Hit Songwriter Launches New Album

NUMBER ONE HIT SONY/BMG SONGWRITER RELEASES NEW ALBUM

Award-winning, hit songwriter, Tom Tikka is back with a brand new album packed with what his record label calls, “hit after hit.”

The album, entitled “Better Man”, is released on 20th May world-wide on every platform from the Minds Behind the Music Record label. The distribution is via their mainstream deal with Sony Orchard.

Tikka has been working closely with Minds Behind the Music on the album. It all started when his song “Venetian Rubber Boots” was selected to the label’s upcoming environmental fundraising compilation album to support the fight against climate change.

Now Tom and MBTM have released Tikka’s sophomore effort entitled Better Man. The album features the hit single “By 2022” (#14 on iTunes Canada), a song that’s been reviewed in multiple music blogs and is also now nominated in the single of the year category at the ISSA awards 2022.

Tikka said: "Better Man is my attempt to write one of those records that I grew up with. I thought it’d be nice to try to reproduce some of the magic that the great singer-songwriter albums of the 60s and 70s had – albeit with a modern twist. This was also an era when the Top 40 was a lot more eclectic than it is today. There could be many artists from radically different genres on the same week’s Billboard chart: Uriah Heep, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Kris Kristofferson, Roberta Flack, Marvin Gaye and Three Dog Night. This was yet another aspect I wanted to revisit."

Formerly the songwriter of the Sony/BMG & Warner Music band, Carmen Gray, Tom Tikka has managed to build a rather successful career for himself as a solo act. Tom’s previous album, This Is My Happy Face included three international iTunes smashes. Both "Doormat" & "With Eyes Closed" were #1 hit singles, while “Heart’s on Fire” made it to #2. Tikka has been featured on Huffington's Thrive Global, Authority Magazine, Melody Maker Magazine, Ballroom Blitz, The Hollywood Digest, VENTS Magazine and many others, while his music videos have won at film festivals around the world.


Tikka is also an ISSA Award winner (Emerging Male Artist of The Year) as well as a Josie Music Awards and Hollywood Music in Media Awards nominee.

"Tikka has been at this a long time so I rue not discovering him sooner…" – THE HOLLYWOOD DIGEST

"I don’t normally use the word genius for many musicians, however the cap fits with Tom Tikka." – TUNEDLOUD


Contact: MBTM for press packs/photographs officialmbtm@gmail.com

Record Label: https://mindsbehindthemusicrecords.carrd.co

Album available here https://orcd.co/betterman_tomtikka




Latest News from Minds Behind the Music

New Indie Label Gets Mainstream Distribution


A brand new music label released a charity album for planet Earth and because of that were offered mainstream distribution through Orchard.

The label, Minds Behind the Music, released a compilation album of the same name featuring stars such as Mungo Jerry and Simon Kirke of Bad Company. They also featured a host of awesome indie musicians. Following this they released an album from the legendary Star Prairie Project which has so far had millions of plays.

Now with global mainstream distribution in place they are releasing two more albums from two indies.


The first is actually the second album from the electronic ambient and established indie, SchizoFranic, entitled Event Horizon. Her first album from the label was called Vibes and is already being considered by several film companies for inclusion in movies.

The second new album is called Fecundness and is quite different. It comes from prog-rock indie band, Those Men, who are quite a name in the indie world for being totally insane.

“We want a broad spectrum of the best talent in the indie world and with these two very different releases we believe we’re getting there.” said MBTM owner and author, Phil G.

Both albums were released world-wide on every platform on the 22nd April.

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PRESS: Please get in touch for photo’s, links, interviews etc.

More Information about MBTM Records can be found here https://mindsbehindthemusicrecords.carrd.co

For all enquiries please contact: officialmbtm@gmail.com

She Loves 2 Shop

SHE LOVES 2 SHOP, Artist/Producer Greg (Rollo) Wigz…

Article by SchizoFranic

She Loves 2 Shop…..There is a message in this name.

Talking to She Loves 2 Shop was an amazing experience. She Loves 2 Shop is a down to earth, God loving person with a view about the wold that Greg notices that we are in the midst of turmoil. And Greg believes That the world needs to be more aware of the state of things that are happening in our society. She Love 2 shop incorporates these views in his music. The meaning behind the name “ She Loves 2 Shop” will be revealed at the end of this review…

My first question was tell us about how you became a musician/ songwriter? Tell the readers a little bit about She Loves 2 shop. This is what he had to say.

I was raised in a musical family. My father was a guitar player and singer , had his own country/Rockabilly dance bands.

We had music at Grandmas house every Christmas , Aunts & Uncles cousins everybody sand and played either a guitar or the piano.

Pretty stunning renditions of the Christmas Classics, white Christmas, Silent Night, Come All Ye faithful etc...

