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DeMaio – Irish Manowar gigs ‘fantastic value for money’
Manowar are on the road back to Ireland for the first time in over twenty years.
The group are legends in their own right and have a divisive power rivalled by no other band of their era – provoking fanatical devotion or total cringing depending on what metal fan you might happen to ask.
Unrepentant in regards to leather, chains and spikes, their more recent forays into symphonic bombast may not be to the critics’ taste, but it hasn’t stopped the growth of their legions of fans worldwide. Theirs is fanbase that’s renowned for its passion and dedication, and the group have a reputation that far proceeds them.
One thing that can’t be denied is the power of their massive 1981 debut album, ‘Battle Hymns’, the record that started it all and which will be performed in it’s entirety in November. The group recently took the decision to re-record that record, hence the naming of the tour in its honour and the performance of the whole album.
Add to that the uncompromising showmanship of the group, as well as the comparative intimacy of the venues they’ll be playing, and you have a recipe for a what the band would term a night of total hell on Earth.
Metalireland grabbed a few minutes with Manowar bassist and figurehead Joey DeMaio to get his thoughts on the upcoming dates in Dublin and Belfast.
After the usual small talk, we thought it was important to ask him about what’s really on people’s lips – nope, not the set list.
The cost.
We respect Joey DeMaio, and we respect Manowar. They’re idols of metal and no doubt about it.
At anywhere north of €50 for even the cheapest gig ticket though, fans’ eyes have been watering at what it’s costing to get to see the band. Is it really right for the music of rebellion? One can but ask.
****
MI – Hi Joey, thanks for taking the time to talk to us.
J – No problem man.
MI – How is preparation for the Battle Hymns 2011 tour going?
J – It’s going really good. We’re all ready to kick some ass and bring the fucking roof down on the place. It’s been a long time since we got back to the UK and Ireland. We specifically promised that we’d make it back, so here we are, ready to go over.
MI – This particular tour run in November is part of the Battle Hymns tour, where we can expect the entire of your classic debut album to be performed. What can fans expect?
J – We’re just going to lift the roof on the place, that’s the plan. We’re working with the same promoter that we worked with in Ireland way back in 1987, Dennis Desmond, who’s a good guy, so we’re happy to be back over. (In regards to the album having such a legacy) I don’t really know what the younger Joey Demaio would have thought about the album written almost three decades ago, I guess he would have hoped that it would have been successful and remembered. But we’re really all about the tour now and ready to kick some ass.
MI – Talk me through the decision to make the re-recorded version of Battle Hymns. Surely some people must have been cautious about the decision to re-record such a classic album?
J – To be honest, we’ve just got a really great response to it. It’s been received in a very good way, and people are just thrilled to hear this great record being played in such a strong way. That’s alI I want to say about that, this interview is really about the tour we’re doing.
MI – You’re doing two dates in Ireland, one in Dublin at the Academy and one in Belfast at the Mandella Hall. As you drive up the motorway from Dublin to Belfast, you’ll actually pass a small village in north Dublin that’s called Manowar. Have you ever come across another place that shares the name of the group you’ve been apart of for so long?
J – I never have. That’s very cool indeed, and I didn’t know that.
MI – Would you be tempted to get out and have a look around?
J – Maybe, if we had the chance and the time.
MI – On this tour, you’re playing slightly more intimate venues than the big arena shows that many people will have previously seen you at. What’s it like bringing it down to a more intimate level with the audience? Do you enjoy the buzz of it?
J – Yes, but I enjoy all types of show, big or small, I just want to get out there and rock and it doesn’t really matter to me the size of the venue, but a small place is cool. We particularly
MI – Manowar regularly rank up there as one of the classic metal bands, but is there any other bands out there at the moment that you really like to listen to? Any other metal bands that you yourself put on to enjoy?
J – To be honest, I don’t really comment on other bands. Things get around and it’s not really worth it, because we’re all about just one single band, and that’s Manowar. We’ve poured our blood and heart into this group so that’s what we’re concentrating on.
MI – That being said, you’re represented by the Magic Circle record label, which has it’s own group of bands. Do you have anyone in particular on the label that people should be watching out for in the near future?
J – Yes we do, there’s a band by the name of Holy Hell, which is a female fronted metal band with a sort of superstar line-up. I think people should watch out for that group.
