Jive (1987) HIP 49
LP Jive (1987) 40022
LP Jive (1987) ZL 71 531
LP Jive (1987) HIP 49
LP Jive (1987) 1059-1-J
LP Jive (1988) LAE-763
LP Jive/PGP RTB (1988) 2223813, HIP 49
CASSETTE Jive (1987) HIP C 49
CASSETTE Jive (1987) ZK 71531
CASSETTE Jive (1987) 1059-4-J
CD Jive (1987) CHIP 49
CD Jive (1987) 1059-2-J
CD Jive (1987) 32XB-172
CD Jive (1987) 8.26665
1. Waiting For A Miracle
2. Bedroom Eyes
3. In Over My Head
4. Higher Ground
5. Hot Blood
6. Running Away
7. I’ve Had Enough
8. Blacklisted
9. Last Thing At Night
Higher Ground
 Cover on most editions |
 Japanese cover |
2 x 7″ Jive (1987) MBOY 1
7″ Jive (1987) MBOY 1 PROMO
7″ Jive (1987) ALI-784
7″ Jive (1987) 6.15051 TS
2 x 12″ Jive (1987) MBOYT1
12″ Jive (1987) 1085-1-JDAB
CD EP Jive (1987) MBOY CD 1
1. Higher Ground
2. Last Thing At Night
3. Needle In The Groove (7″ Version)
4. Mama We’re All Crazee Now
*Tracklist for the 2 x 7″. All other 7″ pressings have only the first two tracks
*12″ by Jive with catalogue number 1085-1-JDAB is a promo with both versions (album & 7″) one on each side
*2 x 12″ and CD EP by Jive contain the album version of ‘Needle In The Groove’ and not the 7″ version. They also feature a different mix of the lead track (Captain Love Mix)
Waiting For A Miracle
 Cover on most editions |
 German 12″ |
 12″ USA promo |
7″ Jive (1987) ALI-757
7″ Jive (1987) 6.14968 AC
7″ Jive (1987) JIVE 152
7″ Jive, Jive (1987) JIVE X 152
12″ Jive (1987) JIVET 152
12″ Jive (1987) JIVE F 152
12″ Jive (1987) 1048-1-JDAB
12″ Jive (1987) 6.20817
1. Waiting For A Miracle
2. Lightning Strikes
*German press of the 12″ with catalogue number JIVE F 152 housed in a folded guitar paper sleeve
*Three pressings (with catalogue numbers:JIVET 152, JIVE F 152 and 6.20817 also include an ‘Extended AOR mix’ of the lead track.
*US promo 12″ with catalogue number 1048-1-JDAB has only the lead track on both versions (album and 7″ edit)
*JIVE X 152 (UK) was pressed on red vinyl
Spirit Of America
7″ Jive (1987) MBOY 2
1. Spirit Of America
2. I’ve Had Enough
*Never commercially released. ‘Spirit Of America’ was recorded and released by Samantha Fox on her 1991 album “Just One Night”
Live Tonite
LP Music For Nations (1991) MFN 114
CASSETTE Music For Nations (1991) TMFN 114
CD Music For Nations (1991) CDMFN 114
CD CTM (1991) CD 131 002
CD Brunette (1992) ALCB-656
1. Hot Blood
2. Bedroom Eyes
3. Walk All Over Me
4. Rescue Me
5. Needle In The Groove *
6. My Way Home
7. Last Thing At Night
8. Lonely Soul
9. Runaway Dreams
10. Fallin’
11. Straight Forward
12. The Beast *
13. This Flight Tonight *
*Recording on tour in the UK, Austria, Spain and Switzerland during November/December 1990
*UK CD track listing given above.
*Japanese CD by Brunette contains bonus track, ‘Mama Weer All Crazee Now’
*Tracks marked * do not appear on LP / cassette
This Flight Tonight
7″ CTM (1991) 131 802
1. This Flight Tonight
2. Rescue Me
*Both tracks from the “Live Tonite” album
Relativity
CASSETTE Disques Vogue (1992) 74321120024
CASSETTE Closer To Music Ltd. (1992) MC 131 003
CASSETTE Blue Martin (1992) BLM MC 330035-4
CD Intercord Record Service (1992) IRS 986.958
CD Brunette (1992) ALCB-655
CD CTM (1992) CD 131 003
CD Disques Vogue (1992) 74321120022
CD Blue Martin (1992) BLM 330035-2
CD Angel Air (2001) SJPCD081
1. Judgement Day
2. What You See Is What You Get
3. Laugh About It
4. Don’t Look Back In Anger
5. Cry Salvation
6. Rescue Me
7. My Way Home
8. Don’t Back Down
9. Left And Right
10. Cardboard City
11. Walk All Over Me
12. Fallin’
13. Moorlough Shore
14. Bonus Track
*Cassette versions do not include ‘Bonus Track’
*Japanese CD by Brunette contains the extra track ‘Time Warp’
*CD by Angel Air contains the 13 original cassette tracks plus 5 live bonus tracks: ‘Walk All Over Me’, ‘Rescue Me’, ‘My Way Home’, ‘Fallin” and ‘The Beast’
Laugh About It
CD single CTM (1992) 131 103
1. Laugh About It
2. Cardboard City
3. Time Warp (Instrumental)
4. Mamma Weer All Crazy Now
*Track 4 recorded live at The Atlantis, Basle, Switzerland
Chappell Recorded Music Library
CD Chappell (1993) AV075
1. The Days Of My Life
2. The Days Of My Life
3. The Fatman In Me
4. The Fatman In Me
5. Bright Shooting Star
6. Bright Shooting Star
7. Such A Long Time
8. Such A Long Time
9. Tonight
10. Tonight
11. Young And Proud
12. Young And Proud
13. Cruising Around
14. Cruising Around
15. Reach Out To The Sky
16. Reach Out To The Sky
17. On My Trail
18. On My Trail
*Tracks 11-18 are Mama’s Boys: odd-numbered tracks full versions, even-numbered instrumental versions.
*Tracks 1-10 are Mammoth (John McCoy / Nicky Moore band)
The Collection
CD Connoisseur Collection (2000) VSOP CD 308
1. Crazy Daisy’s House Of Dreams
2. Runaway Dreams
3. Gentlemen Rogues
4. Lonely Soul
5. Mama Weer All Crazee Now
6. Midnight Promises
7. Straight Forward (No Looking Back)
8. Needle In The Groove
9. Hard ‘N’ Loud
10. Power And Passion
11. Lettin’ Go
12. Don’t Tell Mama
13. Waitin’ For A Miracle
14. Hot Blood
15. Bedroom Eyes
16. In Over My Head
17. Higher Ground
18. Last Thing At Night
*All original recordings from 1984-1987
Mama Weer All Crazee Now
 Mama Weer All Crazee Now |
 Live From The Camden Palace |
DVD Cherry Red (2006) CRDVD118
DVD SFM (2013) SFMDVD136
1. Gentleman Rogues
2. Don’t Tell Mama
3. Hard ‘n’ Loud
4. Needle In The Groove
5. Without You
6. Runaway Dreams
7. Feel Like Letting Go
8. Straight Forward No Looking Back
9. Mama Weer All Crazee Now
10. The Last Chance
*Both releases feature the same performance from Camden Palace Theatre, London, England 20th May 1985.
*DVD by SFM renamed “Live From The Camden Palace” and includes a bonus photo gallery section
Gallery:
