manrazestreetteam

If you suggested to a music fan to mix the Sex Pistols with Def Leppard and throw in a bit of cult Brit Glam rock act Girl you would probably get startled looks! This is a combination that shouldn’t by rights work. But, music has a funny way of coming up with the unexpected and Man Raze defy expectations… 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 ...

If you suggested to a music fan to mix the Sex Pistols with Def Leppard and throw in a bit of cult Brit Glam rock act Girl you would probably get startled looks! This is a combination that shouldn’t by rights work. But, music has a funny way of coming up with the unexpected and Man Raze defy expectations… 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. 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 to 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 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… Eschewing their illustrious past, the band have spent the past two year getting back to basics, writing and recording – they also played a sold out show at London’s Spitz club and released a limited edition EP “Skin Crawl” in October 2005 on their own label, Surrealist Records. Work is now completed on their debut album, titled “Surreal”, which is due out in September 2007. “Surreal” shows what an extraordinary combination Man Raze are – the raw energy of the Pistols mixed with the immaculate pop rock of Def Leppard, a unique clash of 70’s simplicity with 80’s excess, punk clubs with stadium rock! Whether it’s the punk vibrancy of “Turn It Up”, the beautiful rock craftsmanship of “Every Second Of Every Day” or the reggae-soaked dub mix of “Runnin’ Me Up”, “Surreal” is an album generated by the classic 3-piece rock combo and proving that regardless of reputation or past works, a great song is a great song. Freed from the expectations of their former (or current) outfits, the band can play whatever they like. The sound is truly eclectic – a mix of the classic and contemporary influences that have shaped the individual members as musicians - from the Police and Trojan Records through to Bowie and Nirvana. The band have gone back to their collective garage roots and all recordings are self recorded and produced. On first glance Man Raze could be seen as a side project, a flight of fancy, an unlikely collision…but first glances are deceptive. Man Raze are much more than the sum of their parts. They are a band – exciting, vibrant, new and unique… Man Raze is: Phil Collen (vocals/guitar) – Phil 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 British rock album of all time) was released in late 2006. Paul Cook (drums) – 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). Simon Laffy (bass) – 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.