MI – As you may well know, Ireland has been heavily hit economically at the moment, with a recession in full swing, and with people losing their jobs and having less money to spend on things like music. It’s a hefty price for a show here, converting to about $77. What can people expect for what’s quite a big price to pay for a show?
J – Well first off I think it’s a very low price, and it represents an extremely great deal. We’ve been assured by the promoter that this is a price in line with the other big bands like Iron Maiden and Metallica, so I do believe that it represents fantastic value for money.
I really think people who come are going to have their faces melted, and they’ll get their moneys worth. I think I’m just about done and out of time here, so I’d like to thank you for taking the time to interview me.
MI – No problem Joey, see you at the Academy in Dublin in November.
J – Take it easy brother.
****
Maybe it is in line with Metallica and Iron Maiden. But are Manowar?
Then again, a legion of Irish fans have lapped up the chance to see the band in what are intimate venues, at least as far as typical gigs by the Kings Of Metal are concerned. Dublin has sold out. So it seems that many think the price is fair enough.
Still, if this is the way classic metal is going, then the questions need asked.
Manowar play The Academy in Dublin on November 9th and the Mandela Hall in Belfast on November 10th.
- Interview by Lorcan Archer ::: 20/10/11
October 21st, 2011 at 8:07 pm
likes to dodge certain questions mr demaio
October 21st, 2011 at 8:14 pm
haha pure politician he is.
October 21st, 2011 at 8:33 pm
hungry fuck.
October 21st, 2011 at 9:19 pm
he reckon’s they’re in the same (popularity) league as metallica + maiden?
fucking hell – deluded fucker
October 21st, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Jeez, he ends the interview as soon as you ask about a contentious issue. It obviously made him uncomfortable – he therefore probably realises there is in fact an issue there.
October 21st, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Gobshite.
October 21st, 2011 at 9:45 pm
grateful for the fact that i don’t like Manowar. Smug prick
October 21st, 2011 at 10:13 pm
Did a bit of a legger there at the end did our Joey ha ha.
October 21st, 2011 at 11:52 pm
Clearly he was called upstairs for dinner by his mother. One of the benefits of living in your parent’s basement.
October 22nd, 2011 at 12:38 am
You ask an awkward price, just as he runs out of an interview time!
October 22nd, 2011 at 10:48 am
Hah!
How much did he charge you for the interview?
October 22nd, 2011 at 11:04 am
Village called Manowar?? Is it not just the pub???
October 22nd, 2011 at 11:38 am
First time hearing that re-recording of battle hymns. so relieved i didn’t take my chances on buyin a ticket. pure pish. VICTORAY, VOCTORAY! WA?
October 22nd, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Joey’s been batting awkward questions for years … questions on ticket prices, stupid ‘fan’ packages and merchandising gimmicks, on the pointlessness of various live and EP releases, on the mediocrity of their studio releases over the last decade and a bit … In this case – fair enough, he’s deluded if he thinks Manowar enjoy the status of Metallica or Iron Maiden – but he subtly and without making a big deal out of it, intimated that the ticket price reflects exactly what the Irish promoter told them it should be, the price that ultimately the promoter sets.
What irritates me about the above interview is that he clearly wasn’t even arsed answering the perfectly straight forward and reasonable questions on the tour and on ‘Battle Hymns.’ It seemed he could barely even muster the energy to give the usual rote replies. If he was so disinterested he should have rescheduled for another time, or just not taken the interview at all. Of course, maybe he gave much more in depth responses and it was Lorc who couldn’t be bothered typing it all up, but I’d be a lot more inclined to give Bokky the benefit of the doubt than Joey.
October 22nd, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Well the Dublin show is sold out so, Joey will feel justified with the price. Fair play if I had a legion of deluded idiots buying my crap I’d fucking fleece them too. They deserve no better. Capitalism Baby!
October 22nd, 2011 at 5:03 pm
”Of course, maybe he gave much more in depth responses” – Not the case. The point of this question and answer format is to show exactly what was said.
And Manowar is indeed the name of the whole townland in north Dublin, they even have a GAA team. – http://www.manowargfc.com
October 22nd, 2011 at 7:00 pm
It really is such a pain that they wrote so many deadly metal songs cause it’s really so easy to fucking hate Manowar.
October 22nd, 2011 at 8:42 pm
great work lorc!