I played a violin for a year , moved on to a trumpet ( more flash) and then started guitar at 14 yrs/old ...

Was playing in a band (electric gtr ) with my younger brother , he played bass, at 17 yrs old.. we made money with a drummer and a lead singer.

We got jobs at the same clubs/bars our Dad played, In fact about half our songs we learnt from his band ... The owners loved us, everybody did.

The old ladies use to get a kick out of us young boys up there on stage , lol. Our singer school chum was a natural entertainer/comedian !

And our drummer was a child prodigy , we slayed them with Wipeout and other cool tunes.

I just liked the idea of having fun watching the crowd groove. It's a natural high getting paid to have fun and we were our own bosses.

So I wanted to be a lead guitar player like my Dad , but better ! My Dad didn't write songs but I started because i didn't think it was that hard to do.

I really learnt how to write songs when I quit trying to write, I wanted to sing but wasn't very good at singing other peoples songs... lol

so I made my on songs that I could sing, and the more I sing the better I get, If you can talk , you can sing THATS my attitude towards it.

So I became my own style ... out of necessity .

My next question for She Loves 2 Shop was, What influenced you to become a musician, for example favorite band, issues in your community, the state of our wold… ect?

My Dad and older cousins who could play Rock guitar. I have always been aware of my surroundings so I pull influence from other instruments, genres  etc .. by dad like country and 50's music , my mom liked classical and Big band Swing ...

I liked the 60's and 70's Rock I learnt on .. going into the 80's we had the big Hair band thing.. I liked Punk and Hard Rock ...

The alternative bands I found great in the 90's. Songwriters everybody knows that I studied Lennon, Cobain and tons of others.

Next question I asked She Loves 2 Shop was, What are some of your songs and their meanings?

Sometimes I don't know but vaguely what they mean ...

The song ...    Walk With Me ... is a fantasy about a guy wanting to take a girl he likes on a date. thinks about her but has doubts she'd accept

Taking her to Jurassic park I think is his way of saying I might be scary but it may be thrilling .

So he tells her he's a risk but he’s also not gonna let anything bad happen to her, he seems to enjoy teasing her !

Mother Hurt - Is about living in the modern age of Oil energy dependance. The crucial lifeline of oil is a vulnerable catastrophic event , happening now

Mother earth is feeling fine ... the planet will survive , mean while it’s business as usual as people , go about in an ignorant bliss? denial?

This following question was, how do you explain your music style?

My Music Style ... Is the Sum of all Ive seen and heard ... Spit out by my attitude as a fighter for the people, a voice for the simple upright truth loving person.

When I asked She Loves 2 Shop What is your writing process this is what he had to say…

My writing process ... has been something as simple as sitting with my acoustic guitar and feeling inspired ... to sitting at the Recording Desk and creating from scratch a multi-track that I work out into a finished song adding the parts as inspired by what I am given as do this . It’s all about decisions.

My Take on She Loves 2 Shop single… “Walk With Me” that was released in 2021

First thing right off the bat you get hit with powerful drums accompanying with a wall of electric guitars. Then the vocals come in with…” would you love to talk a walk with me!”…”Would you like to take a walk with me to Jurassic park”, suggesting that the world is a zoo perhaps? The style of the music borderlines puke rock in my opinion, with punchy drum lines and the lyrics a bit playful. The song itself has a bit of the Ramones with a Sound Garden    feel to it. Guitar solo is interesting fades into a synth sound like time ticking then back to the chorus….. would like to take a walk….

All around I think this is a really good Track very original with hints of a lady screams when Jurassic Park is mentioned adding a bit of dark humor and with a quirky references stating keep off the grass…

She Loves 2 Shop described 2 more songs in his words and this is what he said….

Why Oh You

She Loves 2 Shop has a song called Why Oh You the back story of this song    is quite sad but I think that people can relate to it one what or another. The story told to me by She Likes 2 Shop goes … Greg had a girl friend who was a fantastic poet. She wrote a poem titled Sunshine to Shadows. Greg asked her if he could put it to music, she said yes. Greg was inspired and it was the first song her ever wrote. Greg was 17 years old and the year was 1978.

Greg just recently recorded it for the first time and had to add a chorus to her verse as he recorded it for the first time.

Greg said from the beginning it spoke to him as the emotion of attachment fondness and endearing heartache at being apart…the verses are as she wrote them. The chorus is his input as to finish the idea. Greg instantly was able to recall the words to her poem and it has been with him all this time.

Greg says he has no idea what has become of her, but he always had sympathetic feelings for her.

The next song is call…. DAMN

The Song DAMN is also about love heart emotion of wanting, in this song it is about recognizing the want and thinking it is unhealthy to be obsessive, causing emotional distractions and also recognizing it needs to stop as in a painful attraction Greg states. DAMN is the most recent song that he has written. Greg had thought to include it on his next album, but he felt it came out very well and would compliment the tracks on his upcoming    album PROFANITY In April 2022.

