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C: Thanos - first off – thanks for the kind words in your review of our new album “The Thrill Of The Chase”. It’s a great feeling to be back in the studio again. It’s every musician’s dream to be there, creating and pushing the limits of their craft. Since I have written the most
basic parts of your biography on the album’s review can you tell me in a
few words about the M&R Rush way through music all these years? C: Sure, that’s easy. We play the kind of music that we love. Some call it classic rock, some call it pomprock, and we call it a driving, high energy rock with lots of intricacy’s and harmonies. I want to know what does
M&R Rush mean and who came up with this name and why? C: A long time ago – on the south side of Chicago, Marty Mardirosian (our drummer) started a band with his best friend Roger Hirtz (our bass player). That is where the M&R came from… Always rushing around they added Rush to the name. Hence the birth of M&R Rush… Believe it or not – we had the name before Rush started. Unfortunately Rush sold millions of records and we didn’t!!! Ha!!! Can you tell me why did you
split up back on 1987? C: We ended up playing for a paycheck. We didn’t have the time to sit back and write and record because of our responsibilities to support our families. We are happy that we could make a living playing music for a while… but it was not an easy task. And what forced you to
reunite? It was only the Summer Fests that brought you all together? C: There were a couple of things that I believe led to the reunion. The first thing that comes to mind was “The Love For Music”! The second thing was the time was right. We were all established in our current professions and could afford the time to put it back together again. The passion for our music was still there. I felt it when we jammed on Marty’s son’s band equipment in June 2002. The most important component was all the support from our families and friends to get back together. You exist from the 70’s you
but you did not managed to release a full-length album all those years…
although you managed to make a good name in Chicago’s music scene and
not only. Which were the main reasons for that according to you? C: We made a good name for ourselves through out the Midwestern States playing with Styx. We released an EP called “Reach For The Stars” and a Cassette only record (do you remember them?) called “Set The Streets On Fire” and a few singles. Many of these songs are on a CD we put out last summer called “Rock And Roll Chicago”. It is available on our website at: www.mandrrush.com and at: CDbaby.com. The problem was – we had to play 5 nights a week – mostly one night stands. We had little time to write and record new songs. So, have you decided to go on
producing albums and giving live shows in America? And how long this will
last? C: I hope it will last a long time, but being realistic nothing lasts forever. So I will enjoy it as long as I can. And yes there is a lot more M&R Rush music we want to record. Ok. Back to the album again.
What does “The Thrill Of The Chase” mean? Why is the thrill for
someone to be chased or to chase? C: In America, young men tend to go after the girls that are “hard to get”. If the girl is too easy to get they tend to lose interest quickly. The guy holds on to the ones that “are hard to get”. So “The Thrill Of The Chase” is an exciting part of the dating game. Getting back to the album though, “The Thrill Of The Chase” signifies the excitement of putting out a new album and touring again. It has been exciting and there have been many surprises. What’s the connection
between the artwork and the album’s title? C: My niece Noelle had the idea for the cover and we felt it fit since hounds are always chasing after prey. Which are you favorite new
songs of the album and why? C: “Wrap Me Up” has a great hook, which shows off our vocals, Jeff really nails the lead vocal and I like the way all the parts of the song mesh into each other. “Million Seller” also shows off our harmonies and has a great classic feel. You can actually feel the fun we had recording this song. The double guitar leads and all the analog synthesizers’ sounds are stellar. Jeff, Paul and John sing this one. Can you tell us some things
about each one of the new and the old songs of the album? C: I would love to Thanos… Thanks for asking… “Wrap Me Up”: has a great hook, which shows off our vocals, Jeff really nails the lead vocal and I like the way all the parts of the song mesh into each other. “Million Seller”: shows off our harmonies and has a great classic feel. You can actually feel the fun we had recording this song. The double guitar leads and all the analog synthesizers’ sounds are stellar. Jeff, Paul and John sing this one. “The Thrill of The Chase”: Has a unique, spooky chorus and unusual bass guitar line. Paul does lead vocals. “Rock And Roll Chicago”: Not much to say about this, the song says it all. We love that town… Just like Frank Sinatra did… Ha!!!! If you ever come to America you have to come see us play… Or maybe we should come to your part of the world… How about working on that for us!!!! “When I’m With You”: Has great guitar work, a catchy hook with harmonies and goes by quick. I (Carl) sing lead on this one. “Wish I Only Knew”: Has the trademark M&R Rush harmonies, driving beat and a surprise twist in the middle. Roger sings lead on this one. “Heavy Metal Christmas”: Shows off our guitar section again with harmonies and John does an inspired guitar solo. This song is our tribute to the Heavy Metal Bands we have grown to love in the US. Marty does some of his best drum fills on this one. Especially at the end of the song. Paul again spices up the lead vocals. “Good -Bye Baby”: Is all about saying good-bye to an old flame and has a nice build to a rockin’ chorus. I am singing it and added that “classic” synth solo – Ha!!! “I’m Dreamin”: Is a song about Chicago’s beloved baseball team that can never make it back to the World Series, hence the title “I’m Dreamin’”. I love Marty’s drum fills on this song. Paul lends his personality to the lead vocals. If you ever see us live you will see what I mean. “Good-Bye City Lights”: I love the warm keyboard sounds and the double guitar work and the big chorus on this one. Roger does a great job on lead vocals once again. The message of this song is “I don’t need all the glamour, glitz and fame to be happy”. I wrote “Never Forget You, John” on the night John Lennon was killed. I can’t believe next year it is going to be 25 years since he died. The Beatles and John Lennon were a big influence on our lives and this is our Tribute To John. I hope I gave you a little background on the songs…. The best way to get the whole message is to buy “The Thrill Of The Chase” Ha!!! Either on our website at: mandrrush.com or at CDbaby.com. I guess that is what you call a plug!!! Are you totally satisfied with
the new album? Which are those things that you would change if you had the