October 22nd, 2011 at 9:09 pm
The only proof of ‘value for money’ is the ticket sales. So Manowar sold out their Dublin gig. It means that their fans consider it value for money. Do your shitty bands fill up the smelly crapholes that they tour? If yes, fucking great. If not, haha faggots.
October 22nd, 2011 at 11:48 pm
its hard to try put him on the spot about sales and ticket prices when they have sold out ,most poeple bitching probably have tickets bought anyway .the usual”what if I miss out?”attitude .
October 24th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
lol, ffs. great answers there. i wonder if he was tipped off that questions would be asked about the cost. if he couldn’t be arsed to answer a few questions just don’t do the interview
October 24th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
http://www.list.co.uk/article/38272-interview-manowar-set-for-2011-uk-tour-in-16-years/
October 26th, 2011 at 3:48 am
Wow – a rather hateful lot, aren’t some of you? Tell me, seriously: why should Manowar charge less than any other big act? They headline major festivals all over Europe, just like Iron Maiden or Metallica, and it would rip your mind apart if you knew what it costs to bring the band, the crew, and all their equipment overseas from the USA. You have options – either go and witness pure, raw metal power at it’s finest, or don’t. Choice is yours. But that is not an unfair price at ALL and anyone who’s ever seen them live will tell you it’s worth every penny. I’ve seen people fly from all over this globe to see Manowar – and I know why. So to those who are bashing, your kind are not missed at these shows, trust and believe. Stay away and leave room for those who know the value of an opportunity to see these guys live. And there are PLENTY of us out there, filling up sold-out halls
October 26th, 2011 at 7:34 am
“But that is not an unfair price at ALL and anyone who’s ever seen them live will tell you it’s worth every penny.”
I’m a fan, and I’ve seen them live numerous times. And no, it’s not worth every penny. In fact, their appearance at Dynamo in 1999 will go down as one of my greatest gig disapppointments ever. So much so that it put me off the band for a long time. I’ve seen them on other occasions, though, and have enjoyed them greatly. No question. Still not enough to justify that price, however.
I do agree with those who said the ‘market justifies the price,’ though. The fact that it’s sold out implies the price is perfectly fair. But, had I been in the country, I myself wouldn’t have bought a ticket for this.
October 26th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Fuckin’ hell, the blind worship from Manowar fanboys makes me sick at the best of times.
“Why should Manowar charge less than any other big act?” – because they are not in the same league as the bigger acts mentioned, in terms of success, sales, recognition and impact on metal in general. Plain fucking simple, pull your head out of your arse!
October 26th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
cost of mandella hall – £1.5k ish
cost of odysessy – £50k week night
manowar ticket = £50
metallica = £40
well Iron Zephyr ?
October 26th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
“So to those who are bashing, your kind are not missed at these shows, trust and believe. Stay away and leave room for those who know the value of an opportunity to see these guys live.”
You sir are a rampant gay man
October 26th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Dear Manowar,
If I’m into metal but want to leave the hall anyway, am I entitled to a refund?
Yours sincerely,
Not your friend.
October 26th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
Manowar are not affiliated with some huge record company – they’re not sell-outs like Shitallica (heard their new stuff? It’s an abomination and not even remotely acceptable “metal”). Manowar carve their OWN path and are a relatively small operation by comparison. Yes, they obviously ARE in the same league with bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden or you wouldn’t see them HEADLINING these summer festivals. However, due to simple economics, when you run a smaller ship, things can wind up being even more costly due to smaller volume (and anyone who knows anything about sales knows this is true). This band puts everything back into the music, their sound system, and touring – these guys aren’t living in massive mansions with assistants wiping their asses. They live REAL, just like you and me, so they can keep putting on these shows for people who ARE fans, and there are plenty of ‘em. You guys clearly are not. Glad I won’t be bumping into any of you at any of the shows. Oh, and just for the record, I am not a man
October 26th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
everything you have just said is a contridiction proving the tickets should be less
October 26th, 2011 at 10:04 pm
You don’t understand the bombastic show they put on either, apparently
October 26th, 2011 at 10:43 pm
Look, it’s simple economics: when can you purchase in higher volume, you are able to drive down your per-piece price. When you are dealing in smaller volume, costs typically are higher. It costs the same to ship them and all their people and gear overseas no matter what size venue they are playing. And let me tell you that the D.A.S. audio system they are using is THE most amazing sound system you’ll ever hear in your life. Things like that don’t come for a song, ya know…
October 27th, 2011 at 12:07 am
While I utterly abhor the ticket price which is admittedly a rip off, Iron Zephyr is spot on with those comments. Metallica and Maiden can sell cheaper because they can sell more.
