Media Review - Hard rock the way it should be! By Jim Ody

"This one's dedicated to Alice Cooper!" shouts Phil before the band jump into Jimi Hendrix's 'Let Me Stand Next To Your Fire'. It's a real rebel-rouser of a version proving that this type of song if perfect for the band. The band also do a great version of Iggy Pop And The Stooges 'Search And Destroy', giving it a real shot of Hard Rock. However, in the band's own songs, like the fabulous, 'Skin Crawl', we get the showcase of how good a guitar player Phil is, as mid song he launches into barrage of guitar licks that spit out of the speakers as Phil chews nonchalantly on some gum, in an effortless way. With a new guitar, and stripped to the waist, Phil certainly doesn't look like a guy that's been around as long as he has.

The one thing that is noticeable is that whilst Phil's vocals are great, when the band try to harmonise, it's a million miles away from Leppard, with whom harmonising is up there with Queen. Simon's vocals are of a similar range, and therefore it just sounds like two people singing as opposed to complimenting each others vocals. 'Shadow Man' is a perfect example of how on CD it works, but live the harmonies are not there, which is a shame as the song is a strong one elsewhere.

We then have the full out Punk Rock of, 'Connected To You' which has some great riffs, as does, 'It's Entertainment' which has a dirty rock edge to it, and some nice beats and bass. The band then finish with their new single, 'Turn It Up' which is a thumping Rock anthem. Great stuff!

By Jim Ody @ roomthirteen 2009.

Media Review - Alice Cooper Man Raze By Trigger

The main support band tonight was Man Raze a band made up of Phil Collen from Def Leppard on vocals and guitar, Paul Cook from Sex Pistols on drums and Phil Collen's friend Simon Laffy on bass and backing vocals and the great thing for Collen being in Man Raze is that he can now play those towns and venues that were are simply impossible for him to play whilst in Def Leppard as it would be absolute carnage.

When Man Raze took to the stage they had a simple set up of three men with their instruments and basic lighting, Phil Collen appeared on stage without his shirt on and I have to say that health wise he is the fittest 51 year old that I have ever seen, the man has a six pack and showed off some big muscles. Man Raze played a great set with their straight ahead rock sound, instrumental they were extremely tight letting off some outstanding guitar riffs and generally amazing instrumental work, they played a great selection of songs such as 'Connected To You', 'Shadow Man', 'Halo' and finished with the catchy sounds of their brand new single 'Turn It Up' which featured more bounce than a space hoper being thrown off the Empire State Building, the crowd seemed to take in the sound of Man Raze but they also seemed to be restless with people forever barging past me to enter and leave the main hall favouring the merch stand and the bar to the music at times.

By Trigger @ Alternative Vision 2009.

Media Review - Alice Cooper / Man Raze@ Oasis Leisure Centre, Swindon By Krissy

First, I'd like to make it perfectly clear that this was not just another excuse to go and drool at Phil Collen's physique, nor to gawp at the blood and gore that makes Alice Cooper gigs so special in small venues. What do you mean, you don't believe me??? Shame on you!I drove 40 miles in the rain with number 1 son in tow, had a perfectly fab interview with Mr. Collen, discussed his physique thanks, and made friends with the truly superb staff at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon. I think it's probably an amazing place but through the sheets of rain I could barely tell. It looks pretty big on the inside, capacity around 3,000, so unless it's a Tardis I think it may be a beacon of urban regeneration on the outside.

So far, I know Man Raze are the ambitious side project consisting of Phil Collen (Def Leppard) Gerry Laffy (Girl) and Paul Cook (Sex Pistols). The album, Surreal, floats between influences of dirty rock, nasty Punk and polished supergroup so I find the music pretty interesting. Live, although without a doubt Ronan the sound guy was doing a sterling job, Man Raze sadly fell a bit flat for me. It took a whole 20 minutes for Collen to get his top off and brandish those hard earned muscles on that perfect small wiry frame, but sadly he was the star of the show the whole time, despite his illustrious cohorts being ever so slightly famous too. The sound mix was DL style, mushing everything down into a level of processed blandness which mostly obliterated the raw quality which interested me in the band in the first place. Shame. They sounded mostly like a watered down version of DL.

It's obvious from both album and performance from Man Raze, that Collen drives more of the DL vocal than you at first realise. It's not till the end of the show, with first single Skin Crawl and the latest, Turn it Up, that the gorgeous dirty quality of his natural, unsanitised vocal finally begins to creep in. Then it's possible to see beyond DL, and the spotlight solos and realise this guy really is a star in his very own right. But for a band who claim to be "A Band", there's not much spotlight on the other two. Shame, because the quality is consistent, top notch, and built from the influences and skills of three very different musicians.

However, Collen's star attitude soon had good crowd response, plenty of clapping and cheering, and the guys should be happy with how things went. I for one would love to see how this band could develop, given the chance to blossom outside of the mighty DL shadow for a while. Maybe 2010 and time off the road for the DL circus will give the talents of all three time to mature into the heavy, polished, distinctive sound of which they are so obviously capable. I like them. And Phil is bloody fit for 51!

By Krissy @ Komodorock 2009.

Media Review - Man Raze do the job for Q's Alice Cooper By Q107

Opening for him on the UK leg of his jaunt is British outfit Man Raze. You may not be aware of this emerging group, but you will certainly be familiar with at least one of the band members; lead guitarist and vocalist Phil Collen, better known as Def Leppard's bare-chested axeman. He is joined by drummer Paul Cook, the infamous Sex Pistols skins beater, and bassist Simon Laffy - who previously shared the stage with Collen in the late 70s and early 80s when they were both members of the London-based band Girl.

Described as a mixture of Foo Fighters, Def Leppard and the Sex Pistols with a touch of Bob Marley thrown in for good measure, Man Raze offers a powerful sound that belies the solid three piece rock tradition, with a twist.

I caught up with the Alice Cooper tour in Swindon, UK just in time to see Man Raze take the stage. They were greeted by a largely indifferent 3,000-strong audience whose only priority at that time was to secure the best possible standing spot from which to watch Alice's Theatre of Death. However, once the trio launched into the opening bars of the ferociously pacy 'This Is', from debut album 'Surreal', Man Raze exuded an energy and freshness that instantly grabbed the attention of a significant majority of the previously blasé crowd. During a 40-minute set the trio proceeded to deliver a series of polished rock tunes perfectly accompanied by Collen’s rasping vocals. By the time they finished up with new single 'Turn It Up" they had significantly heated up the previously lukewarm Alice faithful. Job done and exit stage left for a cup of tea!

Included in their shortened support set is a sublime version of Hendrix's Fire but it’s their compositions that really rock; from the solid pounding bass line of Halo, overlaid with Leppardesque riffs, to the post-punk edge of 'It's Entertainment". The latter of which offers the acoustic equivalent of slapping you square in the face the minute the rhythm section kicks-in!

Man Raze doesn't fit into any convenient rock genre. You will either instantly love their music or be totally indifferent towards their unique fusion. If you are in the latter camp keep listening, because for you Man Raze could be an acquired taste.....much like fine wine. That is why the trio may initially struggle to find their audience, but ultimately they will.

The only real possible barrier to future success for Man Raze could be Phil Collen's commitment to Def Leppard. That said, given the circumstances of the recent cancellation of the third leg of their North American tour, it could be a while before The Lepps takes up any significant amount of Collen's time; providing the perfect opportunity to progress Man Raze. Indeed, Collen is confident that he can give the required time to both projects, and Laffy and Cook are equally committed to delivering Man Raze success. There is even talk of them opening for Bon Jovi next year.

By Q107 2009.