When I sat down at the Market downtown with Sara Fischer and Dani Chandler from The Manxx, they grabbed a bottle of white wine and I knew they were ready for the interview.
The Manxx, A pop/punk group from Denver, consists of Fischer on vocals and her long-term friend and colleague Chandler on keys. They are tearing up the underground of Denver's punk music scene and the Advocate was lucky enough to talk with them on a pleasant Colorado afternoon about the musical process and plans for the future.
Advocate: First, I have to ask, what is The Manxx, and how did you get that name?
Sara: Well, the main thing is that it is a cat with a chopped off tail and longer back legs. Looking for a band name can be a funny process, you throw out anything, and The Manxx is the one that we liked.
A: How did you meet?
S: We've known each other forever. We're best friends. We met working together at the Lion's Lair. Working those ol' rock ‘n' roll shows, Dani had made a mix CD for the jukebox and there was a Sonics song on there and I knew we were gonna be best friends. Musical taste brought us together for sure and working together, side by side, you get to know people pretty well that way.
A: What sort of inspirations would you say you draw upon for your music?
S: We are really melody driven. We are super into rock ‘n' roll, straight up rock ‘n' roll. Pretty simplistic, layered with heavy keyboard hooks. We are like a pop band, but more distorted.
A: If you were forced to compare your sound with another group, what would you say?
S: A friend of ours calls us "The Archies on crack," it's like pop music but it's more revved up and a little noisier, more rock ‘n' roll.
A: Other than music, where do you draw inspiration from?
S: Our lyrics are not super deep. I would say they are just pretty much everyday experiences.
A: You have an EP out, right? Is that all?
S: We have that 7-inch record out, we have an EP out, a five song CD, and we are just about to put out another 7-inch on Snappy Little Numbers, and that is already at United being pressed. We don't have a date for the release party but that is coming up really quick. And then we are also finishing recording a 10-inch with our friend's band, Chutzpah. We just have a couple more little tracks to record and it should be done on Thursday.
A: So, where would people go to find your shows?
S: We try to keep it updated on our Facebook page, Reverbnation, Twitter, and we just put out a lot of good ol' fashioned flyers.
A: What kind of setting do you prefer performing in?
Dani: I definitely don't like being high up on stage, I like small places with good sound, where everyone is squished in together. I dunno, how about you?
S: Yeah, I think house parties are a lot more fun for us because it's looser, and the kids are having more fun and tend to dance more. Bars? There are benefits to each. In bars the sound is usually way better because it is a professional set up and you don't have to worry so much. When my friends and I throw shows it's just a little stressful keeping everything managed. But I like playing Mouth House and Unit B. That's our warehouse. I love playing there.
D: I personally like playing at the Hi-Dive, even though it's got a higher stage.
S: And they have a backstage area. It sounds cheesy but before playing it's really nice to have somewhere to go get away from the crowd and chill and get focused.
A: What big challenges have you faced as a band?
S: It's hard because it almost feels like you have two jobs. We love being in the band but its takes work. You have to be at practice, you have to meet your recording deadlines, and you have to write songs. That's all awesome and fun but when you have to have a real job to pay the bills it's hard to have downtime. You have to find the right combination of people so that you don't feel like you have two jobs.
A: So, who does most of the writing?
D: Sara writes the gists of the songs and then we just kinda work through the little parts together.
A: Do you play covers or only originals?
S: Yeah, we play some covers. We've done "Keep On Dancing" by the Gentrys for the Hi-Dive Hullabaloo, we've done covers of Van Morrison's stuff, and we also do "Oh Bondage! Up Yours!" by the X–Ray Spex. We've also busted out "Happy Birthday" by The Beatles a few times. Whenever it's appropriate.
A: Other than working with new labels and recording your own music do you have any other long-term goals for your group?
S and D: Yes, tour.
A: Do you have any last words?
S: We should acknowledge how great the Denver scene is right now. And there is so much happening, all of the
bands really work together. I have been in this scene for a long time and it feels like now we are back to house-party culture and warehouses, which makes it a really great time to be playing in a band here in Denver.
