The blues rock band, Gary Dranow and the Manic Emotions, are unrestricted by the bounds of genre, but when you listen you will hear blues tinged Rock N Roll. A force to be reckoned with, Gary Dranow and The Manic Emotions will be releasing all tracks as singles leading up to an early 2023 release of the full EP Destiny Road. The forthcoming album features the talent of Sherm Tate on bass and vocals, and Marty Steinberg and Jethro DeFries on drums, the brilliant Jerry Manfredi on bass and musical direction, and Tommy Mars on keyboards. Having gigged extensively in Southern California, Gary Dranow and The Manic Emotions are now looking forward to spinning magic in and around Salt Lake City and Park City, UT
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Gary Dranow, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What drew you to the music industry?
Well, two things. When my mom was driving me somewhere when I 13 years or so old I heard Cream's Crossroads on the radio and knew right then I had to become a guitar player/singer. I had my mom immediately turn around and take me to Ernie Balls guitar, this was in 1967 I believe. We walked out of there with a '66 Stratocaster which was Olympic white over Sunburst. I have the guitar to this day. I'll leave out my early lessons and flailing at music before I got the whole playing then singing thing figured out but that was comical and sad, I was a Bi-Polar 1 with mania (as was my dad). Of course, I wouldn't be diagnosed for 30 something years, but music is where I ultimately turned to in my lowest cycles and through that I started writing and my love affair with music grew to a lifelong passion. Here I am today, finally releasing my cathartic album Destiny Road (drops May 12, 2023) and have written the 14 songs, with Chris Zoupa (Teramaze) for my next album, Never Give up, due out the fall/winter of 2023.
What is the funniest or weirdest question that you have ever been asked in an interview?
Is this my real hair color :-) Both my mother (97 years old and still has my color) have gold blonde/red hair.
Your latest song is '(Made It) Another Day'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
(Made It) Another Day is one of my songs that was written in minutes, much like my latest release Destiny Road. It just happened, music, lyrics and melody just spontaneously combusted, It is about the drudgery of life living with mental illness and challenges only to wake up each day surprised to have been reborn to face Another Day.
What are your songs about?
The usual: Life, Love, Personal struggles, Relationships. A lot with a sardonic point of view.
What is the most trouble that you ever have gotten into?
Hah, that's easy! I was arrested at 16 for beating up three classmates who were heckling me. I was very much into martial arts by the time I was 10 and as with my many other outlets (Equestrian, Motocross, Tennis, Ski Coaching, PSIA Associate Certified Instructor in my late Teens early 20's. Then a USSA Level 3 race coach with my own academy and 40 years of racing including Masters Racing in my 50's. And then there was my business that I started built and sold. I retired at 50, And then of course there is the thread of music that ran through all these "Episodes". Now it's just hiking 5 to 7 miles every day with my lovely wife of 18 years (17 years younger than me and my fourth and forever) and our three Golden Doodles. I have had no children. Any back to your question Lol. When I was arraigned in Court the judge gave me the option to spend 5 years in prison or join the military. I immediately told my attorney to accept he's offer to the military to which the judge said "You've Got two minutes, Army or the Marines" I quickly retorted the Army your honor and a week later I was off to Basic. That's absolutely the most trouble I was ever in that had the best outcome, changed my life,
If you could be a fruit, which one would you be and why?
Lol again. Watermelon. Big and juicy, Hard on the outside soft and sweet on the inside.
If you can have your fans remember one thing about you, what would it be?
How I overcame my personal struggles and turned them into wonderful music that touches their souls.
If you did not become a musician, what would you be doing right now?
I can't imagine my life without music. I guess I would be a comedian.
Which famous musicians do you admire?
This is an easy one, early Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, SRV, Danny Elfman and Robin Ford.
What are your plans for the future?
After I get Never Give Up released, tour regionally (The Western 11), I will be '69 to '70. Though I have tons of energy now and gig whenever I can, I don't see myself doing a national or world tour. I am honing in our Livestream shows right now, every other Tuesday night starting in the New Year. And I would love to have the fanbase to Play Venues like Eccles Theater, Red Rock in Colorado and similar venues along the west coast. I never want to be away from home, my wife and dogs for more than two weeks at a time.
Thank you Kamil