chance again? C: I would be lying if I said I was totally satisfied with this album. Music is a work in progress and I like to make changes to keep things interesting. But on the whole, I am very satisfied. If I could change one thing, it would be the way it was recorded, as we had to fit it in between other people’s projects at the recording studio. How’s the reaction of people
about the album? I mean, fans and press. C: The reaction has been fantastic. We have people all over the world buying it. The power of the internet is unbelievable. You can check it out on our website at mandrrush.com and all the reviews that have been coming in are real positive. I feel like I know you Thanos… The power of music and the power of the internet made us have this conversation… It is great… This couldn’t have been possible 20 years ago. Some more general questions
now… Why did you decided to start your own label and to release your
album through it? C: Simple answer… is
because we felt that it would be the easiest route right now. If any of
your readers are a head of a record company - give us a call or email us
at: mandrush1@yahoo.com. We would love to be signed… to someone’s
label… (interviewers note: What are you waiting for... all you record
companies???!!) Do you think that there is
enough space in today’s music for bands like M&R Rush? C: I know it! The excitement at our shows and all the positive feedback prove it. What do you think about rock
music nowadays if you compare it with the 70’s or the 80’s era? C: It seems to me that today’s rock music is exploring a dark side. There seems to be more tension in the performances. Can you characterize your
music? C: Yes… positive... classic rock or pomprock with lot’s of great musicianship and great vocals. Rocking/Melodic music with four part harmonies, driving rhythm section, lots of keyboards and crunchy guitars. Do you believe that is so easy
for a band to differ in today’s music industry than in the past? And if
yes what shall it do in order to achieve it? C: Since no two people are exactly alike, I believe that if you don’t make a conscious effort to sound like somebody else, you will sound like yourself. Is it so easy to become
popular but also easy to fall from the top especially today? Do you agree
with that? C: I think it is extremely hard to become popular today. Especially since music has become so diverse and everybody has their own niche. Which are those missteps that
hold M&R Rush back in the past? C: We spent years playing live shows and building up a following, but we didn’t spend enough time in the studio getting our music recorded and played on the radio. We were so close getting a major recording deal back then but that is the past… And some Weird Questions now,
to relax somehow!!! Which are the things that piss you off from today’s
music industry? C: I think the ticket prices are too high and some major performers fake it live. Do you think that that a band
can be helped from the internet or only problems and no money can get from
it? C: I think the internet is a great way to gain exposure to anyone in the whole world. What would you tell to someone
to convince him to buy your album instead of hundreds others that are
being released every month? C: I would not try to convince anybody to buy any music that they’re not into. But if someone liked the bands – Journey, Queen, Foreigner, Boston or Styx it would be a “no brainer”. If you loved their style of music you’ll love M&R Rush. Go to our website at: www.mandrrush.com and you can hear samples of our first album. Go to CDbaby.com and you can hear samples of both our first album and our new album “The Thrill Of The Chase”.The other thing I can do… is beg… Please buy our album!!!!! If you were a God’s
messenger what would you tell Him to do for the good of humanity? C: If I were God’s messenger I’d ask him to enlighten our world leaders so that they could really make a positive impact in our world. If M&R Rush carrier was a
movie… which movie would it be and why? C: This whole “getting the band back together” reminded me of the “Blues Brothers First Movie”. If you were obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that which would represent the whole human music… which album would it be and from which band? C: Thanos these are some wild questions… We have to get together someday and have a beer! (interviewers note: Sure I always like to have beers and talk about music with people that love music!!!) Well here it goes – Pink Floyd’s “Darkside Of The Moon”. It would be nice for them to listen to it while they travelled from Galaxy to Galaxy. Which band do you believe that
can take a leading part in the rock scene in the future? C: I believe there will be many bands leading the charge. That’s the way it has always been. Which are the top 5 rock
albums of all time according to you? C: The first album from Led Zeppelin, Boston, and Van Halen.The Beatles “The White Album”. Aerosmith – “Toys In The Attic”. How do you imagine that the
music world could be, one thousand years from now? And why? C: It will probably be the same as it is today – varied. Which is the most overrated
band today? C: No comments!! What are the biggest life
lessons you’ve learned over the course of your career? C: Love the music you play and play the music you love. Imagine that your wife is
selling your whole album-collection just to buy for herself an expensive
ring. How would you react? C: I’d be surprised. She not at all like that. Ok Carl those were my
questions. Thx very much for everything! Just leave a message to Grande
Rock readers if you want to. C: First thing, I would like to thank you Thanos on behave of M&R Rush for taking the time to do this interview and for your interest in our music. We would love to have some of your readers rocking to M&R Rush music. Please stay in touch with us by visiting our website at: www.mandrrush.com. You can sign up for our newsletter at our site, it goes out every few weeks and keeps you up to date on what is happening with the band. We would love to have a bunch of your readers sign up. Also, we would like to hear from all of you. Please send us an email at: mandrrush1@yahoo.com and give us a review of our new album “Thrill Of The Chase” or just to chat. We will answer every email. We promise. We want to say thanks to all of you that have recently been turned on to M&R Rush music through the internet around the world in such countries as yours, Greece, Belgium, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Canada, to name a few. In closing… Thanks again Thanos for giving us the press and thank you for your support!! Remember - Never give up on “The Thrill Of The Chase”. Keep On Rockin! Carl – M&R Rush – 10/15/04 I wanna thank a lot Carl for being so kind and a real rocker to the bone!!! Thx for being a true music lover my friend!!! by Thanos Aggelakis |
Hi Carl…Good to be back on
action by having released a very good album.