October 27th, 2011 at 11:14 am
That’s fair enough, but if Manowar “obviously ARE in the same league with bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden” then surely they’d be playing venues of equal size and therefore selling equal numbers of tickets.
October 27th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
Just as Mike said, surely if they are in the same league as these “bigger bands” they would have no problem selling out the Odyssey as Metallica and Maiden have in the last few years. The fact that they haven’t even sold out the Mandella yet is a further indicator for this. As much as they like to think, they are NOT in the same league. If they were, they would be headlining Rock Am Ring, Download, Sonisphere etc but no, they are headlining smaller European festivals (less frequently than the aforementioned bands too)
I still love everything up to and including “Kings of Metal”, but they are really taking the piss now, I would have been there in a heartbeat if the price was reasonable, but don’t know if I am going to bother now. Iron Zephyr – I’m not even going to bother with you any more, because with fans like yourself, Joey could shite on your Sunday roast in front of your folks and you would still try and defend his actions no matter what. Foolish blind worship to no end.
October 27th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Some people should lighten up. Nothing wrong with Manowar’s music as it is Metal through and through. If you dont want to go fuck up then. Let the fans enjoy the show. I will say that Manowar are quite delusional, but thats nothing new either, and it shouldnt take away from their music or their live shows.
October 27th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Iron Zephyr, Are you in fact Joey DeMaio?
October 27th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Manowar always seemed to shy away from big tours like Maiden,Priest,Metallica & every band from their era in the 80′s.They never were the kind of band to go on the road for 9 months non stop why is that? Maybe if they did they could well have been up their with the bands ive mentioned already.I don’t buy the arguement “oh they only play 7-8 shows a year to keep it special for their fans” …How do they expect to be on par with those bigger bands if they aren’t putting in the effort to tour properly over longer periods & win over new fans.
October 27th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
thank you mike and darren for seeing my point
October 27th, 2011 at 10:14 pm
Lets just face the facts! Manowar are not, were not and never will be as big as the bands they referenced!! That kind of money for their gig is just a rip off, plain and simple!!!
Metallica have sold out The RDS, Marlay park and Belfast year after year – would Manowar?????
October 28th, 2011 at 9:33 am
would they shite. And the reason they don’t book gigs in places liek that is they know full well they wouldn’t have a mission of selling it out. But now doubt the actual reason is no promoter has the “balls” to put them in such a venue. It’s funny how deluded DeMaio is to be fair. Still tickles me that he bailed on the interview the minute the price issue reared it’s head.
The first rule of Manowar ticket prices: You do not talk about Manowar ticket prices.
October 28th, 2011 at 9:57 am
No, Manowar does not support the same kinds of numbers that Maiden and Metallica can pull in – this is true. But there is something very special about the community of people that does support them and the level of intimacy that the fans feel from the band that I do not see happening with any other band in metal that makes them even more special to me. And that’s a priceless brotherhood that someone who is a non-fan will never know nor ever even remotely understand. It’s not blind worship – it’s a beautiful thing. No matter what any of the haters may say, there is a unity among Manowar fans that your words will never put a dent in, will never take away – in fact I’d go so far as to say I think they only serve to fuel our fire. I suppose it’s one of those, “If I have to explain it, you wouldn’t understand” kinds of things. But I will say to you: to each, his own. And I’ll be the first one to tell you that Manowar is not for everyone. But they are a band with a ferociously dedicated fan base and I’m one of them, simply here to defend where I feel people are making presumptuous statements that I personally believe to be untrue. I can only hope that each of you also care about something that deeply somewhere in your lives that you are willing to defend it, in spite of the opposition that you may face. And that’s it from me – peace to you all & keep it metal! \m/
October 28th, 2011 at 10:07 am
Jesus wept…
October 28th, 2011 at 11:05 am
iron zepher will you cop on and stop act like di maio’s press agent,for manowar to be in the same league as maiden and metallica they have to pull similar numbers.they don’t therefore they are not in the same league.they might headline festivals in mainland europe but so do maiden and metallica(bigger festivals).basically you are coming aacross like a deluded groupie.and if you want to see intimate gigs with atmosphere there are gigs on every week in belfast and dublin that are held in smaller venues with plenty atmosphere.
