Interview with Friends of Man

Interview with Friends of Man's Dean Ranel – by Beckylou in Sydney

From Bangor, Australia, I am pleased to present to you Friends of Man: Dean Ranel (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Niko Nikolas (lead and rhythm guitar), Mick Laws (drums), and Pauly P (bass, vocals). All I would like to say before you read further into this interview is that this band is up there! If you live in Australia there is no excuse not to track these guys down. If you don't live in Australia it just means you have one more reason to visit.

Beckylou: Describe Your Sound in Five Words

Dean: Universal, Modal, Epic, Vintage, Unique

Beckylou: What influenced you to make music?

Dean: I have been writing, recording and producing music for theatre, TV, and bands for a while. When I heard ‘Is this it?' by the Strokes, I decided to record the first Friends of Man album "Songs for Humans".

Beckylou: What influences your song content?

Dean: Myth, truth, freedom of the mind

Beckylou: What is your ultimate goal for your music?

Dean: The music of Friends of Man is created to serve a purpose of awareness. The ultimate goal for our music would be to achieve this while making lots of money from it.

Beckylou: What is it like to be an unsigned band in Australia? What are the perks and the downs?

Dean: There is a lot of potential in the creation and the business of music in Australia. The perks of being an unsigned band in Australia are that both the creative process and business aspects are more controllable by the independent artist. Never has there been a time in Australia where unsigned bands can get their music out or where vast networks can be created. Many indie bands don't have the funds for a servicing or marketing campaign so they rarely get exposure on commercial radio.
Australia needs the support of government and industry to make the music business here truly explode.

Beckylou: What does IndieSolo mean to you?

Dean: IndieSolo is an excellent opportunity to have Friends of Man promoted globally.

Beckylou: Name a memorable gig experience.

Dean: A Sydney gig in 2006: We performed with our laser and tech show to a stunned pub crowd. My guitar strap broke during a song about the same time the guitarists string broke. We both laughed along with everyone in the crowd, made a joke of it and continued to the end of the show. The owners and agent of the venue carried our gear off stage and had a meeting there and then with us to do another show.

Beckylou: Ever caught something thrown at a gig?

Dean: Tom Jones Concert: A pair of some grandmother undies; clearly didn't quite make the stage.

Beckylou: Which musician/s would you like to have a beer with?

Dean: Zappa, did he drink? Oh well rest in peace. Brian Eno, though he claims not to be a musician, David Bowie.

Beckylou: Monday Morning Madness - How do you cure your weekend hangovers?

Dean: By staying in bed and/or ignoring people.

Beckylou: Which song would you love to cover?

Dean: Knocking on Heavens Door

Beckylou: What was your worst day job?

Dean: Screen printing assistant.

Beckylou: Which city would be your ultimate gig destination?

Dean: Londinium in London [England]

Beckylou: First record/CD/tape ever bought?

Dean: Beatles Live At The Hollywood Bowl at seven years of age on LP - very rare.

Beckylou: Damn the man! Rant on the topic of your choice.

Dean: Friends of Man lyrics to IT'S THE WAY.

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