- Manic Drive
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Manic Drive 
(From L to R) Anthony Moreino; Shawn Cavallo; and Michael CavalloBackground information Origin Toronto, Ontario, Canada Genres Christian metal, hard rock Years active 1996-present Labels Whiplash Records Associated acts Thousand Foot Krutch, Skillet, Superchick Switchfoot Website www.manicdrive.com Members Shawn Cavallo
Michael Cavallo
Keith ComerPast members Tyler Dolynsky
Travis Blackmore
Anthony Moreino
Dave LoveManic Drive is a Christian Rock band formed by founding members Michael A. Cavallo and Shawn Cavallo hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are internationally known in North America and Europe and have established themselves through the Christian/Gospel music industry. They still continue to build momentum touring and collaborating with such artists as Skillet, Switchfoot, Thousand Foot Krutch, Superchick, Pillar, Kevin Max of dc Talk, Fireflight, Stellar Kart, Group 1 Crew, and Stryper. They are currently signed to Whiplash Records and have released three projects since 2005 with a fourth full length album due for release in 2011.
Contents
Band history
Brothers Michael and Shawn Cavallo formed Manic Drive in 2004 when the opportunity of a major label offered them a record deal. In April 2004 following a GMA showcase they were signed to Butterfly Music Group out of Nashville, TN. Later that year members of Butterfly Music Group decided to go in a different direction and start an indie label named Whiplash Records in Spring Hill, TN (South of Nashville). The Cavallos with session bassist Lucas Wright started tracking in the studio to release their first release Reason for Motion May 2005. The album received distribution through Infinity Music Group/Central South through a licensing deal with Whiplash Records.
The album independently gained unexpected national success as singles "Luckiest," "Nebulous," "Memories," and "Middle of it All" all hit the R&R Top 30 Christian Rock charts and debuted high in the Top 10. This allowed them the opportunity to tour in the fall of 2005 with Tooth & Nail Records/EMI recording artist Seventh Day Slumber & Flicker Records recording artist Fireflight. Through national touring, Top 10 music videos and radio Manic Drive "Reason for Motion" sold over 10,000 units without the assistance of a major label.
The Cavallos with members Phil Massicote (bass) and Johnny DiMarco (drums) followed 2006 with more opportunities with touring, showcases, live TV performances and sharing the stage with Christian music's largest names at festivals such as Kingdom Bound, Lifefest, Cornerstone, Spirit West Coast, Joshua Fest, Lifelight, and countless others. In 2007, a sophomore release was anticipated. Manic Drive hit the studio with new members bassist Tyler Dolynsky and drummer Travis Blackmore through the summer of 2007 between festival touring to release Reset & Rewind September 18, 2007. The album was highly praised by multiple critics giving the sophomore release an average of 4 to 5 stars. CCM Magazine (Christian music's largest magazine) listed Reset & Rewind in the Critic Picks Top 10 Albums of 2007.
In 2008, their single "Blue" featuring four time Grammy award winning artist Kevin Max of dc Talk became a turning point for Manic Drive as the single and music video not only gathered much success on the Billboard Charts Christian Rock Top 30 chart, but was featured as a world premiere that serviced to over 20 countries by the Gospel Music Channel and climb #2 Rock Video of 2009 following Skillet’s Comatose. "Blue" placed on several top 10 video charts including networks such as JCTV, CBN (1cubed) and God TV(Europe/Asia).
That same year they were invited to join Flicker recording national artist and one of Christian rock's biggest names Pillar on the "For the love of the Game Tour" feat American Idol’s Brooke Barretsmith and Flicker recording artist Wavorly. This credited furthermore that Manic Drive was gaining establishment as a national touring band. Back in their homeland Canada, Manic Drive was nominated for seven CGMA (Canadian Gospel Music Association) Covenant Awards in 2008 and won "Best Video of the Year" & "Best Rock Album of the Year" Thus building respect and a strong following in Canada while leading more interest in the States and Europe. That same year there invited to perform at large youth conferences and festivals including Change Conference in Toronto, Canada and JesusRock Festival in Kramfors, Sweden. In 2009, Manic Drive with new drummer Anthony Moreino converted into a three piece and were more in demand than ever. Following their success as an indie band climbing Christian Billboard/R&R Top 30 charts, heavy rotated music videos and winning awards gained interest from Van Alan Mgmt & Productions and Provident Music Group Christian music’s # 1 Record Label/Distributor.
On August 18, 2009 Manic Drive re-released their second album “Reset and Rewind” re-naming it “Blue” and added several new tracks including “Walls”, “Music” and “Rain”. Producer Lucio Rubino (singer/guitarist for Story Side B) took on the project remixing the single “Blue” and for fun was invited to sing on the single for the release. The album became an instant favorite of music critics, industry and fans. CCM Magazine (Jan 2010 issue) listed “Blue” as their Top 10 picks of 2009 among Dove and Grammy Awarded artist Jars of Clay and Cece Winans.
