MANRAZE (Eng.)
– Hello, thanks for taking the time. What’s currently MANRAZE up to?
We are currently preparing for the release of ‘punkfunkrootsrock’ in the US on August 2nd.
– If you don’t mind, I would like to start introducing a bit the band. How did the idea of getting together arise?
It was Phil’s idea. Phil & I have been friends for most of our lives, since playing together in Girl back in the ‘80’s. He suggested we put together a classic three-piece rock band, with Paul Cook on drums.
– What where your aims when you formed the band?
Primarily, we wanted to have fun! All three of us share similar musical backgrounds and we wanted to honour our influences, such as Trojan Records, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, the Police and Nirvana.
– And what does «Manraze» mean?
It’s a ‘kind of’ play on the name of the Surrealist photographer/artist Man Ray.
– You will soon release your new «Punkfunkrootsrock», which I think is an album quite original and dynamic but, how could you describe it in just a few words?
We felt the name accurately describes what the album contains artistically – a selection of each of those musical elements.
– In the album we can find more rocker tracks such as «I C U in Everything» or «Lies» between some mid-tempos as «Edge of the World» or «All I Wanna Do» and some more Funk oriented songs as «Closer to Me». Is all this blend of details a result of your different musical backgrounds?
Yes, I suppose those blends reflect our musical backgrounds. But we actually just picked what we felt were the best songs to record.
– And how do you guys manage to mix all those different styles and elements?
We have a great camaraderie between us. We respect each other musically and embrace each other’s ideas.
– What influences are behind the MANRAZE’s sound?
As mentioned earlier, we aspire towards a blend of Hendrix, the Police and Nirvana. But in reality it comes out a mixture of Leppard, Girl and the Pistols : )
– So, at this point, how does the album name describe your sound and the band’s identity?
The album name certainly describes this set of songs and also identifies where we’re ‘at’ musically.
– As I said, the album is really dynamic, and we can’t find a song similar to an other so, could you choose one single track off the album? Any faves?
My favourite is ‘Edge of the World’ – a song about a person facing death and accepting it on a spiritual level, but not yet coming to terms with it on a physical plane.
– Also due to this, I’m really curious about the songwriting process in the band. Is the sound by MANRAZE and the sound in «Punkfunkrootsrock» just how things flow or do you plan before writing a new track how do you want it to sound like?
We tend to approach each other with rough ideas and then collaborate to develop them into a finished songs.
– One of the tracks I could highlight off the album is «I Superbiker», and it was part of the BSO for the documetary released by Mark Sloper. How did this start?
Mark is a great friend and supporter of Manraze – he made the videos for ‘Turn It Up’ and ‘This Is’. He is a huge superbike fan and made an amazing documentary film for the ’10-’11 season in the UK. He asked us if we would write the theme song for the film.
– We had to wait 3 years between «Surreal» and this new effort. Did you have in the maintime plans with other bands?
During those three years Manraze also did a headline UK tour, played at the Download Festival and did a support tour in the UK with Alice Cooper. In the meantime, Phil is busy with DL and Paul worked with the Pistols and Edwyn Collins. I also create dance mixes for Manraze and other artistes.
– You 3 are well-known arists into the Rock world. What does MANRAZE provide to your careers? Does it provide you some kind of fresh air? As you guays radiate full energy with each song.
Thank you. We really enjoy working together and we hope this is reflected in the music we create.
– As I said, you all are quite well-known musicians, so we could say MANRAZE is an «allstar band». This terms tends to be a double-edged sword. Do you think this works more as a benefit for the band or the opposite?
We certainly don’t think of ourselves in that way. But, of course we get some benefits from our other endeavours.
– Finally, what are the band’s near-future plans? Will you tour to support the album live? DEF LEPPARD is quite active regarding live shows though, does this slow things about for you in this field?
We will be performing our first ever live show in the US at the Roxy Theatre on Sunset Strip on 2nd Oct. We hope to follow that with more dates in the US later this year.
– That’s all, thank you once more. If you want to add some final words to our readers; take these last lines.
We would like to send our greetings to all Spanish rock fans. We hope to come and play in your beautiful country very soon! Manraze x