October 28th, 2011 at 11:42 am
“It’s not blind worship – it’s a beautiful thing. No matter what any of the haters may say, there is a unity among Manowar fans that your words will never put a dent in, will never take away”
you have GOT to be joking. Get a fucking life.
October 28th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Cowboys Ted a bunch of cowboys!
October 28th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Iron Zephyr, i like manowar and was prepared to pay upto £30 to see them, so they cost themselves a sale with me, but im sure i’ll see them at some festival in the future. Not a hater by any means.
Metallica have played shows for their fans for a £5 and are doing so again this decemeber for the 30th anniversary. Have manowar?
October 28th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
I’m a big Manowar fan but some of the comments here really take the biscuit, special brotherhood that you wouldn’t understand etc…At the end of the day it’s just music, excellent music but that’s all.
As for ticket prices, ya its way too steep but I can justify it to myself because I mightn’t get the chance to ever see them again given that I don’t travel abroad to festivals and have no intention of flying out to the continent just to catch a Manowar show.
October 28th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Christ man!, i saw Melechesh and Nille during the year! when Melechesh finished their set they came out to the crowd for photos and to chat and have a few beers-hell, Rahm handed me an Epigenesis promo poster!
Nile on the other hand had a couple of beers with me backstage and still post comments on stuff i put on Facebook!!!………..THATS what i would call a connection with the fans…….and they didnt rip me off for the pleasure!!!!
October 29th, 2011 at 1:02 am
Joey DeMaio is a faggot.
Best regards,
Gene
November 3rd, 2011 at 12:18 pm
As highlighted elsewhere, the setlist for their recent gigs is not exactly awe-inspiring either. Money well saved.
November 7th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Money’s worth Joey? Saw them in London on Saturday – no support, onstage at 9, off again at 10 for an ‘interval’ (despite the fact we’d already had a solo from Logan). Back on again 20mins later and then house lights at 10.45pm.
The final slap in the face was the lights dimming just after they’d finished – could we be having an encore featuring some of the many, MANY classics they hadn’t played? Nope. A roadie wanders onstage to rant for 5 mins about bootleg t-shirt sellers outside the gig. Utterly ludicrous.
Now I love Manowar but this whole scenario has been fan-exploiting, profiteering bullshit of the highest order.
November 7th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
So all in all they played an hour and twenty five minutes, less a solo spot? Blimey. If the ticket price for this gig was anything like the price for the Irish dates, then you were well and truly shafted. Comiserations dude
November 7th, 2011 at 9:13 pm
so glad im going to poland than wasting £50 on this!
November 12th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Firstly, JDM came across as incredibly egotistical and arrogant in that interview. If I was a fan of the band that would really turn me off.
Secondly, Manowar are charging what they are charging because most Manowar fans I know will pay anything for any old shite they put up for sale. Over the last few years they’ve been pedalling all sorts of ‘limited edition’ merch etc. and their fans seem to lap it up like mother’s milk. I know all bands do this to an extent but the amount of nonsense I saw fans of this band forking out for borders on lunacy!
The fact is Manowar obviously didn’t make a lot of money in their career because they didn’t work as hard as other bands and are trying to make up for it now. They’ve been selling this ‘true brothers and sisters of metal’ nonsense for years now now and have attracted a relatively small hardcore fan base who have bought into this and who believe(deludedly so!) that they are part of a special group of elite, chosen people who are above ‘normal’ metal fans. They obviously got the idea for this from preachers in America who do exactly the same thing. Trying to argue with a Manowar fan about how they’re being scammed is like trying to argue with a fundamentalist christian about Jesus. The facts are ignored and it goes back to the ‘part of something beautiful’ thing or ‘you on the outside wouldn’t understand’.
Manowar haven’t released a decent record in decades and are too lazy to tour hard so they’re probably just gonna kick back and milk their sheep for as long as they can. Metallica also havent released a decent record in aeons but they work really, really hard at what they do and JDM in trying to equate Manowar with Metallica or even Maiden is laughable at best and is testament to the man’s deluded arrogance.
July 7th, 2012 at 9:51 pm
I done a massive fart out me arse and da Mayo smelt it and said I loooove beans!