I asked She Loves 2 Shop what are some of your releases this is what he had to say.

My Release's

In April 2021 I released The Album SHE LOVES 2 SHOP , The Debut Album It contains the song SHE LOVES 2 SHOP , the title track. It contains 13 songs. One instrumental DARKSIDE

In December 2021 I released The Album DEAD RIGHT & BLEW ... the opening track is Mother Hurt , it contains 13 songs, One instrumental FEAR GOD

In April 2022 I will release The Album PROFANITY ... the opening track is NOT NOT MAD , it contains 13 songs , One instrumental HOLY MOUNTAIN

Here are the links where you can find She Loves 2 Shop work:

SHE LOVES 2 SHOP website HOME

All places Streaming:
SPOTIFY          https://open.spotify.com/artist/7Ab8rIVL1ckWCf0BcMeKLo?si=scHfKJD1SYe3astW_llZiw
BANDCAMP    https://shelovestoshop.bandcamp.com/album/dead-right-blew

SHE LOVES 2 SHOP - YouTube

SOUNDCLOUD    https://soundcloud.com/sheloves2shop

Or his songwhip      https://songwhip.com/sheloves2shop

The following question that I asked was, How do you feel about the state of the world today? And how does it affect you and your work? This was Greg’s Answer..

Todays current world situation ... Is very bothersome and I am compelled to condemn the evil and fight, condoning the prevalent belief system that is widely held , where wrong is right , up is down and the self reigns supreme to the natural order of spiritual law.

It effects my works in that it is my hope that people can find spiritual peace and believe in Love and live in harmony with the will of the creator in their hearts.

And here we come to the conclusion of this review. What does “ She Loves 2 Shop” stand for, and why did you choose the name? This is how I sums up what Greg’s message is…

SHE LOVES 2 SHOP…. Metaphorically is represents America, being    materialistic in their beliefs, behavior thru consumerism .

The selfish behavior of materialism that is taught and worshipped in place of a spiritual DIVINE nature, vulgarity, and profanity are applauded.

America has become the leader in atheism. Selling her self to the followers of the world. How this monopoly has enslaved the people.

But It doesn't need to include you.


Article by SchizoFranic

You can find out more about SchizoFranic here https://linktr.ee/SchizoFranic

Indie Superstar Interview

Indie Superstar, Coen Rhys, Answers Our Questions

Coen Rhys is a positive over-thinker & experimental songwriter, applying twisted logic while balancing happy times with sad moments. He's also a jolly awesome chap and great musician who appears on the Minds Behind the Music fundraising album and will appear on the second one soon!

Follow him on twitter https://twitter.com/coenrhys




If you could be any other musician past or present, which one would it be and why?

I like to think I consolidate and balance my influences… I’m happy to let them be them and for me to use their inspiration in how I diarise my thoughts through music to (try and) make sense of the mad world we live.


If you had to name one song from any genre that really speaks to you, which one would it be and why?

That's a rough one! I would be inclined to go with Jupiter by Gustav Holst. I can hear the ideas within the piece in lots of music!

Are you a Mulder or Scully? Do you believe aliens have visited planet earth and if so what do you think they think about mankind?

Yes I believe aliens have visited planet earth… I am of the belief that the humans are the aliens.

The longer we have been on the plant, the more time to become increasingly distracted on what’s important and generally focussed on barriers to happiness.

What was the happiest day of your life and why?

The day our family as a 4 piece was complete.

From the unsure but excited face of my Oder child coming into my bedroom, seeing mummy wasn’t there and asking if her sister was ok (we didn’t know if we were having a boy or a girl).

Then when they both met each other, mummy and daddy looking at each other as our hearts were on the verge of bursting, thinking: this is the best feeling!

If “God” (whatever your idea is on that) were stood before you now, what one question would you ask him/her and why?

I wouldn’t ask God anything. I believe we make our own God. We have the power to make life whatever we want it to be.

As an expressive artist in the music industry, how does the state of the planet make you feel?

Embarrassed!

The planet however has a way to make the best of how it’s treated. I just hope the planet has some more patience to forgive the stupidity that’s destroying it.

Do you think as a person of some influence that there is a duty on us to help influence humanity for the better?

Every living thing has a duty, unfortunately the culture we find ourselves in is dominated by the need for power rather than common sense. We should all role model and all be willing to adopt better ways of thinking whoever or wherever these ideas come from.

What one cause would you say you feel most associated with and why? Whether it’s equality, poverty, politics, the environment or other?

It all comes down to respect! I often think that supporting just one cause is counter intuitive, and creates more of a divide.

Countries are lines drawn on sand by boys with swords, definitions are created by those in power to undermine differences.

If you were stood before the leaders of the world, what would you say to them?

