Man-Raze
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Man Raze | |
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 pic: Hayley Madden
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| Background information | |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genre(s) | Rock, Indie, Alternative |
| Years active | 2004 – Present |
| Label(s) | Surrealist Records VH1 Classic Records |
| Associated acts | Def Leppard, Sex Pistols, Girl (band) |
| Website | www.manraze.com |
| Members | |
| Phil Collen Simon Laffy Paul Cook |
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Man Raze are a 3-piece alternative rock band from London, England featuring Phil Collen, Simon Laffy and Paul Cook
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Forming The Band (2004)
Before joining Def Leppard, London born Phil Collen played in Girl, who were one of the great unsung UK rock acts of the early 80’s (singer Phil Lewis would later front LA Guns – who were at the vanguard of the LA sleaze rock scene that eventually produced Guns N' Roses). Whilst Phil went on to join Def Leppard he maintained a strong friendship with Simon Laffy, Girl’s bassist except for early in Girl's career, when Mark Megary was their bassist.
Phil returned to London in mid-2004 to care for his dying father. While there, he approached Simon with some songs he had been writing in addition to Def Leppard. The music was very different from Leppard – rawer, simpler and more direct. Simon agreed to collaborate on the material and the basis of the band was formed.
It was then by chance Phil bumped into Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook. Phil and Def Leppard had always been fans of the Pistols and particularly Paul Cook’s drumming – even requested that Def Leppard’s producers try and get them that “Pistols drum sound”. Man Raze was born…
Phil Collen made fans aware of the band for the first time during a 28th November 2004 interview with Braveworlds & Bloody Knuckles online magazine. Stating “I was over in England this summer and I met up with Simon Laffy, who used to be the bass player in my old band, Girl, and Paul Cook, who was the drummer in The Sex Pistols. We've got this new band called Man-Raze”. In January 2005 Phil appeared on the Jonsey's Jukebox radio show with Def Leppard, hosted by Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones. The demo version of “Skin Crawl” was broadcast during the show. The first time any Man Raze music had been made public.
[edit] Debut Live Show + Single (2005)
Man Raze played a sold out show at the Spitz club near Old Spitalfields Market in London, England on 27th September 2005. The band played to an intimate crowd of just 200 people including fans, friends and family and the media. Nine new songs were debuted and the band received rave reviews in the press. Man Raze then released their first single called “Skin Crawl” as a maxi-single CD on 31st October 2005 in the UK. The single was released on their own label, Surrealist Records. It featured four tracks including a remix of the single and an instrumental dub version of 'Runnin' Me Up'. The single reached number 9 on the UK Top 40 Rock singles chart.
Having played their first live show the band realised they were more of a straight ahead rock band and began to tone down their experimental side. Work continued on the debut album, titled “Surreal”. Much of the album was re-worked and re-recorded at Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott's home studio in Dublin during April 2006.
[edit] New Website + Digital Download (2007)
In June 2007 the band re-launched their official website www.manraze.com and added a new digital store. At this time they also released their second single. 'Turn It Up' which was part of a digital bundle that also featured album track 'Connected To You' plus a newly recorded version of 'You're So Wrong'. The promo video for 'Turn It Up' was also included, the band's very first video. Shot in black and white in a rehearsal studio.
The band made a free download of 'Turn It Up' available here. The song was also featured on ESPN (American Sports Channel) College Football coverage. The album was due for release in September 2007 and then delayed to January 2008, due to external commitments of band members.
In June 2007 Man Raze made their first TV appearance on the UK channel Rockworld TV Performing three acoustic songs and being interviewed by Gary Crowley on his “Gary Crowley Presents...” show. The show was later re-broadcast and titled “Man Raze In Session”. The full video can be viewed here
[edit] Second Live Show + Documentary (2008)
In March 2008 the band came together in California to rehearse and to film a documentary. Footage was shot for broadcast on TV and as bonus footage for the album release. On March 19th the band played their second live show at a rehearsal studio in Los Angeles. 15 members of the official online Man Raze Street Team won the chance to be there and meet the band. The band played nine songs, including three for the very first time. VH1 Classic in the US are set to broadcast footage from the show in June 2008.
[edit] Debut Album Release (2008)
The debut album 'Surreal' was released in the USA on the VH1 Classic label on June 3rd 2008. The album contains 12 tracks and the band aim to play live shows in between other band commitments. The song 'Turn It Up' was released to radio in the USA during May and a 30 second advert for the album was added to the VH1 Classic channel.
'Surreal' was released online at iTunes US store on May 14th 2008 featuring a bonus Dub version of 'Turn It Up' and it's video.
The band launched an official video channel on You Tube in May 2008 which can be viewed here It features videos approved only by the band including live footage and interviews.
[edit] Reviews of Album
This is long awaited album and definately worth every penny. It is a new sound, that is made up of all the different influences from Simon Laffy, Phil Collen and Paul Cook. With a mixture of rock, punk and reggae, there is a little something for everyone on this album. Just like the artist they are named after, Man Raze has ventured out of the usual and have created their own unique sound. This Band has created a refreshing new sound for all ages and mucic lovers alike. This is a MUST HAVE album!!! (Dawn F.)
[edit] Band members
[edit] Phil Collen (vocals/guitar)
- Phil Collen joined Def Leppard in 1982, and with band mate and best friend Steve Clark was able to create the bands highly influential and incredibly successful trademark dual guitar sound. Def Leppard have sold over 65 million albums world-wide to date. The band are currently on a headline arena tour in the US. A deluxe edition of their landmark album “Hysteria” (the biggest selling rock album of all time) was released in late 2006. Def Leppard have just released their new studio album Songs From The Sparkle Lounge and are embarking on a world tour set to run through most of 2008.
[edit] Paul Cook (drums)
- Paul Cook is a founder member and mainstay with one of the most influential bands of all time – the Sex Pistols. The bands 1977 album “Never Mind The Bollocks…” has launched a thousand imitators and is constantly name checked by generation after generation of musicians. Paul Cook has also played with the likes of Johnny Thunders, Edwyn Collins and Greedy Bastards (alongside Phil Lynott and Scott Gorham). Paul will be on tour with the Sex Pistols throughout Europe and Japan in summer 2008.
[edit] Simon Laffy (bass/vocals)
- Simon Laffy is a long time friend of Phil Collen and member of Collen’s pre Def Leppard outfit Girl. Simon has developed a broad range of musical expertise over the years, embracing technological advances in programming and sampling, as well as exploring diverse musical genres. He brings this know-how back into Man Raze through his song writing and production abilities.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- "[Surreal]" (June 2008)
[edit] Singles
- "[Skin Crawl]" (October 2005) UK Top 40 Rock Singles #9
- "[Turn It Up]" (June 2007)
[edit] External links
- Man Raze.com The Official Man Raze site
- MySpace.com Official Man Raze Page
- YouTube.com Official Man Raze Channel
- Man-Raze Street Team Official Street Team
- Man-Raze UK Unofficial Fansite
