While on his breaks from Def Leppard, guitarist Phil Collen was working
on a side-project of his own (although he prefers to stay away from side-project
- - Man Raze is his band). Collen teamed up with his former Girl band mate
Simon Laffy
to put together some great rock in the vein of 70s punk with a modern twist.
While they were writing Collen figured why not make a 70s punk figure a
part of the mix. Enter Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook. The outcome is Man
Raze's
debut album Surreal (CD Review).
Any fan of punk rock, British underground, and melodic rock is sure to
have a field day with this highly impressive
debut. While touring with Def Leppard, Phil Collen took the time to answer
a few questions via e-mail.
RIL: If I knew absolutely nothing about Man Raze, how would
you describe the group's music to me?
PC: IT'S AN ALTERNATIVE ROCK BAND THAT GOES FROM PUNK
TO DUB
TO HARD ROCK BUT STAYS IN CONTEXT.
RIL: How did you hook up with Paul Cook & Simon
Laffy for this project?
PC: I STARTED
WRITING SONGS WITH SIMON. WE AGREED THAT IT WOULD SOUND GREAT IF PAUL WAS
THE
DRUMMER...THAN I BUMPED INTO HIM ON THE STREETS OF LONDON.
RIL: How long did
it take to finally get everyone together, write and record
songs, and put the album out?
PC: IT TOOK 3 YEARS TOTAL, BUT TOOK TWO WEEKS
TO
RECORD.
RIL: Was it difficult landing a record deal?
PC: NOT REALLY, WE WERE
TRYING TO AVOID
THE STANDARD RECORD CONTRACT.
RIL: What songs are you particularly proud of on Surreal? You can't say
all of them.
PC:TURN IT UP AND RUNNIN ME UP.
RIL: Although most of the songs are rock in nature, you mix
things up with
some reggae inspired music on "Runnin' Me Up" and "Can't
Find My Own Way." Why did you choose to go with such a different sound?
PC: IT'S
BEEN
TRYING TO
GET OUT
LIKE THAT FOR YEARS AND IT PROGRESSED
NATURALLY AND THIS HOW IT TURNED
OUT.
PLUS IT'S STILL GROWING.
RIL: What other styles of music inspire you?
PC: ANYTHING THAT HAS A
BIT OF SPIRIT TO
IT
RIL: Was any of the material on the album leftovers
from your Def Leppard songwriting sessions?
PC: DEFINITELY NOT...
RIL: You handle the lead vocals
for the entire album. Is singing (lead) something you've always wanted
to do?
PC: NOT PARTICULARLY, BUT I ALWAYS WANTED TO EXPRESS
MYSELF IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
RIL: Will Man Raze be touring in support
of the album?
PC: YES.
RIL: Do you think the rest of Def Leppard would consider
taking Man Raze on the road?
PC: YES, BUT IT HAS PROVED TO BE A TIMING ISSUE.
RIL: How
did you decide on the band's name?
PC: I SUGGESTED SOMETHING,
SIMON DIDN'T
LIKE IT, HE SUGGESTED MAN RAZE AND IT WENT FROM THERE....
RIL: Do you
think that the Internet is a good tool for bands or does it just cut
into profits?
PC: IT'S FANTASTIC FOR BANDS AND IT GIVES THEM ARTISTIC FREEDOM
THAT THEY COULDN'T HAVE GOT FROM STANDARD LABELS.
RIL: Are there any bands out
today that have really caught your attention?
PC: I LIKE
THE BRAVERY AT THE MOMENT...
RIL: I've tried to avoid Def Leppard questions
as much as I could because I know you're pushing Man Raze. If
you don't mind I have just
two questions. Question 1: Do you think Def
Leppard could have made it in today's
musical climate if they were just starting
out?
PC: AS A NEW BAND YES, LIKE WITH THE LP
ON THROUGH THE NIGHT, BUT NOT LIKE HOW WE ARE CURRENTLY.
RIL: Question
2: What do you attribute to Def Leppard's continued
success around the world?
PC: BY NOT GIVING
UP AND RELEASING NEW MATERIAL ALL THE TIME.
RIL: Surreal is phenomenal. In fact,
I gave it 5 out of 5. If the album continues to be well received,
will there be more Man Raze material in the future?
PC: ABSOLUTELY, WE ARE ALREADY
WORKING ON IT.
RIL: How often do you get confused with Phil Collins
(Genesis)?
PC: PHYSICALLY
NEVER,
ONLY AS SPELLING MISTAKE.
PHIL
COLLEN
