Roger Joseph Manning Jr - Catnip Dynamite

The founding member of Jellyfish, Imperial Drag, TV Eyes and Malibu who has collaborated with artists such as Beck and Air will unleash a new solo LP this February

announcing:

ROGER JOSEPH MANNING JR.

Catnip Dynamite

(Oglio Records)

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Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. could easily achieve world domination if he decided to do so. For the past 20 years, he has infiltrated television sets, radio airwaves, films and dancefloors worldwide. Fortunately there are not any hidden messages provoking anarchy – just an enjoyable display of Roger’s talent. On February 3, 2009, he will unleash his latest solo endeavor, Catnip Dynamite, on Oglio Records/Franklin Castle.

Many are familiar with Roger’s work through such original group endeavors as Jellyfish, Imperial Drag, The Moog Cookbook and TV Eyes. Roger has also assisted artists like Beck and Air both in the studio and in live performances. He has worked as a keyboardist, vocalist, arranger and songwriter in a more behind the scenes capacity with hundreds of artists from Johnny Cash to Paris Hilton and on films such as “Lost In Translation” and “Team America.” With his most recent appearances on forthcoming records from Morrissey, Glen Campbell and Cheap Trick, Roger has also served as a remixer who has reworked the songs of everyone from Felix Da Housecat to Henry Mancini.

Catnip Dynamite does a great job of referring back to a rich heritage of former eras of pop music – but then catapults it into the future. Make sure to rock out the three bonus live tracks on the US release which includes a cover of the Thomas Dolby track “Europa and the Pirate Twins,” a raucous live version of Roger’s previously released track “You Were Right” and an epic cover of Elton John’s “Love Lies Bleeding.”

Check the infectious track “Down In Front” which musically touches on the early ‘70s British scene when artists like Sparks and Alvin Stardust ruled the airwaves. “I’ve always found great power and joy from rock that was still tough and happy,” says Roger. “Down In Front is in celebration musically of AM radio where long-haired tough rock n’ rollers weren’t scared to make a track that was happy but still kicked ass.”

Kicking ass is right. Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. might just achieve world domination – of the world of pop, that is.

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past praise for Roger Joseph Manning Jr.:

"...indie pop masterpiece." – Blender

"The Land of Pure Imagination bursts with lush arrangements, whether channeled to driving anthems with soaring choruses, introspective chamber pop or croony numbers that belong in a 007 soundtrack." – Los Angeles Times

"...the toppermost of the poppermost in ‘06 is The Land of Pure Imagination, with one knockout melody after another. Imagination? You bet. And pure pop for Beatle people." – Sound & Vision

"God’s gift to the keyboards...The Land of Pure Imagination is simply dazzling. He transforms this epic, arena sound into the catchiest, nicely-packaged pop songs" – Performing Songwriter

"...ignoring Manning’s cornucopia of talent is nearly impossible" – Under The Radar

"Manning's songs are beyond intricate: each contains enough melody for three songs. Despite the complexity of the arrangements, the songs proceed from start to finish effortessly... A staggering amout of intelligence and energy was poured into The Land of Pure Imagination, and it's evident in every track. Though Manning Jr. has gained a reputation as a skilled musical collaborator, he's proven that he's more than just a hired gun. More like a one-man army." - Prefixmag.com