In the fall of 2009, Manic Drive was invited by legendary 80’s metal band Stryper to be featured on their “25th Anniversary Tour”. The 3 month tour took place coast to coast across The States and Canada. Manic Drive was seen performing on some the most legendary stages such as Nokia Live Nightclub, Jacksonville Theatre, and most of the House of Blues venues including both Disney parks. Oz Fox (guitarist for Stryper) was seen walking out on stage in Portland, OR performing lead guitar with guitarist Michael A. Cavallo. Manic Drive was creating history working with the multi-platinum selling artist creating respect from artist and industry.
On January 22, 2010, Manic Drive released their hit single “Walls” which ignited on the Christian CHR Billboard Charts Top 30. Within weeks the single began climbing the chart and hit #1 on the largest syndicated radio network AIR 1 Radio leading over national artist Switchfoot, Owl City, Skillet, and Flyleaf. Their music video following has impacted TV heavily and received positive response from fans and industry alike. In January 2010, they teamed up with the Billy Graham Association and performed a sold out show with speaker Will Graham (Billy Graham’s grandson) and Grammy nominated artist Fresh I.E in Canada’s capitol Ottawa, ON.
That fall, their second single "Music" stormed up the charts debuting on the Top 10 Air charts and Top 20 CHR Christian Billboard while being featured on the "For those Who Wait Tour" with Fireflight featuring Group 1 Crew
On September 27, 2011 they released their fourth release titled "Epic". Produced by Rob Wells (Justin Bieber, Backstreet Boys, Adam Lambert) featuring singles "Halo" and "Save a Life". In support of "Epic" they toured with international band The Newsboys across North America.
Currently they are booking through 2012 and will be featured at large events such as Premiere Festivals, Kingdom Bound, Lifest, Canada’s Wonderland, Ichthus, Atlanta Fest, Joshua Fest, Soul Fest and others.
Lead vocalist Shawn Cavallo officially opened his own recording studio Sonic Sound Studio in Mississauga, ON (West Toronto) and has already carried a leading career working with producers Brian Hardin (Larry Norman, Passion of the Christ Soundtrack) Lucio Rubino (Story Side:B, Session player for Paramore) Ben Kasica (Skillet) and recording artist Hill City Lights, Sarah Pacheco and Dale Luarca.
Discography
- as One Cross
World Going Crazy
- Released: 1997
- Label: Indie
Key Lime Cry
- Released: 1999
- Label: Indie
Clearly Distorted
- Released: 2000
- Label: Indie
Welcome to the Real World (review[1])
- Released: 2002
- Label: Indie
Limited Edition EP
- Released: 2003
- Format: EP
- Label: Indie
- as Manic Drive
Reason for Motion (review[2])
- Released: 2005
- Label: Whiplash Records
Blue
- Released: 2009
- Label: Whiplash Records / Bema Media
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| Epic - 9/27/11
- Songs on compilations
- Launch: Ignition, "Nebulous" (2005, CMC)
Awards and recognition
- 2002 nominee, Best Rock Album of the Year: Welcome to the Real World
- 2002 nominee, Best Rock/Alternative Song of the Year
- 2008 Rock Album Of The Year: Reset & Rewind
- 2008 Video Of The Year: "Eleven Regrets"[6]
- Gospel Music Channel Music Video Awards
- 2009 nominee, Best Rock Video: "Blue"[7]
- Shai Awards (formerly The Vibe Awards)
- 2002 nominee, Best Rock Alternative Album of the Year: Welcome to the Real World
- 2003 nominee, Best Song of the Year
References
- ^ Wiegman, Ken (October, 2002). "(Review) Welcome To The Real World". AlphaOmegaNews. http://www.alphaomeganews.org/reviews/music/02/oct/onecross.html. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
- ^ Blackburn, Stuart (30 August 2005). "(Review) Reason For Motion". CrossRhythms (UK). http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Manic_Drive/Reason_For_Motion/12977/. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
- ^ Banister, Christa (2007). "(Review) Reset & Rewind". Christianity Today. http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2007/resetrewind.html. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ^ Kerslake, Paul (6 September 2008). "(Review) Reset & Rewind". CrossRhythms (UK). http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Manic_Drive/Reset__Rewind/44899/. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
- ^ Well, Chris. "(Review) Reset & Rewind". CCM Magazine. http://www.ccmmagazine.com/reviews/music/11557032/. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
- ^ Manic Drive also received nominations for: Rock Song Of The Year: "Eleven Regrets", Hard Music Song Of The Year: "Obvious", Modern Rock/Alternative Song Of The Year: "Blue", Pop/Contemporary Song Of The Year: "The Inventor", and Rap/Hip Hop Song Of The Year: "Dancefloor". GMAC 2008 Covenant Award Nominees. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
- ^ GMC Music Video Awards. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
External links
Categories:- Canadian Christian rock groups
- Musical groups from Toronto
- Industrial rock musical groups
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