Today, we are interviewing Jim Manzo, member of the OTYP Band. Jim goes back quite a few years with the NoHo Arts District. He graduated from the Los Angeles Recording Workshop, which moved to Hollywood and is now where the Art Institute of California Hollywood is standing. Jim was a regular at local recording and rehearsal studios such as AMP, Leeds and The Alley. Now, the OTYP Band is releasing their new album.
Tell us about your childhood, when you discovered music.
Music has always been in my life. From my uncles on my mom’s side of the family to a pro singer entertainer on my dad’s side of the family. My mom would play guitar to my brother and I instead of reading a book before bed. When I was a kid, my mom would leave my brother and me at my grandparents and I would listen to my uncle’s rock band play in the garage. When I was six years old my mom introduced me to accordion classes. I did really well with that and I still have that accordion. Then in jr. high I started music theory class and played trumpet, trombone and stand up bass in the school orchestra/band.
How did you get started in the music industry?
I really got into the business when I worked at a few video companies like EasyRider, and a small record label in the San Fernando Valley. Then in 1991 I worked in radio at an L.A. FM station [ 97.1FM KLSX ], and then a few other radio networks around the SoCal area. This really launched my career, but yet still not quite there yet. I have been in bands since I was 15 years old, and some of the best performances were in a recent groups. The bands that really made an impact in my life were pretty much all of them. But here are the names of the bands I played in from when I started: Decoda, Realize, DPS [ Drunken Pond Scum ], RAZ, All These Souls, Black Nautilus, and currently with OTYP [ Older Than Your Parents ].
Tell us about your band.
“Older Than Your Parents” is the current and most unspoken rock band that I have played in. We have been together for over 21 years as different names but have now been “OTYP”for the last two to three years. The band is five members, including Joey Molland of Badfinger and Joe Vitale song writer and performer with Joe Walsh, CSN and The Eagles to name a few of his credits. The five of us put together quite a few tracks of music in the last 21 years.
Describe your new upcoming album.
OTYP has a new album coming this fall. We are still working on the title of the record. It is a collection of 16 new tracks with some hidden extras for fun.
Who have you collaborated with?
I have had the joy of playing with Skunk Baxter, Ike Willis of Frank Zappa’s band, Dalana, Jimmy McNichol, The Joe’s who recorded with me, Stu Cook of CCR, Gilby Clarke, and I know I’m missing a few more names.
Which bands and genre of music do you share likeness?
I am mostly a fan of ROCK music, but I do like metal and groups like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica and Motley Crue, Kiss and Deathklok. I’m mostly influenced by classic rock like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, to Tom Petty, Lenny Kravitz and Fishbone.
Tell Us about your fan base.
These we’ll take anyone we can get. I think with the older players and the legends in our group, most of our demographics would be in the 34 to 54 crowd. I have noticed when we do play the Hollywood clubs the younger kids do get into our music. Most of our outreach is found on social media like Facebook, MySpace, Youtube and twitter.
Where do you perform regularly and where can people see you next?
I myself stay active with live playing every Wednesday at a club in Tarzana called “Peties” on Reseda and Oxnard in the San Fernando Valley. This is a “JAM” night from 9pm-1am every Wednesday. It’s a great place to meet up and get musicians together and play a bunch of rock or whatever. And we have had some high-profile musicians step in from time to time. As far as OTYP, nothing is in the books at the moment but I am playing in a few other groups to fill the void between OTYP gigs. This September 6th I will be performing at Universal Bar n Grill in N. Hollywood with a “Pat Benatar” tribute band, and on the 28th of September with solo artist “Nikki Lunden.”
What will be happening five years from now?
Hopefully, the next two to three albums will be out and we will have toured more than Los Angeles and the East Coast. But seriously, I think we will finally have the respect and recognition with in our peers in the music community. Lets hope the earth holds together after December 21, 2012. Then I can give you all a real answer to what is up.
Name all the members of the band, in order of who’s most likely to sing in the shower?
Jim Manzo Bass – OTYP aka “Older Than Your Parents” is:
Michael Rescigno – Guitar, Vocals
Jeff Hutchinson – Drums, Vocals
Jim Manzo – Bass, Vocals
Joe Vitale – Keys, Percussion, Vocals
Joey Molland – Lead guitar, Vocals
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Dirty Rotten Horns will join us for the 2012-2013 tour
www.youtube.com/TheOTYPchannel
www.myspace.com/olderthanyourparents
I loved the video! Thanks for introducing them to your readers.