“More honest and ragged” than aiming for a certain sound, London’s Manilow (nothing to do with Barry), offer up a blend of nearly every nook and cranny of rock; punk, lo-fi, power pop and more all make an appearance on their newest EP, Cease And Desist.

We recently had the chance to chat with the band and discuss their method of operation, the current state of punk, and where they see that newly released effort getting the most attention – so read through the jump to get familiar with this English trio and be sure to stream Cease And Desist after you’ve finished our conversation.

I’m sure you guys get this far too often but I’m going to ask anyway: is the band name some kind of homage to Barry Manilow or did it come about from something else entirely?

The band was named after the drummer’s pet goldfish. He lived an exciting life of travel and adventure, despite being fitted with a prosthetic fin. He was an inspiration to us all and had such a spectacularly bad name, we just had to have it. Manilow, wherever you went after we flushed that toilet…this one’s for you.

So how did the three of you originally come together to start this band and how easy was it for you to decide on what type of music you’d play?

Dean (vox/guitar) and Paul (Bass) had worked together for a couple of years as Sub Machine. When it folded after the drummer upped sticks, Gary was drafted in to complete the formation of Manilow. Once we decided to ditch yodeling and 3/4 Waltz time signatures, the music quickly hit the adrenaline-fueled trajectory of the EP. Seemed pretty natural to punch it out as we do.

Do you happen to remember anything in particular from the first time you all jammed together?

It felt right. The room wobbled and shit fell off the ceiling.

Who are some of your favorite bands, collectively, that you’d say have influenced the sound you’ve taken on or the way you write?

Joy Division, Dr Phibes & the House of Wax Equations, Sex Pistols, Wire, Hawkwind, Keith Morris, Here and Now, The Who, and of course, the mortally expired and exotically scented GG Allin.

Your debut EP, Cease And Desist, has been out for a few months now. You’ve had time to let it breathe and play the tracks live. How has the response been? Do you feel like it’s still gaining traction?

We’ve had some fantastic reviews, which is great. We think Cease And Desist is one of those EPs that will fester away on the underground rather than be a big smash, but it’s still garnering interest. It’s a slow process, getting stuff heard as an independent band – it takes time for people to hear it. The songs still feel fresh and exciting to play. On top of that, we have lots of material that is pretty much unheard and also some completely new stuff that we are getting ready to unleash over the next few months.

The speedboat image on the cover is really interesting. Can you explain the reason for using that and how you feel the artwork relates to the music on the EP?

The speedboat is a representation of where we posit modern society, decadently worshiping false consumer goods at this, the filthy dog-end of capitalism. See the ‘limpet mine’ insert on the sleeve artwork and our jagged, angry music as our real message – spiritual values are fucked, let’s rip it up and start again. We feel so strongly about this that, until we are stinking rich and can afford a speedboat each, scathing critiques of consumerism will continue to be our modus operandi.

Apart from Manilow, do you think punk music is still alive and well, or are you guys fighting the good fight all alone?

We never set out to be a punk band, or any other genre. There is a punk aesthetic in the band which is: make the music you want, regardless. If audiences or viewers want to classify it as “punk” that’s OK; whatever works for them. We do it because we believe in it, not because we belong to a clan. We want to be able to take Manilow in whatever direction we feel like. Punk as an ethos is as alive and valid as its ever been, but the institutions that wield power have become better at diffusing angst in our society. People can protest over social channels these days without picking up an instrument or a microphone and they are doing so. The outlets for anger are more diverse and the targets less well defined.

What have you been listening to lately? Any particular favorite album of 2014?

Mikrokosmos, Panda Bear vs The Grim Reaper, A Place to Bury Strangers, Tame Impala, Temples, Sleaford Mods, Jagwar Ma, Thee Oh Sees. From last year, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and also KStarke Records: The House That Jackmaster Hater Built – proper killer acid house reissued from Chicago vaults – that’s punk right there!

Any local bands from your area that we should keep our eyes and ears on?

We can’t possibly answer this question without raising a glass of Vimto to our engineer’s band Part Chimp. Also worth checking out are Early Mammal and Fat White Family, who share the same studio – Dropout. If you’d like some urban swamp, Blighty style, go hear Peckham Cowboys, founded by Guy Bailey (who mastered Cease And Desist), and also Guy’s new project, Thirsty. Beard 58 are a mystery wrapped in an enigma, a classic case of a boiled sweet covered in fluff. Check them out if you can find them anywhere.

[We couldn’t…]

What did your guys’ New Years celebrations consist of?

Joint fondling of a Take That doll (Howard) as the bells chimed. Quick clean up with a wire brush and Dettol.

With 2015 now under way, what does Manilow have in store for the foreseeable future? What are you hoping to accomplish this year as a band?

We have a couple of London shows to kick off the year in Jan. and Feb. and then we’re working on taking it out of the capital for a while. We’d love to get on the festival circuit – we know crowds would dig us in all that mud, sex and cider. There will be another recording, we just don’t know when at the moment. We have enough material for an album, but we may go for another EP in the interests of speed, depending on what else kicks off.

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Brian Leak

Editor-In-Chief. King of forgetting drinks in the freezer. Pop culture pack rat. X-Phile. LOST apologist.

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