| Man Raze | |
|---|---|
Man Raze performing live |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | Alternative rock, post-grunge |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Surrealist Records VH1 Classic Records, Rocket Science Ventures |
| Associated acts | Def Leppard, Sex Pistols, Girl |
| 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 |
Phil Collen made fans aware of the band for the first time during a 28 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.
Man Raze played a sold out show at the Spitz club near Old Spitalfields Market in London, England on 27 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 31 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.
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.
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 19 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.
The debut album Surreal was released in the USA on the VH1 Classic label on June 3, 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 14, 2008 featuring a bonus Dub version of 'Turn It Up' and its 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. During June 2008 12 video clips were added to the channel previewing the documentary 'Man Raze The Film' which is due to be shown on TV later in the year.
The debut album Surreal is now set for release in the UK on December 1, 2008. It will include a 5 track European bonus disc.
To support the release of the album in their homeland the band will embark on their first ever tour. Playing four dates around the UK. These dates include: 3rd Dec Manchester, 4th Dec Birmingham, 8th/9th Dec London. More Info is available at Man Raze.com
After Def Leppard cancelled North American tour in late 2009 that Man Raze were goin to support, the band were invited to support Alice Cooper on all of his UK dates in late November/early December 2009.[1]
| Date | City | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 24, 2009 | Manchester | England | Apollo |
| November 25, 2009 | Glasgow | Scotland | Clyde Auditorium |
| November 27, 2009 | Newcastle | England | Newcastle City Hall |
| November 28, 2009 | Sheffield | England | Sheffield City Hall |
| November 29, 2009 | Swindon | England | Oasis Leisure Center Swindon |
| December 1, 2009 | Wolverhampton | England | Civic Hall |
| December 2, 2009 | Plymouth | England | Pavillions |
| December 4, 2009 | Nottingham | England | Royal Center |
| December 5, 2009 | Brighton | England | Brighton Centre |
| December 6, 2009 | London | England | Hammersmith Apollo |
| Date | City | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 3, 2008 | Manchester | England | Roadhouse |
| December 4, 2008 | Birmingham | England | Barfly |
| December 8, 2008 | Camden, London | England | Barfly |
| December 9, 2008 | Kings Cross, London | England | Monto Water Rats |
| Date | City | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 19, 2008 | Los Angeles | USA | Mates Studios |
| September 27, 2005 | London | England | The Spitz |