Six-piece Chicago band, Heavy Manners, have not only managed to maintain longevity in their music but have done so while playing a genre all too often lost in the hubbub of Top 40 trash and floppy haired screamo bands- and they’ve kept all their original members while doing so. From the point of their Lain Burgess produced debut in 82’ to now, Heavy Matters established themselves as a predominant part of the Chicago ska/punk scene. The NoVo repped band recently put together a new 12” vinyl with Jump Up! Records which features a previously unreleased dub mix with the legendary Peter Tosh. Encompassing sultry female vocals with thoracic bass and some killer saxophone, “Could Not Get Enuff” is just one of three classic depictions of that beautiful fusion that occurs when punk politics and reggae rhythms come together.
Get me Outta Debt will be released tomorrow, July 25th, and will be available at the bands performance over at the Taste of Lincoln Festival the same day. Stop by at N. Lincoln Ave. between Fullerton & Wrightwood to catch Heavy Manners as they take the stage at 6pm.
The enigmatic front woman of Heavy Manners, Kate Fagan, took some time to answer questions with us this week and share some of her favorite local bands, what she’s been listening to, and what her next move in the music world will be.
Reviewsic: Can you give us a quick recap of what the band has been up to as of late?
Kate Fagan: As of late, we have been amping up our live show with rehearsals — polishing past gems and the incorporating new releases. We’ve put in more vocal harmonies, added some spices, moved a few things around, and put in some fresh moves. We’ve also been working on promoting our new recordings, “Get Me Outta Debt” and “Fight the Good Fight.”
Reviewisc: What are your top three musical influences?
Kate Fagan: I think the Heavy Manners sound comes mainly from Jamaican reggae and British two-tone ska. Chicago blues is in Mitch’s guitar work and shows in my punk roots. Jimi played rock and blues bass before the Heavy Manners days. Kevin has an amazing range that stretches from Motown soul to jazz and funk, so moving into the realm of ska was a natural. Frankie’s sax playing is soulful, original and has just the right feel for what we do. Shel came into the world as a rock drummer but got turned on to the joys of reggae and ska during his days as a Chicago DJ.
Reviewsic: What is the back-story on how the band came to be what it is today?
Kate Fagan: We haven’t tried to define things narrowly. We pretty much play what we’re feeling all of the time. Everyone has the creative freedom to contribute to songs, make suggestions, try a different rhythm, or add a harmony. We work on it until it sounds right to our ears. We’re not always in agreement but the end product is collaberative
Reviewsic: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did?
Kate Fagan: In a daydream, I saw myself playing triangle with an incredible Latin band on an island.
Reviewsic: What are three bands are on your summer playlist this year?
Kate Fagan: I haven’t settled on my definitive Summer of 2010 tracks. I recently added Clovis People Vol. 3 at a friend’s suggestion. I am constantly downloading songs I hear on XM radio. For example, today I downloaded: Chris Clark’s “Love’s Gone Bad”, Cesear’s “Jerk It Out” and Mannish Boys’ “Hangingaround.” And, as an aside, I totally got off at a Bajofondo Tango show.
Reviewsic: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician, label, producer etc), who would it be and why?
Kate Fagan: After recording with Peter Tosh, I was thinking of asking Toots to collaborate with us because he is such an originator & legend of ska and reggae (Toots of Toots and the Maytals).
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Reviewsic: What is the most memorable concert you’ve ever attended?
Kate Fagan: Standing in the crowd at Jazz Fest in NOLA when Springsteen played his Bob Seeger set right after Katrina. Everything about it was thoughtful, compassionate, humane, and sympathetic. Anyone who was there knows that the healing was coming on.
Reviewsic: Who are three of your favorite local bands?
Kate Fagan: All the NOVO artists are great.
Reviewsic: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Kate Fagan: In my career, I opened for the Ramones, The English Beat, and The Clash. If you add Iggy Pop as the headliner, that would be my dream lineup for Heavy Manners.
Reviewsic: Tell us about the new 12″ - is there a particular concept or intent behind it? What was the process of putting this record together like?
Kate Fagan: Heavy Manners comments on current politics and social issues, mixing in spirited fun – Dat’s ska, baby. Top of mind is our economy and the saga of the desert wars, so those issues made it onto the 2010 vinyl release with “Get Me Outta Debt” and “Fight the Good Fight.” The first cut is more ska, the second, more reggae. Kevin Smith produced the new tracks at his house last winter. It’s always a collaboration. Chuck Wren of Jump Up records was interested in the Peter Tosh disco-reggae cut for its historic value so we dug it out of the archives – it sounds incredible on vinyl.
Reviewsic: How would you compare yourselves as musicians at this point as opposed to when you first began playing together?
Kate Fagan: If you play music together for a while, you get a pretty good idea of everyone’s personal best – and it is exhilarating to find that together, which we often do.
Reviewsic: What are some of your favorite cities and/or venues to play?
Kate Fagan: At one point the Park West was a wonderful kind of clubhouse for the band.
Reviewsic: What are a few items essential to your “tour survival kit”?
Kate Fagan: The nature of live dub, ska, and reggae is to strive for a killer mix, so the sound engineer is vital. Other stuff in my kit – currency, pharma, excessive clothing, and a girlfriend to hang with..
Reviewsic: What are your plans for music in the next year?
Kate Fagan: This summer I co-founded of the girls’ camp of rock ‘n roll in Bloomington, Indiana. That’s a “flamin’ first” to repeat next summer. With Heavy Manners, I would like to write, record, perform and repeat. I like producing events, so I know that role is in my future as well.
Tags: Interview, Local Music, New Release, Upcoming Event
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