ManaRays

Adrian Carroll – Vocals/Guitar
Micky Scott – Drums/Percussion
Phil Dunlea – Bass/Backing Vocals/Percussion

Guitarist and songwriter Adrian ‘Killer-guitar’ Carroll and drummer Micky Scott cut their teeth in seminal Sydney punk band, Splatterheads. Now, however, they can both be found loitering in Brisbane suburbia, performing in a tight-knit trio called ManaRays. ManaRays are a refreshingly high energy mutant blues/rock outfit. They’re passionate about their punk rock roots, incubated in the intimacy of Brisbane’s late 70’s and early 80’s punk scene. Their self-titled album on Swashbuckling Hobo Records features the lead vocals of two other Splatterheads, the dual/alternating front men, Christo Fletcher and Sly Faulkner, making the record a must-have, and one sure to go down in the annals of independent Australian rock classics. Moulded on Carroll’s pumped-up Detroit style, the band’s live performances often enter into uncharted intense detours from the written compositions. Carroll’s guitar playing is peppered with manic, virtuosic soloing, and bunches of well-heeled chops, while often throwing in an improvised, melodic guitar line, or spitting out a quirky instrumental heavy blues jam. Lyrically, the band drifts aimlessly from bubblegum pop, to romantic epics, to poetic expressions of spiritual enlightenment. Carroll’s high pitched, crackling voice is reminiscent in its vulnerability of early Tom Verlaine. Micky Scott’s, unpredictable, jazzy interpretations of the songs adds an indescribable but refreshing bent to the beat, seemingly from another world. Third member Phil Dunlea (of Black Diamond fame) spent years playing bass in Brisbane cover bands, his confidence and rock-solid playing buoys the ensemble through awkward swerves into chaos, and his assured backing vocals fuse the group into a formidable expression of modern post-punk. ManaRays are highly entertaining, delivering generous amounts of high energy punk rock’n’roll, sentimentality, good old fashioned fun, and the occasional sly wit. A great choice for pubs, clubs, parties, festivals, and all-ages shows – in fact, any event in any setting.