I wouldn’t waste my breathe: the “leaders” implied in the question are mere puppets (in my opinion). A true leader builds a better tomorrow. The current “world leaders” use fear to drive profit, that’s not leadership.

And finally my last question is in fact one written by Freddie Mercury in the song “Is This the World We Created”:

Yes, This is the world we created, and we can change it for the better too, or destruct it by believing someone else will sort out the problem. Let’s not blame, instead take responsibility and do what we can (however little this may seem).


Check Out The Remnants

The Remnants

Mark and Alex have been working together on and off since 2006 but finally got together in October 2019 and became The Remnants an acoustic duo from Slough Berkshire United kingdom. They have an EP called You make me smile and album released through Heavy traffic music, called all that remains Currently they now have a brand new ep produced independently. All tracks are available on all digital platforms. The future looks bright for The Remnants as they have festival bookings and gigs around Berkshire. Hope to see you at a gig soon. 


The Remnants will be appearing on the second Minds Behind the Music fundraising album coming soon!

Who is Tom Tikka?

Tom Tikka

Tom has had an illustrious career with number one hits, awards and more. In 2021, Tom Tikka won the ISSA award for International Male Emerging Artist Of The Year. He was also awarded four Josie-Award nominations as well as a nomination in the prestigious Hollywood Music In Media Awards. His new album, Better Man, is due out in 2022 under the Minds Behind the Music Record label. We thought we’d get to know him better...




If you had to name one song from any genre that really speaks to you, which one would it be and why?

“Rain” by Uriah Heep. It’s been in my Top 5 since I first heard it when I was fourteen. I adore it.

It’s a standout vocal performance by David Byron, a singer who sang many great lead vocals. Yet, there’s something about the way he sings “Rain”. It’s a slight miracle. I mean nobody sings that well. For any singer, listening to “Rain” is a humbling experience. Check out the bit where David laughs a little, right before the line “It’s kind of a shame” and the way he phrases the last line of the song “See what you’ve done to my life” – a truly superhuman performance.

“Rain” is also one of Ken Hensley’s best tunes. Just like David’s lead, the song itself is miraculous. It’s one of those bone-chilling melodies and lyrically, this is Ken Hensley at his finest. To anyone with any real-life experience, the following lines speak volumes:

Rain, rain, rain, in my tears
Measuring carefully my years
Shame, shame, shame, in my mind
See what you've done to my life

Upon listening to this as a kid, I never thought that I’d find myself measuring my own years, asking myself the burning question time and again, “Do I really have time for this?” Hensley very cleverly and accurately portrays the feeling you get when you stay with someone who doesn’t make you happy. You feel ashamed for being weak and staying.

Anyway, I love the track and I could go on and on but I won’t. Check it out, you won’t be sorry.

Are you a Mulder or Scully? Do you believe aliens have visited planet earth and if so what do you think they think about mankind?

I’m a Mulder. Mulder was the one who believed in supernatural things, right? I’m not an X-Files enthusiast.

My grandma was like that. She was very superstitious and also believed in extraterrestrial life. In a way, she instilled all that in me, the belief in spiritual beings and beyond. I’ve always sensed that there’s something behind the wall of consciousness, something more, another reality. It’s not anything I want to mess with but I know it’s there. I’ve had too many weird occurrences and unexplainable coincidences in my life to dismiss the existence of the spirit realm.

I have an example. My mom and dad were in Venice a long time ago, this was before I was born. They were sitting at the lobby of their hotel, drinking coffee and just happened to meet a Norwegian couple who were on their way to a Greek town called Igoumenitsa by ferry that afternoon. They really hit it off with them and the Norwegian couple decided to stay in Venice for one more night, there was another ferry to Igoumenitsa the next day. It turned out that this odd coincidence saved the Norwegian couple’s life as the ferry they were going to take sank due to a sudden storm and everybody aboard died. Sometimes life is all about serendipity … or is it?

The aliens … yeah, sure why not. Just because I haven’t seen them doesn’t mean they don’t exist. They’ve probably been here and most likely thought we’re crazy. I know I do. So many things people do make no sense. Why do we iron our clothes for instance? Who was it that decided they look better ironed? Whoever it was, I hate that guy! Our priorities are also strange. We’ve been to the moon and back but we haven’t figured out how to choose a perfect spouse or how to heal colic. Go figure.

What was the happiest day of your life and why?
I’ve had six happiest days of my life. I have six sons and every time one of them was born, it felt like the happiest day of my life. I love them all so much. There’s absolutely nothing I wouldn’t do for them. Don’t get me wrong, parenthood is hard work. But at the end of the day, it’s also the most rewarding thing in life. I understand it’s not for everyone but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

If “God” (whatever your idea is on that) were stood before you now, what one question would you ask him/her and why?
I’d like to know how my dad and grandparents are doing and if I’m ever going to see them again. I love them so much and miss them. It’d be comforting to know they’re waiting for me.

