County Fermanagh's MAMA'S BOYS were one of the most innovative and musically accomplished Irish Rock acts. Centred around the multi-instrumental skills of the McManus brothers, the band has released a string of worthy albums and performed many creditable, as well as entertaining, live performances.

Guitarist Pat 'Professor' McManus made his first television performance playing fiddle aged only 7 and from then on won the All Ulster Championship for fiddle playing for four consecutive years. By age 14 he had become All Ireland Champion. Not to be outdone, John McManus scored his first television performance aged 8, playing alongside THE CHIEFTAINS Matt Molloy. For the next five years he gained All Ulster Champion honours playing the tin whistle.

Early touring for the brothers was as part of a family band in Northern Ireland. However, upon their first listen to THIN LIZZY, the brothers dispensed with the Folk instruments and decided to start a Rock band initially titled PULSE. Radio Luxembourg DJ Tony Prince jokingly dubbed them MAMA'S BOYS because of their tender age and the name has stuck ever since.

Whilst opening for Irish veterans HORSELIPS in 1979, the trio secured the headline band's road manager Joe Wynne as management. With a string of independent singles and two well received albums, they would then support the SCORPIONS, HAWKWIND and THIN LIZZY in 1982 plus play festivals such as Reading and France's Sunshine Festival with MOTȪRHEAD, BLACK SABBATH and TWISTED SISTER. By 1983, MAMA'S BOYS had achieved the dream of opening up on THIN LIZZY's farewell tour across Britain, Europe and Scandinavia.

The following year found the band signed firmly to Jive Records and brought inaugural American dates supporting RATT and RUSH prior to a headlining tour of Canada. The band's efforts paid off as the single 'Mama Weer All Crazee Now' (from the eponymous first release with Jive), a cover of the SLADE hit, reached number 54 in the American Billboard charts.

As a coincidence the American act QUIET RIOT, who swore they would not record another SLADE track after their enormous radio hit 'C'mon Feel The Noize' released their version of 'Mama Weer All Crazee Now' at exactly the same time as MAMA'S BOYS. Both bands had to slug it out in the charts with the same song.

MAMA'S BOYS concentrated hard on cracking the American market in 1985, touring alongside acts such as RATT, BON JOVI, ACCEPT, MOUNTAIN, Y&T and IRON MAIDEN. However, tragedy struck as the 19-year-old Tommy contracted Leukemia following their American tour. This was the second time Tommy had suffered from the disease and through sheer stamina and willpower the young drummer pulled through again. Whilst Tommy recovered the band toured Europe as support to GARY MOORE with stand-in drummer Jimmy DeGrasso (a man who has since enjoyed stints with the likes of FIONA, WHITE LION, Y&T and MEGADETH) before undertaking their own headline dates in Japan and France.

In the interim, Pat was offered a position in WHITESNAKE, which he declined. John was also in consideration for BAD COMPANY, but MAMA'S BOYS were back in action in 1986 appearing at the Milton Keynes Bowl festival before further headline shows across Europe and Scandinavia.

A further setback occurred when John strained his voice to such an extent he was advised to stop singing, necessitating MAMA'S BOYS in the search for a lead vocalist. Initially recruiting Rick Chase of GRAFFITI, the band then pulled in Michael Wilson. Although Wilson recorded vocals for the forthcoming album the band then opted for ex-AIRRACE and RAID THE NORTH vocalist Keith Murrell to re-record 'Growing Up The Hard Way'. For live dates, the band added erstwhile JAGGED EDGE keyboard player Alan Nelson. MAMA'S BOYS promptly appeared at the 1989 Ballyronann Rock Festival, second on the bill to RORY GALLAGHER.

An planned American single 'Spirit Of America' had to be recut with fresh lyrics as the band's label deemed the content too political. The track was remade as 'Waiting For A Miracle'. Fronted by Murrell MAMA'S BOYS supported BLUE OYSTER CULT in Germany and headlined in France.

Murrell was then replaced (joining CLIFF RICHARD's backing band before sessioning the PHENOMENA 'Phenomena III' album) by a returning Wilson, whose previous form included allegedly recording his demo with BON JOVI and with backing by LED ZEPPELIN's heavyweight management. Wilson debuted with the band at gigs in Austria and Switzerland and the band continued to gig across Europe where support was still strong. These dates produced the self-financed 'Live Tonite' album.

following year MAMA'S BOYS returned to Europe, performing over 100 shows, before recording another self financed effort, 'Relativity'.

In the face of the Grunge explosion the band changed names to THE GOVERMENT and pursued a new direction, more akin to the latest Seattle trends. THE GOVERMENT issued one single; with Wilson now departed and John now back on lead vocal. Unexpectedly, the MAMA'S BOYS track 'Judgement Day' was used as the theme music to a Chris Eubank / Nigel Benn televised boxing match, which led to the band appearing on the 'James Whale' TV show, albeit minus Tommy who was too ill. Danny Martin handled drum duties for this one appearance.

Sadly, Tommy McManus lost his long fight against Leukemia on November 16th 1994. The final unreleased songs featuring Tommy ('Love) Turns To Dust' and 'Move Close') were released in demo cassette form by the band in 1995. John and Pat would found Folk-Rockers CELTUS in union with Dan Axtell.

John McManus joined the resurrected FASTWAY during 2007. However, just days after this announcement he withdrew.