10.07.13
NEW EP – I SURRENDER
Debbi Blackwell-Cook Lends Her Stunning Soulful Pipes to the Title Track
MANRAZE,the London-based rock band formed by iconic Def Leppard lead guitarist Phil Collen, along with punk rock
forerunner Paul Cook (Sex Pistols) on drums and Simon Laffy, rockin’ bass player of Collen's former glam-band, Girl,
will release their new EP,
I Surrender,
on November 12th.
I Surrender will be comprised of three songs, including the title
track, which features background vocals by Debbi Blackwell-Cook, who also
appears on “All I Wanna Do”, a newly-recorded version of the song which first appeared
on the trio’s 2011 sophomore album punkfunkrootsrock. The final track is “Connected-Live from
Shepherd’s Bush”, a live studio performance from a studio podcast session, not
previously released.
The first single, “I Surrender”, was nearly
forgotten about, explains Collen, "The
song is 8 years old. It practically never got finished. I was on tour last year
and started singing the chorus. Early this year, I re-did the guitars to Paul's
original demo drums. I did a vocal and Simon played new bass-lines. Ger McDonnell then did a brilliant edit and
mix on what we gave him. Debbi Blackwell-Cook supplied the wailing outro-vocals
that you hear at the end of the song. We feel this is our best song yet."
In the spring of 2011, the MANRAZE single “I, Superbiker” was the
theme song for the feature documentary of the same name. Another Manraze song
featuring Debbi Blackwell-Cook titled ‘Take On The World’ was also released in
conjunction with the film. Directed by Mark Sloper, and released solely in the
UK, the documentary is an in-depth expose’ into the merciless world of
competitive speed bike racing and a look at the men who have dedicated their
entire existence to this incredibly dangerous, adrenaline-fueled sport.
Since the last album release, all
three band members have kept busy. Collen continues to hold down his
‘day-job’ as lead guitarist with Def Leppard, currently promoting their Def Leppard Viva! Hysteria Concert live
album and dvd release this month. Cook has been working with Edwyn Collins, first on his 2013 album
release 'Understated', and then touring with Collins playing live shows.
Currently, Cook is also playing in
Subway Sect with Vic Goddard touring and recording a new album. Laffy has taken his talents into
another creative lane, having
authored two novels in his ‘off-time’, Red
Sunrise and Seed of Satan. Both are historical fictions, set around
epic events of the 20th century and are in the process of being published.
It all
started in 2004, when Phil Collen,
after 20+ years as lead guitarist for Def Leppard, decided to express himself
via another creative outlet. After a
chance meeting on the street with Paul Cook, MANRAZE finally released their debut album SURREAL through Universal Records in the summer of 2008 to rave reviews. The group’s debut album was chocked
full of rebellious in-your-face mantras (“Turn it Up”, “This Is,” “Skin Crawl”,
“Running Me Up”) ranging from hardcore punk to dub. They were seen as a cross between the Foo Fighters, Green Day, Nirvana, Rage
Against the Machine, and The Police.
MANRAZE is a response to the ever
changing climate of multi-faceted music and should be heralded for far more
than just being a ‘rock band’.
For more information, please contact:
MAD Ink PR
www.madinkpr.com
Melissa Dragich-Cordero
p. 310.547.1212
e.
[email protected]
Michelle Gutenstein
p. 862-368-6576
e.
[email protected]
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