The thought of passing on is scary. I hate the idea of leaving everyone and everything I love behind. Regardless of all the hardships and disappointments, I still love life. I wouldn’t mind staying here forever to be honest. I know it’s impossible. Hence, I’d like to find out what’s awaiting.

As an expressive artist in the music industry, how does the state of the planet make you feel?
It makes me very worried because it seems that the masses don’t truly understand how acute and severe the condition of the planet is. The glaciers are melting and earth’s atmosphere is thinning. In reality, we are staring into the barrel of another ice age. Those of you who haven’t watched Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth should watch it. It paints an unnerving picture of what will happen in the next fifty years if nothing’s done.

My dream is that we’re all somehow able to come together to make a change but it’s obviously going to be very hard as long as folks can make fortunes by destroying the planet. I don’t know how to change that. I doubt anyone does.

Do you think as a person of some influence that there is a duty on us to help influence humanity for the better?
Absolutely. I’m not sure how big an impact what I say or do will have but I won’t stop trying.

I once asked a wise, old man I encountered on my travels why humans keep having the same issues one generation after another. His answer was, “As long as we suffer from selfishness and inflated egos, wars and suffering will never cease.” This was in Cyprus and I was very young but I still remember it like it was yesterday. This guy was in his seventies and he had seen it all: he had fought in the Second World War, he’d been married four times, lost his kid to cancer and he had travelled the world extensively. Having that random conversation with him that day was a turning point in my life. What he was saying transcended, I became aware of how difficult living a good life truly is. He introduced me to Socrates’ writings quoting him more than a few times. The quote that for some reason still stays with me is the humorous:

By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you will be happy. If you get a bad one, you will be a philosopher.

I know my grandad Torbjörn would have agreed.

If you were stood before the leaders of the world, what would you say to them?
Put an end to the unjust war in Ukraine and while you’re at it, stop wars altogether.

Having said that, it’s easy for us to demonstrate and be in the opposition, isn’t it? I watched an interview of George W. Bush recently where he talked about his years as the president of the United States. He said that the most frustrating thing about being in office was the fact that there was a reality to the job. Solving problems wasn’t as easy as one might think. By solving one problem you’re usually creating two new ones. I believe it. It’s the same thing with everything. A kid who wants to be a movie star does not know about the challenges of that career, he only sees the fancy cars and luxurious houses. So, he says to everyone, “I want to be a movie star. Then my life is perfect.”

All I’m saying is that if wars and all sorts of other crimes against humanity were easy to solve, we would have most likely already solved them. My grandma used to say, “Nothing’s ever perfect because people are flawed.” I think she was probably right.

And finally my last question is in fact one written by Freddie Mercury in the song “Is This the World We Created”?
Yeah, it is. This is what we wanted. I know most people reading this will think that I’m nuts saying that but another thing I was told as a kid was that every choice you ever make comes at a cost. This might not be the world we planned to create but it sure as hell got created while we were busy stroking our egos and running after things that facilitated the creation of the current reality. I’m no better. I could have done more and I could have been more tuned into what’s happening far earlier. The problem for all of us is that doing what’s right for the world and others is usually much more challenging than doing what’s right for you. This is the reason why we are where we are. Can you take a break from recycling if you are tired and your kid has the stomach flu? This is the quandary.

Another thing is that so much of what is wrong with the world and humanity can be traced back to privileged people exploiting either their less fortunate brothers and sisters or planet earth itself. It’s as simple as that. And I get it. Nobody wants to leave an awesome party, right? It’s just that some parties, like burning fossil fuels, will have to come to an end because they are destroying our home, the Earth. It’s hard to continue the party if the venue has been blown up.

Yet, it’s all very well to be on a high horse and explain how different the world would be if I were the leader of it. The reality is that I have no idea what I would do, nobody does. Until you are in that position you can’t really tell. I’d like to believe that I’d make the right decisions but I don’t want to be arrogant or big headed and just assume that it’d be as simple as ABC because it isn’t.

Find out more about Tom here https://www.tomtikka.com


It's Those Men

Both of Those Men Answer Our Questions

Those Men are a UK based prog art pop group. They are both quit insane, which is why I love them so much. Kindred spirits. You can find them here https://thosemen.co.uk

If you had to name one song from any genre that really speaks to you, which one would it be and why?

Mark
'The Rain Song' by Led Zep as it is musically perfect with poetic moving lyrics

Martin
'I am the Walrus' by The Beatles. Its ability to become almost visual, its groove and a voice that comes from another place.

Are you a Mulder or Scully? Do you believe aliens have visited planet earth and if so what do you think they think about mankind?

Mark
I'd probably be more an Inspector Clouseau.

Martin
Mulder. Logic has its place but is by no means at all the total picture. Science and the 'other stuff' should rent a cottage away somewhere and have a good old chat.

