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10 Years Ago PHIL COLLEN's MANRAZE Play First North American Show

Manraze 2005. By Barbara Lowden

Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen played the first and only public show in North America with his band Manraze on this day in 2011.

The show took place at The Roxy Theatre on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood/Los Angeles, CA.

The band also feature ex-Girl band mate Simon Laffy (bass) and ex-Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook.

This was the first ever public live show in the USA and sadly turned out to be the band's only American performance.

In March 2008 the band had played a small show at Mates Rehearsal studios in Burbank, CA but this event was private.

The show also served as an album release party for the second album 'Punkfunkrootsrock' which had been released in August.

The show had originally been due to take place on 31st July but was rescheduled for 2nd October after Def Leppard's tour schedule was affected by the death of Joe Elliott's father.

The 13 song setlist featured 9 new songs from the second album with 8 of them played for the very first time. 4 songs were included from the debut album 'Surreal'. The cover of the Jimi Hendrix song 'Fire' had already been played at their shows in 2005/2008/2009 and 2010.

Before the concert the band took part in a Sound Check event hosted by The Grammy's where school kids get to watch a short sound check performance and have a Q and A with the artists.

Manraze were scheduled to support Def Leppard along with special guests Cheap Trick for 23 dates in USA/Canada during Oct/Nov 2009 but that tour leg was cancelled meaning this 2011 show was the only ever public performance played by the band in North America.

Read some media and interview quotes below from this day along with video footage from the show and media photos.


Visit the Tour News section. For more news on future tour plans.

Visit the Album News section for more news on new music (based on band member quotes).


Manraze October 2011 - Photos


Noisecreep - Phil Collen Interview Quotes

"We go back so far in life, Simon and I played in Girl together obviously, always stayed in touch, and always had a wonderful chemistry. Same with Paul. So at this point in our lives to be able to make the record we want at our own pace, well, we love that freedom and think it shows in the music."

"This is us doing exactly what we wanted, no interference, just having the best time in the world with good friends. I hope the fun and enthusiasm shows."

Noisecreep - Simon Laffy Interview Quote

"The new album ranks right up with everything I've ever done. The best part now is being able to actually be with them on the same stage because our schedule keep us apart and we actually end up working together digitally, trading files and such. But nothing can replace what we will do tonight. And our goal now obviously is to start playing more gigs once Phil gets back from down under with Def Leppard.""

Manraze 2011. Manraze 2011

Noisecreep - Paul Cook Interview Quote

"We favor these great, tight, really catchy rock and roll songs. That's where we all come from. Bowie, Bolan, Motown - we all grew up listening to really catchy rock and roll and I think it's reflected in this new album especially. Even with the Pistols, I mean, most of those songs are just very basic, catchy, verse-chorus-verse songs that people like."

Noisecreep - Media Review Quotes

"On Sunday, Oct. 2nd, Manraze, featuring legendary musicians Phil Collen (Def Leppard), Paul Cook (Sex Pistols) and Simon Laffy (Girl) hit the stage at the world famous Roxy nightclub on the Sunset Strip to perform their debut American show."

"But before the gig, Manraze part in the GRAMMY Camp SoundCheck, a remarkable program that allows local high school students to not just witness a sound check, but also ask the artists questions afterwards. About 30 students from the Los Angeles area took part in the afternoon event, which featured a lively Q/A with the band after a raucous, entertaining sound check."

"Several hours later, Manraze hit the stage and performed a tight, energized set of songs from both their debut and brand new 'PUNKFUNKROOTSROCK' albums."


Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images


Watch all the footage from the show on this YouTube Playlist including a video of the full show.

Manraze 2011 Fan Videos.


Def Leppard 2020.

Def Leppard / Latest Release


Def Leppard / Latest Tour

Def Leppard World Tour 2022


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