Celtus: John
McManus talk about the past and present
Brother’s Pat, John &
Tommy McManus grew up playing Traditional Irish in rural Ireland almost unaware
of rock music. That changed one night when they went to check out a Horselips
gig. Horselips were the first band to combine traditional Irish music and rock
into one powerful sound. So impressed were the brothers that they formed their
own power trio rock band Mama’s Boys. The brothers released eight albums as
Mama’s Boys and toured the world over their fourteen years together with varying
levels of success. Sadly youngest brother Tommy died in 1994 from leukemia and
Pat and John called it a day. On the first anniversary of Tommy's death, John
picked up the low whistle and composed the instrumental track 'Brother's Lament'
in memory of Tommy. He played it to Pat who loved it and they started to play
some Irish music purely for fun. Out of this Celtus was born. Celtus infuse
folk, rock and roots styles to create some of the most uplifting original music
heard in the last few years. Their latest CD ‘What Goes Around’ has just been
released in the UK. Thanks to Lindy Benson for getting these questions to John
(and John for taking the time to answer’em).
(S’n’O) The Celtus sound has been a radical departure from the hard
rock of Mamas Boys how did this style come about ?
(John McManus) "When Tommy (our youngest brother) died, and Mama's
Boys folded, we weren't sure if we'd ever do another album. Things could never
be the same without Tommy.. After a year, Pat & I got back together and we
wanted to do something different. Because we grew up playing Irish music, we
wanted to return to the instruments we had neglected, like the low whistle and
fiddle - and try to fuse together the Celtic 'feel' and also draw on our rock
background. It really came quite easily."
(S’n’O) What type of reaction have you had from the hardcore Mamas
Boys fans to the changes and were you able to convert them?
(John McManus) "It's only by chance that old Mama's Boys fans know
we have a new band called Celtus as it's been on several websites. So far, no
complaints! It's amazing how many turn up to our shows!"
(S’n’O) Being base in the UK have you noticed a more favorable
acceptance of music with Irish overtone then say 15 years ago and if so what do
you attribute this to? (I remember criticism of Mamas Boys for using a fiddle by
the music press).
(John McManus) "Riverdance, and the Corrs,
I suppose."
(S’n’O) What are you memories of the
Mamas Boys days if you could re-live the last 20 years would there have been a
Mamas Boys or would you have just gone and formed Celtus?
(John McManus) "Memories? They were all good - especially our tours
in America that were so exciting! I think Mama's Boys, being the 3 brothers, and
being so in love with rock music, I would do the Mama's Boys thing all over
again."
(S’n’O) Of all the song you’ve
written over the last 20 years what’s your personal favorite?
(John McManus) "From Mama's Boys it would have to be 'Needle In The
Groove.' From the Celtus collection, I'd have to say 'Cathedral' from the
'Portrait' album".
(S’n’O) I notice you have left Sony
UK to go to an independent label. How is the new label working out?
(John McManus) "We licensed both 'Live 2000' and 'What Goes Around'
to Evangeline - so they basically act as a distributor. Sony only ever released
'Moonchild' and 'Portrait' in the UK and Ireland. Evangeline have released
world-wide which is much better as our music can be obtained by a lot more
fans."
(S’n’O) Finally do Celtus have any
plans to tour/play in the USA in the near future (or have their CDs released
here)?
(John McManus) "No plans yet to tour in the
US. Any promoters out there that want us over? We'd be there like a shot! The
'Live 2000' CD and the new studio album 'What Goes Around' was released in the
US at the end of February 2001. I know both can be bought from CD Warehouse
(Media Valley/DNA distribution) and also over the internet on: CDNow,
CDconnection, and CDquest. Please DO check out our website:
www.folking.com/celtus as we love reading the messages from our fans -
especially the ones from America."
http://www.folking.com/celtus