Mark
I think they visited us a few thousand years ago and probably thought we were a bit primitive so they might have given us a few tips.

Martin
I think that we will all be witness to this soon. 'They've found stars in the hole in the sun'. It feels as if everything is moving towards an unblanketing of these 'alien' questions . A bit like when Graham Chapman used to come into the Python sketches and stop them , saying it was getting too silly. It depends how 'logical' They are. They may admire our ability to be illogical. Opposites attract and all that.

What was the happiest day of your life and why?

Mark
26th July 1982. I bought my first bass.

Martin
I think I was about 15. I remember one day feeling everything opening up. As if a painting I knew well suddenly expanded and presented itself with a myriad more nuances. That day fed into all the others after such as daughter birth and partner joy.

If “God” (whatever your idea is on that) were stood before you now, what one question would you ask him/her and why?

Mark
If there is a God I'd ask it if it did create humans then why do we never learn fully from our mistakes?

Martin
When are we returning to purity please God? I'd like to know so I can spend my time up until then living out of it.

As an expressive artist in the music industry, how does the state of the planet make you feel?

Mark
As a non driver and passionate recycler I'm very angry and worried about the state of the planet.

Martin
There is so much to write about resulting from the confusions and delights we all create. The interplays and fluxing of emotions and moods seem to manifest in some of the most peculiar ways. Every day something I or we do never ceases to amaze me. Mother Earth is the playground we act it out in. We need to keep an eye on that .

Do you think as a person of some influence that there is a duty on us to help influence humanity for the better?

Mark
Yes, absolutely and at every opportunity.

Martin
Self reflection is the way forward for me. Get your own house in order. A life long task but one worth starting at any time. When you can see ,feel and witness your own faults there seems to be a positively pervasive influence springing out of this. Not sanctimonious or lecturing. Just happening.

If you were stood before the leaders of the world, what would you say to them?

Mark
Please type Thomas Malthus into Wikipedia

Martin
Do you have a look inside yourself before you make your work decisions? I would also ask them what the power and responsibility feels like in their work life.

And finally my last question is in fact one written by Freddie Mercury in the song “Is This the World We Created”?

Mark
We didn't create it but we seem to be very good at hastening its and therefore our own demise.

Martin
Yes in terms of how we live out our destinies but no in terms of the Earth's physical soul. We are puny in comparison to that.



Those Men have a new album out on 22nd April! 

The Lorenzo Interview

The Lorenzo Gabanizza Interview

Lorenzo is a Multi genre musician - Rock, Country, folk, celtic - songwriter, novelist, collaborator with music legends, Jeff Christie, Snake Davis, Donovan, Vic Elmes etc.

If you had to name one song from any genre that really speaks to you, which one would it be and why?

There are many, especially from the golden years (60-70). The artists which influenced me, like Dylan, Diamond, Donovan, Barry Ryan...How could you not be touched by the lyrics of Bob Dylan? "Forever young" is a song which cut my heart in two, each time I hear it, or "Lay down your weary tune":

The ocean wild like an organ played
The seaweed wove its strands
The crashing waves like cymbals clashed
Against the rocks and the sand

Isn't this poetry? But as long as I've got to choose one, I would choose "For all Mankind" by Jeff Christie, because it's a song, unfortunately, so topical right now and, albeit filled with pain and wisdom, is a call to hope for all of us.


Are you a Mulder or Scully?

It depends on your vision of both the characters. Personally, I would say that I am more Mulder. Scully is deep, sensitive, but very precise, tidy, sometimes cold...While Mulder is a noisy and a bit messy guy. That's closer to who I am...


Do you believe aliens have visited planet earth and if so what do you think they think about mankind?

I don't believe they did. But if they ever do, they would surely think we are very primitive and slaves of our emotions. Don't take me wrong, I think emotion is paramount in our life, but not when it's a Master whom you blindly follow.


What was the happiest day of your life and why?

The happiest day of my life surely was when my son was born. Having a child changes your life and perspectives, it surely does, but I would say that you feel a part of you living beside you and you know, that's a weird and awesome feeling.


If “God” (whatever your idea is on that) were stood before you now, what one question would you ask him/her and why?

Hey, Man, why have you taken so many people outta here? They were too young and we still need them! Elvis, Marilyn, Jimi, Truman Capote, Bruce Lee, Marcel Proust, Antonia Pozzi, Jean Harlow...at least tell me, are they ok?


As an expressive artist in the music industry, how does the state of the planet make you feel?

