Listen to their hit song
"Freaky Girl"
Check out their WEBSITE
click here
WORD-UP!
Interview
with the honest and sarcastic Up! guitarist, Rob
Mana...
-
Don Sill
UP!
The Huntington based 4-piece have been playing the local circuit for the past
2 years and quickly wining over fans with their brand of hard driving rock music.
The band's single "FREAKY GIRL" has been getting air-play on WLIR's Tri-State
Sound and was so well received that band were invited to play on WLIR's "Showcase
12" at The Vanderbilt in Plainview, L.I. UP! (Gary Upwright, Rob Mana, Bobby
Frampton, Pablo Diablo); pride themselves as being down to earth and realistic.
They were recently voted as "Best New Rock Band" in Japan's "American Rock Star"
Magazine and are looking UP to a bright future. Although they claim that they
haven't seen or heard any local bands that they dig and believe that the Long
Island music scene is 3 years behind the times they do seem to enjoy playing
here.. Go figure..
for
more info on this band log to: www.weareup.com
Where
do you get the inspiration for your music?
MANA:
When you grow up in the tough, cruel streets of Huntington and see all the pain
and hate we have seen, coming up with music and lyrics comes naturally.
Besides
the cruel streets of Huntington, what inspires you?
MANA:
17 year old girls with half shirts.
What
is your opinion about the current Long Island music scene?
MANA:
It is about 3 years behind the times. A lot of bands out there are doing stuff
that has been done. There are few on the cutting edge.
How
can we improve the local rock scene?
MANA:
Venues like the Vanderbilt's TSS Showcase and Harlan's WLIR show helps tremendously.
There is a great need for more of that. I also think someone has to be able
to distinguish and promote the bands that can really go somewhere. Every band
seems to be grouped as one. Naturally, some bands have much more potential than
others. But I have yet to find someone who can or will promote those bands on
another level. It doesn't seem like anyone wants to take that chance.
Where
do you think you guys fit in among the local music circuit?
MANA:
If it were a softball team, we would be playing Leftout.
What
seperates your band from other rock acts on the local scene right now?
MANA: We do not have grand illusions of being huge
rock stars. We are doing everything we can to promote ourselves but we are real.
You will never see us walking around a club while someone video tapes every
move we make (I saw that last night at Vanderbilt). That is so cliché Long Island!
People think because they have a following or a "buzz" they are icons. They
are nothing in the grand scheme of things and with that mentality, they never
will be as they are too caught up in the moment.
What
other local bands do you think rock?
MANA:
None yet.
Why
should someone go out and see you guys live?
MANA:
We give out free cd's and occasionally buy people drinks.
What
can we expect to see at your live performance?
MANA:
Upbeat music. Nothing that will make you go home and kill yourself.
Favorite place to play?
MANA:
Anywhere that has
a full PA!
Any
crazy club stories?
MANA:
Once I bought some beers and the bartender gave me an extra $10 in change! That
was wild!
Any
rituals before you go onstage?
MANA: We say to each other, "You ready?"
Any
talks from labels or anything brewing?
MANA:
Yes, lots brewing. We do prefer decaf after 6pm though.
What
are your ultimate goals?
MANA:
To avoid a slow and painful death.
What's
next?
MANA:
I
have to go to the bathroom.
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