July 2023
Band Name? Drown Again
When was the band formed?
The band formed early 2021 officially
Where is the band based?
The band is based in Kennewick , Wa USA
Social Media links:
DrownAgain @drownagainoffical @drownagainrock
Members/roles?
Rob Mancini (vocals, guitars )
Frank Blair (guitars)
Erik Lundquist (Bass)
Jason Blessing (Drums)
Sub-genre of your music?
The bands main genre is rock, sub genre is alternative rock
What was the story in forming the band?
The band formed internationally during the Covid-19 shutdown of the last few years, with members in Ireland and the USA, with an unusual meeting of two dads with autistic sons. Singer of Scar For Life & Boneyard Dog and award winning producer Rob Mancini and Guitarist Frank Blair of Neverwas and Chlorine Dream met after Frank and his son had recorded some music together and needed a vocalist to finish off the song. Enter Rob Mancini, who accepted the request to do vocals on the track. Rob, also having a son with the affliction, was eager to work on the project. Frank and Rob hit it off immediately and started working on new material after finishing the song.
Frank enlisted former band mates Erik Lundquist, who is the band’s bass player and main lyricist, and Jason Blessing on Drums to record the album. We also brought in as guests Guitarist extraordinaire Claudio Pietronik and Dani Rabin of the band Marbin to add some spice to the mix.
How did you come up with the band name?
We struggled with band names. Shortly after we recorded the song Drown Again, (which is on the album) based on the ups and downs of life, Rob suggested we use it as a band name… it seemed fitting so we agreed to roll with it.
What is the inspiration in your music?
Most of the songs have some personal experience behind them, as we like to really be connected to our music. We definitely want our music to have some meaning that the listener can connect to in some fashion
What are your favorite artists?
Alice in Chains, Three Days Grace, Porcupine Tree, Queensrÿche, and even The Goo Goo Dolls and Queen. Theres a lot of favorite bands and a lot of different influences.
Favorite movies?
Throw Momma From the Train, The Die Hard series, Porky’s, Revenge of the Nerds , Trading Places…. Could go on and on..lol
What was the last album released?
Emerge was released in October 2022.
Also, Rob had released a project called Boneyard Dog, which is more of a blues rock venture. Some good songs on that album.
Any upcoming releases?
Yes! At the time of this interview, we are finalizing a single to drop in the next month or so, while we polish up the next album, which is about 90 % complete.
What is your dream venue?
I’d say Red Rock Amphitheater in Denver, CO. That place is embedded in the red mountains. The scenery is just amazing.
What bands we would you like to tour with?
Three Days Grace, Foo Fighters, Poets of the Fall, Seether, and maybe even The Warning.
What instruments do you play, any favorites?
The guitars of choice are, PRS, Ibanez, and Fender . Amps, Hughes and Kettner, Fractal, and Peavey. Favorite guitar is PRS… They make such an amazingly smooth product. Amp effects is Fractal systems for live and recording.
What is a favorite band story?
A while back, we had a gig scheduled in the winter months. That day, a huge snow blizzard came through. The whole town basically shut down, and we almost called to cancel the gig, assuming nobody would show up. After discussing, we said, “Let the venue cancel if it’s gonna be cancelled, we will honor our commitment”. We braved the weather and made it there.
During setup, we noticed the place having more and more people show, and when we took the stage, it was a packed house, standing room only, with people lined up outside. It was one of the best shows ever because everyone was so jazzed to be there, and that we hadn’t cancelled. The house was rocking, and it was amazing!!!! You just never know what will happen at a gig.
What is the most meaningful song to you?
Measure of man. As we have gotten older and watched some of our parents pass away, we wrote the song from the perspective of a dying father, reflecting on his life and seeing what he tried to give to his young ones. Eventually, we can all relate to this.
What was your most memorable performance?
It was early in the music and band career. We signed up for a local battle of the bands, which had big local sponsors, prize money, etc. A huge outdoor venue and about 60 area bands over 2 days. At the time, we were local nobodies, so we got slotted like 2nd to last to play. Amazingly, at the late hour, it was dark, but from the stage, it was a sea of people as far as the lights radiated. We got up there and rocked the house with all original material, and settled on 2nd place overall. That performance moved us from local nobodies to being widely accepted into the area rock scene. Just a super good time!!! I always tell the up and coming bands… get up and do your thing. There’s an audience for all music, you just have to find them.
Check out our review of Drown Again here!