Bad. I feel sad and bad about our planet. To see how life goes on, with no respect for nature or human life, and seeing the governments not taking steps towards a more responsible green policy it bewilders me. Aren't they aware that our choices are weighing on the future of our children? Aren't they aware that there's but one home where we all live together? It's like seeing a family pouring gasoline on a burning home instead of pouring water, and well this is foolish. I think the problem, the major problem is, besides egotism, the perspective. Our life isn't to be seen from a personal perspective, but as the ring of a chain. This is what our leaders miss. If they don't start to see the big picture, if we also don't start to look at the big picture, we are destined to destruction. Because our life has influences on others, for generations. It's true that one plastic bottle in the ocean doesn't destroy the ecosystem, but when we are thousands of tourists, it makes thousands of bottles per day. And that, yes, it damn destroys the ecosystem. So that's advice too for humanity: never forget that your life and person impacts this world. It's up to you to decide whether in a negative or positive way.


Do you think as a person of some influence that there is a duty on us to help influence humanity for the better?

Of course! We, artists, have an even greater responsibility, because we are there in the spotlight and we have to show the way or call people to the responsibility of their actions, as Dylan or Guthrie did so many times. In this perspective, it's true what has been said in the movie "Spider Man": With great power comes great responsibility.


If you were stood before the leaders of the world, what would you say to them?

after having scolded them and, after having some of them removed from their duty, I would tell them to stop this shit. They can and they must. They are the ones who legiferate, they are the ones who chose the path. So now stop spending money on what destroys and spend it on the things which build something.


And finally my last question is in fact one written by Freddie Mercury in the song “Is This the World We Created”?

A Great song by Freddie. Sad to see that so little has changed from the years in which Freddie sang that song. Because poverty still rages along with war in this world. I can answer you saying that this is not the world we created, but it's also the world we created. Because, after all, we have not decided wars, or devastating policies, but when we shave and let the water run, when we use intensive farming, when we use the car to go a hundred meters far, when we don't stand up against violence, racism, injustice... Well then yes we are part of it, we are just helping to create this self-destructive, obstile and sick world. So, let's live in peace and unite all together because the moment to act is right here, right now. If we want to give our children a safe and happy future, let's do it now.


Mind Behind SchizoFranic

New and upcoming musician, SchizoFranic, answers our questions!


If you had to name one song from any genre that really speaks to you, which one would it be and why?
Nat King Cole - unforgettable my father played that song on the saxophone to me when I was 14 years old at a school function. I remember I had to stand up in front of the whole school and I was thinking to myself that's my dad. I was never so proud as I was that day that my father played unforgettable for me.

Are you a Mulder or Scully? Do you believe aliens have visited planet earth and if so what do you think they think about mankind?
Well, I'd have to say I'm a Mulder I believe with every fibre of my being, that aliens have visited us and they walk amongst us. I think aliens might be disappointed in mankind. Because mankind is so destructive. We destroy our own planet by our waste. We stand by and watch others starve in foreign countries. I think aliens would think that we have a lot to learn.

What was the happiest day of your life and why?
The happiest day of my life would probably be the day I received my certificate for graphic design. I didn't think I'd be able to make it through that course.

If “God” (whatever your idea is on that) were stood before you now, what one question would you ask him/her and why?
I would ask God why is there so much suffering in the world. I would ask because every time you turn on the TV or maybe listen to the radio you always hear a story of 
someone suffering in some kind of way, either starving or homeless.

As an expressive artist in the music industry, how does the state of the planet make you feel?
State of the planet makes me feel a bit sad, because as a human race we should be one, but instead we fight each other over stupid situations like power, money, land.

Do you think as a person of some influence that there is a duty on us to help influence humanity for the better?
Yes most definitely I think each and every one of us has a duty to help influence humanity for the better. In the world nowadays we need more visionaries to unite the people.

If you were stood before the leaders of the world, what would you say to them?
I would say to them the leaders of the world please stop the madness, stop the war and please come together as one and unite and stand together.

And finally my last question is in fact one written by Freddie Mercury in the song “Is This the World We Created”?
Sadly it is the world that we created, but there's always hope that we can make it better. To stand together all countries as one.

You can find out more about SchizoFranic here https://linktr.ee/SchizoFranic


Suzi Quatro

SUZI QUATRO
I really don't need to introduce Suzi Quatro do I? She's a music legend and yes she once starred with the Fonz in Happy Days. 

Hi Suzi and thanks for being Awesome!
Now, getting down to serious stuff, will you marry me and have my children?
A LITTLE TOO LATE.. WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I NEEDED YOU!!!

Whose idea were the leathers?
ABSOLUTELY 100% MINE.. ELVIS FAN FROM AGE OF 6.. ALL IN THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY...I WAS BITTEN BY ROCK ANROLL.. AND LEATHER.. IN THAT ORDER.

Do you wear them to bed or just on stage?
NOT TO BED.. ON STAGE MOST OF THE TIME.. AND ALSO.. A LOT OF STAGE ESPECIALLY JACKETS.

