The Megamen

In 1982 three New Romantics “looking for the TV sound” formed a group that would shock and scandalize society. 1980’s Queensland Australia was firmly entrenched in conservatism under the ultra-right wing Bjelke-Petersen government and any expression of individuality or deviation from acceptable “norms” was always met with hostility and often violence. And then came The Megamen.. Adopting an androgynous & Bowie style image, with movie star good looks (and shoulder pads to rival the wings of a Concorde), a post-punk attitude meets Joan Collins / DYNASTY level glamour, was all combined with quick wits that would make Oscar Wilde blush and would soon see them offend every conservative minded person who dared cross them. ..AND in the process earn them a legion of followers that are loyal to this day. The New-Wave panache of Mark Love on keyboards & synths, Lance Leopard on Syncussion and his avant-garde Hollywood style make-up artistry, converged with singer Zian’s dramatic high fashion stylings, commanding vocals - and a glare that could stop a nuclear missile in its tracks. A new production of their original signature 80’s tune “Designed For Living” - (an homage to film star Marlene Dietrich, based on the story of the Von Sternberg produced breakout film “The Blue Angel”) - AND “possibly the most bitch-is-back song in existence” - has recently been re-produced, with an accompanying and definitively “Megamen” film clip. Audio mastering of the track has been executed with laser precision by Joe Bozzi at Bernie Grundman Mastering Studios in Hollywood California USA and the Film clip produced by Bahamian director Charles DuMaurier. SONG DESCRIPTION / HISTORY. Composed in early 1982 by Zian and Mark Love, “Designed For Living” is in its essence an homage to film star Marlene Dietrich - and a big nod to other stars and the glamour of Hollywood in the 1930’s 40’s and 50’s. The title was inspired by the titular Noel Coward play “Design For Living”, Mr. Coward being a lifelong friend and confidant of Marlene Dietrich. The song is lyrically inspired by the story of the main character “Lola” (who personified the original scheming ‘femme-fatale’ of film – a narrative later to be echoed by Joan Collins in her performance as “Alexis” in the 1980’s mega hit TV soap “DYNASTY”) in Dietrich’s breakthrough performance “The Blue Angel” (1930) by the pioneering film director Josef Von Sternberg. As inscribed in the BNE Book launched in 2014 (The definitive archive of Brisbane’s independent electronic music scene 1979-2014); the song was described as ..“possibly the most bitch-is-back song in existence”.. In 2022 the concept for a Tribute film clip for The Megamen started to form and early steps to its creation, with a view to a potential release, commenced. In 2023, some new visual materials were filmed by Colombian film-maker Miguel Cano and collated with existing live performance and still footage of the bands last known performances and public appearances, filmed and documented by renowned film and music videographer, VIOLET BLACK. Nearing completion, the last edits and post production for the film clip were entirely suspended in July 2024 for a respectful period of time and mourning to elapse due to the untimely and tragic passing of both Lance Leopard and his mother Carmel in a house fire in Brisbane on the 16th of July 2024. This latest release is the finished result: As Mark, Lance and Zian would say.. “This is fun! – Have some”.