Interview with Mantis / DNR

In 2005 the bass-player "Kira", strongly influenced by the Visual Kei scene and by Japanese Jrock, draw up a project which has the fusion of Oriental melody and Occidental Groove as target. The band's purpose is to find the right dimension between these two worlds, and will be called "DNR".
Immediately Ash and Sieg (ex members of other Hard Rock made in USA bands) enter the project: the base of DNR' sound was ready, but it will take 2 years of exhausting casting session to recruit a singer to expectations of the trio. In summer 2007, they will find in Mantis the right romantic and aggressive tone that represents the band. Now, instead of hiring another guitarist, as standard rock bands usually do, DNR opt for a 5th element with knowledge of Jazz Piano, with the intention to bring style and niceness to the sound and support to Sieg's guitar Riffs; with the arrival of DeLord on November 2007 the formation was completed.
DNR are: Kira, Ash, Sieg, Mantis and DeLord, the first Italian Visual band.

finnbands: Finnbands isn't international since a longer time yet so we and our readers are not too familiar with the rock scene in Italy so far. Please let us know a little about DNR.
MantiS: The band is a Visual band! It's difficult to say exactly what we mean with "Visual"... We try to play music, make shows, share feelings, for all of your 5 senses... ears are not the only target! Sound, Make-up, fashion, light game, gift, rose, chocolate... We want you to feel our music deeply, it`s not about hearing only.

finnbands: Are you willing to let us know what is going in the scene in the south in 2009?
MantiS: In the south of Italy I guess nothing more than "Gigi D'Alessio"... a little bit on north I really hope to see a good rock scene and I hardly hope to be in that scene.

finnbands: Visual Kei and Jrock becomes a big phenomenon in this decade. What is special in this movement and how did you get involved with this genre?
MantiS: It's a different musicstyle comparing to all the others around. It`s original, sexy, interesting and full of culture. More than music. We try to get the best from this style to sewing a new kind of sound, music and show.

finnbands: As Visual Kei is about the looks and not about the music, where would you put your music?
MantiS: In your ear, but you also need to see us and feel the sound to understand what means be "un reanimated". We play for all of your 5 senses.

finnbands: Do you think you and other European Visual Kei bands will have the chance to become as successful as Japanese bands are? And why do you think so?
MantiS: We don't want to be like a J-band. We love J-rock but we are not Japanese, we don't live in Japan and I really can't sing in Japanese!
Dnr is a project which has the fusion of Oriental melody and Occidental groove as target. To become famous and appreciated in Japan we need to be original, we need to give something new, something deep.
We are Italian, we are romantic and full of feelings, we take care of emotions. We don't plan the songs, we write down the feelings. it`s not about hearing only.

finnbands: You remind us a little of Cinema Bizarre. Is this accidentally or on purpose? Do you know CB at all?
MantiS: Well, first come to see our show please, then you can repeat me that question... in the absurd case you still have any doubt ;)

finnbands: Concerning to your myspace you are signed to a record lable. I couldn't find anything about releases so far. Are there any? Or is something in the planning you would like to share with us?
MantiS: At the moment we have a digital release for the single "Visual Evolution". You can find it on iTunes for example. The same will be for the second single (coming soon) but we will print the album and release it all over the Europe, USA and Japan, so don't worry, you will be able to find out entire album on the stores!

finnbands: Who of you is responsible for the song writing? How do you handle the whole process from the first idea until the final result?
MantiS: We make the song writing all together. Someone get the idea, the band works around this idea and then try, try, and try again until the song becomes ready to enter in the Miraloop's studios.

finnbands: Once a guitar player told me, he started to play just because of the girls. What was your reason to start playing?
MantiS: Ok, did you make me an interview when i was a guitar player???? COOOOL! I wanna be famous to marry Jessica Alba!!! Well just kidding but the truth is that when I was at school, the only reason to don't fall asleep in class was my walkman. listening music I felt free and one day i asked myself: what if I try to play?? I'm still waiting my answer...

finnbands: Imagine all your make up and styling products were stolen before a gig. Would you go on stage unstyled or would you skip the gig?
MantiS: Skip the gig?? No way!
I forgot my makeup bag once. (I forget always something in every show, after or before performing).
Luckly there were a lot of nice and pretty fans with a lot of products!! I love you ladies!!!

finnbands: Can we expect to see you in Germany soon?
MantiS: It's a promise! BTW our manager Harris Ghouse is German so, no way to miss your country!! See you soon in Germany!!

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