Interview -- Man Raze Exclusive First Interview 2005 - By Man Raze UK/Darren Gibson



Part One 07-05-05 -- Band Questions | Simon Laffy

Question 1 -- Where does the name Man-Raze come from?/What does it mean?/Why did you choose it?

Simon - "I came up with the name - it's based on the surrealist photographer, Man Ray.
Phil had the idea to turn it to 'Raze'."

Question 2 -- Could you explain a bit more about how the band came to make an album after initially just jamming together?

Simon - "Phil and I started writing songs the very first time we got together. We had three recorded by the time Paul returned to England. Within about a month we had an album's worth of material."

Question 3 -- People will maybe think this is Phil's band/side-project. Can you explain how the band has worked in terms of songwriting/who contributes what?

Simon - "As mentioned, Phil and I have been writing the songs for the band. We generally come to each other with ideas and knock them into shape together before starting to record them."



Part Two 12-05-05 -- Simon Laffy Questions

Question 1 -- How often have you seen Phil since the Girl spilt in 1983? I know Phil played with you in Sheer Greed in 1992. Have you talked about working together before now?

Simon - "Phil and I have stayed friends since the Girl days (...in fact the whole band have!). We both have sons that grew up in California, so we would meet up every year or so and let the boys play together on the beach while we chatted and caught up. The idea for the Man-Raze was Phil's and it is very recent."

Question 2 -- Not much is known about your work since the mid-90s albums with your brother Gerry. What kind of musical work have you done? I know you covered a Roxy Music song for John Taylor with Gerry that was dance influenced.

Simon - "After Girl, I formed a band called Hard Rain that was signed to London Records, and we toured with The Alarm, as well as playing our own headline gigs around the UK. Then I worked with the Wild Frontiers, based in NYC - which was a fun time for me! Gerry and I recorded two solo albums together in the early 90s."

"I then got heavily into programming and sampling and went back to University to get a degree in Software Engineering. I worked for several years in the dance scene, making break beats, drum & bass and house music, as well as DJing. I've brought all that back with me into the heavy guitar music that we are making with the Man-Raze, hopefully creating some kind of new hybrid."

Question 3 -- As a bass player how do you feel your style has influenced Man-Raze's songs/sound?

Simon - "My approach as a bass player is to be solid - most of all I want to let the song rock! I hope my playing compliments Paul's classic rock styyle and underpins Phil's soaring riffs and lead solos."



Part Three 17-05-05 -- Paul Cook Questions

Question 1 -- How long have you known Simon and Phil and have you guys ever played/jammed together before last summer?

Paul - "I've known Phil for a few years on and off. We bumped into each other over a period of time and he called me recently when he was getting this project together. And through Phil I got to know Simon just recently when we started to play together. We've never played together before Man-Raze."

Question 2 -- What have you been doing musically since the last time you toured with the Sex Pistols in 2003?.

Paul - "Not a lot really! I've done some studio work with Edwyn Collins who was getting a new album together before his unfortunate illness. And we also did a couple of shows at the end of last year."
"Also producing some demos for a couple of unsigned bands."

Question 3 -- As the drummer how do you feel your playing has influenced Man-Raze's songs/sound?

Paul - "I don't know really I just hope I bring my own unique individual style to the sound."



Part Four 22-05-05 -- Phil Collen Questions

Question 1 -- You've sung 'Miss You In A Heartbeat' live a few times with Leppard and also 'Stay With Me' and 'Pour Some Sugar On Me' on the Classic Albums DVD. What's it been like singing so many songs in one go? And how do you feel your voice has developed?

Phil - "Yeah its great singing, if I can remember the words. As for my voice improving I am not trying to hone it - it is what it is."

Question 2 -- In terms of the songs are there any like 'Closer To Me' that have been around for a long time? Do you write many songs for yourself that you know won't be right for your 'other' band?.

Phil - "Sometimes, but I never thought 'Miss You In A Heartbeat' would work for Def Leppard."

Question 3 -- Going back to vocals, are you nervous about singing a whole set live? and also being the frontman of the band? Have you thought of any good stage raps yet!?

Phil - "Yeah, I think so. And as stage raps go, I am not going to give it any of the old "have you heard the one about the hooker and the priest?", so I will just let it happen naturally."

Question 4 -- Have you had to adjust your playing style given that you are singing at the same time? Will this create any problems live - would you use someone on extra rhythm guitar maybe?.

Phil - "No it makes it so much more fun being the singer and the guitar player. I have way more freedom to go off on a tangent. As for a rhythm player, that would get in the way of that freedom."

Question 5 -- You obvisoulsy will be busy and have a commitment to Leppard, especially this summer. Have you thought about what Man-Raze will do after the summer? Do you have any long-term hopes/plans - more touring? A second album in the future?

Phil - "We will gig at every opportunity we get. As for the new stuff, let's get this one rolling first."

Darren Gibson © Def Leppard UK 2005 -- Many thanks to Simon, Paul and Phil.