Your music is timeless, Devil Gate Drive still rocks. We'd love to know what you think about the music today? Is it all really bad, or is there some you like?
TODAY 'S MUSIC.. THERE IS SOME GOOD STUFF..
RHIANNA...LOVE ADELE.. SOME GOOD BANDS COMING UP...BUT.. MUST BE SAID.. WHAT I FOUGHT FOR AND ACHIEVED , AT LEAST FOR AWHILE WAS FOR WOMEN TO HAVE A 'SERIOUS' PLACE IN REAL ROCK AND ROLL.. I DON'T LIKE THE WAY GIRLS ARE SEXUALLIZING THEM SELVES ALL
OVER AGAIN... SOFT PORN VIDEO'S.. WHERE DO THEY GO FROM HERE.. THAT IS MY ONLY COMPLAINT.. ITS NOT WHAT I FOUGHT FOR.. ...................TALENT WISE.. LOTS OF GOOD PEOPLE.

Having achieved so much in your funky life, is there anything left you want to do? And can you please take a bunch of bikers on to the X Factor and take over!
I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE OVER THE X FACTOR.. AND AT LEAST BRING SOME REALITY INTO IT...SOOOO BORING. Who was best, Elvis or Cliff? NO CONTEST.. SEE ABOVE WASN'T RAISED IN UK.. SO NEVER GOT INTO THE CLIFF THING.. BUT , VERY NICE MAN

What's your absolute favourite film? No choosing more than one. Your absolute fave...
GONE WITH THE WIND
Who is the sexiest rocker now or in the past?
ELVIS

If I was God and I said you had one day of super power that would allow you to help life on earth, what would you want to do?
PLAY MY PIANO

Which is best, Batman or Superman?
SUPERMAN

And finally, what every reader really wants to know, what do you wear under those leathers?
NOTHING

Specky Cult

SPECKY CULT “SONGS FROM THE MUSICAL”

You probably get a thousand of these a week and everyone of them is the next big thing.

To be fair we weren’t even sure about releasing the tunes on an album in this form.

Let me explain, Specky Cult aren’t a real band, it’s the fictional band from the musical we wrote. After all what is a “real “band anyway.

Yup, it’s meta or pompous you chose.

Its 4 people going down to London to do their big break gig and what goes wrong and then right and then… well that would be spoilers.

We are recording actors playing the parts and we are then inserting the songs to create a pod cast of the show. We are creating two, both an hour long.

We intend to release these recordings as podcasts and as cd’s once they are complete.

This will hopefully be an introduction to our project. We can then develop this into a live stage show or as someone was recently helping us with, make them in to 4 half hour tv shows.

The real reason we are releasing the music first is in truth a covid related desire to get out of the house and do something creative as soon as possible.

We hope you like the music, it will make more sense in context with the show.

We can send you the full pod cast show when its finished as well if you like.

We hope this has pricked your interest to either want to know more, to interview us so we can elaborate on our crazy plans or to want to review the album or just listen to songs and judge yourself.

SPECKY CULT will return in “SPECKY CULT must die”.... 

Hey Hey It's a Monkee

The One and Only Davy Jones

I was very proud some years ago to have done one of the last ever interviews with Davy Jones of The Monkees and here it is. 

Davy Jones is the lead singer in the popular 60's band, The Monkees. Generations of humans have watched his exploits on the Monkees television show and sung along to I'm a Believer and Pleasant Valley Sunday. Here, Davy spoke to me just before his untimely death.





Hi Davy. My first question is, what would you most like to be remembered for? Is it the music or the meaning?

The music gave meaning and enjoyment all around the world. 

Can you tell us all about your past, present and future? What's been done has been done... what's been said has been said... what will be will be... but tomorrow ah tomorrow.

Have you ever heard of a period known as the 60's? And do you agree with me that music just went downhill after that? Or am I way too old and stupid?

There is an audience for everything. And the music we hear is the music people are buying. Music mingles souls.

If you were an alien visiting planet earth, what would you do? Would turn around and go back? Or stay and try and help? Or maybe conquer?

I am doing the best I can and one day I will return to my planet.

What has been mankind's greatest achievement?

Survival so far ...watch this space!

If you had the chance to speak to every human being on earth, what would your message be?

Give peace a chance.

Do you think man is created in the image of God (or Goddess) or the other way around?

Man looks to God in a time of need.

Do you back Nuclear Power? If not, why not.


Any service that could change the world for the better should not be overlooked. However, who is to determine that.

Do you believe in Ghosts? UFO's (i.e. aliens visiting planet earth)? God? Or anything weird at all?

Don't believe in anything I can not see or touch.

Have you ever experienced altered states of consciousness? How, why and was it beneficial? And would you recommend it to all politicians, business and religious leaders?

One or two Budweisers doesn't do anyone harm!

Would you ever record a duet with Justin Bieber?

He stole my haircut! Axel Rose stole my dance. Maybe they should do a duet together.
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